Andalucia in autumn


16 - 22 September 2021



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 lodge Huerta Grande, near to Tarifa and make day excursions from here. 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, Purle Swamphen, Little Bittern and much more. Here we also get exposed to 3 other new immigrants that is not 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 lodge to get a bit of rest before dinner. Around the lodge there´s often Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper, Hawfinch and other birds.
Dinner & night on Huerta Grande.


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 several species of Harriers too with the chance of finding Pallid Harrier among the more frequent Montague´s and Marsh. Hobbies and Peregrines represent the Falcons but the odd Eleonoras is to look out for. 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. We also pay a visit to Los Lances with chance on Audouin's Gull, some Terns and Waders.


Day 3
Today we go up the nearby hills and mountains known as Sierra de la Plata, here we have better chances to see Bonelli´s Eagle, Egyptian Vulture and Golden Eagle. 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 Orcas are seen regularly in periods, 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, although they breed early and most of them leave the area already in late July.


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. Also a good area for Slender-billed Gull, Gull-billed Terns and many Waders. Here we also get exposed to 3 other new immigrants that is not 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. On the way back we stop by to visit Europe´s only colony of Little Swift - only established a few years back.


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 and often staying into October.


Day 6
Less than an hour from our lodge 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. Among Black-winged Stilts, Glossy Ibis and Egrets we look for Collared Pratincoles and Thick-knees. 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 to get in time for the flights or train home. Depending on departure time we might have some time for a little bit of birding 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: 16 - 22 September 2021

Price: 18.700 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 Huerta Grande lodge (a rural lodge with cabins in a sheltered, natural surrounding, 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.

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).


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.