Birding in Serrania de Ronda/Sierra de Grazalema (1 Viewer)

[O.Reville1989]

Also would like to echo the points made about the sensational valley to the south west of Montejaque known as Llanos de Libar.
In driving rain and 6oC this April we managed Black Wheatear, Black-Eared Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Blue-Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Rock Sparrow and Black-Redstart in one field!!! With Iberian Grey Shrike and Chough slightly further along the valley.
Also fantastic views of Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli's Eagle, Short-Toed Eagle, Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, Short-Toed Treecreeper, Orphean Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Cirl Bunting, Wood Lark, Mistle Thrush, Siskin, Iberian Green Woodpecker....What a place!
Red-Rumped Swallow just outside Montejaque and Iberian Ibex were the cherry on the cake.
I'm due back in Spain in September and this will be my first port of call! I can't recommend it highly enough to any birders visiting the area.

 

[skippo]

Oli, I don't have photos sadly. What a place though! To see the eagles just sail up and around....As for the Olivaceous, it was another lbj until I saw the white edges to the tail, which was bobbing up and down - just like it says in the book! The melodious too - first thought was what's a wagtail doing up that tree, then saw that the yellow went all down the breast. And the blue rockthrush just appeared at the end of the walk and just strutted around catching the light. I did ask an old chap to confirm the Bonnellis; as for the vulture, well it looked just like the picture on the sign, bit could have been another BIG soaring bird. Would love to go back in September/October.

 

[Black Wheatear]

I give a take on my local patch in the Serranía de Ronda and other areas visited during spring 2012. It has been a mixed bag of surprises and disappointments with unseasonable weather affecting the fauna and flora during the tours. Although it has to be said it was an enjoyable experience for all concerned, it remained a strange mixture of good and bad news for wildlife this year. A very dry winter meant late flowering plants leading to a lack of insects, which led to food shortages for early arriving birds reliant on a good food source after their long passage from Africa, an unusual year so far….

The article link below includes a number of photographs including my notorious albino Stonechat..

Article link: http://www.spanishnature.com/birds/72-andalucia/177-back-over-my-shoulder.html

Hope you enjoy the read.

Peter:t:

 

[Black Wheatear]

Back over my shoulder....

It has been a busy spring, full blown tours and never a dull moment on my local day trips around my mountains here in the Serranía de Ronda, no complaints from me, its been a record year for bookings, but it certainly made time fly by and already we are in the summer months under blue skies and a very hot sun. Certain things stick in mind from April through to the middle of May, namely the unpredictable weather, a strange year so far. Flowers were late, orchids were patchy and some of our migrant birds also chose to delay their appearance, or at least in anything like their normal numbers.

Cold days and rain punctuated the passing of April and a tragedy unfolded as the month wore on. Sure the rains were welcomed by all, the flowers certainly livened-up and the countryside began the transition from multicoloured hues to more greens, but together with the rains, the cold meant a severe lack of insects. I picked-up several dead Bee Eaters around local areas, all showed signs of starvation with breast bones needle sharp and no visible fat, I can only surmise the lack of insects, after such long uninterrupted journeys, led to these beautiful birds perishing at the final hurdle of their migration.

Other bird events of note were the late arrivals of such species as Red-rumped Swallow, Golden Oriole and some of our more common warbler species such as Bonelli’s and Orphean Warbler. Although certain species appeared to be passing through in normal numbers, those returning to breed here seemed reduced. Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Booted and Short-toed Eagle have been absent from some of their regular summer territories, also the elusive and increasingly rare Egyptian Vulture seems to have been lost as a breeding bird in my area. I wonder how much poisoning in Africa is to blame for the demise of this rather handsome member of the vulture family?

Plants certainly were stimulated by the long awaited rains and although certain species put on their customary colour extravaganza, they lacked the normal longevity of previous years, except that is for the blood red poppies which have been simply stunning. Hillsides and meadows were swathed in red with wild mustard, fennel and echiums adding to the spectacular colour show. My spirits were further lifted by the late but numerous arrival of both Bonelli’s and Melodious Warblers, Subalpine and Spectacled Warblers occupied their customary territories as they skulked and flitted in deep cover with Nightingales seemingly singing at every stop on my routes.

After a worrying beginning, the spring continued to improve and virtually everyday on tour produced some highlight. Rock hopping Ibex accompanied by playful kids, Rüppell’s Vulture and Long-legged Buzzard put in regular appearances and all my Bonelli’s Eagle nests successfully raised two young to fledging. Spanish Sparrow, normally a rarity in my territory, was discovered in good numbers at two sites and Olivaceous Warbler arrived late but at least in numbers as good as previous years. For the second year running Great Crested Grebe bred on our local reservoir and Black-crowned Night Heron bred on the Rio Guadiaro for the first time, compensating a little for a down turn in the fortunes of Lesser Kestrel, whose numbers were down on previous years.

All in all an interesting spring in my mountains and capped off by discovering an albino Stonechat on a regular route of mine. Time now to wind down, time to write a few articles and generally prepare for a busy autumn. I hope you might be inspired to join me sometime in the Serranía de Ronda.

Illustrated article on this link: http://spanishnature.com/birds/72-andalucia/177-back-over-my-shoulder.html

 

[Black Wheatear]

A colossus in our mountains! With a wingspan of 2.8 metres and weighing 8 kilos, that’s 9 foot and 17lbs in old money, Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus is our largest resident raptor here in the Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema. Essentially a specialist carrion eater, this enormous bird is spectacular and the most easily seen raptor in our mountains. Throughout Spain, this species has increased steadily over the past 15 years by the provision of feeding stations, the last official census carried out to ascertain the number of breeding birds put the population at 17,000 pairs. EU legislation threatened the status quo with the banning of artificial feeding stations. With the advent of mad cow disease (BSE), legislation was introduced requiring all dead carcases to be incinerated limiting the possibility of any further cross-contamination of this disease. The affect upon many areas was a disaster for Griffon Vulture populations and other carrion eating birds. In fact, some Griffon Vultures, normally a placid bird, took to attacking livestock where feeding stations were closed! Happily, due to pressure from various conservation and agricultural organisations, feeding stations are now to be permitted again and will be regulated to include fenced off compounds sited more than 500 metres away from human habitation. Of course all carcases will have to have been tested negative for BSE!!!

Many visitors (and possibly those living in the area) find identification of raptors difficult and confusing. With 4 breeding species of eagle and other large raptors in the area, then I think this is not surprising! However, as far as our Griffon Vultures are concerned, identification is made less difficult if we take account of its unique flight silhouette. Next time you see this bird in flight, either at close quarters or in the distance, make a note of the almost total lack of tail in relation to overall size. The depth of wing (leading to trailing edge) is very much greater than tail length. In many other raptors the tail is as long as the depth of wing. You could say, when in the air, Griffon Vultures look rather like a huge flying moustache!

Our local breeding population of circa.600 pairs and probably as many non-breeding birds, make this area one of the most important in Europe for Griffon Vultures. Perhaps not the best looking of birds, whilst perched or feeding, seeing these birds in flight is a natural wonder. They are among the best aviators in the bird world, using up-draughts and thermals to perfection. In common with many large birds, Griffons save energy by finding airflows which reduce the need for the flapping of their wings. In fact, apart from take-off and landing, it is rare to see these giants of the skies flap their wings. Young birds can take 6 years to mature sufficiently to become breeding birds and this makes their adolescence one of the most protracted of all birds. Adults can live beyond thirty years and once established in an area will rarely venture far from their home territories. Non-breeding birds however will range
over wide areas, with some choosing to venture as far a field as Africa.

Peter Jones

 

[Black Wheatear]

As an offshoot from an interest in birding you become acutely aware of the changes in the seasons. Subtle changes to dramatic sudden change, from the dry summer here in Andalucia to an absolute deluge which produced 10 inches of rain in 2 hours (Sierra de las Nieves). Of course the onset of autumn also means a change to our local avifauna, not least the southward migration of so many much loved birds, whose absence is mourned and a longing for their return burns ever brighter as autumn progresses and slowly ebbs into winter.

It is a difficult time to go birding here in my mountains (Serranía de Ronda), a kind of transitory period with so many summer residents departed for Africa and a wait for winter birds to arrive. Taking people around the area can be tough, as we struggle to find remnants of migration, still late birds including Whinchat, Tawny Pipit and the occasional Short-toed or Booted Eagle help to give spice to our days. Some magnificent birds remain all year as residents such as Bonelli’s Eagle, Black Wheatear and the constant songster the Blue Rock Thrush, but things definitely quieten down for a few weeks during October.

Quite apart from looking forward to winter arriving birds, now is time for drawing breath and reflecting on a very hot and dry summer. As mentioned in previous blogs/articles, the breeding season has been hard for many birds, especially insectivores; with the late flowering of many plants having effects on insects appearing much later than normal and in reduced numbers. Warblers, Bee eaters and many others found life hard, but the emergence of late insects eventually led to successful broods being raised during the late summer. Other species such as Bonelli’s Eagle had a great year with most nests producing 2 fledged young. Not such a bad summer after all.

Now, as I ponder late autumn, winter birds are just about starting to make an appearance, my fig tree is currently being ravaged by hordes of Blackcap and Spotless Starling with the occasional late migrant such as Garden Warbler joining in the feast. Chiffchaff are starting to arrive along with a few early White Wagtail, soon I am expecting large numbers of Ring Ouzel to feast on the plentiful fruits of local Hawthorn, these were well below normal last winter due to the lack of hawthorn berries, so I am expecting thrushes aplenty this winter. Alpine Accentors should arrive very soon as snows fall on higher mountain ranges and I guess the big question for me is will we be graced with Wallcreeper this winter? Richard’s Pipit sometimes accompanies the large winter contingent of Meadow and Water Pipit, so plenty to look forward to!

Seasonal changes to the weather offer exciting opportunities for birding here and not least the winter months, when large numbers of our avian friends choose to spend their time here in the temperate climbs of Andalucia. Common Crane will arrive in their thousands, whilst local populations of Little Bustard and Great Bustard will flock together making observation easier. Stone Curlews too gather into huge wintering flocks that can number in excess of 1000, so spectacles as well as thrills await the winter birder!

Peter

 

[Reader]

Hi Peter

I am currently In Spain (staying in Salou) and can confirm what you say after only a day being here.

We spent a whole day at the Ebro Delta and I have never seen it so quiet (apart from Little and Cattle Egret and a smattering of Great White plus Grey Herons.

Only on one pool did we see any waders and then it was about 20 Wood Sands, a lone Ruff and Common Sand and what I'm fairly certain was a Marsh Sand (it was quite distant) but apart from that both the north and south were extremely quiet.

I hop we fare better between now and the 18th when we return home.

John

 

[Black Wheatear]

Hi Peter
I am currently In Spain (staying in Salou) and can confirm what you say after only a day being here.
We spent a whole day at the Ebro Delta and I have never seen it so quiet (apart from Little and Cattle Egret and a smattering of Great White plus Grey Herons.
Only on one pool did we see any waders and then it was about 20 Wood Sands, a lone Ruff and Common Sand and what I'm fairly certain was a Marsh Sand (it was quite distant) but apart from that both the north and south were extremely quiet.
I hop we fare better between now and the 18th when we return home.
John

Hi John,

It is tough at the moment, but also it is important to know the local area well. Even at this time of year I can still muster 'good' birds, yesterday my hopes and expectations popped out of the bag and produced my first Ring Ouzels of the season, plus Bonelli's Eagle, Golden Eagle, Cirl & Rock Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redtart, Black Wheatear, Whinchat, Rock Sparrow, Crag Martin and a host of other goodies.

I'd recommend contacting Steve West for a day whilst you are there, he will know the most likely areas where you can find the birds. Local knowledge is really very important, especially when the going is tough!

Hope you have a great time.

Peter :t:

 

[Black Wheatear]

Springtime in the Serranía de Ronda
(Something to look forward to)...

I have recently been asked to write a short piece on the spring attractions to be found in the Serranía de Ronda, the travel advisers wanted something to put into their pages on this wonderful area. Ironic so soon after writing about the autumn and onset of winter here.
All times of the year hold fantastic opportunities to view wildlife in this unspoiled mountain range, but I guess for sheer abundance of fauna and flora, then mid springtime is as good it gets here. Many visitors find the vibrant colours, scenery and wide vistas simply breathtaking and not at all as they imagined Spain, a far cry from beaches and crowded resorts. So it is not the hardest of tasks to write about my mountains!

During the final days of April, many migrant breeding birds have already arrived and are proclaiming their territories in the Serranía. Probably, at this time of the year, it is easier to find normally elusive birds due to the male’s higher profile during display and territorial behaviour. Others, such as the larger resident raptors i.e. Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles, are secretive now as they feed and protect their young. Egyptian Vulture, an endangered species, breeds here in the Serranía and is one of only two pairs currently breeding within the Malaga province! Together with Griffon Vulture, you should see these spectacular raptors during the course of a couple of day’s excursion. During a tour, you will be able to see handsome male Black-eared Wheatears, as well as a Spanish speciality the Black Wheatear, the later apart from a few pairs on the French side of the Pyrenees, breeds no where else in Europe! Casting your eyes skywards, you should be able to see both Booted and Short-toed Eagles soaring over the wooded areas of the Serranía, only recently arrived from their African wintering quarters, they are more readily seen at this time of year as they re-establish breeding territories.

Springtime in the Serranía can be a wonderful time to visit. Not only is the area rich in birds, but also wildlife in general. Spring flowers for example, can provide carpets of rich colour and the number of species found can be challenging. Orchid species abound and the mixture of limestone and sandstone leads to such diverse soil types, that the variety of flowers is probably richer here than many parts of the Iberian peninsular. Indeed, if you include the Sierra de Grazalema within your visit to the area, then the mountain range here is probably among the most important in Spain, if not Europe. Iris is also a family well represented and although the species Wide-leafed iris may have gone over, the Barbary nut Gynandris sisyrinchium is almost certain to be found on your tour. The Barbary nut is an interesting plant, flowering only after mid-day; it was a traditional source of blue ink in day’s of old!

Hopefully, a tour of the Serranía will allow you to leave the area with a much greater understanding and appreciation of its beauty and importance. To see as much as possible, you should explore the area with a local guide, with as many stops and walks as time will permit.

To find out more about the wildlife of the area, it is recommend visiting the website www.spanishnature.com where checklists can be found for Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, Butterflies and Flora.

A book Birds of the Serranía de Ronda (including Sierra de Grazalema) is available from the author at [email protected] for the price of €10 plus postage, the same email address can be used for inquiries regarding and prearranging tours in the area.

Did you know?

The area has more than 1800 species of plants recorded?

This land-locked area has more than 230 species of birds recorded?

Redstart and Northern Wheatear have their most southerly European breeding populations here?

Bonelli’s Eagle has its highest breeding density in Europe in the Serranía?

The Serranía is the only place in Europe where the Pinsapo tree grows as an endemic species?

Grazalema has the highest annual rainfall in all of Spain?

Griffon Vultures have a wing-span of 9ft and can weigh 17.6lbs!!

Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema covers over 50,000 hectares?

There you go then, thought I'd keep my Birdforum chums informed!!

Peter B

 

[Black Wheatear]

Andalucia Bird Society are to hold their November field meeting on my patch so non members can attend for a contribution! See as below:

Event: Members Field Meeting

Date: 10th November 2012, Saturday.

Meeting Point: Car Park at the entrance to the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (Grid Ref. 36º 39' 40.85" N / 5º 5' 48.76" W)

Time: 9.30 am prompt please.

Leader for the day: Mick Smith

Directions to the Meeting Point: The entrance to the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park is located between km13 and km14 signs on the A497 road that runs between San Pedro and Ronda. If you are travelling from San Pedro it is a right-hand turning and from Ronda a left-hand turning. The grid ref. for the turning is 36º 39' 38.69" N / 5º 5' 57.54" W. The entrance is clearly signposted from both directions.

The road into the Natural Park is a tarmac road and the car park is about 200 metres from the entrance on your left.

Clothing and Food: This is a very remote region. The car park is situated at about 1,000 metres above sea level and during the field meeting we will climb at least another 300 metres. The weather is unpredictable in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park at this time of the year so it is necessary that you wear clothing that can cope with warm, cold and wet i.e layers of clothing including an outer layer of waterproof clothing if necessary. Walking shoes/boots are also necessary.

Due to it being a remote region you will need to bring your own lunch as there are no Ventas where a lunch could be purchased.

Information about the Field Meeting: We will spend about 40 to 60 minutes at the car park walking through the adjacent country searching for birds.

We will then use as few cars as possible for the remainder of the meeting, selecting those cars that can cope best with the conditions in the reserve. The tracks in the main are perfectly alright for any car, however, the track conditions in a couple of places we will pass through are best traveresed with a vehicle with a high wheel height - 4x4 is not necessary. The unsuitable cars will be left at the car park until we return.

We will take the track into the reserve, following a river valley slowly for about 6 kilometres, stopping frequently to search for resident and wintering birds. Initially we will pass through an oak wood, then a rocky gorge with steep sides and finally an open plateau and fir trees. We will spend about two hours on this part of the meeting.

We will then drive about 10 kilometres to a place called Los Quejigales where we will park the cars and have lunch.

After lunch we will go for a slow walk, which will last about 2 hours. The walk is relatively flat and along a wide track. The scenery is beautiful and the prospect for seeing birds and wild animals such as boar and deer is good.

We should be back at the entrance car park for around 4pm.

Birds that we could see are Griffon Vulture, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Jay, Chough, Raven, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Common Chiffchaff, Dartford Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Firecrest, Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Blackbird, Ring Ouzel, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Alpine Accentor, Chaffinch, Linnet, Crossbill, Hawfinch, Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting.

 

[Reader]

Hi Pete

I have only just seen your answer to me today (2 days after returning home). I never got a link in my e-mails alerting me to your reply.

We had a terrible time there, missing out on both Sandgrouse and Bustards. I must have stood less than 4 feet from a Duponts Lark but it never showed. No Eagles whatsoever (although there was one possibilty of a Golden Eagle not too far from Belchite but we were on a fast road at the time).

Still I did manage my two target birds on the 13th October with both Citril Finch (at last) and Lammergeier at the De La Font Mountain refuge in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. Superb area for Citril Finch as there must have been possibly up to 40 birds around the Refuge whilst we were there. We also had two Lammergeieir there as well with over 100 Griffons as well. That was an excellent day.

The only other good birds we saw were Blue Rock Thrush, Sardinian Warbler, one Audouin's Gull, one Rock Bunting, quite a few Short toed Larks at El Planeron where we also got a Redstart, a few Calandra Lark and Black redstarts and a surprise Marsh Sandpiper on the north side of the Ebro Delta.

Regards
John

Hi John,

It is tough at the moment, but also it is important to know the local area well. Even at this time of year I can still muster 'good' birds, yesterday my hopes and expectations popped out of the bag and produced my first Ring Ouzels of the season, plus Bonelli's Eagle, Golden Eagle, Cirl & Rock Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redtart, Black Wheatear, Whinchat, Rock Sparrow, Crag Martin and a host of other goodies.

I'd recommend contacting Steve West for a day whilst you are there, he will know the most likely areas where you can find the birds. Local knowledge is really very important, especially when the going is tough!

Hope you have a great time.

Peter :t:

 

[Black Wheatear]

Hi Pete
I have only just seen your answer to me today (2 days after returning home). I never got a link in my e-mails alerting me to your reply.
We had a terrible time there, missing out on both Sandgrouse and Bustards. I must have stood less than 4 feet from a Duponts Lark but it never showed. No Eagles whatsoever (although there was one possibilty of a Golden Eagle not too far from Belchite but we were on a fast road at the time).
Still I did manage my two target birds on the 13th October with both Citril Finch (at last) and Lammergeier at the De La Font Mountain refuge in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. Superb area for Citril Finch as there must have been possibly up to 40 birds around the Refuge whilst we were there. We also had two Lammergeieir there as well with over 100 Griffons as well. That was an excellent day.
The only other good birds we saw were Blue Rock Thrush, Sardinian Warbler, one Audouin's Gull, one Rock Bunting, quite a few Short toed Larks at El Planeron where we also got a Redstart, a few Calandra Lark and Black redstarts and a surprise Marsh Sandpiper on the north side of the Ebro Delta.
Regards
John

Sorry things didn't work out for you John up in the north east of Spain. Should have spent time around here in Andalucia! Next time?

Little and Great Bustards performing well, also had Black-bellied Sandgrouse all the other day near my patch. Lots of Swallow and House Martin passing over, plus Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and Garden Warbler in good numbers right now. Icing on the cake are the local Bonelli's Eagle are already displaying, had one couple copulating and refurbishing their nest already, quite a surprise!!

Had a number of Short-toed Eagle today and a small group of Alpine Swift up near to the dam at Montejaque, of course locals such as Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Lesser & Common Kestrel, Peregrine and around 350/400 Griffon Vulture, so nor a bad day! Oh, and Wryneck in my garden...

Peter :t:

 

[Reader]

Go on, rub it in. lol

I did actually PM you on the 9th August asking what it was like in your area in October and if there was any cheap accommodation nearby but you must have missed the message as I heard nothing from you.

Thinking you may be busy I decided on Cataluyna again (I don't know why as last year I said I would never go there again) but the decision to go was based solely on the good chance of Citril Finch at the site we managed to get them at. All the reports I read were good for seeing these birds relatively easy there and in fact they were in your face most of the time we were there.

John

Sorry things didn't work out for you John up in the north east of Spain. Should have spent time around here in Andalucia! Next time?

Little and Great Bustards performing well, also had Black-bellied Sandgrouse all the other day near my patch. Lots of Swallow and House Martin passing over, plus Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and Garden Warbler in good numbers right now. Icing on the cake are the local Bonelli's Eagle are already displaying, had one couple copulating and refurbishing their nest already, quite a surprise!!

Had a number of Short-toed Eagle today and a small group of Alpine Swift up near to the dam at Montejaque, of course locals such as Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Lesser & Common Kestrel, Peregrine and around 350/400 Griffon Vulture, so nor a bad day! Oh, and Wryneck in my garden...

Peter :t:

 

[Warixenjalka]

Hello Peter,

I have read this thread couple of times and Serrania de Ronda sounds superb place.

Me and my family will come Costa del Sol after Christmas and I hope I can manage to spend at least one day for your Serrania to birding. I hope you can help me and recommend where I be able to find a few birds.
Montejaque sounds good place to found raptors, Alpine Accentor, Rock Sparrow, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush and Ring Ouzel and of course many other species too. Wallcreeper would be nice too. I´m also interested to see vultures on feeding station. Can you tell actually right place where I must go. - Should I send you a private message?

I have read the mountains could be “tricky” place in winter and/or after heavy rain. Do you recommend to avoid Montejaque at this time of year, or is it quite safe to walk there if you have a right equipment (like clothes and shoes)? At least I check the local whether before I go up there. The coldness isn´t problem (I´m from Finland anyway) but what about landslides and flooding arroyos?

And where is that Llanos de Libar? Google maps don´t know that place. Neither many other places what you folks are mention this thread...

 

[Black Wheatear]

Hello Peter,

I have read this thread couple of times and Serrania de Ronda sounds superb place.
Me and my family will come Costa del Sol after Christmas and I hope I can manage to spend at least one day for your Serrania to birding. I hope you can help me and recommend where I be able to find a few birds.
Montejaque sounds good place to found raptors, Alpine Accentor, Rock Sparrow, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush and Ring Ouzel and of course many other species too. Wallcreeper would be nice too. I´m also interested to see vultures on feeding station. Can you tell actually right place where I must go. - Should I send you a private message?
I have read the mountains could be “tricky” place in winter and/or after heavy rain. Do you recommend to avoid Montejaque at this time of year, or is it quite safe to walk there if you have a right equipment (like clothes and shoes)? At least I check the local whether before I go up there. The coldness isn´t problem (I´m from Finland anyway) but what about landslides and flooding arroyos?
And where is that Llanos de Libar? Google maps don´t know that place. Neither many other places what you folks are mention this thread...

Sorry for the very late reply, I have been away touring and with so many other commitments towards the end of last year, I haven't had time to visit this thread. Please do PM me and I will do my best to help.

Again my most humble apologies for this reply!

Peter:-C

 

[Warixenjalka]

I just came from Andalucia last Saturday.

I understand that you are busy man. It was my mistake that I wasn´t write earlier this thread or send you PM right away.

I was in Montejaque too and it was wonderfull place - even I didn´t see any other raptors than Griffons. I try to make trip report later.

But I deffenetly come again - hopefully very soon. I try to contact you earlier then.:t:

 

[Black Wheatear]

I just came from Andalucia last Saturday.

I understand that you are busy man. It was my mistake that I wasn´t write earlier this thread or send you PM right away.

I was in Montejaque too and it was wonderfull place - even I didn´t see any other raptors than Griffons. I try to make trip report later.

But I deffenetly come again - hopefully very soon. I try to contact you earlier then.:t:

I am so sorry I missed your earlier post! Please do let me know next time you are due to visit the area and I will try and help in anyway possible.

Good to hear you liked the area, shame you didn't manage other raptors, but there is always another time. Good to have your trip report when it is written, perhaps post it here?

Thought you might be interested on a brief note from a friend who visited Sierra de Libar on the 28th December:

'yesterday we were at Montejaque and first met Mike and his wife, than saw an adult Short toed, which was always looking up - and above it was the reason: a juvenile Spanish Imperial (I think a female, because it almost had the same wingspan like the Griffs) circled and than glided toward the Bonelli's nest rock, where it was attacked by an adult Golden Eagle. I was nearly to a heart attack! ...one thing I forgot: a long-legged Buzzard was also there!'

Quite a visit.

Peter :t:

 

[O.Reville1989]

'yesterday we were at Montejaque and first met Mike and his wife, than saw an adult Short toed, which was always looking up - and above it was the reason: a juvenile Spanish Imperial (I think a female, because it almost had the same wingspan like the Griffs) circled and than glided toward the Bonelli's nest rock, where it was attacked by an adult Golden Eagle. I was nearly to a heart attack! ...one thing I forgot: a long-legged Buzzard was also there!'

Any chance of making sure that Span Imp, GE and LLB don't leave for the next 6 weeks? :t: If they could be there, sitting next to each other a few feet from the track in that rocky field on the right that would be fantastic Peter!
What a day that sounds though.

 

[Warixenjalka]

Thought you might be interested on a brief note from a friend who visited Sierra de Libar on the 28th December:

'yesterday we were at Montejaque and first met Mike and his wife, than saw an adult Short toed, which was always looking up - and above it was the reason: a juvenile Spanish Imperial (I think a female, because it almost had the same wingspan like the Griffs) circled and than glided toward the Bonelli's nest rock, where it was attacked by an adult Golden Eagle. I was nearly to a heart attack! ...one thing I forgot: a long-legged Buzzard was also there!'

Quite a visit.

Peter :t:

Damn! I was there at january 3rd. Next time then, yeah.

 

[Birdman7]

I live in Gibra1tar and very near that area!