Birdwatching Tours

Our Birding Tours in the Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada, Andalucia

Andalucia is such a rich birding destination. We have various birdwatching tours available. The exact trip will depend on the times of the year that you wish to visit and which birds you wish to see. We'll organise your trip to suit all your individual needs and make the most of the time you have available. We regularly update our venues depending on recent bird sightings. The following areas provide reliable bird activity throughout the year. Where ever possible, we try and organise our trips to cater for all levels of mobility and fitness.

THE VILLAGE OF LANJARON

Travelling time: from 15 minutes
Level of difficulty: EASY/MODERATE

Village of lanjaron The orchards, olive groves and rocky hillsides that surround the village provide spectacular birdwatching throughout the year, and many of Europe's most exotic species breed locally. Hoopoe and Southern Grey Shrike occur all year round, with beautiful Golden Orioles, Bee-eaters and Woodchat Shrikes returning in the spring. Our Golden and Bonelli's Eagles are joined by migrant Short-toed and Booted Eagles for the summer months.

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Alpine Swifts, Red-rumped Swallows and Crag Martins can all be seen amongst the swirling flocks of more familiar Swifts and hirundine species. Chats and thrushes are also well represented. Our resident Blue Rock Thrush and Black Wheatear are joined by Nightingales, Northern and Black-eared Wheatears at the end of April, and passage Whinchat can be seen in the spring and autumn. The range of habitats found around the village brings us some of the best birdwatching the Mediterranean region has to offer, and it's all right on our doorstep!

THE VILLAGE OF LANJARON: KEY SPECIES:
Golden Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole, Hoopoe, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Warblers, Chats and Thrushes.

 

THE HILLSIDES OF LANJARON

Travelling time: from 20 minutes
Level of difficulty: EASY/MODERATE

Hillsides of lanjaron Dirt tracks above the town of Lanjaron take us to locations in the Sierra Nevada where we can see some fantastic Birds of Prey. Kestrels and Lesser Kestrels are common and you may spot Sparrowhawks and Peregrine Falcons. The Booted and Short Toed Eagles are regular visitors and we have resident Golden Eagles here. If you are lucky you will see the rare Bonelli's Eagles.

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The 4 species of eagle all nest locally. The giant Griffon Vultures pass through here. We see them regularly and sometimes get to photo them perched in groups on high crags above the Lanjaron valley. See our video "Griffon Vultures soaring in Spain's Sierra Nevada"

THE HILLSIDES OF LANJARON: KEY SPECIES: Golden Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Bee-eater, Green Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Short-toed Treecreeper, Larks and Thrushes.

 

THE WETLANDS OF EL PADUL

Travelling time from Lanjaron: 30 minutes
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY

Padul The marshland reserve at Padul is one of the most important wetland reserves in southern Spain, and includes the biggest expanse of peat deposits in the Mediterranean basin. One of our most popular birding destinations, the flat stretches of reedbed provide an interesting change of habitat and often bring us species hard to find elsewhere in the region.
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Great Reed Warblers and Reed Warblers join resident Cetti's Warblers in the spring, and Montagu's Harriers nest on the surrounding farmland. Bonelli's Eagles and Southern Grey Shrikes patrol the reserve throughout the year. Recent conservation work has dramatically improved paths and access to the reserve, and great birdwatching can be had within a short distance of the car. All in all, a special stretch of marshland that we try and visit as often as possible!

EL PADUL KEY SPECIES: Montagu's Harrier, Bonelli's Eagle, Southern Grey Shrike, Wagtails, Pipits, Warblers

 

SIERRA DE LUJAR

Travelling time: 30 minutes
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY

Lujar The peaks of Sierra de Lujar sit to the south of the village, and provide a range of habitats that always bring interesting birdwatching. The craggy rock faces at the foot of the hillside hold Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush, along with Red-rumped Swallow in the summer months. Hoopoe flap across the track in a blur of vivid black and white.

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Higher up, the scrubby hillside has both Spectacled and Dartford Warblers. Black Redstart can be found here throughout the year, and Black-eared Wheatear nest here in the summer. Beautiful Rock Thrush arrive in the spring, and Crossbills feed in the tops of the pine trees. With wonderful views back across the valley, a trip to Sierra de Lujar is always memorable...the perfect introduction to birdwatching in the Alpujarras!

SIERRA DE LUGAR: KEY SPECIES: Red-rumped Swallow, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Black Redstart, Black-eared Wheatear, Crossbill, Raptors, Warblers

 

EL TORCAL NATURAL PARK

Travelling time from Lanjaron: 2 hours
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY/MODERATE/HARD

El Torcal El Torcal is a beautiful stretch of highly eroded rock formations, to the south-west of Antequera in the north of Malaga Province. The entire area is a maze of twisted passages and gullies: one of the finest “karst” landscapes to be found anywhere in Europe.

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The limestone bedrock supports a unique range of flora, and stunted Maple, Hawthorn and Elder trees cling on in cracks and crevasses between the rocky outcrops. The views across the surrounding plains and out towards the coast are fabulous, and way-marked paths allow you to wander and explore.

Resident bird species include Bonelli's Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, Red-billed Choughs, Blue Rock Thrush and Cirl Buntings. Migrant Griffon Vultures pass through in the autumn, and up to four pairs now breed regularly in the reserve. Ring Ouzels, Redwings and Fieldfares all occur in winter, along with Southern Grey Shrike and Alpine Accentors. A walk around this surreal, other-worldly looking reserve is always enjoyable, and can be productive at any time of year. The views we've had of Griffon Vultures here have been superb!

EL TORCAL KEY SPECIES: Griffon Vulture, Bonelli's Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting, Melodious, Subalpine and Orphean Warblers, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike

 

LAGUNA DE FUENTE DE PIEDRA

Travelling time from Lanjaron: 1.5 hours
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY/MODERATE/HARD

LAGUNA DE FUENTE DE PIEDRA At around 6.5km long and 2.5km wide this shallow, saline expanse of wetland is the largest natural lake on the Iberian peninsula. With over 170 species of bird listed the reserve is internationally recognised and has enjoyed protected status since the late 1980s. The reserve is renowned for its breeding colony of Greater Flamingos, with up to 16,000 pairs nesting annually numbers sometimes exceed the population in the Camargue in southern France.

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White-headed Ducks, Red-crested Pochards, Kentish Plovers, Avocets and Black-winged Stilts all breed here. An impressive array of other wildfowl species, waders and terns occur seasonally. Montagu's Harrier nest around the periphery of the lake, and Stone Curlews and Little Bustards both nest locally. Iberian Yellow Wagtails, Hoopoe and Bee-eaters are found here too, and up to 400 Cranes overwinter on the western edge of the lagoon.

LAGUNA DE FUENTE DE PIEDRA: KEY SPECIES: Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Greater Flamingo, Little Bittern, gulls, terns, waders, raptors, warblers, wildfowl.

 

SIERRA DE HUETOR

Travelling time: 1 hour
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY/MODERATE/HARD

Sierra de Huetor This natural park covers a large expanse of mountains to the north-east of Granada. Several raptors occur throughout the year, including Golden Eagles and Buzzards. The wooded slopes of the reserve are a stronghold for many coniferous forest species, such as Crested and Coal Tits, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreepers and Crossbills, wintering Siskin occur in the colder months.


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Higher up, where the trees start to thin out, Red-billed Choughs and Ravens can be seen patrolling overhead. Many of the region's warblers are found here, along with Golden Orioles and Spotted Flycatchers through the summer. Way-marked paths allow the keen walker to explore the reserve fully, and there is good birdwatching to be had from the car at various stopping points. In addition to the park's birdlife the range holds important populations of Genets, Badgers, Beech Martens, Wild Cats, Wild Boars and Spanish Ibex.

SIERRA DE HUETOR KEY SPECIES: Golden Eagle, Crested Tit, Dartford Warbler, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper, Crossbill, Spotted Flycatcher, Bonelli's Warbler, Subalpine Warbler.

 

SIERRA DE CAMOROLO

Travelling time: 2 hours
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY/MODERATE/HARD

Sierra de CamorloAnother fantastic expanse of craggy, wooded habitat in the north of Malaga province. Again, all levels of ability are catered for, with good birdwatching to be had around the car parks and paths up through the tree-line for keener walkers. This is a good site for many of southern Spain's magnificent raptor species, with Golden Eagles, Booted Eagles and Peregrines all seen regularly.

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Chats and thrushes are particularly well represented, and there's a terrific selection of resident and migratory warblers. Azure-winged Magpies occur around the lower slopes, and with Crested Tits and Rock Sparrows both found locally there is always something interesting to look for!

SIERRA DE CAMOROLO KEY SPECIES: Golden Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Thekla Lark, Crested Tit, Azure-winged Magpie, Rock Sparrow, Alpine Swift, Black-eared Wheatear, Nightingale, Rufous Bush Robin, Subalpine, Orphean and Bonelli's Warblers.

 

Latest Comments

"Thank you for a fantastic morning’s birdwatching. Although August is not the best time to view the array of wildlife the area attracts (added to the fact that the resident eagle population were not playing ball!) I was able to add new birds to my list, such as woodchat shrike, spectacled warbler and black-eared wheatear.

It was the small details that made the trip special: bumping along rural paths; passing working Spaniards and their mules; fleeting glimpses of ibex; staring so intently that you create bird shapes out of dead branches; the stillness of an oak woodland; the clarity of an individual bird call; the backdrop of stunning mountains.

The trip was also made by the enthusiasm and encouragement of my hosts, Kiersten and Ian. Their knowledge, patience and incredible vigilance was impressive; however I found myself being swept along with their enthusiasm for the bee eater population – none of whom had any intention of posing for the perfect photo. I thoroughly recommend the experience and would love to come back in the spring." Ian Fairley

"I had such a lovely time birdwatching with you and have very fond memories of our outing together. Back at home I have told my friends about our outing, which was a highlight of my trip to the south of Spain. I appreciated your professionalism, your enthusiasm and joy looking for birds, and your perseverance in driving to several spots from where we could see birds. I would highly recommend this to travelers to Lanjaron -- whether traveling in a group or by themselves."

"HI Ian & Kiersten, thanks for a super days birding, I really enjoyed it and the list of birds we saw. I will look forward to your list of species and links as promised. I hope we keep in touch and meet up if you come my way ( well till I move here )Take care and thanks again." Val