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

[Black Wheatear]

Hi Peter
Sorry for the late reply but I didn't get my usual e-mail alert that a reply had been made.
Is it better early June or the back end of June?
The camp site Hotel. Is that the one I stayed at just up the road from you? If it is it was ok. I can't remember the name of it. Could you find out how much is it to stay there for a week please?
John

Hi John,

Just got back from Morocco, been away so not able to answer. Mid-June would be preferable, but end of June also good. Did you Google the Hotel? Think it might be worthwhile to make a reservation through Booking.com as normally cheapest price. Let me know what you decide.

Peter

 

[Black Wheatear]

Migration starts with a bang...

Very evident migration today, 00's Bee eater flying north also 00's Pallid Swift, Swallow and House Martin. Woodchat Shrike are arriving also good numbers of Black Kite, Short-toed and Booted Eagle drifting northwards. Most of this movement ahead of storm front from southwest.

Also a link to the latest (March) rarities report here in Andalucia for those with an interest.

http://www.andaluciabirdsociety.org/forum/index.php/topic,618.msg2700.html#msg2700

Peter :t:

 

[djohnston]

A Day in Ronda

Just a quick request about Ronda. I will be staying for one night in early May en route from Coto Donana to Malaga Airport. Are there a couple of places locally where I could see local specialities? Perhaps White rumped Swifts if they are back?

Thanks for any comments!

 

[Black Wheatear]

Iberia Bird Festival

Location: CABO DE GATA- ALMERIA - SPAIN

Dates: 7th - 9th September 2012

Entrance Fee: FREE

Attractions: Excursions/Exhibitions/Lectures

Times: Opens 10 am closes 6 pm each day

All profits will be donated to the education project of the Osprey Migration Foundation (OMF). Please support this festival and help us link communities and schools throughout the world.

The bird festival will run from Friday 7th through to Sunday 9th September. The centre for the festival will be the Hotel de Naturaleza Rodalquilar near the village of Rodalquilar in the heart of Cabo de Gata natural Park. Food and drinks are available on site, whether for snacks or full meals. The approximate format and sequence will be as follows:

Friday - Exhibitor's and Open Day - Official opening (includes local produce cheese, jamon and wines) followed by lectures and local optional excursions. 4 lectures of 40 minutes duration each (2 in Spanish and 2 in English) translations available for all lectures by headsets.

Saturday - Conference/Lecture Day - 4 lectures of 40 minutes duration each (2 in Spanish and 2 in English) translations available for all lectures by headsets. Optional excursions available to view local birds and bicycle hire is also available. Plus excursion am to the Cabo de Gata saltpans.

Sunday - Lectures am, 4 lectures of 40 minutes duration each (2 in Spanish and 2 in English) translations available for all lectures by headsets. Walks am and pm. Excursion to the steppe pm. Bird Marathon all day. End of festival party evening and declaring the winners of the bird marathon.

Entrance fees - FREE.

Exhibitors: Any company wishing to exhibit at the festival should contact the organisers directly. Contact details: [email protected]

More information on Speakers, excursions etc. will follow, watch this site: https://sites.google.com/site/iberiabirdfestival/home

Please do share this information with all your friends and anyone who you think might be interested.

 

[Black Wheatear]

After some heavy duty blogs and writing about such depressing aspects of self-interest among our species i.e. Buzzard culls and unwanted and unsustainable property developments, I needed to cheer myself up a bit and what better way than indulge and immerse myself describing a great love affair of mine, La Serrania de Ronda!

Birding your local patch is a great way of getting to know your area and over a period of time, trends of species visiting and breeding. My ‘patch’ covers a vast area, some 48 10² kilometre grid squares broken down into 1² kilometre tetrads for reference purposes! Of course I am lucky as I lead groups in and around the study zone, so not only do I get to keep a regular eye on my birds, but I also have the enormous pleasure of sharing my knowledge of them with others.

For illustrated version read more here: http://spanishnature.blogspot.com.es/

Peter

 

[O.Reville1989]

After some heavy duty blogs and writing about such depressing aspects of self-interest among our species i.e. Buzzard culls and unwanted and unsustainable property developments, I needed to cheer myself up a bit and what better way than indulge and immerse myself describing a great love affair of mine, La Serrania de Ronda!

Birding your local patch is a great way of getting to know your area and over a period of time, trends of species visiting and breeding. My ‘patch’ covers a vast area, some 48 10² kilometre grid squares broken down into 1² kilometre tetrads for reference purposes! Of course I am lucky as I lead groups in and around the study zone, so not only do I get to keep a regular eye on my birds, but I also have the enormous pleasure of sharing my knowledge of them with others.

For illustrated version read more here: http://spanishnature.blogspot.com.es/

Peter

Stunning photos Peter! I am returning to the area again in September, I just can't keep away!

 

[skippo]

I have two or three days at Benaojan near Ronda next week. I would really welcome tips on what I might look for and where (not too far from there). I am a novice birder! Many thanks

 

[Jon Turner]

I have two or three days at Benaojan near Ronda next week. I would really welcome tips on what I might look for and where (not too far from there). I am a novice birder! Many thanks

Find your way up to Montejaque and work your way up through the town to the valley above. It's all there! Well, nearly all.... Black Wheatear, Subalpine, Spectacled, Dartford and Orphean Warblers are possible. Even the mythical Rock Thrush sometimes puts in an appearance. Chough, Bonellli's Eagle, Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, Rock Sparrow, Thekla Lark, Rock Bunting, Black Redstart, Black-eared Wheatear, what more could a chap want?:t:

I think in the river valley around Benoajan is also good for Olivaceous Warbler. Look out for Red-rumped Swallow under the bridges.

Did you have anything else in mind?!

And also, in fairness try to get in touch with Black Wheatear - he takes guided days out in that very area and knows it far beter than I do!

 

[mcapper]

Can't argue with that. Montejaque is a superb place and has my vote

 

[John Cantelo]

I think in the river valley around Benoajan is also good for Olivaceous Warbler.

Interesting! I've never really looked in that area. I associate Olivaceous Warbler with tamarisks - is it that the case around Benaojan?

 

[Reader]

Jon is spot on with his suggestion. I have done that area many times on my own and lately with Peter (Black Wheatear).

You must get in touch with Peter for the latest info as he is a mountain of knowledge for the entire area surrounding Ronda.

A superb area and somewhere I would love to live in, just like Peter.

John

Find your way up to Montejaque and work your way up through the town to the valley above. It's all there! Well, nearly all.... Black Wheatear, Subalpine, Spectacled, Dartford and Orphean Warblers are possible. Even the mythical Rock Thrush sometimes puts in an appearance. Chough, Bonellli's Eagle, Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, Rock Sparrow, Thekla Lark, Rock Bunting, Black Redstart, Black-eared Wheatear, what more could a chap want?:t:

I think in the river valley around Benoajan is also good for Olivaceous Warbler. Look out for Red-rumped Swallow under the bridges.

Did you have anything else in mind?!

And also, in fairness try to get in touch with Black Wheatear - he takes guided days out in that very area and knows it far beter than I do!

 

[skippo]

Many thanks. Super to get such specific advice. I do not have target species, but the bigger and more slow moving they are the more likely I am to see them! And to recognise them. Dartford warbler, Bonellis eagle, swifts and swallows would do me fine.

 

[Jon Turner]

Interesting! I've never really looked in that area. I associate Olivaceous Warbler with tamarisks - is it that the case around Benaojan?

Er I think Peter said either Benoajan or it may have been Jimera de Libar....

I hope he'll come on and put us right!

 

[skippo]

Nice to hear from a Coventry man (I was born there and lived there till 21). And thanks - I have had great help from Peter and from John Cantelo. Looking forward to some great new birds!

 

[Black Wheatear]

Er I think Peter said either Benoajan or it may have been Jimera de Libar....

I hope he'll come on and put us right!

You are quite right Jon. The whole river valley of the Guadiaro is a great place to search for Olivaceous, with prime sites or at least more densely populated ones existing at the Idiana area of the river and a convenient site at the car park of the Cueva de Gata, off the main road from Ronda to Benoajan. Regarding John's observation, yes there is Tamarisk in the area, but personally I have not found any nests in these bushes, normally they are found in branches overhanging the river or tributaries, also they feed in dense vegetation on the banks of the river showing a particular liking for willow sp.

Peter

 

[Black Wheatear]

Albino Stonechat

Wow, always something to surprise me here in the Serrania de Ronda. I stumbled upon a 'true' albino young Stonechat, so very rare and I felt privileged to have been witness to this unusual occurrence! Luckily I was able to return the next day armed with camera and video, to see video, photos and article please visit this link: http://www.spanishnature.com/birds/72-andalucia/176-albino-stonechat.html

Managed some good photographs and the bird certainly provided me with a lifetime experience, having seen many so called albinos it was good to find this extremely rare example of a 'true' albino and a Stonechat to boot!

Peter

 

[Kevin Wade]

Hi Peter!

What a brilliant bird!!

I think the link was broken: hopefully this will work:

http://www.spanishnature.com/birds/72-andalucia/176-albino-stonechat.html

Hope to see you soon!

 

[Black Wheatear]

Hi Peter!

What a brilliant bird!!

I think the link was broken: hopefully this will work:

http://www.spanishnature.com/birds/72-andalucia/176-albino-stonechat.html

Hope to see you soon!

Thanks Kevin, really a special find and great looking little bird. Thanks for the heads-up on the broken link, now fixed!

Peter :t:

 

[skippo]

Trip report

I got back from Benaojan yesterday. What a super birding area it is - and also would be great for walking in the Spring and Autumn.
This list is not the longest, but as a fairly inexpert birder I was very pleased indeed. I saw: oliviaceous warbler; melodious warbler; grey wagtail; swallow; swift; sand martin; goldfinch; serin; stonechat; greenfinch; Bonellis eagle; blackbird (!); black wheatear; black redstart; jay; linnet; rock sparrow; blue rock thrush. All these were pretty clear and certain. And probables were: short - toed eagle; griffin vulture; crested lark; orphean warbler. A lot of first time birds for me. Thanks especially to John Cantelo for his fantastic notes and to Peter Jones for his hints.

 

[O.Reville1989]

I got back from Benaojan yesterday. What a super birding area it is - and also would be great for walking in the Spring and Autumn.
This list is not the longest, but as a fairly inexpert birder I was very pleased indeed. I saw: oliviaceous warbler; melodious warbler; grey wagtail; swallow; swift; sand martin; goldfinch; serin; stonechat; greenfinch; Bonellis eagle; blackbird (!); black wheatear; black redstart; jay; linnet; rock sparrow; blue rock thrush. All these were pretty clear and certain. And probables were: short - toed eagle; griffin vulture; crested lark; orphean warbler. A lot of first time birds for me. Thanks especially to John Cantelo for his fantastic notes and to Peter Jones for his hints.

A great list! Benaojan is a fantastic area isn't it?
Very jealous you got Western Oli Warbler! I was too early for them this year.
If you have any photos or trip notes then do post them! Always great to read about this area.
Oli