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

[John Cantelo]

I'll try to answer your points, although my 'stamping ground' is further west so will involve a drive from Ronda:-

Eagle Owl - not an easy bird unless you have one 'tied down' (which i don't) try any large municipal rubbish tips you find
Imperial Eagle - I've had them road to the Barbate reservoir dam (off the Alcala de los Gazules/Benalup road), on La Janda and from Sanlucar but you need to be lucky
Azure-winged Magpie - Algaida (n of Sanlucar) is the only site in cadiz province but you'd have a fair chance heading off towards the hills north of Antequera; I've also had them on the road (A335) to Montefrio off the Grananda motorway.
Spanish Sparrow - they're certainly around at la Janda, Brazo de Este, Lagunas de Puerto Real, Lagunas de Utrera and elsewhere
Iberian Chiffchaff - Iberian Chiffies will be heading south now and Common Chiffchaff arriving from the north so you'll need to be very lucky & hear them sing
Bald Ibis - the roadside 'meadows' between Zahara de la Atunes & Barbate; easiest at the large Montenmedio golf course - on the driving range - south of Vejer
Calandra Lark - not too difficult in the right habitat (farmland!) over my neck of the woods
Small Button-quail - you might be distracted first by the Tufted Puffin flying by, the Dodo calling in the scrub & the flights of Passenegr Pigeon overhead, but if you see all three you might be in with a chance!!!!!!
Bustards - try the area around Lantejuela & Osuna
Ortolan Bunting - they're pretty scarce breeders & passage migrants in the SW at the best of times and the 2nd half of Sept is a better time for them
Red-necked Nightjar - I've seen RN Nightjar in October so some may still be about if you're lucky

If you send me a PM with your email address I can direct you to a files sharing site from which you can download my detailed notes mainly on the Cadiz area but extending towards Ronda. However, I'm off out now and then have a meeting this evening. I'll check when I get back & keep checking till late,

In haste,

John

 

[Barred Wobbler]

I'll try to answer your points, although my 'stamping ground' is further west so will involve a drive from Ronda:-

Eagle Owl - not an easy bird unless you have one 'tied down' (which i don't) try any large municipal rubbish tips you find
Imperial Eagle - I've had them road to the Barbate reservoir dam (off the Alcala de los Gazules/Benalup road), on La Janda and from Sanlucar but you need to be lucky
Azure-winged Magpie - Algaida (n of Sanlucar) is the only site in cadiz province but you'd have a fair chance heading off towards the hills north of Antequera; I've also had them on the road (A335) to Montefrio off the Grananda motorway.
Spanish Sparrow - they're certainly around at la Janda, Brazo de Este, Lagunas de Puerto Real, Lagunas de Utrera and elsewhere
Iberian Chiffchaff - Iberian Chiffies will be heading south now and Common Chiffchaff arriving from the north so you'll need to be very lucky & hear them sing
Bald Ibis - the roadside 'meadows' between Zahara de la Atunes & Barbate; easiest at the large Montenmedio golf course - on the driving range - south of Vejer
Calandra Lark - not too difficult in the right habitat (farmland!) over my neck of the woods
Small Button-quail - you might be distracted first by the Tufted Puffin flying by, the Dodo calling in the scrub & the flights of Passenegr Pigeon overhead, but if you see all three you might be in with a chance!!!!!!
Bustards - try the area around Lantejuela & Osuna
Ortolan Bunting - they're pretty scarce breeders & passage migrants in the SW at the best of times and the 2nd half of Sept is a better time for them
Red-necked Nightjar - I've seen RN Nightjar in October so some may still be about if you're lucky

If you send me a PM with your email address I can direct you to a files sharing site from which you can download my detailed notes mainly on the Cadiz area but extending towards Ronda. However, I'm off out now and then have a meeting this evening. I'll check when I get back & keep checking till late,

In haste,

John

I'm just back today from my trip John, and many thanks for the ibis tip (I've tried putting a pic below, but for some reason the "manage attachment" link isn't working for me.).

I got lucky in a gale of wind a at La Janda on the 6th when my wife spotted a large raptor hanging on the wind near the horse farm on the Benalup - Facinas road (it is a road in places, most of the time it's "interesting" in a pain in the arse kind of way). It turned out to be an adult Spanish Imperial Eagle - the second I've had at La Janda.

I also found a road-kill nightjar at Brazo de Este - I think it was red-necked, but I've not bothered to look closely at the pics yet. It was pretty flat. I flushed one in late September a couple of years ago on a track in the scrub north of the N340 east of San Enrique de Guadiaro.

 

[Barred Wobbler]

Here we go.

Bald Ibis at Montemedio.

 

[John Cantelo]

Good one, BW!

 

[Barred Wobbler]

Thanks John.

Here's the nightjar.

I'm afraid it's in rather poorer condition than the ibises. |=(|

 

[gambirder]

Query: separating Common and Lesser Kestrels

Just returned from a week's hols based just 100m from the start of the fabled Llanos de Libar track in Montejaque - trip report to follow shortly in appropriate BF section. Quick query first though - re separating Common and Lesser Kestrels (latter would be a lifer) . . .

Lots of views of "kestrel sp." in the area, though none clear enough views to confirm diagnostic features – white claws, grey hood / panel in wings of male etc. Seen several times around crags along the Libar track - one hung in the wind for extended periods with only the occasional flap, another hunting over the crags and oak thickets at the top of the pass by gliding back and forth with only very occasional and brief hovers. Also, 2 were seen West and 2 East of Villaluenga del Rosario, the former on wires (in the sun, scarpering as I tried my best to approach stealthily), the latter around crags. One of the former I think (non-perfect view from a birder with colour-defective vision) had a sandy-coloured body...) Plus several others in similar situations around crags, with hunting style not looking at all like prolonged hovering of UK Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus motorwayensis).

My guess is that several of these views are strong probable Lessers, but none quite good enough to confirm. I'd appreciate the thoughts of any of you hands more experienced at separating the two species. Are the birds high on the crags generally Lessers? Is the hoverless / nearly hoverless hunting style enough to separate them? What's the relative abundance of the two species in the area?

 

[wolfbirder]

Just returned from a week's hols based just 100m from the start of the fabled Llanos de Libar track in Montejaque - trip report to follow shortly in appropriate BF section. Quick query first though - re separating Common and Lesser Kestrels (latter would be a lifer) . . .

Lots of views of "kestrel sp." in the area, though none clear enough views to confirm diagnostic features – white claws, grey hood / panel in wings of male etc. Seen several times around crags along the Libar track - one hung in the wind for extended periods with only the occasional flap, another hunting over the crags and oak thickets at the top of the pass by gliding back and forth with only very occasional and brief hovers. Also, 2 were seen West and 2 East of Villaluenga del Rosario, the former on wires (in the sun, scarpering as I tried my best to approach stealthily), the latter around crags. One of the former I think (non-perfect view from a birder with colour-defective vision) had a sandy-coloured body...) Plus several others in similar situations around crags, with hunting style not looking at all like prolonged hovering of UK Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus motorwayensis).

My guess is that several of these views are strong probable Lessers, but none quite good enough to confirm. I'd appreciate the thoughts of any of you hands more experienced at separating the two species. Are the birds high on the crags generally Lessers? Is the hoverless / nearly hoverless hunting style enough to separate them? What's the relative abundance of the two species in the area?

I have seen a lesser Kestrel at Llanos de Liber but in the lower valley area. I associate Common Kestrel more with the mountainous crags and Lower kestrels more with the open plains.

Look forward to your report, and I am sure the local experts will give their opinion soon.

 

[John Cantelo]

I've seen both species in the area. The peak for LK migration across the Straits is the second half of September so even if they weren't local breeding birds, they could be migrants. Have you a more detailed descrition?

 

[gambirder]

Posted my trip report on http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=152979

Hope you enjoy it!

 

[John Cantelo]

I did indeed enjoy it!

As for the 'dip-outs' I suspect you were a liitle too early for Alpine Accentor, Wallcreeper is very rare in the area (although one suspects that they might be more regular than records suggest), Eagle Owl is notoriously tough unless you have a stake-out, Grazalema is hardly prime terretory for Imperial Eagle, Egyptian Vulture's migration peaks in the first half or September so you were probably a little late and Ortolan Bunting is a pretty scarce migrant. So all-in-all I don't think you had much chance of any of 'em so as you yourself acknowledge you'll just have to visit the area again! Perhaps you'd like to try a little further west .... Alcala de los Gazules is a great base!

 

[gambirder]

I did indeed enjoy it!

As for the 'dip-outs' I suspect you were a liitle too early for Alpine Accentor, Wallcreeper is very rare in the area (although one suspects that they might be more regular than records suggest), Eagle Owl is notoriously tough unless you have a stake-out, Grazalema is hardly prime terretory for Imperial Eagle, Egyptian Vulture's migration peaks in the first half or September so you were probably a little late and Ortolan Bunting is a pretty scarce migrant. So all-in-all I don't think you had much chance of any of 'em so as you yourself acknowledge you'll just have to visit the area again! Perhaps you'd like to try a little further west .... Alcala de los Gazules is a great base!

Yeah, John - all pretty much as I'd surmised. I am hoping to make it back sometime and trekking further afield will definitely be on the agenda. Your site list had me really tempted, but just made the decision to stay local - and keep my sweetheart sweet! Next time, the Lagunas de Espera for White-headed Duck and Crested Coot s'gotta be high on the list - and the street outside your house for vast swarms of Lesser Kestrel sounds pretty neat too.

Re your earlier comments about Little Button-quail: Is "Andalusian Hemipode" really extinct in Andalucia then? (ID'd a roadkill once in Gambia, but never seen a live one.) :t:

 

[Barred Wobbler]

I had a visit to El Brazo del Este while I was in Spain a couple of weeks ago. John does well to promote it. Fantastic place, full of surprises.

One of them was when I went for a walk along the track at Conde Chico (Part of site 18 in the Lynx book). There were hosts of glossy ibis and cattle egrets, thousands of emerging red-veined darter dragonflies, the odd yellow-crowned bishop on the reeds and the surprise, which was lying in the field just across the channel.

God knows how it got there. Broken windows, collapsed undercarriage & American registration.

 

[Black Wheatear]

I had a visit to El Brazo del Este while I was in Spain a couple of weeks ago. John does well to promote it. Fantastic place, full of surprises.

One of them was when I went for a walk along the track at Conde Chico (Part of site 18 in the Lynx book). There were hosts of glossy ibis and cattle egrets, thousands of emerging red-veined darter dragonflies, the odd yellow-crowned bishop on the reeds and the surprise, which was lying in the field just across the channel.

God knows how it got there. Broken windows, collapsed undercarriage & American registration.

Some great pics, and loved the wreck! Good to hear you enjoyed your trip Alan. I agree with the El Brazo del Este site, good site and good of John to share it. Yucky mess of a Red-necked Nightjar!

Peter :t:

 

[Black Wheatear]

Yeah, John - all pretty much as I'd surmised. I am hoping to make it back sometime and trekking further afield will definitely be on the agenda. Your site list had me really tempted, but just made the decision to stay local - and keep my sweetheart sweet! Next time, the Lagunas de Espera for White-headed Duck and Crested Coot s'gotta be high on the list - and the street outside your house for vast swarms of Lesser Kestrel sounds pretty neat too.

Re your earlier comments about Little Button-quail: Is "Andalusian Hemipode" really extinct in Andalucia then? (ID'd a roadkill once in Gambia, but never seen a live one.) :t:

No AH is not extinct in Andalucia, but the whereabouts of breeding pairs is now rightly a guarded secret. The Lesser Kestrels you saw were just that near to Montejaque and also near to the defunct dam. Further up the Libar track passed the sign describing Karst and a little further on the right you can get Dartford and Spectacled Warblers (both are present during the winter).

Peter :t:

 

[Black Wheatear]

Just returned from a week's hols based just 100m from the start of the fabled Llanos de Libar track in Montejaque - trip report to follow shortly in appropriate BF section. Quick query first though - re separating Common and Lesser Kestrels (latter would be a lifer) . . .

Lots of views of "kestrel sp." in the area, though none clear enough views to confirm diagnostic features – white claws, grey hood / panel in wings of male etc. Seen several times around crags along the Libar track - one hung in the wind for extended periods with only the occasional flap, another hunting over the crags and oak thickets at the top of the pass by gliding back and forth with only very occasional and brief hovers. Also, 2 were seen West and 2 East of Villaluenga del Rosario, the former on wires (in the sun, scarpering as I tried my best to approach stealthily), the latter around crags. One of the former I think (non-perfect view from a birder with colour-defective vision) had a sandy-coloured body...) Plus several others in similar situations around crags, with hunting style not looking at all like prolonged hovering of UK Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus motorwayensis).

My guess is that several of these views are strong probable Lessers, but none quite good enough to confirm. I'd appreciate the thoughts of any of you hands more experienced at separating the two species. Are the birds high on the crags generally Lessers? Is the hoverless / nearly hoverless hunting style enough to separate them? What's the relative abundance of the two species in the area?

Your best bet, especially if the light was poor or too bright, was to look at tail shape and particularly the terminal band of the tail on both males and females i.e. always pointed in the centre unlike the fan shape of Common Kestrel. The LK hovers frequently so this, contrary to several people's opinion and written material, is not a feature. See other post on location/likelihood.

Hope this is useful.

Peter :t:

 

[gambirder]

No AH is not extinct in Andalucia, but the whereabouts of breeding pairs is now rightly a guarded secret.

Peter :t:

Andalusian Hemipode - Great just to hear that they are still around.

 

[Black Wheatear]

Umm, interesting and surprising to discover my Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina), seen at the top of Llanos de Libar, is a first record for Spain! I don’t believe this for one moment and can only assume ‘bad’ practise or lack of observer coverage means it has been missed in the past. I guess it is sure to prove controversial, which is a shame.

Peter

 

[Black Wheatear]

Autumn Shadows

Autumn Shadows

It’s amazing just how quickly time seems to flyby. It was only yesterday when summer’s visit painted our skies in the deepest of blue and softened the rough hues of our mountains with shimmering haze. It was only yesterday when Black Kite, Honey Buzzard wheeled high in their thousands gathering to make their southwards pilgrimage to Africa. But now our autumn has abruptly cast her door wide open and the days seem grey, trees baring their skeletal shapes, where once they had been adorned in many hues of green. It’s a time where nature takes a rest, where life seems to move along at a leisurely pace and prepare itself for the harshness of winter.

A lazy sun casts deep shadows on the hills and mountains of my landscape giving a velvet texture to the high slopes, but Bonelli’s Eagle are already pledging themselves to their partners, ignoring the message of winter and preparing already to reaffirm their bonds of parents to be. Late departing Barn Swallows still chatter and busy themselves over our local river, whilst newly arrived Chiffchaffs hawk insects from every vantage point aligning the river’s edge. It is here where winter will first be felt with the cooling waters spreading their mist and clinging to all that are unable to escape its reach. Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper use this river as a highway to warmer climes, but some are attracted to spend winter here and lend character to a day’s foray by birders, their constant bobbing and strutting combining to perform a dance to entertain the observer, a performance enhanced by a watery reflection.

In the higher reaches of the surrounding mountains, Ring Ouzel have at last arrived in good numbers and are busy raiding the horde of Hawthorn berries that are so bountiful this year. Song Thrush and an occasional Redwing join the harvest, whilst Alpine Accentor put in brief appearances before vanishing behind the rock strewn slopes beneath high mountain crags. A Mistle Thrush performs a forlorn defence of its chosen fruit tree and is distracted; overwhelmed by sheer numbers of marauding Ring Ouzels, whilst large flocks of Spotless Starlings join-in the sacking of the bird’s chosen cache. And all played out beneath the ever watchful eye of a Sparrowhawk, that has taken to the valley as a likely winter’s retreat. Crag Martins skip the rock face and mock the Sparrowhawk with twists and turns unmatched by their would-be foe. In the high grasslands, Meadow Pipits tiptoe and are joined by ever increasing numbers of White Wagtail, where Water Pipits have recently arrived to feast on various larva in the soft grounds surrounding small pools of the Llanos de Libar.

With an optimistic gaze, my eyes are always drawn skywards for autumn and winter raptors. The area can have an attraction, even a mystical lure, not just for me, but for the wanderings of such species as Black Vulture and Imperial Spanish Eagle. For the most part, these scarce birds tend to be juveniles, displaced by the sudden chastening of their parents. Lost souls searching for their place in an unforgiving world, they must find a niche and wander far on a journey of discovery. Merlin and Hen Harrier put in fleeting appearances, whilst individuals can also take-up winter residence. Small populations of resident Lesser Kestrel inhabit the rocky crags of the Montejaque area and their numbers appear to have increased, no doubt milder winters having assisted them with finding food. Golden Eagle is another species increasing and often rewards my diligence, whilst scrutinising the circling clusters of Griffon Vulture, a practise regularly enacted when looking for raptors, many birds of prey seem attracted by circling Griffon Vultures and normally these take the high space above these large and apparently intimidating vultures.

Peter :t:

 

[jurek]

No AH is not extinct in Andalucia, but the whereabouts of breeding pairs is now rightly a guarded secret.

:eek!: Hi, so anybody found a regular territory or breeding pairs within last 10 years? Any possible conservation?

The last I heard is that HE evaded all attempts to find them (sad, because it was endemic subspecies). And Iberian birders were protecting a small population of related form in Morocco.

 

[Black Wheatear]

Wintering Birds in Andalucia

Our autumn has abruptly cast her door wide open and the days seem grey, trees baring their skeletal shapes, where once they had been adorned in many hues of green. It's a time where nature takes a rest, where life seems to move along at a leisurely pace and prepare itself for the harshness of winter.

And yet, during a period when the excitement of autumn migration subsides, I visit my regular haunts seeking the first of our wintering birds. Even now there are large numbers of birds passing through in search of their favoured wintering grounds. As I write this article, Black Redstarts, Chiffchaff, Ring Ouzel and Meadow Pipit are here in ever increasing numbers, some will stay, but a great many will slowly make their way ever southwards. Recent visits to 'my local patch', Llanos de Libar, have been rewarded with some winter regulars and Water Pipit is now busy chasing its cousin, Meadow Pipit, away from the small pools in the higher meadows.

Redwing, Song Thrush and Ring Ouzel are now in the lower area of the Libar valley, feasting on the abundant harvest of Hawthorn. Alpine Accentor, so difficult on occasions, can be seen dancing around scree slopes beneath the high bluffs and the odd bird showing well framed by blue skies on the clifftops. Was it my imagination, or did I hear Wallcreeper above the dense Hawthorns? Pretty sure I did and this will consign me to more visits, creeking my old neck to scan the high cliffs, suffer now I must for my art! My gentle strolls through my local Olive grove are now accompanied by the constant chastening 'tut tuts' of Blackcaps, whilst Song Thrush are increasing almost daily and most recently I saw my first Siskins of the winter, always a great pleasure to observe.

The Andalucia Bird Society will be holding a field meeting at the lagoon of Fuente de Piedra on December 12th and I will certainly be going along hoping for some decent views of Common Crane. I can remember seeing over 1300 of them at this location some four years ago, so hope springs eternal. The surrounding area can also be interesting, with Stone Curlew somewhere around and in very large numbers, whilst the lagoons should have some waders and duck species within easy viewing distance from the new hides. Some raptors that can be found here during the winter are Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Bonelli's Eagle and Peregrine Falcon, so the day promises to be worth attending.

Peter :t: