Birdwatching in Andalucia. Ideal Villas to rent for Bird Watching in Andalucia.

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Andalucia is a twitchers dream, as it is arguably Spain´s richest ornithological region due to it´s geographical

The following is a brief summary of the bird species you can expect to find whilst birdwatching in Andalucía, although obviously this will depend on the time of year and place:

There are some 13 resident raptor species in Andalucía, as well as several which migrate here annually from Africa. The best place to see them is in the more hilly parts of the province where they hover or circle high in the sky.

Large birds of prey which can be found in these mountainous regions, include the Golden, Bonelli´s and Booted eagle along with the the Egyptian and Griffon vultures, the latter being a very common sight in the skies above The Sierra Crestellina near to Casares and Gaucin. Smaller birds of prey, such as the kestrel, buzzard various harriers and red kite, can be spotted in lowland woods and forests.

Whislt being a far more common sight in Extramadura, the large white stork can be seen in the western region of Andalucía where they nest from spring to summer on electricity pylons, trees and towers. Their large woody nests are a wonderful sight and are sure to cause a thrill for anyone bird watching in Andalucia.

Among the most colourful of Andalucía's many other birds is the golden oriole which can be seen in orchards and woodlands, particularly during the summer months. The male oriole has a dazzling bright yellow body. The orange, black and white hoopoe is a similarly striking bird, common in open woodlands and on golf courses. Then there is the gold, brown and turquoise bee eater which nests in sandy banks during the summer and, last but not least, various woodpeckers and owls, including the magnificent European Eagle Owl which generally inhabits mountainous woodlands.

Along with Istanbul Southern Spain has the honour of being one of the main migration routes between Europe and Africa and a trip to the Rock of Gibraltar is a must on the itinery of any birdwatching in Andalucia holiday.Standing on The Rock you will be able to watch raptors soaring overhead on the thermals. The Eygptian, Griffon and rare Black Vultures. Golden, Booted, Imperial and Bonelli´s Eagles along with the Honey Buzzard and Pallid Harrier are all commonly spotted during the migration periods . When the stong Levante, or easterly wind, is blowing you will often see these birds grounded in their hundreds.

The sheer limestone cliffs of Gibraltar provides one of the finest viewing platforms in the world. High points of the migration occur between February and May for the northern raptor migration and September to October for the return journey. Gibraltar is the perfect site if the westerly wind is blowing. In addition, passerine and near-passerine migrants should be seen at about the same time and seabirds are good all year round. Peregrines and Blue Rock Thrushes are there on the cliff face, the only Barbary Partridges in mainland Europe wander freely on the Upper Rock and, down by the sea, you might be lucky to see one of the few remaining shags.

Birdwatching in Andalucia-Tariffa.When the Easterly wind is blowing it is worth taking the trip along the Atlantic coast to Tariffa to watch the migrants crossing over the Straits from there or, again when it is realy blowing, see them grounded waiting for the wind to drop.

Suprisingly enough Southern Spain has some wonderful wetlands where you will be able to see a host of unusual and rare birds.

The Coto Doñana National ParkThis is obviously the number one spot with it´s world wide reputation as a nature reserve par excellence and is therefore another must on a birdwatching in Andalucia trip. The delta waters flood in winter and then drop in the spring leaving rich deposits of silt and raised sandbanks and islands. These conditions are perfect in winter for geese and ducks but most exciting in spring when they draw hundreds of flocks of breeding birds. The Spanish Imperial eagle is also resident here.

This is considered to be the largest natural lagoon in Spain and appears like a glorious oasis in the otherwise monotonous terrain of Llanure de Antaquera. It is the home and breeding ground of an estimated 10,000 pairs of Greater Flamingos, the highest concentration in Europe,and they present a magnificant site with the sky turning pink when they take off from the lagoon.Here you will also find Cranes,Slender-billed Gulls and Gull-billed Terns. This is another must on the itinery of anyone enjoying a birdwatching in Andalucia holiday. If you wish to visit and stay in the area then we have a delightful house for rent with air conditioning and a pool called Fuente de Piedra.

The Guadiaro estuary and the small nature reserve at Sotogrande have a suprisingly rich diversity of birds and wildlife.Ospreys can often be observed here and standing on the bridge, overlooking the Rio Guadiaro,you may catch a glimpse of the elusive otters. Gulls, including Audoin's, abound.Bluethroats and Penduline tits may be seen in winter and Flamingos and Spoonbills sometimes pass through. Cormorants, Kingfishers, Plovers, innumerable Grey Herons, Cattle and Little Egrets are all common sightings.

The Los Alcornocales National park which runs from Tarifa in the south to Grazelema in the north of Andalucia is a fabulous nature reserve of some 170,000 hectares that is home to a stunning collection of birds, along with many different plant and animal species.

Wherever you stay in Andalucia and whichever one of our properties you select the chances are you will be able to sight many rare and unusual birds. Below however is a selection of properties which are particuarly well suited for spending a holiday primarily birdwatching in Andalucia.

Cortijo el Peso
Wonderful 20 acre country estate with 4 one or two bedroomed individual apartments. Enormous Pool. Fabulous bird watching country

Finca Mirlo Blanco.
Delightful holiday home for 2 in beautiful countryside near to the village of Guaro.Good Birding country

Finca el Rio.
Clean and Modern Holiday Chalet in quiet and peaceful riverside setting, varied and interesting birdlife. A/C, pool and hydro therapy jacuzzi

Fuente de Piedra.
Charming 2 bed roomed air conditioned house with pool overlooking the famous flamingo lagoon.

Cortijo Roman, Jimena
4 Charming cottages (1 and 2 bedrooms) set in 9 hectares of wild flower meadows.Close to Jimena and the Parque Natural Los Alcornocales.Beautiful large swimming pool.

Casa Luna, Gaucin.Lovely 2 bedroomed villa with separate studio apartment.Can sleep 4-6.Has private pool. In stunning location between Gaucin and Jimena.( The two bed roomed villa alone can be taken at a reduced rate.)

Casa Annica, Coin.
Wonderful location near Coin forthis 2 bedroomed villa with separate annexe and private pool.Plenty of wildife in this peaceful location

Casa Mirador, Gaucin.
High quality holiday home in the pretty village of Gaucin.Sleeps 6. Private sun and BBQ terraces, lovely pool (shared with just2 other properties, both English owned)and stunning viewsBalcony ideal for telescope.

Finca Gallega, Casares.
Lovely rustic finca in the most idyllic surroundings in the foothills of Casares. Private pool, sleeps 10 in individual properties.

If you can´t find what you are looking for at Costa del Sol Vacation Rentals then try James Villas as they have an excellent selection of villas in some exotic and beautiful locations.

Yorkshire Birding
Yorkshire Birding publishes articles and notes about Yorkshire and Bird watching.

Birding Reports We would love to hear from you after your holiday with information of all your sightings as this will help us to keep this page and it´s information upto date and be more useful for people planning a Birdwatching in Andalucia Holiday.Please use this form to send your report.

Below we have listed a few books which we hope will help you to get more enjoyment out of your bird watching in Andalucia holiday.Just click on the picture for more details and to order on line.

"Where to Watch Birds in Southern and Western Spain" by Ernest Garcia and Andrew Patterson. The definitive guide to finding birds in Andalucia, Extramadura and Gibraltar.

"The Spanish Imperial Eagle."by Miguel Ferrer.An excellent book devoted to this magnificent bird.

" Bird Watching on Spain's Southern Coast" by John R. Butler. One of my favouries, this is a very comprhensive guide to the birds of the southern coast of Spain, it includes many varied sites and maps of how to get there.

"Collins Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe" By Lars Svensson et al. A great addition to any twitchers book shelf.

Click on the photo above to visit www.Wild-spain.com for lots of facts and information about Spain´s wonderfully diverse wild life.

No holiday spent birdwatching in Andalucia, or anywhere else for that matter,would be complete without a good pair of binoculars and a camera.If you need some new ones then visit Field and Trek as they have a good selection in their accessories section.

Or alternatively Click on the link below to preview some of the great cameras, binoculars and combined binoculars/digicams on offer at very reasonable prices from Amazon.com

Vacation Rentals.For that Special Birdwatching in Andalucia Holiday.

Vacation Rentals.
For that Special Birdwatching in Andalucia Holiday.