adamgoodbird said:
Hi, I am going to the area around Ronda for two weeks this year almost certainly in April or May and was wondering when it would be best. I know that there is great birding at this time of year but would early April or late May be best? I have the main site guides but does anyone know of any good sites not in these books? Any help would be much appreciated as the wife is keen to see as much as possible as well.
Hi Adam.
What a problem you have. Both times can be great for birding in that area.
Early April will be very good for seeing the main migration as birds move into the region from Africa, some staying to breed and others moving on to their breeding grounds further north. Raptor migration will be very noticeable as the birds follow the mountain ranges as they pass through the region. You could see Booted, Short-toed, Golden and Bonelli's Eagles, Black Kites, Sparrowhawks, Lesser Kestrels, Montagu's Harriers, Griffon Vultures and Egyptian Vultures. However, you would be too early for Honey Buzzards, as they normally pass through in their thousands between very late April and mid May.
Late May is also a great time for birding as the main breeding season will be well under way and many of the young birds will have fledged and will be being fed by the parents. As your wife wants to see "as much as possible", this may be a better time as the weather is generally better and the daylight hours are longer.
From the New Bridge at Ronda you can look down into the gorge and, with luck, find Rock Buntings, Rock Sparrows, Black Wheatears, Blue Rock Thrushes, Serins, Crag Martins, Red-rumped Swallows, Pallid Swifts, Alpine Swifts and, occasionally, Peregrines, amongst other species.
With regard to other lesser known sites. It all depends on what guide books you have. My own book "Birdwatching on Spain's Southern Coast" contains precise directions to a good number of less recorded sites that are within an hours drive of Ronda (including Ronda itself), such as the Tajo de Torró/Sierra de Teba, the Campillos lagoons, the Río Guadalhorce at Álora, Laguna Ratosa, the Río Turón at Ardales, Chorro Gorge and other sites at Benaoján, Montejaque, Alpendiere, Faraján, Júzcar and Jimera de Libar. Also included are the better known sites at El Refugio de Juanar, Montes de Málaga, the Río Guadalhorce estuary and Laguna de Fuente de Piedra.
From feedback received from many birders who have visited these unknown areas, it would appear that most have had excellent birding and have also enjoyed the scenery and other wildlife.
Whichever time of the year you decide on, I'm sure you will not be disappointed.
Good birding!
