[Reader]

Once again I am going to Gaucin, near Ronda, in Spain. I know the area very well but all my birding has been done there in the spring. Let me loose in the spring and I know where to find what but November, I haven't a clue. We are flying out on Nov 4th and coming back 2 weeks later. I have already booked a car for the whole of the two weeks.

Anyone out there any ideas what to find and where to go.

I will be e-mailing John Butler as I may pop over to the Coto Donana but really any places to go would be appreciated.

I am prepared to go as far afield as the Sierra Nevada right across to the Coto Donana in the other direction.

I am not too clued up to much further nort of Campillos and have never been to Extramadura so are there any possibilities that way.

I am open to suggestions.

[Reader]

Are there no takers with information. Surely I haven't caught you guys out.

[John Butler]

Originally Posted by Reader

Are there no takers with information. Surely I haven't caught you guys out.

Count me out of that Reader. I'm waiting for you to e-mail me but I will post a reply after I return from today's tour.

BTW. There is a very good Hostal in Hinojos that only opened recently (Hostal Pina Donana) and the prices are very good, ie, 35 euros per couple per night. More info on the "accommodation page" of my website.

Regards from Donana.

John.

[Reader]

Originally Posted by John Butler

Count me out of that Reader. I'm waiting for you to e-mail me but I will post a reply after I return from today's tour.

BTW. There is a very good Hostal in Hinojos that only opened recently (Hostal Pina Donana) and the prices are very good, ie, 35 euros per couple per night. More info on the "accommodation page" of my website.

Regards from Donana.

John.

Hi John

I e-mailed you yesterday. I didn't use the Donana one but I think I will tonight.

I will await some input from you. Hope the tour goes ok today.

Is there anyone else that might know what might be about in November and where to go?

[Reader]

Well I am still surprised that there is no one else that can give me information that might help me when in Spain. I can't ever recall any question in Birdforum defeating you guys before.

Surely there must be someone out there that has done some November birding in this area before

[Jasonbirder]

The only suggestion I can offer is to check out the SpanishTrip Reports at the Bird Tours website (if you haven`t already done so, there are a few from October/November time that might be helpful.
Enjoy your trip!

[John Butler]

Originally Posted by Reader

Well I am still surprised that there is no one else that can give me information that might help me when in Spain. I can't ever recall any question in Birdforum defeating you guys before.

Surely there must be someone out there that has done some November birding in this area before

Hi Reader.

November in Spain.

Donana.
The rice harvest will be in full swing with many thousands of birds in the recently cut and ploughed fields.
Wintering species will include Penduline Tits, Bluethroats, Black-shouldered Kites, Hen Harriers, Ospreys, Common Cranes, Great White Egrets, Woodlarks. Spanish Sparrows, Black-necked Grebes, Geese, ducks and waders galore, all coming down from the much colder north to enjoy the milder climate and the abundant food supply that Donana offers.

Resident birds, such as Greater Flamingos (10,000+), Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis, Stone Curlews, Avocets, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Purple Swamp-hens, Audouin's and Slender-billed Gulls etc. form large wintering flocks.

Many birds described in most field guide books as "Migratory, only found in the summer" can be seen in Donana throughout the winter also. For example, Black-crowned Night Herons, Squacco Herons, Purple Herons, Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Lesser kestrels, Spectacled Warblers, plus many more.
Add these to the resident speciality birds, such as Hoopoes, Iberian Magpies, Southern Grey Shrikes, Common Waxbills etc. and you should have a good time here.

+++++++

Ronda. Serriana de Ronda.
Very good for Bonelli's Eagle and occasional wandering immature Golden and S. Imp Eagles, Griffon Vulture, Peregrine, Merlin, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart, Black Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting, Red-billed Chough, Red Kite, Ring Ouzel, Hawfinch, Short-toed Treecreeper, woodpeckers, owl, thrushes, etc. The list goes on and on.

+++++++

Places to try.
Campillos lagoons, especially Laguna Dulce for waterbirds and harriers.
Teba Gorge. Vultures, eagles, owls and many of the birds from the Ronda list.
Refugio de Juanar (just above Marbella). Good for mountain and forest species.
Montes de Malaga. Same as Refugio de Juanar.
Rio Guadalhorce natural park. Excellent for a wide variety of birds. Raptors, waders, passerines, gulls, terns, ducks, etc.

The other "local" areas I could recommend are already known to you, I think.

BTW. Saw the first small arriving flock of wintering Common Cranes whilst on tour today. Only seven of the thousands that will arrive over the next few weeks.

Good birding.

regards from Donana..

John.

[Reader]

Hi John

Thanks for the info

Out of the species you have listed would you believe that Penduline Tit is still one my most elusive birds for my Lifer list. Black shouldered Kite is 2nd only to Lammergeir on my most wanted list.

I have been to virtually all those sites you have mentioned and its nice to know that they are still worth visiting in November. It looks like the areas I already know will still be good to visit so that makes it easy for planning.

BTW where would you recommend going for Audouin's and Slender-billed Gulls. It's been a very long time since I have seen an Audouin's.

Donana certainly sounds far better than I expected. I will have to see if we can work a couple of days that way into our itiniery.

[Reader]

Originally Posted by Jasonbirder

The only suggestion I can offer is to check out the SpanishTrip Reports at the Bird Tours website (if you haven`t already done so, there are a few from October/November time that might be helpful.
Enjoy your trip!

Hi Jason

I had checked out Birdtours and the latest dates were early October. As we are going from the 4th to 18th November I thought that the 4 to 6 week difference from the report dates would make them not a reliable source of info. If no other info came my way then I would print those reports out and use them.

Having read John Butlers reply it seems that all the sites I know already would probably be good sites anyway so that makes life a bit easier. Thankfully I do know quite a lot of sites around the area we are going so I am hopeful of seeing a few new birds for the year.

I'm certainly hoping to get a major bogey bird this time in the shape of Penduline Tit.

[John Butler]

Originally Posted by Reader

Hi John

Thanks for the info

BTW where would you recommend going for Audouin's and Slender-billed Gulls. It's been a very long time since I have seen an Audouin's.

Donana certainly sounds far better than I expected. I will have to see if we can work a couple of days that way into our itiniery.

Hi Reader.

Tarifa beach and Marismas del Odiel are guaranteed places for Audouin's gull.

Salinas de Bonanza and Salina de Monte Algaida are best for Slender-billed Gulls.

JAV, Brazo del Este and a site I refer to as "the reedbeds" are all places where Penduline Tits are found in the Donana region.
Closer to Gaucin, try the bird hide at the Parque Natural at Sotogrande. I always used this location for Pendulines on my tours when I operated in Estepona as the birds were often right in front of the hide.

Regards from Donana.

John.

[Reader]

Originally Posted by John Butler

Hi Reader.

Tarifa beach and Marismas del Odiel are guaranteed places for Audouin's gull.

Salinas de Bonanza and Salina de Monte Algaida are best for Slender-billed Gulls.

JAV, Brazo del Este and a site I refer to as "the reedbeds" are all places where Penduline Tits are found in the Donana region.
Closer to Gaucin, try the bird hide at the Parque Natural at Sotogrande. I always used this location for Pendulines on my tours when I operated in Estepona as the birds were often right in front of the hide.

Regards from Donana.

John.

Thanks John

I forgot about the bird hide at the Parque Natural at Sotogrande. I went there earlier this year and whilst not that productive on the day we went I could see the potential of the place.

I must admit that Tarifa is a guaranteed place for me to visit as I do go there on every holiday I have in this area.

I missed going to Brazo del Este earlier this year so will have to try and rectify that on this visit.

Regarding the Slender bill gulls sites, I will have to get my site report book out and work out where they are. I'm not sure if I haven't already visited one or both of them already at some time on my visits to the Costa del Sol.

[John Butler]

Originally Posted by Reader

Thanks John

Regarding the Slender bill gulls sites, I will have to get my site report book out and work out where they are. I'm not sure if I haven't already visited one or both of them already at some time on my visits to the Costa del Sol.

Hi Reader.

To find Salinas de Bonanza you need to go to Sanlucar de Barameda. As you reach the town (coming from Jerez) turn right at the traffic lights and follow signs for about 4km.

To find Salinas de Monte Algaida continue on the same road, passing through the town? of Algaida. At the end of the town drive off-road into the Algaida forest. 50 metres in there is a sign for Laguna Tarelo. Park and walk 100 metres to the bird hide. Good for White-headed Ducks, Black-necked Grebes and other waterbirds.
Drive through the forest (about 3 kms) and at the other end turn left onto a tarmacked road. Continue on this straight road until you reach a sharp right-hand bend. DO NOT TURN, but instead, continue straight ahead onto an unsurfaced road. Follow this as far the first salina on the left. If conditions allow it you can then go "off-road" along a track beside the salinas. This leads for about 1 km until you reach a bird hide overlooking Salina de Monte Algaida. If you can't drive you can walk along the raised dykes of the salinas.
Audouin's and Slender-bills may be found anywhere along here.

Regards from Donana.

John.

[Reader]

Once again John, thanks for your help. I have copied and pasted it all onto a word document and printed it out. This info will be invaluable to us.