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[edit] Overview

Situated in the Sierra Blanca, the southeastern extension of the Serrania de Ronda, this site is ideally placed for birders on holiday on the Costa del Sol. Just inland from Marbella.

This site makes an excellent day-trip away from the coast and an opportunity to see a range of woodland birds and, with luck, some mountain species. Like other ranges in southern Spain these hills see good numbers of raptors passing through on their way to and from Gibraltar during passage periods..

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle and Bonelli's Eagle breed in these mountains as well as Peregrine Falcon and Eurasian Eagle Owl. Griffon Vulture are frequently seen in the area and raptors such as Black Kite and Short-toed Eagle occur during passage periods. Other breeding species include Wood Lark, Firecrest and Crested Tit, warblers such as Western Bonelli's Warbler, Orphean Warbler and Melodious Warbler. Both rock thrushes can be seen in the higher parts of the range as well as Rock Bunting, Eurasian Crag Martin and Red-billed Chough.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Western Honey-Buzzard, Black Kite, Short-toed Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Northern Goshawk, Common Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Booted Eagle, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Red-legged Partridge, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Little Owl, Alpine Swift, Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Hoopoe, Wood Lark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Northern House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Alpine Accentor, Common Nightingale, Black Redstart, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Ring Ouzel, Melodious Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Common Jay, Red-billed Chough, Northern Raven, Chaffinch, European Serin, European Greenfinch, Common Crossbill, Hawfinch, Rock Bunting

[edit] Other Wildlife

This is also a good area to see Spanish Ibex Capra pyrenaica.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

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[edit] Areas of Interest

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[edit] Access and Facilities

From Marbella and the Costa del Sol head inland towards Coin on the C337 road, continue to the pass at Puerto de Ojen and about 1km beyond is the turn-off on the left to the Refugio de Juanar.

Anywhere along this 5km stretch of road can produce good birds. Park in an open area just past the hotel and there is a track to the mirador, a viewpoint with stunning views down to the sea. Any of the several tracks around the hotel or mirador are worthy of investigation.

This site provides a perfect escape for birders trapped on family holidays on the Costa del Sol. There are numerous resorts and abundant accommodation along this stretch of the Spanish coast and there is an airport at Malaga. However, for those wishing to explore this area more fully the Refugio de Juanar can provide limited hostel-type accommodation although advance booking is usually necessary.

[edit] Contact Details

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[edit] External Links

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Content and images originally posted by Steve