Valdeinfierno
In the past the Valdeinfierno sendero (just off the A381 via the service road) has been one of the most convenient sites in the area to look for Iberian Chiffchaff. Here you had two options; park at the start of the track or drive c2km along a generally good track took you to a second small car park from which there was a boardwalk into a small canuto (a narrow, wooded and steep sided valley-within-a-valley). The boardwalk was designed to be wheelchair friendly and the signage even had descriptions in braille. Although you could hear Iberian Chiffchaff (and Bonelli's Warbler) en route, they particularly like the copse-like vegetation along the stream so were pretty much unmissable here in spring and early summer. Unfortunately, the track is now gated (see photo) so driving further into the valley is no longer an option. Pedestrian access seems to be permitted, however, but it's now a 2 km walk along the track to reach the prime area for Iberian Chiffchaffs. However, unless access has changed, you should still be able to drop down into the valley bottom after c800m by using a gated footpath on your right and follow the stream up to the boardwalk.
In the past the Valdeinfierno sendero (just off the A381 via the service road) has been one of the most convenient sites in the area to look for Iberian Chiffchaff. Here you had two options; park at the start of the track or drive c2km along a generally good track took you to a second small car park from which there was a boardwalk into a small canuto (a narrow, wooded and steep sided valley-within-a-valley). The boardwalk was designed to be wheelchair friendly and the signage even had descriptions in braille. Although you could hear Iberian Chiffchaff (and Bonelli's Warbler) en route, they particularly like the copse-like vegetation along the stream so were pretty much unmissable here in spring and early summer. Unfortunately, the track is now gated (see photo) so driving further into the valley is no longer an option. Pedestrian access seems to be permitted, however, but it's now a 2 km walk along the track to reach the prime area for Iberian Chiffchaffs. However, unless access has changed, you should still be able to drop down into the valley bottom after c800m by using a gated footpath on your right and follow the stream up to the boardwalk.
Picacho-Peguera Walk
This is another good walk off the service road into the woodland. In the past, there was room for only a couple of cars to park off the road here and many people illicitly parked beyond the gate. However large stones now prevent this and, besides, there's now a good sized car park across the road. The sign on the gate warning you to be beware of fighting bulls has now gone being replaced by injunctions not to collect pine cones (GoogleTranslate insisted on "pineapples"!) or drive along the road. This site also has Bonelli's Warbler but rather fewer Iberian Chiffchaff.
This is another good walk off the service road into the woodland. In the past, there was room for only a couple of cars to park off the road here and many people illicitly parked beyond the gate. However large stones now prevent this and, besides, there's now a good sized car park across the road. The sign on the gate warning you to be beware of fighting bulls has now gone being replaced by injunctions not to collect pine cones (GoogleTranslate insisted on "pineapples"!) or drive along the road. This site also has Bonelli's Warbler but rather fewer Iberian Chiffchaff.
Area Recreativa Montera del Torero
On the rare occasions in the past when I've stopped here (I prefer the Valdeinfierno nearby), this site has been awash with noisy picnickers so I've avoided it. However, it's not always so and probably pays further investigation.
On the rare occasions in the past when I've stopped here (I prefer the Valdeinfierno nearby), this site has been awash with noisy picnickers so I've avoided it. However, it's not always so and probably pays further investigation.
A quiet day at the Area Recreativa Click here to edit.
Molinos Valley, Alcala de los Gazules
I need little excuse to post a few photos from one of my favourite walks. This spring the walk was a particularly pleasant one and the 'hidden' pool above the last mill hadn't dried out. The downside, though, was that the stream across the footpath was in full spate and required great care (and a walking pole) to cross safely. I also belatedly discovered that it was possible to follow the path beyond the pool back to the main path near the stream. This turning isn't at all obvious from the main path. Whether it is a public footpath I'm unsure but it certainly looks well used. This route has Bonelli's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff and often channels raptor passage. I've also recorded resident raptor species such as Bonelli's and Spanish Imperial Eagles here.
I need little excuse to post a few photos from one of my favourite walks. This spring the walk was a particularly pleasant one and the 'hidden' pool above the last mill hadn't dried out. The downside, though, was that the stream across the footpath was in full spate and required great care (and a walking pole) to cross safely. I also belatedly discovered that it was possible to follow the path beyond the pool back to the main path near the stream. This turning isn't at all obvious from the main path. Whether it is a public footpath I'm unsure but it certainly looks well used. This route has Bonelli's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff and often channels raptor passage. I've also recorded resident raptor species such as Bonelli's and Spanish Imperial Eagles here.
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