Blue Rockthrush Photo: Clive Finlayson
Rüppel's Vulture Photo: Miguel Gonzalez
Tapas de mariscos Photo: Daniel Green
Calanderlark Photo: Miguel Gonzalez
Peregrine Photo: Clive Finlayson
Lesser Kestrel Photo: Miguel Gonzalez

Yellow-crowned Bishop Photo: Lars Petersson

Andalucian mountains Photo: Daniel Green

Little Owl Photo: Miguel Gonzalez

Black-headed Weaver Photo: Richard Ek

Purple Swamphen Photo: Miguel Gonzalez

Black-shouldered Kite Photo: Miguel Gonzalez

View over the Straits of Gibraltar Photo: Daniel Green

Spanish village Photo: Daniel Green
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Andalucia in autumn
7 - 13 September 2023
South Spain is an area rich of birds all year around. In autumn the
raptor migration is forceful and in the middle of September the mix of
species is on top. Among Buzzards & Kites, there will be plenty of
Harriers, Falcons and Eagles in the air. Among the Vultures we look out
especially for one of the new birds in the European fauna - Rüppel´s
Vulture. The sheer volume of birds of prey is often impressive and even
a rather mediocre day one thousand birds can be counted. On this one
base trip we do day excursions to see a good variety of the local
specialities that are on offer. The furthest we go is 2,5 hours away to
visit the wetlands of the east side of the Guadalquivir. Here we have
good chances on waterbirds like White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal, Crested
Coot, Squacco Heron, Purle Swamphen and much more.
We stay in the cosy, rural, family-run hotel with pool and restaurant
near Tarifa and make day excursions from here. All rooms have en-suite
facilities. Nature and beach is just around the corner.
It´s a lush place in the hills, surrounded by
green, but off the main road. The rooms are in separate cabins but we
get together for meals and roll calls in the restaurant and lounge. The
advantage with this is that we can adjust the birding to the weather
situation. When winds are right we focus on the migration, other days we
visit the nearby coast, wetlands and mountains.
In the La Janda-area irrigated rice-fields attract Pratincoles,
Black-winged Stilts, Egrets and a variety of raptors. Recently Spanish
Imperial Eagles have been breeding in the nearby mountains, some years
even Black-shouldered Kites.
South Spain have some more scarce specialities too; White-rumped Swift is never easy but a late breeder that will still be around in September,
the Little Swifts are resident and known from just one colony in Spain
and within reach for us. Red-necked Nightjar is another attraction we
will look for. One of the days we make a boat excursion in the straits
of Gibraltar to look for Whales and Dolphins. Pilot Whales, three
species of Dolphins and Orcas are seen regularly in periods, this time
of the year there should also be a passage of other Whales and Seabirds
like Shearwaters in these waters.
The furthest we go is 2,5 hours away to visit the wetlands of the east
side of the Guadalquivir. Here we have good chances on waterbirds like
White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal, Squacco- and Purple Heron, Purple
Swamphen and much more. Here we also get exposed to 3
other new immigrants that might not even be even depicted in the field guide;
Black-headed Weaver, Yellow-crowned Bishop and Common Waxbill. Initially
spread with the help of man, but still handsome birds.
This is a comfortable trip with a leisurely pace and no longer or
strenuous walks. There´s also the possibility to just stay on the quiet
lodge some day if you prefer to enjoy the pool or read a book in the
shadow on your veranda.
Day 1
We land at Malaga airport to be received by our guide who will take us
past the long queues to the rental cars and straight out into nature. A
first stop by a wetland near the airport give us the first chance to see
White-headed Duck, Greater Flamingo and some other waterbirds. After a 2
hour drive we are in the Tarifa area. If weather is fine for migration
we stop to get a little taste of what will come during the week, at
least Griffon Vultures will probably be up soaring along the hillsides.
If the weather is less productive we head to the hotel to get a bit of
rest before dinner.
Day 2
We start with testing the weather and winds - our guide is very
experienced after years of counting raptors - and knows if it´s worth
focusing on the migration or not. The raptor migration this time of the
year could include Honey Buzzards, Booted- and Short-toed Eagles, Black- and White Storks. Probably Marsh Harriers, Hobbies and Peregrines too. Bee-eaters can pass in flocks this time of
the year. Naturally we look really carefully at the vultures to spot the
rare Rüppel´s Vulture - a rarity that has become a regular the last
decade. Mostly young birds seem to follow the Griffons from Africa when
they return north on spring migration to stay the summer in Spain. In
autumn they take the same way back.
Day 3
We start the day with a visit to nearby beach reserve Los Lances with flocks of Calandra Larks and Corn Buntings, Stonechats and
Cisticolas in the bushes and some Waders on the shore. Maybe the first
of the days Raptors starting to migrate will be seen. Later we drive up the nearby hills and mountains known as Sierra de la
Plata where we have better chances to see Bonelli´s Eagle, Egyptian
Vulture and Griffon Vultures at closer range.
Also here we should look out for Mr Rüppel.
Thekla Lark, Blue Rock Thrush, Red-rumped Swallow, and Iberian Green
Woodpecker are also likely here. If the weather is right we do a boat
excursion in the straits of Gibraltar to look for Cetaceans and
seabirds. Pilot Whales, three species of Dolphins and some years Orcas or bigger
Whales like Sperm Whales are seen.
This time of the year there should also be a
passage of several other whale species as well as birds like Shearwaters and Gannets in these waters. When back in Tarifa, we have a late lunch
and spend some time looking for Europe´s only Common Bulbuls, that
recently established as a breeding bird here. Possibly some Lesser
Kestrels are still around.
Day 4
Early start to do birding by the rice patties, lagoons and river-arms on
the east side of the mighty river Guadalquivir. Here we have good
chances to see a number of Herons, including Squacco- and Purple Heron,
Greater Flamingo and Little Bittern. We look for Crested Coot, Marbled
Teal and Ferruginous Duck. In the drier habitats we look for Calandra Larks, Lesser
Short-toed Lark and Woodchat Shrikes.
Also a good area for Slender-billed Gull and many Waders. Here we also get exposed to 3 other
new immigrants that might not even be depicted in the field guide;
Black-headed Weaver, Yellow-crowned Bishop and Common Waxbill. Initially
spread with the help of man, but still handsome birds. On the way back
we stop by to visit Europe´s only colony of Little Swift - only
established a few years back. Here we could spend some time botanizing among the Gulls on the beach
and when we feel happy with what we’ve got, we enjoy a cool drink at one
of the chiringuitos in the harbour.
Day 5
We go all in for Raptor migration, spending a minimum of time in the
van. Among Buzzards & Kites, there will be plenty of Harriers, Falcons
and Eagles in the air. Among the Vultures we look out especially for one
of the new birds in the European fauna - Rüppel´s Vulture. The sheer
volume of birds of prey is often impressive and even a rather mediocre
day one thousand birds can be counted. In the surroundings we also have
birds like Little Owl, Cirl Bunting, Corn Bunting, Serin to look out
for. If we didn´t see the Bulbuls the other day we try again today. One
of these days - maybe today - we will also head out to look especially
for the very localized White-rumped Swifts, usually breeding with a small number of pairs in
the surroundings can be seen in september years when breeding late. If time permits, we go looking for charming and photogenique shy little
Chameleons by the beach.
Day 6
Less than an hour from our hotel is the La Janda area. Once a proper
lake, but although drained since many years back, this irrigated
farmland, still attracts a lot of birds. This morning we start with looking for Little Owls, a resident breeder
that often peaches in a favourite tree in the early morning. We will
also target the smart looking Black-shouldered Kites that breed in the
area some years. The rice fields also attract large flocks of sparrows
this time of the year and we will pinpoint some smart males of Spanish
Sparrows among them.
Calandra Larks and Red-legged Partridges are resident in the area.
Raptors from the mountains often come down to hunt here and Harriers,
Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Golden- and even
Spanish Imperial Eagle are frequently seen in the area. Not far away
from here we will also look for Europe´s only population of Northern
Bald Ibis. They are the result of a re-introduction-project, but
nonetheless a very special bird, that actually used to breed here until
a few 100 years ago.
In the Barbate/ Vejer-area there´s often Turtle Doves, Hoopoes and
Iberian Green Woodpecker.
Day 7
Transfer to Malaga for the flights or train home. Depending on departure
hours we might have some time for a little bit of birding along the way.
If the weather is not optimal for migration - and if departure flight
times permit - we might take a detour through the well-hidden Ojen
valley where we will see some fine Spanish nature and probably some more
good birds along the way.
The journey is a collaboration between
BirdSafarisweden and Karlmark Travel. (Karlmark Travels holds the travel
warranty insurance that covers this trip)
When: 7 - 13 September 2023
Price: 19.700 SEK per person in doubleroom (excl. flight ticket)
Single room supplement: 2.000 SEK
Max number of participants: 8 persons
What's included:
Full board in double room at rural Hotel with pool, restaurant and
natural surroundings, all rooms have en-suite facilities.
English-speaking tour leader, local guide all the time, all
transports, all possible entrances to nature reserves and parks except the whale safari -see below.
Not included:
Flight ticket to Malaga. We are happy to book the ticket for you to get
the best price and so we all land at the same time. Transfer to the
airport, insurance, Participants are required to have a travel-insurance
covering accidents and illnesses. Alcohol, souvenirs and other personal
expenses, gratuities to tour leader, local guide / driver (we usually
collect money for tips at the end of the trip if we are satisfied). Ticket to the whale safari - approx 25 pounds. Lunch or coffee or other drinks on cafés or restaurants on the transfer
day - day one and seven.
Other: This is a "mixed group" trip where Swedish- and English-speaking
travelers are welcome.
Application fee: Once you have registered you will receive an invoice of 3,500 SEK. The
payment of that bill guarantees you a place on the trip.
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booking form / interest!

Short-toed Eagle Photo: Miguel Gonzalez

Pilot whales Photo: Daniel Green

Eleonora´s Falcon Photo: Clive Finlayson

Whale safari Photo: Daniel Green

Egyptian Vulture Photo: Miguel Gonzalez

Griffon Vulture Photo: Clive Finlayson

Black-headed Weaver Photo: Richard Ek

Bonelli´s Eagle Photo: Clive Finlayson

Cirl Bunting Photo: Miguel Gonzalez

Spanish Imperial Eagle & Griffon Vulture Photo: Stewart Finlayson

Lesser Kestrel Photo: Clive Finlayson

White-headed Duck Photo: Miguel Gonzalez

Egyptian Vulture Photo: Clive Finlayson

Northern Bald Ibis Photo: Miguel Gonzalez
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