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Well
finally I will try and let you know what we saw on our holiday in the way of
birds - we are no experts though!
Our
first afternoon, 19th, we saw 2 raptors - eagles but can only
guess that they were Short-toed. One settled in tree over to left behind a
red roofed, small, white building. Needed binoculars to see it. Also saw a
kestrel, great tit and Sardinian warbler. Has a rasping short call and has a black head
and is grey with a longish tail.
On 20th
we had a lovely view of a male redstart in the bigger Olive tree down below
the terrace (Has a flicking tail and tan brown rump). Had another view of a
Short-toed eagle in the afternoon.
On 21st
we saw a female redstart, flicking tail and browny, lots of crested larks
and the Sardinian Warbler again. We saw a great grey shrike on the pylon, a
kestrel and a more goldeney brown raptor. Don't know what it was. Lots of
small flocks of gold finches with the tinkley sound. There was a greeny
yellow warbler around sometimes. Most probably it was a willow warbler.
Our day
out with Keith was well worth the 50 euros each. We went to about 8
different habitats. If you go to his website* and then into birding and
journal, you will see what we saw and where we went.
You turn
off the Antequera road at Puente Coco to go up the Valle de Abdalajis.
Little owls often seen on rock piles further up track. If you read Keith’s
diary on the website, you will see his description of places we went to like
the Guadalhorce Estuary near Malaga. Come off dual carriageway after getting
on near IKEA, at San Julian and turn right aiming for new diversion close to
river where there is a school and church. Park by these and go left onto
embankment and you can now walk across the new little bridge that doesn't
yet connect to anything. He describes birds seen in various parts, most of
which we saw.
Montes
de Malaga was a lovely area off the main road to Granada/ Madrid. We came
off for Colmenar and then came back south on A7000. Pines and deep
valleys. Little museum at main picnic/ camping spot will probably be closed
out of season. BBQ areas here but sometimes out of bounds due to fire risk.
Shame museum has not translated the panels in English. There
were a couple of road side bars, but food there may be limited. We took a
picnic. The freezer ice packs and box
from the house were very useful. We didn't have time to do either area
justice.
We love
El Torcal and revisited it this year. Enjoyed the yellow walk through the
limestone areas and saw lots of rock thrushes, redstarts and crag martins -
even griffon vultures kept cruising past. Only ice cream up there, so picnic
is needed or eat in Villanueva.
Hope the
above information helps! Have now got some photos - John still sorting them
out. Always nice to see photos and bring back the memories. You have a magic
place there - even with the track!!
Best
wishes
Chris
and John
October
2007
*Please contact us for Keith's
website A&C |
