As autumn is set every crook and cranny of my mountains has its outline softened as shadows deepen and grow because of the low autumn sun, my jagged mountains have been transformed into the appearance of soft folded velvet, an illusion belied by outline of … Continue readingAutumn birding in my mountains Serranía de Ronda
Once we pass mid-October and get into the start of November, autumn birding can become frustrating as many of our summer visitors will have departed, and we await the arrival of many winter birds. It is at this time of year I cross my fingers … Continue readingThose in-between times! Autumn Birding
As early as July many birds begin their long journey to Africa as they seek more temperate climates in which to spend their winter. Many of our summer resident small birds such as warblers will begin to disperse from breeding grounds and slowly make their … Continue readingFlyway to Africa – Bird Migration
Our Scops Owl is a member of the genus Otus, an old-world family and the largest genus of owls in relation to the number of species, 45 members of Otus have been recognised to date. As the name implies, the distribution of this sometimes-elusive owl … Continue readingEurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops scops)
‘If any person would watch these birds of a fine morning in May, as they are sailing round at a great height from the ground, he would see, every now and then, one drop on the back of another, and both of them sink down … Continue readingFlickering scimitars
March is the month of the great crossover as many of our wintering birds leave us to begin a journey northward towards their breeding grounds and the void here will be filled by those birds returning from Africa to occupy many of the territories awaiting … Continue readingMigration and The Magic Corridor
The lagoon of Fuente de Piedra is in the north of the province of Malaga, Spain. It is 50km from the Mediterranean coast and 410m above sea level. The lagoon is a seasonal Salt Lake with high salinity in winter and a salt shell in … Continue readingFuente de Piedra
Widespread and common, this stocky and robust owl is perhaps familiar to many of us in Andalucía. Although, with its wonderfully camouflaged plumage it can easily escape being seen by our casual observations whilst we travel throughout our surrounding countryside. The Little Owl is widespread … Continue readingThe Little Owl (Athene noctua)
It has been 14 years since we started the conservation of Lesser Kestrels in Cádiz. Coincidentally, in March 2008, a member of our association climbed the tower of the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, in Los Barrios, when he noticed the presence of several Lesser … Continue readingTUMBABUEY and the conservation of Lesser Kestrels in Cádiz
A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK. Historical notes on the Mouth of the Guadalhorce River. By David Plata. It is fascinating to explore the complexity of the impact Nature can have on our world, understanding the extent of its power is something intangible. Sometimes, we are … Continue readingGuadalhorce Natural Park
