Itinerrary:

The trip begins in Malaga although we can start in Madrid and take an internal flight if that is easier depending on where you will be flying from .

Day 1, Days 2, 3 & 4, Day 5 :

Our final day will be dependant on our success the past few days as there will again be an optional early start to look for Lynx. After breakfast we shall make our way back to Malaga Airport and with the available time shall visit the nearby Rio Guadalhorce Nature Reserve, which should be quite productive. This small reserve can be an excellent coastal migrant trap as well as home to many waterbirds and waders. Here we should hope to find Balearic Shearwaters, Audouin’s Gulls, and Gannets off-shore, with Black necked Grebe, Purple Heron, White headed Duck and Marsh Harrier along the river :- Three full days will be spent in the Sierra de Andujar, a contrasting region with some of the best representations of Mediterranean Forest still surviving in Europe. The Sierra de Andujar forms part of the Sierra Morena Mountains and has a landscape of hills and mountains formed from granite, quartz and slate, which is bordered by two rivers - the Jandula and the Yeguas. Yet another of Andalusia’s hidden treasures of a Natural Park; which is home to the elusive and highly endangered Iberian Lynx of which only 150 or so remain in the wild. We shall be spending every early morning and late afternoon searching for this secretive animal from strategic watchpoints around the sierra. The rest of the time will be spent walking and driving the roads and tracks within the reserve along with time to relax in the afternoon around the hotel complex before our evening vigil. This Natural Park is also home to the magnificent Spanish Imperial Eagle and many other sought-after raptors including Golden Eagle, Black Vulture, Goshawk and Peregrine. The tranquil rivers, separating a series of reservoirs, with dramatic dam walls that attract Black Wheatear, Rock Sparrow and Crag Martin, with Otters fishing the river below, will be in marked contrast to the lush vegetation of the rest of the trip. Everywhere we look there will be Azure-winged Magpies, Short toed Treecreepers, Firecrests, Nuthatches and Crested Tits. If time allows we shall even take a drive up to the Santuario Virgen de la Cabeza – a dramatic & historic building to which there is a pilgrimage in May that’s perched on top of a mountain in the centre of the reserve. :- From Malaga you will be met by Jules and will start with a drive north to the Laguna de la Fuente de Piedras (Rocks Spring), where we will have our lunch near the visitor centre. We shall check the shores of the lake for any Wintering waders although it is better known for it’s Greater Flamingos, which occur here in their 1000’s. Mid-afternoon we shall drive to our charming hotel in the heart of the Sierra de Andujar Natural Park. Our rooms have balconies or terraces overlooking deciduous woodland mainly of oak, with the Sierras towering up in the distance beyond. Birds around the hotel gardens will include Azure winged Magpies, Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest and Nuthatch. Once we have settled in we shall make our first visit to one of the several viewing areas in the hope of finding an Iberian Lynx. Who knows we might get lucky on our first attempt!.

Notes :

We aim to make these short trip as enjoyable and asgood value for money as possible The cost of the trip includes . 4 nights in a local hotel with ensuite facilities. All meals (ex drinks during evening meal) and transport costs starting and ending in Malaga also an Information pack and Use of field guides covering the areas you visit.

As you would expect there is some walking involved which is easy to moderate.