Except for Rodríguez de la Fuente, the gliding of a raptor did not arouse much enthusiasm for the Spanish traveler. Until now. He ornithological tourism is in vogue. Its practice is not limited to English naturalists. But there are many who, binoculars in hand, look at the sky with the rapture with which others look at Tuscany. And they do it to admire the birds of Andalusia.

In this region, the natural sites of the southwest tend to take the cake in terms of recognized birding destinations. Just pronounce names like Tarifa or Doñana so that our heads are filled with birds and we want to visit these famous epicenters of Iberian birds. In a way, the two compete to establish themselves as the best place to practice this type of ecotourism activities in the south of Spain.

Scepter that disputes the Andalusian east, which also has important natural spaces where bird watchers can locate rare species to mark in their own guides. It is true that they do not have the prestige of Western enclaves. Nor do they have such a high volume of infrastructure and services aimed at ornithological tourists. But perhaps these shortcomings are what give the trip a range of pioneering experience. And to those who visit them, the feeling, even if it is a mere illusion, of being the first to go there to observe the birds.

Birds in Eastern Andalusia: A basic guide

So, grab your binoculars, put the guide in your backpack, and get ready to discover five signature species of the Andalusian winged east:

1. The imperial eagle in Sierra Morena (Jaén)

He Despeñaperros gorge It is one of the busiest places in Spain. Between the southern plateau and Andalusia, the highway that separates them is traveled daily by thousands of vehicles. The traffic, however, does not prevent you from finding quiet places just a few kilometers away where good ornithological observations are guaranteed.

Specifically, in the town of Aldeaquemada, a colonization town with streets laid out in stripes and beautiful country houses. From here, a track takes you to the area of the Cimbarra waterfall, where the Guarrizas River falls in one of the most impressive waterfalls in the region. The environment is Mediterranean mountain pure, rich in cistus, oaks and gall oaks. The presence of large game farms and the tranquility of its landscapes make this enclave an ideal place for a visit in search of birds of Eastern Andalusia.

Cimbarra Waterfall

You will have to position yourself in spaces from which you can see a large area of mountains and pastures, to surprise the birds in their leisurely flight. griffon vultures that nest in the nearby cuts of the Organs of Despeñaperros. Likewise, the black vulture can be seen. The closest Andalusian colony, the third largest in the autonomous community, is located in the Sierra de Andújar.

griffon vulture

Near to Cimbarra viewpoint, a high point and unparalleled observatory over the river waterfall, you can accommodate yourself to observe the two main species of this mountain range. One of the jewels of the birds of Andalusia, he imperial eagle, has experienced a great recovery in the last decade. So much so that the population of the Sierra Morena of Jaén is the most important in Andalusia.

In this bird of prey observation activity in Despeñaperros You will be able to witness the courtship rituals of the great eagles.

Imperial eagle © José Rico Teba

The other, more discreet gem is the black stork, a summer inhabitant of these mountain ranges who frequents reservoir queues.

black stork

In addition, a short walk through the area will allow you to enjoy unique encounters with some whitetails or even the possibility of observing one of the rare brown swifts which can be located in southern Europe.

Have you been left wanting more? Continue discovering the fauna that lives in Sierra Morena with an activity of 8 days photographing wildlife.

2. The bearded vulture in the Natural Park of Cazorla, Segura and las Villas (Jaén)

Without leaving the province of Jaén, head east to enter the limestone labyrinth of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura and las Villas. Is he largest protected natural area in Spain, with more than 270,000 hectares. It stands out for its large forest area and its rocky cliffs. The area is a safe haven for an important representation of the typical fauna of the medium and high Mediterranean mountains, with notable species, such as the mountain goat and the Valverde lizard.

Aerial view over the Anchuricas reservoir (Sierra de Segura)

From an ornithological point of view, it is one of the most recommended natural spaces for a visit. Their 185 species recorded They make these mountains one of the most attractive enclaves for the development of ecotourism based on bird watching.

Among which stands out the osprey, the main incentive to approach this enclave of navas, mountain pine forests and steep mountain ranges. The bearded vultures disappeared from these mountains in the eighties. The use of poison to eliminate the "vermin" that attacked the livestock and hunting herd was the last straw that put an end to this majestic bird, which has been successfully reintroduced.

Bearded Vulture © José Rico Teba

The observation of bearded vultures requires patience. Binoculars are important and staying in certain locations is basic, although neither one thing nor the other guarantees success. There are possibilities, however, of spotting a specimen from the jet, a beautiful vulture colony located halfway between La Iruela and the town of Quesada.

To have more guarantees, I recommend this 3-day activity in search of the bearded vulture.

The Jet

You are more likely to enjoy the flight of griffon vultures, crows, red-billed choughs and Peregrine falcon. A few years ago, this same enclave was a privileged place to observe the Egyptian vulture, but today it is a bird that is rarely seen.

Peregrine falcon

Other places of interest are the surroundings of the Borosa River Valley, right between the Sierras de Cazorla and Segura. Or the surroundings of Los Pollos de La Mesa, near the town of Vadillo Castril, in the heart of the Sierra de Cazorla.

Borosa River

3. The Alpine accentor in Sierra Nevada (Granada and Almería)

Climatologically, Andalusia is closer to August than January. However, in its eastern portion, between the provinces of Granada and Almería, stands a imposing mountain range which far exceeds 3,000 meters in altitude, which is synonymous with cold steppes and constant frosts. As these low temperatures occur a few kilometers from the Tropical Coast, this area has a peculiar birdlife.

Mountain meadows in Sierra Nevada

In the mountain range of Sierra Nevada There are numerous enclaves where the practice of ornithological observations is of great interest. Its northern slope is bordered by groves of oak and gall oak that resemble the vast oak forests of northern Iberia. They attract forest species such as capuchin tits or barred wrens.

Capuchin tit (birds of Eastern Andalusia)

Higher up, in the Scots pine subspecies nevadensis pine forests, you will find truly exceptional birds such as the mountain greenfinch. If you go even higher, in the zone of sheep mountain meadows, it is not uncommon to find typical moorland species such as larks, alpine pipits and orchard buntings.

Lark (birds of Eastern Andalusia)

With the arrival of winter, the thorn forests and brooms of this mountain range welcome species of birds that take refuge from the cold of northern Europe, such as the white-capped blackbirds, the common pipits or the precious alpine accentors.

Alpine Accentor © JC Poveda

One of the most recommended places is the surroundings of Ragua port, halfway between Granada and Almería. This is an exceptional place to embark on a brief visit to the high mountains, crowned by the Chullo peak, highest peak in the Almeria province.

The Chullo

You can also visit the wild pine forests that form the most exclusive forest border of this mountain range. There you can see the mountain greenfinch and the white-capped blackbird, two species of birds of Andalusia common in mountainous areas.

White-capped blackbird (birds of Eastern Andalusia)

4. The Moorish coot in Charca Suárez (Granada)

In it municipality of MotrilHalfway between the touristy and populous Costa Tropical and Costa del Sol, the Charca Suárez Concerted Natural Reserve is located. This is the sum of 4 small lagoons covering a protected area of 14 hectares. Its origin is in the water contributions of the Motril–Salobreña aquifer, which when filtered constitute a unique enclave of free waters surrounded by vegetation. To access the area, it is necessary apply for a permit to the Motril City Council.

Charca Suarez

It is practically the only coastal lagoon which is on the coast of Granada and Almería, making it a regular stop for the water birds that travel along this urbanized coast. The number of ornithological records reaches up to 160 species.

But if there is one thing that stands out about this discreet place, it is the presence, since 2013, of several breeding pairs of moorish coot, one of the most endangered birds in Europe. The origin of these coots is the controlled release of specimens from captive breeding. However, they have already managed to reproduce successfully in the wild.

Moorish coot © Xavier Idigora Planas

If you visit Charca Suárez in late spring or early summer, you may be lucky enough to see coots caring for and feeding their young. A work that leaves us with images as tender as this one.

In addition to the Moorish coot, it is not strange to find other species here. high value species. Such is the case of the purple heron and the little bittern, the crab egret or the kingfisher. It is also possible to spot birds such as the common swarm, the common teal, the northern mallard and the red duck.

Crab-eating egret © Cándido Gómez Álvarez

5. The common flamingo in the Salinas del Cabo de Gata (Almería)

The coastal plain located between the town of Cabo de Gata and Almadrava de Monteleva extends in the easternmost portion of the west of almería, specifically in the eastern sector of the bay of Almería. Here, an extensive salt exploitation For decades, it has been taking advantage of the space of an old coastal lagoon of more than 300 hectares.

Cabo de Gata salt flats (birds of Eastern Andalusia)

The place is of great ornithological interest, not only for its strategic geographical location, halfway to the Mediterranean coasts of Levante and Andalusia, but because, in addition, it is located just a few meters from a wide natural beach.

In this sense, to the wading birds are also added the species typical of the Mediterranean coast, such as Audouin's gulls, snowy plovers and the rare auks and sea ducks.

Young specimen of razorbill (birds of Eastern Andalusia)

At first glance, what will catch your attention the most is the almost continuous presence of the flamingos, who have a safe stopping place and inn in these salt flats. It is especially advisable to observe them at dusk, moving slowly in the estuaries. Their particular tapping allows them to stir up the bottom and raise the silt rich in larvae and small crustaceans that feed them and give them their particular coloration.

Heron flying among flamingos © José Rico Teba

The salt flats are easily accessed from the coastal road that connects the town of Cabo de Gata with La Almadrava. In the direction of La Almadrava, leave the salt flats on your left, which can be reached from several paths that lead to ornithological observatories protected. It is also worth visiting the extensive beach on the right to discover the birds of this Andalusian coast.

If you enjoyed the post, don't miss this one Bird watching route through eastern Andalusia, 6 days of intensive ornithology.

Andalusia is the perfect place to walk through the clouds, which are the grass of the sky. The coot, the flamingo and the bearded vulture walk through them like aristocrats among goldfinches and greenfinches, the working class. In nature, where everything fits, birds of Andalusia They complement geography. The Guadalquivir gains a lot when the eagle's wings can be seen from it.