Costa Del Sol (1 Viewer)

[Ian Bell]

Has anyone ever been birding in the Costa del Sol area of Spain ? If so,could you possibly tell me any good sites and what I can expect to see ? Due to leaving things to the last minute,I shall not be going to Ibiza this year,where I used to visit the top birding sites on the Island. :'D

 

[Alan G]

There are numerous reports on Birdtours of birding on the Costa del Sol (Estepona area, for example) - or even do a search of 'Andalucia / Malaga' on here.

I've visited Andalucia twice in the last few months but, admittedly, have avoided the Costa like the plague as its not my cup of tea (too many humans chomping their Egg & Chips for my liking).

However, there was some decent birding on the estuary at the mouth of Rio Guadalhorce (in December) which is a stone's throw away from Malaga/Malaga Airport - I can give u directions if you like as I know some people have had difficulty getting onto it, yet I (more thru accident than good judgement!) got onto it at the first attempt.

I visited the estuary briefly in December (was getting late when I got back to the coast and only had an hour before it got dark) and there were a few Little Egrets, Zitting Cisticola, Hoopoe, Dartford Warbler, Squacco, Gull-Billed Tern, Crested Tit and a possible Squacco that flushed when I parked the car to name but a few. Also, it's good for seawatching although as I was pushed for time, I didn't do any.......also Audoin's Gulls are seen around the beach I think, as well as many other species.

Will you be hiring a car while you're away?

If so, I'd head towards the Serrenia de Ronda/Sierra de las Nieves (Los Quejigales is the place I spent most time at) for some good 'scrub/mountain/pine forest' birding - too many species to mention here but I was there 2 weeks ago and had plenty of Black Wheatear, Black-Eared Wheatear, Booted Eagle, Short-Toed Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Firecrests, Crested Tit, Subalpine Warbler, Rock Bunting, S G Shrike & loads of Woodchat Shrike, Cirl Bunting, but dipped on Golden & Bonnellis Eagle and no sign of Rock Thrush that are occasionally seen on the very tops.

The gorge at Ronda was good for Alpine & Pallid Swift as well as loads of RB Chough, Lesser Kestrel and the odd Peregrine..........persuade the family to go for a day trip and don't forget to take your bins, although it does get crowded so make it an early morning or early evening trip.

Another area nearer to the coast is between the Sierra Crestellina and Gaucin. Just South of Gaucin it was quite wooded (mixed) with walks along a river (Rio Genal) and I heard/saw loads of Nightingale among others such as Night Heron, Golden Oriole, Bee-eater, etc.

The Sierra Crestellina has a population of Vultures (Griffon & Egyptian) and there was a few Booted Eagles knocking about as well but it was quite heat hazy when I visited so perhaps an early am visit would be best.

Basically, if possible, hire a car and get away from the coast to the relatively cool climate of the Sierras (even just for a day/half a day) and you're sorted.

Alan

 

[john-henry]

Has anyone ever been birding in the Costa del Sol area of Spain ? If so,could you possibly tell me any good sites and what I can expect to see ? Due to leaving things to the last minute,I shall not be going to Ibiza this year,where I used to visit the top birding sites on the Island. :'D

It's a big area, any idea of where you're staying yet?
I've got some good sites for the eastern end, Roquetas de Mar area, if you're within striking distance of there.

regards

John

 

[Ian Bell]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies,John and Alan.I shall be based in Benalmadena and I am open to suggestions.I have my wife and 2 boys to consider,so a few half day trips would be most welcome.It is not unknown for me to head out at first light..!

 

[Alan G]

Thanks for the replies,John and Alan.I shall be based in Benalmadena and I am open to suggestions.I have my wife and 2 boys to consider,so a few half day trips would be most welcome.It is not unknown for me to head out at first light..!

If u send me ur email (via PM) I can send you a word doument I cobbled together for my last trip - it's basically a potted version of various trip reports and info that I collected from the net for sites in and and Andalucia such as Gaucin, Ronda, Sierra Crestellina, Guadalhorce Estuary as well as places further afield such as Brazo del Este & Donana.

Oh, and if you're hiring a car I'd suggest pick up the Michelin road map for Anadalucia otherwise you may struggle to find the places - I think I got mine from Waterstones for a couple of quid and its in tatters now as it's been well used the last few months.

One other piece of advice - if you fancy getting some wetland birding in, I'd avoid the Lagunas around Campillos (Laguna Dulce, Salada, etc) as when we checked them out 3 weeks ago they were all bone dry. We did get cracking views of a male Montagu's Harrier hunting fields around the Laguna Dulce, but other than that and the ubiqitous Corn Bunting, Serin & Reed Warbler, they were virtually birdless.

A much better bet would be a trip over to Brazo del Este and/or Bonanza Salinas, but they're getting on for a couple hours drive from the coastal resorts.

Alan

 

[Kevin Wade]

Most of the sites that Alan G mentions are easily covered within half a day from Benalmádina, but the Guadalhorce estuary will be your closest. Also try the area around the Refugio de Juanar, just past Ojen, on the road up from the coast at Marbella. There are two other excellent under-watched sites off this same road. Just out of Marbella, just before the cemetery, get into the left hand lane and take the left turn there. The road leads round to a pull off point by the La Cascada restaurant. Walk up the tarmac road by the side of the restaurant, into the area known as Puerto Rico. Eventually you will come to a cliff face that has breeding Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush. Rock Bunting are also common here. You can continue walking up a steep climb on this track. There are Bonelli's Eagle in the area, and Eagle Owl. The track continues all the way up to the Refugio de Juanar (2 hours) but it is best to turn back just after the ruined building.
The other site is after the turning for the Refugio de Juanar, and just after the right hand turning to the Mundaluz hotel. There is a plinth with the name "Holcim" on, which marks the turning to the Holcim quarry. Take this turning and turn immediately left. This road eventually leads back under the main road, under an impressive iron bridge. Continuing, the road leads into the Sierra de las Nieves natural park, and from here on to Istan, Tolox or even eventually to Los Quejigales. The first ten or so kilometres however is excellent, before turning back, by the Tolox - Istan junction.

 

[Ian Bell]

Most of the sites that Alan G mentions are easily covered within half a day from Benalmádina, but the Guadalhorce estuary will be your closest. Also try the area around the Refugio de Juanar, just past Ojen, on the road up from the coast at Marbella. There are two other excellent under-watched sites off this same road. Just out of Marbella, just before the cemetery, get into the left hand lane and take the left turn there. The road leads round to a pull off point by the La Cascada restaurant. Walk up the tarmac road by the side of the restaurant, into the area known as Puerto Rico. Eventually you will come to a cliff face that has breeding Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush. Rock Bunting are also common here. You can continue walking up a steep climb on this track. There are Bonelli's Eagle in the area, and Eagle Owl. The track continues all the way up to the Refugio de Juanar (2 hours) but it is best to turn back just after the ruined building.
The other site is after the turning for the Refugio de Juanar, and just after the right hand turning to the Mundaluz hotel. There is a plinth with the name "Holcim" on, which marks the turning to the Holcim quarry. Take this turning and turn immediately left. This road eventually leads back under the main road, under an impressive iron bridge. Continuing, the road leads into the Sierra de las Nieves natural park, and from here on to Istan, Tolox or even eventually to Los Quejigales. The first ten or so kilometres however is excellent, before turning back, by the Tolox - Istan junction.

Thanks for that Kevin.

 

[Edward woodwood]

from memory and a few years back now...

Ronda

Teba Gorge for Bonelli's Eagle and other raptors

the Lagunas (Zonar, Rincon, Dulce, Espera etc for White-headed Duck)

Laguna Fuente de Piedra

I remember the coast road near nerja producing shedloads of Cory's going past in June and the odd Audouin's Gull

 

[Craig H]

Bit vague this I'm afraid.

I went to Benalmadena a few years ago. Unfortunately I couldnt manage any serious birding but I did manage a trip up to the "mountain" that is quite obvious at the rear of the resort. Its the one with the cable lift.

Ah hour or so at the top of this hill produced some fabulous raptor migration. Dont have a list but remember seeing a good number of birds. They were coming down the valleys then swirling up on the thermals before peeling off in a steady stream towards Gibralta. Obviously time of year will be important for this though, as would time of day.