The area of open farmland between Conil de la Frontera and the Jerez-Medina Sidonia road (A 396) is rapidly being colonised by wind farms which is somewhat concerning since this is one of the strongholds in the area for 'steppe' species birds like Montagu's Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Stone-curlew and Little Bustard. All are vulnerable to the bird mincing blades of the wind turbines. Stone-curlew are notorious for their cryptic plumage which makes picking one out very difficult. Little Bustards, well the males at least, are less cryptically coloured and help out in spring by frequently giving their soft 'raspberry' call. Unfortunately, they're scarce and very thinly distributed in the area so you need a good deal of luck to find one here. Montagu's Harriers pose less of a problem and if visiting anywhen between April and September you'd be unlucky not to see a bird or two. Better still, since this area is near the coast only a few km north of the straits, in spring and autumn huge numbers of birds of prey pass overhead. If that weren't enough the coast north of Conil can offer excellent 'seawatching' on the right day.
I usually start off in the Los Naveros area and work my way over to Conil, but it can make more sense to start off with an early morning seawatch from Conil or better still Cabo de Roche (f) to the north (just beyond a small port). Although perhaps a little high, the cliffs can be good for seawatching particularly in August and September during onshore winds. Good numbers of Cory's & Balearic Shearwaters can be seen (usually a hundred or so but sometimes much larger (see below). Check gulls for Audouin's and terns have included Lesser Crested. Storm Petrels sometimes reach double figures and Wilson's has been recorded. Seawatches here can also be enlivened by passing Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis or raptors
Some idea how good seawatching can be may be may be gleaned from the migration site 'Trektellen' (http://www.trektellen.nl) or from http://redavesmarinas.blogspot.co.uk/. Onshore winds in August and September may bring Cory's Shearwaters in the the low hundreds plus rather fewer Balearic Shearwaters, but can be higher. Great and Arctic Skuas also pass through and in autumn/winter Puffins are possible (most auks are Razorbills). I have a suspicion, though, that the site is underwatched and the available figures may just scratch the surface. Autumn 2012 seems to have been a particulatly good season with seawatches of around three hours producing the following highlights:
- 25th August 2012 – Cory's Shearwater - 1,547 NW, 457SE (Wind: West 1)
- 17th September 2012 – Cory's Shearwater – 20 NW, 104 SE; Balearic Shearwater 9 NW, 184 SE; Wilson's Petrel 1 SE, Storm Petrel 2 SE, storm-petrel sp 2 NW, 24 SE (Wind: South 1)
- 29th Spetember 2012 – Cory's Shearwater – 33 NW, 157 SE; Balearic Shearwater 1 NW, 115 SE; Storm
Petrel 13 NW; Gannet 160 NW, 467 SE (Wind West 2)
Viewing is best in the morning when the light is behind you. The cliff top bushes here can hold migrants. With some early morning seawatching in the bag at Roche you can then cut across to Exit 19 and over to Los Naveros on the CA 2022 to make an interesting loop.
Some idea how good seawatching can be may be may be gleaned from the migration site 'Trektellen' (http://www.trektellen.nl) or from http://redavesmarinas.blogspot.co.uk/. Onshore winds in August and September may bring Cory's Shearwaters in the the low hundreds plus rather fewer Balearic Shearwaters, but can be higher. Great and Arctic Skuas also pass through and in autumn/winter Puffins are possible (most auks are Razorbills). I have a suspicion, though, that the site is underwatched and the available figures may just scratch the surface. Autumn 2012 seems to have been a particulatly good season with seawatches of around three hours producing the following highlights:
- 25th August 2012 – Cory's Shearwater - 1,547 NW, 457SE (Wind: West 1)
- 17th September 2012 – Cory's Shearwater – 20 NW, 104 SE; Balearic Shearwater 9 NW, 184 SE; Wilson's Petrel 1 SE, Storm Petrel 2 SE, storm-petrel sp 2 NW, 24 SE (Wind: South 1)
- 29th Spetember 2012 – Cory's Shearwater – 33 NW, 157 SE; Balearic Shearwater 1 NW, 115 SE; Storm
Petrel 13 NW; Gannet 160 NW, 467 SE (Wind West 2)
Viewing is best in the morning when the light is behind you. The cliff top bushes here can hold migrants. With some early morning seawatching in the bag at Roche you can then cut across to Exit 19 and over to Los Naveros on the CA 2022 to make an interesting loop.
The roads radiating out from Los Naveros (a) are lined with cactus hedges which are reputed to be a favourite habitat of Rufous Bushchat. They don't seem to have been recorded in the area according to the most recent Spanish atlas, but the booklet ''Birds from the Coast of Trafalgar” suggests that they do occur in the area although it's a little vague as to whether it's here or along the track towards Conil de la Frontera. I've looked several time without success, but have been rewarded with birds like Woodchat Shrike, Black-winged Kite, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole and Hoopoe. Little Owls are common and seemingly obliging here too so it's worth making the effort.
The turning onto the track (b) off the CA 5201 south of Loz Naveros
'Fray Bentos Tanks' Heading south on the CA 5201 from Los Naveros after about 3 km (and about 4 km if you're coming from the A 396), you reach a sharp ben where a good dirt track (b) heads across open fields towards Conil de la Frontera (c10 km). This was one of the first tracks that I explored in the area and it remains one of my favourites. It's in generally in good condition and even has a short stretch of tarmac as you approach Conil. It's a scenic road with pleasant views although the views have been marred in recent years by wind farms. Both on migration and in the breeding season Montagu's Harrier are generally easy to see here and although Black-winged Kite are less common I often see them here too. Griffons frequently pass overhead and during passage pretty much any raptor can be found (Honey Buzzard, Egyptian Vulture, Booted & Short-toed Eagle, etc). Calandra Lark are usually present in good numbers and listen for Quail in spring. Stone Curlew can be found with moderate luck, but, although I'm assured Little Bustard are still around here I've yet to see one myself. A very rough track (c) – negotiable only by 4x4 – which heads south towards Los Parralejos about a kilometre from the CA 5201 is worth exploring. The marshy area and stream here sometimes has Bluethroat on passage. The pastures here again have Montagu's Harrier and sometimes Collared Pratincole but take care as I once had to beat a very hasty retreat as several fighting bulls had got lose and were advancing along the track! Fortunately a couple of 'guachos' rounded them up, but not before they told us to jump in the car double quick. As the massive 'Fray Bentos' tanks thundered past I was rather glad that my very basic Spanish just stretched to understanding his instructions!
Track where it emerges beside the E5 near Conil The track (d) then undulates its way through open farmland and dhesa towards Conil. This can be a good area to scan for Hoopoes, Woodchat Shrike and, as elsewhere, for raptors. The views are good and the flowers often splendid. It's this stretch that ''Birds from the Coast of Trafalgar” seems to suggest might have Rufous Bushchat. In the more open areas, found as the track nears the Rio Salado, it's worth stopping and scanning for birds. A small stream flows (when wet) under the road here can attract Red-rumped Swallow. Nearer Conil the gravel track unexpectedly gives way to a stretch of degraded tarmac (bordered on one side by a metal crash barrier!). The scrubby, bushy habitat here is particularly attractive and it can be a good spot to scan for raptors. Eventually the track, again rough gravel, drops down towards the E 5/A 48 with Conil beyond. Although other areas may harbour more birds, this drive across a selction of attractive habitats is a particular favourite.
Looking towards the A2233 from (e) Although not as attractive for birds as other sites (e.g. Playa de los Lances) and often crowded with holiday makers in summer, several tidal lagoons (e) along the beach south of Conil can be worth checking for Kentish Plover, all the usual waders, gulls (inc. Audouin's) and terns. Collared Pratincoles hawk over the open fields which may also have Little Bustards.
RSS Feed
