La Lancha track - February In February Liz and I ventured up to Andújar (in Jaen) in search of the Iberian Lynx. Now reduced to a wild population of just over 300 animals, this is the rarest large feline in the world.
Despite being cold, wet and foggy we managed to see a good range of raptors (several Spanish Imperial Eagles, a similar number of Golden Eagles and a good sprinkling of Black Vultures amongst the Griffons) and were delighted to find Azure-winged Magpies abundant. We even saw a Wild Boar, but of Lynx we saw not the slightest sign. We twice missed one – by ten minutes or so– but they proved extremely elusive and reluctant to show more than once. Naturally just before we'd got to Andújar, when the weather had been sunnier and warmer, they'd performed well. The day after we left, when the weather had improved, the also relented and showed themselves to the waiting enthusiasts. Not only that but we'd managed to get a ticket for parking on the road!
Despite being cold, wet and foggy we managed to see a good range of raptors (several Spanish Imperial Eagles, a similar number of Golden Eagles and a good sprinkling of Black Vultures amongst the Griffons) and were delighted to find Azure-winged Magpies abundant. We even saw a Wild Boar, but of Lynx we saw not the slightest sign. We twice missed one – by ten minutes or so– but they proved extremely elusive and reluctant to show more than once. Naturally just before we'd got to Andújar, when the weather had been sunnier and warmer, they'd performed well. The day after we left, when the weather had improved, the also relented and showed themselves to the waiting enthusiasts. Not only that but we'd managed to get a ticket for parking on the road!
So another visit in May was scheduled in the hope of more co-operative Lynx and better weather. Whilst we had highhopes of the latter, the former was more problematical since we'd been told that in early May the females had cubs and tended to sit tight. Unwilling to leave it until September, we gambled on an early May jaunt leaving a September visit as a back-up. It didn't start well. We'd planned to get there in the late afternoon allowing time for an evening visit to Área de Recreativa El Encinarejo, but couldn't find where we were staying. So we wasted a couple of prime lynx watching hours driving in ever decreasing (and frustrating) circles looking for our accommodation. Once we got there it proved to be a pleasant place to stay, but it was a bad start to our visit.
Lower slopes of the Sierra de Andujar near our accommodation Up and out the next morning (5th May) we hoped that the disastrous start wasn't an ill omen, but at least it was sunny! With Hooopes 'hooping' and Azure-winged Magpies scolding all around us, things didn't seem so bad. We had three clear days to look for our target after all. We headed up towards La Lancha admiring how pleasant the landscape now looked in the sunshine and hoping for a glimpse of our quarry. Perhaps one'd be basking in the sun down in the scrub somewhere, but it'd take some finding I was wondering too whether we should have got a couple of cheap chairs for what was inevitably going to be a long wait. Although Lynx can be seen almost anywhere along the track to la Lancha, by common consent the best place is where the road snakes along the flank of a hill and you've a good view across to an old finca (Cortijo de Nava de Pedro Vegar if my map reading's up to scratch). Obvious concrete blocks, some painted white, guard the drop and there's plenty of places to pull over safely. Best of all the view across an open area of scrubgives you a good chance of spotting a skulking Lynx.
Rear view of Iberian Lynx We were just approaching the 'zone' and could see the concrete slabs guarding the drop further down the valley when I came slowly round the bend to see a Lynx calmly strolling along the road no more than 10m away from the bonnet! Now an 'arse-on view' is never the best one for ID purposes so after exclaiming “Lynx!” I did wonder if, after blinking a couple of times, it'd resolve itself into a large dog. But no, it really was a Lynxand so close! Not that the Lynx cared one jot since it calmly strolled along as if it owned the place which, of course, in a way it did!
Never in our wildest dreams did we expect to see one so close nor, as it transpired, for so long!
Never in our wildest dreams did we expect to see one so close nor, as it transpired, for so long!
'Dingo' strolling along the track as if he owned it! Gradually the backside view became a three-quarters view and we could see it had a radio collar – this was the famous one eyed male 'Dingo'. Seemingly oblivious to our presence he sauntered on as we slowly and
carefully free-wheeled down the slope behind him. The animal casually crossed the road to our left, but then came back to the right and began to climb the slope to our right passing just above the car as he did so. He obviously knew we were there, but just wasn't worried! Far from getting a distant heat hazed view, we'd had a stunning 5 minute audience with this fantastic creature going about its business and pretty much ignoring us. Amazing!
carefully free-wheeled down the slope behind him. The animal casually crossed the road to our left, but then came back to the right and began to climb the slope to our right passing just above the car as he did so. He obviously knew we were there, but just wasn't worried! Far from getting a distant heat hazed view, we'd had a stunning 5 minute audience with this fantastic creature going about its business and pretty much ignoring us. Amazing!
Having allowed us grandstand views 'Dingo' exited stage right ......
.... and climbed the slope, into the sunlight and disappeared into the scrub.
Prime Lynx habitat along the La Lancha track
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