Birdlife of Malaga province including the Sierra de las Nieves

Today we’ll find a flurry of feathers at one of Andalucia’s most important wetland areas, Reserva Natural de la Laguna de Fuente de Piedra. This is the home of one of the world’s largest flamingo populations that have taken up residence around the saltwater lagoon. Alongside the flamingos, you can expect to see cranes, kestrels, curlews and ducks, especially around nesting season from March through to the end of July. It’s a vast wetland area, well over 7000 acres, and home to a variety of aquatic plants and vegetation. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the nearby Lagunas del Campillo on the search for several different species of duck, including the endangered white-headed duck.

We’ll be heading north of Malaga province this morning and into the Province of Seville. It’s an opportunity to experience Andalucia’s extensive farmlands where wheat and sunflower fields roll out alongside olive orchards and citrus groves. It’s in the centre of the triangle created by the towns Marchena, Osuna and Écija that we’ll find what we’re looking for within La Lantejuela. This area is located roughly 70 kilometres east of the city of Seville and is considered one of Andalucia’s most important regions for steppe birds. Sandwiched between the farmers’ fields, seasonal brackish lagoons also appear and with them a rich diversity of waterfowl and endemic birds. However, it’s the steppe birds, such as great and little bustards, kestrels, kites, harriers and sandgrouse, that we’ll be mainly focusing our binoculars on over the course of the day.

Situated between Malaga and Torremolinos, the mouth, and subsequent delta, of the Río Guadalhorce has become a designated nature reserve and a ‘must visit’ for birdwatchers. Numerous hides and shelters can be found around the wetlands making it much easier to spend a day in relative comfort no matter what the weather conditions. Thanks to the nature reserve’s location, in a direct flightpath to and from the Straits, numerous migratory birds come down for a rest and to refuel during their airborne journey. There are also several endangered species who’ve made the most of the area’s protected perimeters including Kentish plovers and white-headed ducks. Either before reaching the river or on the way back to Malaga, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit one of southern Spain’s best locations to watch sea birds, the Lighthouse of Calaburras. This rocky outcrop on the Punta de Calaburras provides an ideal environment for shearwaters, gannets, skuas, gulls, terns and razorbills. Migratory birds of prey also use this southeastern extremity as a jumping off point to Africa. Come here in the colder months however, and it’s the wading birds that catch the eye with plovers, turnstones, curlews, whimbrels and common scoters all spottable from the comfort of the well-positioned shelter.

There’s not a more fitting backdrop to this wonderful week in southern Spain other than the Sierra de las Nieves. Situated at the southwestern end of the Betic mountain range and incorporating some of Andalucia’s tallest peaks, this has become an important habitat for mid to high range animal species, including ibex, deer, boar, beech martins and wild cats. Birds of prey are also prevalent in the area with eagles, falcons, hawks, and buzzards all to be found wheeling high above the rockface. Following a well-trodden mountain path we’ll keep our eyes out for ouzels, finch and bunting before descending into shaded woodlands on the hunt for treecreepers, crossbills, goldcrests and the tell-tale knock of woodpeckers.