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Overview & Site Guide
Little Owl
Overview
Why a site devoted to birding in Cadiz province? Well, in my opinion it's the best all round area for birding in Spain (and hence Europe). Happily, that's not just my opinion as Cadiz has been called "probably the best province for a single-base.……birding visit" to Spain (Garcia & Patterson); in my view the only matter for dispute is that "probably"! However, unlike other regions in Spain, it doesn't seem to get quite the level of attention and recognition that it deserves. The headline attraction is the migration of thousands of raptors across the straits which puts the area in the top rank not merely within Europe, but the world. Great though this is, there's so much more to see here. What and where you can discover from my detailed notes on the region (see the 'drop down' menu above left).
Thanks to good, newly constructed trunk roads transport by car is fast and relatively trouble free. Several airlines regularly fly from the UK (and elsewhere) into Seville, Gibraltar, Malaga and Jerez (having briefly disappeared from the web, flights to Jerez now seem to be back!). For most birders the most popular option seems to be staying near Tarifa which is obviously very well placed to observe raptor migration. However, if you want variety then Tarifa is rather distant from the famous shallow freshwater lagunas that dot the northern half of the province, the wilder mountains of the northern Alcornocales & Grazalema or the marismas that form the south eastern rim of the Coto Doñana. My personal preference is to stay in the charming village of Alcala de los Gazules which has excellent connections and is centrally located. In fact, it's so good I bought a house there!
Although passage periods and early summer are the ‘must visit’ times, birding on a warm winter’s day can be superb. La Janda, for example, holds wintering raptors (inc. Bonelli's Eagle, Black-winged Kite and the occasional Black Vultures) and Cranes. One advantage of a winter trip is that whilst the UK may be bitterly cold, the mild climate in Cadiz province can make it feel like a balmy May day in England (although it can still be chilly at night). It’s also worth remembering that migration starts early in southern Spain with some “summer visitors” arriving (if they depart at all) in February and that, for some, numbers peak in March. Spring (Feb-April) sees the arrival not only of raptors, but also Hoopoes, Bee-eaters, a variety of warblers and other passerines. By late spring (May & early June) migrants such as Rufous Bushchat, Olivaceous Warbler and White-rumped Swift will have arrived in force. July and August can be very hot, but raptor migration is picking up reaching a peak in September (the best time to look for Ruppell's Vuture). In October and November 'vis mig' on the coast can be very impressive.
Why a site devoted to birding in Cadiz province? Well, in my opinion it's the best all round area for birding in Spain (and hence Europe). Happily, that's not just my opinion as Cadiz has been called "probably the best province for a single-base.……birding visit" to Spain (Garcia & Patterson); in my view the only matter for dispute is that "probably"! However, unlike other regions in Spain, it doesn't seem to get quite the level of attention and recognition that it deserves. The headline attraction is the migration of thousands of raptors across the straits which puts the area in the top rank not merely within Europe, but the world. Great though this is, there's so much more to see here. What and where you can discover from my detailed notes on the region (see the 'drop down' menu above left).
Thanks to good, newly constructed trunk roads transport by car is fast and relatively trouble free. Several airlines regularly fly from the UK (and elsewhere) into Seville, Gibraltar, Malaga and Jerez (having briefly disappeared from the web, flights to Jerez now seem to be back!). For most birders the most popular option seems to be staying near Tarifa which is obviously very well placed to observe raptor migration. However, if you want variety then Tarifa is rather distant from the famous shallow freshwater lagunas that dot the northern half of the province, the wilder mountains of the northern Alcornocales & Grazalema or the marismas that form the south eastern rim of the Coto Doñana. My personal preference is to stay in the charming village of Alcala de los Gazules which has excellent connections and is centrally located. In fact, it's so good I bought a house there!
Although passage periods and early summer are the ‘must visit’ times, birding on a warm winter’s day can be superb. La Janda, for example, holds wintering raptors (inc. Bonelli's Eagle, Black-winged Kite and the occasional Black Vultures) and Cranes. One advantage of a winter trip is that whilst the UK may be bitterly cold, the mild climate in Cadiz province can make it feel like a balmy May day in England (although it can still be chilly at night). It’s also worth remembering that migration starts early in southern Spain with some “summer visitors” arriving (if they depart at all) in February and that, for some, numbers peak in March. Spring (Feb-April) sees the arrival not only of raptors, but also Hoopoes, Bee-eaters, a variety of warblers and other passerines. By late spring (May & early June) migrants such as Rufous Bushchat, Olivaceous Warbler and White-rumped Swift will have arrived in force. July and August can be very hot, but raptor migration is picking up reaching a peak in September (the best time to look for Ruppell's Vuture). In October and November 'vis mig' on the coast can be very impressive.
BIRDING CADIZ PROVINCE - the Site Guide
I', If you wish to learn more about birds and birding in this area have a look at my FREE guide to birding sites in Cadiz Province (see sample pages below). Although you can see (& download) earlier versions of my guide on the ISSUU website I strongly recommend you contact me for the updated version as the older ones are now a number of years out of date and should only be used as a rough guide.
If you want a copy of the latest versions then contact me by clicking on 'Contact' on the drop down menu and I'll email a copy to you. Once contacted I'm also happy to provide further information or guidance via email.
Although free, if you find the notes useful then please condiser making a donation to one of the charities mentioned at the start of my guide (or to one of your choice if you have a cause close to your heart). I am aware that some tour guides are using the information in my guide with neither acknowledgement nor the courtesy of contacting me (although several others have kindly done so and either contributed information or to a worthwhile charity). If using my information professionally I would expect a suitable donation to one of the charities of my choice.
If you want a copy of the latest versions then contact me by clicking on 'Contact' on the drop down menu and I'll email a copy to you. Once contacted I'm also happy to provide further information or guidance via email.
Although free, if you find the notes useful then please condiser making a donation to one of the charities mentioned at the start of my guide (or to one of your choice if you have a cause close to your heart). I am aware that some tour guides are using the information in my guide with neither acknowledgement nor the courtesy of contacting me (although several others have kindly done so and either contributed information or to a worthwhile charity). If using my information professionally I would expect a suitable donation to one of the charities of my choice.
A Guide to Birding Cadiz Province
This 280+ page guide has been revised (most recently June 2019) and redrafted with a larger font to make it more readable on a tablet. It covers all the important birding sites in Cadiz Province plus many minor ones and some sites in surrounding provinces. The latter sites are particularly useful to those flying into Malaga and Seville. The introduction covers all significant points of interest - habitat overview, migration, car hire, roads, tour guides, etc., etc. All important sites and most secondary ones have a detailed map linked to the detailed text. An appendix gives details of migration periods and the best places to look for key species.
My guide is now in a fairly definitive form but any feedback, suggestions or updates will be warmly welcomed and, where possible, will be incorporated into the text of future editions.
I have also produced a shorter 18 page version of my guide for those with limited time (or a spouse/family to consider!). It covers a dozen varied areas which, taken together, should allow a visitor to see most of the 'most wanted' birds in the area. However, it's rather less useful and I update it much less often than my larger guide. If you would like a copy then please contact me as above.
See sample pages below
This 280+ page guide has been revised (most recently June 2019) and redrafted with a larger font to make it more readable on a tablet. It covers all the important birding sites in Cadiz Province plus many minor ones and some sites in surrounding provinces. The latter sites are particularly useful to those flying into Malaga and Seville. The introduction covers all significant points of interest - habitat overview, migration, car hire, roads, tour guides, etc., etc. All important sites and most secondary ones have a detailed map linked to the detailed text. An appendix gives details of migration periods and the best places to look for key species.
My guide is now in a fairly definitive form but any feedback, suggestions or updates will be warmly welcomed and, where possible, will be incorporated into the text of future editions.
I have also produced a shorter 18 page version of my guide for those with limited time (or a spouse/family to consider!). It covers a dozen varied areas which, taken together, should allow a visitor to see most of the 'most wanted' birds in the area. However, it's rather less useful and I update it much less often than my larger guide. If you would like a copy then please contact me as above.
See sample pages below
