Black Wheatear
Bowed but not broken, yet!
Thought I would begin a thread here for my ‘patch’. I know it will most likely remain an obscure thread, but then perhaps you might visit the area and feel like posting to this thread. I would certainly appreciate visitor’s views of this area and learn what they have seen and done. Hope I can tempt you a little with the overview below:
The area of the Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema is probably among the most understated areas for its importance not just within Spain, but also in Europe. For example, Bonelli’s Eagles have their highest European breeding density here and remain fairly easy to locate. Griffon Vultures also have some of their largest and most important breeding sites here. It is an exceptional area for raptors, not just at times of migration, but also for providing suitable breeding habitat for many. Of the smaller birds, Western Olivaceous and Orphean Warbler are probably easier to locate here than other areas. Also discovered in recent times is the North African subspecies of Great Spotted Woodpecker D.m.mauritanus, which can be found breeding alongside their European cousins throughout many areas of the Serranía. Whilst in the scrub layers of the mountains Spectacled Warbler not only breeds, but some remain during winter.
Many familiar species such as Northern Wheatear, Chough, Redstart and Crossbill have their most southerly breeding range here for Europe. Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow, Sub-alpine Warbler and Dartford Warblers are commonly encountered and Black Wheatears are another species which have one of their main European strongholds here. Some of the famous white villages of the area are home to Lesser Kestrels and there are not many other parts of Spain where you can witness Common, Pallid, Alpine and White-rumped Swifts flying together! I must admit mixed feelings about the thrills of seeing White-rumped Swifts; they time their spring arrival almost to perfection when one of my favourite birds, Red-rumped Swallows have just completed the building of their new nest. Immediately on arrival this rare swift evicts the swallows and starts to collect feathers to line the bare mud nest. So if you are in the area look under any bridge for the familiar shaped nest of Red-rumped Swallows and if you see feathers surrounding the entrance, chances are it is occupied by White-rumped Swifts. Whilst looking under bridges, keep an ear cocked for Cetti’s Warbler and Nightingale, both are common around dry and flowing waterways.
Such diversity in habitats cannot fail to attract an equal diversity in bird life. Woodland, both broadleaf and coniferous also holds some great species. Bonelli’s Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Hawfinch, Crossbill, Coal and Crested Tit are here in good numbers. Any woodland walk should produce these species plus Short-toed Treecreeper, Woodlark, Cirl Bunting, Firecrest and Sardinian Warbler. On open rocky sites Thekla Lark, a challenging species for the unfamiliar, Tawny Pipit and Black-eared Wheatear are among those to lookout for. Never far from these open rocky areas are Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting and Black Redstart, these are joined by Alpine Accentor in the winter. The area attracts many notable species in the winter. Ruppell’s Vulture has joined Black Vulture and Imperial Eagle as annual visitors. Both the northern and Pyrenean species of Ring Ouzel winter here and Fieldfares, rare elsewhere, are found annually in winter at high altitudes.
The flora and fauna of this beautiful and stunning area is exceptional. The plant list now exceeds well over 1800 species and is being added to annually. I would recommend you visit the website www.spanishnature.com and take a look at the checklist for wildflowers, amazing. On the same website there are checklists for birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. For those wanting to visit there is also accommodation listings and sites of special interest (birds).
The area of the Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema is probably among the most understated areas for its importance not just within Spain, but also in Europe. For example, Bonelli’s Eagles have their highest European breeding density here and remain fairly easy to locate. Griffon Vultures also have some of their largest and most important breeding sites here. It is an exceptional area for raptors, not just at times of migration, but also for providing suitable breeding habitat for many. Of the smaller birds, Western Olivaceous and Orphean Warbler are probably easier to locate here than other areas. Also discovered in recent times is the North African subspecies of Great Spotted Woodpecker D.m.mauritanus, which can be found breeding alongside their European cousins throughout many areas of the Serranía. Whilst in the scrub layers of the mountains Spectacled Warbler not only breeds, but some remain during winter.
Many familiar species such as Northern Wheatear, Chough, Redstart and Crossbill have their most southerly breeding range here for Europe. Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow, Sub-alpine Warbler and Dartford Warblers are commonly encountered and Black Wheatears are another species which have one of their main European strongholds here. Some of the famous white villages of the area are home to Lesser Kestrels and there are not many other parts of Spain where you can witness Common, Pallid, Alpine and White-rumped Swifts flying together! I must admit mixed feelings about the thrills of seeing White-rumped Swifts; they time their spring arrival almost to perfection when one of my favourite birds, Red-rumped Swallows have just completed the building of their new nest. Immediately on arrival this rare swift evicts the swallows and starts to collect feathers to line the bare mud nest. So if you are in the area look under any bridge for the familiar shaped nest of Red-rumped Swallows and if you see feathers surrounding the entrance, chances are it is occupied by White-rumped Swifts. Whilst looking under bridges, keep an ear cocked for Cetti’s Warbler and Nightingale, both are common around dry and flowing waterways.
Such diversity in habitats cannot fail to attract an equal diversity in bird life. Woodland, both broadleaf and coniferous also holds some great species. Bonelli’s Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Hawfinch, Crossbill, Coal and Crested Tit are here in good numbers. Any woodland walk should produce these species plus Short-toed Treecreeper, Woodlark, Cirl Bunting, Firecrest and Sardinian Warbler. On open rocky sites Thekla Lark, a challenging species for the unfamiliar, Tawny Pipit and Black-eared Wheatear are among those to lookout for. Never far from these open rocky areas are Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting and Black Redstart, these are joined by Alpine Accentor in the winter. The area attracts many notable species in the winter. Ruppell’s Vulture has joined Black Vulture and Imperial Eagle as annual visitors. Both the northern and Pyrenean species of Ring Ouzel winter here and Fieldfares, rare elsewhere, are found annually in winter at high altitudes.
The flora and fauna of this beautiful and stunning area is exceptional. The plant list now exceeds well over 1800 species and is being added to annually. I would recommend you visit the website www.spanishnature.com and take a look at the checklist for wildflowers, amazing. On the same website there are checklists for birds, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. For those wanting to visit there is also accommodation listings and sites of special interest (birds).
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