Recommended Accommodation
There are hundreds of excellent places to stay in the area the following are run by friends and are particularly 'birder' friendly:-
There are hundreds of excellent places to stay in the area the following are run by friends and are particularly 'birder' friendly:-
"Bushchat Apartment" - Sotogrande
Owned by a keen Kent birder this apartment overlooks one of the few remaining wetlands on the Costa del Sol and its proximity to Gibraltar and North Africa put it squarely in the major migration path for an amazing range of species. The balcony overlooks a diversity of habitats including sea, estuary, sand spits, fresh water and brackish marsh, reed-beds, woods and distant mountains. Birding log in the apartment gives details of sightings an sites gleaned from several years of observation.
• Excellent Birding from Balcony
• Watch raptor migration
• Waders, Gulls and Seabirds
For more information see - http://www.bushchat.co.uk
Owned by a keen Kent birder this apartment overlooks one of the few remaining wetlands on the Costa del Sol and its proximity to Gibraltar and North Africa put it squarely in the major migration path for an amazing range of species. The balcony overlooks a diversity of habitats including sea, estuary, sand spits, fresh water and brackish marsh, reed-beds, woods and distant mountains. Birding log in the apartment gives details of sightings an sites gleaned from several years of observation.
• Excellent Birding from Balcony
• Watch raptor migration
• Waders, Gulls and Seabirds
For more information see - http://www.bushchat.co.uk
Huerte Grande
Huerta Grande is a Rural Eco-Resort situated in the hills above the Strait of Gibraltar, between the Parque Natural del Estrecho (Natural Park of the Strait of Gibraltar) and the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales (Natural Park of Cork Oaks). The 7 hectares of Huerta Grande are nestled within laurel and cork oak woodland which is a superb 'migrant trap' attracting a full range of migrant passerines. Above streams of raptors cross the straits. It has a number of cottages and wooden chalets, a pleasant venta (café) and is close to an excellent visitors' centre. In March 2014 it hosted and organised a Bird Fair to celebrate migratory birds. Although you can see plenty of migration from the grounds, it is well placed for visiting nearby hotspots (e.g. El Algarrobo & Cazalla) Here our visitors find the silence and peace of pure nure. The helpful owners are fluent English speakers. Able to cater for large groups, it is ideal for hosting trips organised by birding groups. They now have resident bird guides who can be contacted for day trips or longer visits - see Inglorious Bustards www.ingloriousbustards.com
For more information see - http://www.huertagrande.com/english.html
Huerta Grande is a Rural Eco-Resort situated in the hills above the Strait of Gibraltar, between the Parque Natural del Estrecho (Natural Park of the Strait of Gibraltar) and the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales (Natural Park of Cork Oaks). The 7 hectares of Huerta Grande are nestled within laurel and cork oak woodland which is a superb 'migrant trap' attracting a full range of migrant passerines. Above streams of raptors cross the straits. It has a number of cottages and wooden chalets, a pleasant venta (café) and is close to an excellent visitors' centre. In March 2014 it hosted and organised a Bird Fair to celebrate migratory birds. Although you can see plenty of migration from the grounds, it is well placed for visiting nearby hotspots (e.g. El Algarrobo & Cazalla) Here our visitors find the silence and peace of pure nure. The helpful owners are fluent English speakers. Able to cater for large groups, it is ideal for hosting trips organised by birding groups. They now have resident bird guides who can be contacted for day trips or longer visits - see Inglorious Bustards www.ingloriousbustards.com
For more information see - http://www.huertagrande.com/english.html
Antigua Fonda - Alcala de los Gazules
Our friend Tony Pearse runs the best B&B in Alcala - the Antigua Fonda (which can also be booked as a self catering whole house rental). It has 4 large, double, en suite bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms have twin beds whilst the other two have doubles. Air conditioning has been in the outer bedrooms and in the guest area. Alcala is conveniently situated between Jerez de la Frontera and Algeciras and is just 40 minutes by car to Gibraltar and Jerez airports. It makes an ideal base for birdwatchers wishing to explore not only the Tarifa area for raptor passage (c40 mins), but also La Jada (c25 mins), Bonanza saltpans (50 mins) and elsewhere.
The original house dates from around 1826 and had a former life as both a bar and hostal - known as Fonda Espanola. The top floor contains a very large guest area which includes a large kitchen, breakfast area and TV lounge. There is also an outside area to enjoy the sunshine or watch the local Lesser Kestrels!
For more information see - http://alcalagazules.com/
Our friend Tony Pearse runs the best B&B in Alcala - the Antigua Fonda (which can also be booked as a self catering whole house rental). It has 4 large, double, en suite bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms have twin beds whilst the other two have doubles. Air conditioning has been in the outer bedrooms and in the guest area. Alcala is conveniently situated between Jerez de la Frontera and Algeciras and is just 40 minutes by car to Gibraltar and Jerez airports. It makes an ideal base for birdwatchers wishing to explore not only the Tarifa area for raptor passage (c40 mins), but also La Jada (c25 mins), Bonanza saltpans (50 mins) and elsewhere.
The original house dates from around 1826 and had a former life as both a bar and hostal - known as Fonda Espanola. The top floor contains a very large guest area which includes a large kitchen, breakfast area and TV lounge. There is also an outside area to enjoy the sunshine or watch the local Lesser Kestrels!
For more information see - http://alcalagazules.com/
Views of the house & its interior
Jude & Clive's Holiday house in Alcala de los Gazules
We don't rent out our house in Alcala, but our friends, Jude & Clive, rent out a charming and beautifully restored little house just a little way down the road from our place. It has much the same views from its terraces (it has two!) across to Medina Sidonia and Vejer. Like our own terrace it can be a fantastic place to watch the local Lesser Kestrels and, on good days during migration periods, hundreds of birds of prey often stream overhead. If you're a birdwatcher, and even if you're not, Alcala makes a fantastic base and is only 40-45 minutes from Jerez and Gib airports (and within striking distance of Malaga). For further details of Alcala de los Gazules and the nearby Alcornocales Natural park see elsewhere in my blog. Friends have stayed there several times and all have found the accommodation delightful and have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Jude & Clive are always very helpful to guests.
Bonus - If you are a birder, and I happen to be in the village when you're out, then please pop up (its a two minute walk!) to see me for advice about birding. Everything else being equal you'll be welcome to join Liz and myself for some relaxed birding.
Details:
Sleeps: 2 - 4
Bedrooms: Bedroom 1 with double bed
Bedroom 2 with sofa bed
Bathroom: With bath/power-shower, wc
Kitchen area: Oven, hob, fridge, freezer, washing/dryer machine, microwave. Fully equipped with crockery, cutlery, kettle, toaster, etc.
Living room: Table, chairs, sofa-bed, TV, DVD player (selection of DVD's)
Rates: 250 – 350 euros (2014)
For booking and further information:
Jude and Clive Wiseman
Tel: (Spain) 0034-956-420254
Mob: (Spain) 0034-695-410719
Email: judewiseman@hotmail.co.uk
We don't rent out our house in Alcala, but our friends, Jude & Clive, rent out a charming and beautifully restored little house just a little way down the road from our place. It has much the same views from its terraces (it has two!) across to Medina Sidonia and Vejer. Like our own terrace it can be a fantastic place to watch the local Lesser Kestrels and, on good days during migration periods, hundreds of birds of prey often stream overhead. If you're a birdwatcher, and even if you're not, Alcala makes a fantastic base and is only 40-45 minutes from Jerez and Gib airports (and within striking distance of Malaga). For further details of Alcala de los Gazules and the nearby Alcornocales Natural park see elsewhere in my blog. Friends have stayed there several times and all have found the accommodation delightful and have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Jude & Clive are always very helpful to guests.
Bonus - If you are a birder, and I happen to be in the village when you're out, then please pop up (its a two minute walk!) to see me for advice about birding. Everything else being equal you'll be welcome to join Liz and myself for some relaxed birding.
Details:
Sleeps: 2 - 4
Bedrooms: Bedroom 1 with double bed
Bedroom 2 with sofa bed
Bathroom: With bath/power-shower, wc
Kitchen area: Oven, hob, fridge, freezer, washing/dryer machine, microwave. Fully equipped with crockery, cutlery, kettle, toaster, etc.
Living room: Table, chairs, sofa-bed, TV, DVD player (selection of DVD's)
Rates: 250 – 350 euros (2014)
For booking and further information:
Jude and Clive Wiseman
Tel: (Spain) 0034-956-420254
Mob: (Spain) 0034-695-410719
Email: judewiseman@hotmail.co.uk