BIRDWATCHING  IN

SOUTHERN ANDALUCIA

 

 

Andalucía is, without doubt, one of the richest Iberian regions in terms of its flora and fauna and is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The diversity of habitats and the range of species is outstanding, for instance, Andalucia has a vascular flora of some 5000 taxa, 10% of which is endemic! Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in Spain and many species rare to Europe turn up each year, particularly along the southwest coastline.

 

The eight provinces of Andalucia are separated from the rest of Spain by the 400km ridge of the sierra Morena and from Morocco by just 14km of open water at Gibraltar. It’s a small wonder that the region has a tremendous Afro-Iberian influence both culturally and biologically.

 

Andalucia boasts more than 80 protected areas covering around 20% of its land area; there are two national parks, seven Biosphere Reserves and eight Ramsar Sites.

 

Ornithologists arrive throughout the year, but are especially interested when most birds appear, i.e. during the migration period, March – June and August-October.  The spring period is the most popular because at this time of the year you can see many wintering species together with those arriving for the summer months.

 

Winter birding (November-February) can also be very rewarding with resident bird numbers being greatly enhanced by winter visitors mainly wildfowl, warblers, thrushes and waders, also sea-watching during this period can be very productive.

 

The birds of Andalucia

 

 

There are some 13 resident raptor species in Andalucía, as well as another 9 which migrate here annually from Africa. There are four eagle species which can be found in the mountainous regions, Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles being the stars, with Booted, and Short-toed Eagles providing the supporting cast. The best place to see them is in the more mountainous parts of the province where they can be seen hunting or riding the thermals. The much rarer Spanish Imperial Eagle can be found in areas just south of Sevilla but may appear anywhere in the region.Add to these Egyptian and Griffon Vultures and smaller birds of prey, such as the Kestrels, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons and Kites, brings the total to some 23 species of raptors that can be seen in the region.Migration hotspots in the spring can produce many thousands of raptors at any one time and a visit to the areas around Tarifa during April- May and August – October can be very rewarding.

In Andalucia up to 20 Warblers may be seen along with, Storks, Herons, Egrets, Terns, Larks, Pipits, Swallows, Swifts, Martins, Tits and Buntings. A splash of colour is added with Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Roller, Shrikes, Serin and Kingfisher.

The region is also host to many, rare and endangered species such as Red-Crested Coot, Marbled and White-headed Duck, Purple Swamphen, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Black Stork and Glossy Ibis. Many species on most wanted lists also appear, Penduline Tit, Black Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Bonelli’s Eagle, Eagle Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gulls to name but a few. A group of introduced species such as Common Waxbill, Black-rumped Waxbill, Red Avadavat, Monk and Rose-ringed Parakeets adds colour (and noise) to the avifauna of the region.