Next Tour Highlights

SPRING 2008 TOUR INFORMATION

South Western Andalucía offers you the experience of the spring bird migration that, at times, can be more spectacular than the autumn migration. With huge numbers of Mediterranean species, including raptors and passerines, combined with the passage of more northerly migrants returning to their breeding grounds, numbers can be considerably larger! Researchers have estimated numbers upward of half a million crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. And of course, with only a small stretch of water separating Europe and Africa, you must always keep an eye out for African species that can turn up anywhere anytime. Examples of these Afro-Iberian elements include Algerian Hedgehog, Cream-coloured Courser, Desert Orange-Tip and False Mallow.

BIRDS

February heralds the start of this avian spectacle. This is the last chance to see any wintering species, as most have already left for their breeding grounds. The main migration period is between the months of March and May, which allows for the chance to see rarities, such as Spotted and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Lanner Falcon, Lammergeier and Rüppells Vulture.

As migration is very weather dependent, it will dictate to us where the best sites to visit will be. If the winds are northerly, we can expect migrants to pass overhead at any time. If winds are not favourable to migration, and change to southerly direction, then we will look out for 'falls' of migrants grounded by these weather conditions. Nearly all the sites visited are within the migration corridor, therefore, if the winds are to our favour, it is always worth keeping one eye skyward.

PLANTS

Unlike the flowering season in the UK, Andalucía's flowering season is comparably short. Depending on the weather, plants can start to flower from early February, with the majority flowering between mid-March and late May. However, if there is a lot of rain the flowering period lasts longer. In the south-western region of Spain , the season is usually two weeks earlier so we will attempt to show you some of the Afro-Iberian endemics such as Sea Heath, Sea Thrift, along with some of the regions stunningly beautiful and fragrant plants.

Mediterranean Orchids are considered to be among the most beautiful and intricate flowers found in Andalucía. There are usually a few different species of Orchid to be found in differing terrestrial habitats. In particular, areas of maquis and garrique, especially on Limestone, can hold a profusion of Orchids. There can be as many as ten species in a given location. The season starts to unfold in early February with the giant orchid, Barlia robertiana and then this is followed by a succession of species from the genera Orchis and Ophrys lasting through to late May. As a consequence of inbreeding, hybridization and geographical isolation (remoteness) the genus Ophrys, the bee-orchid relatives, can have subtle and not so subtle differences of flowers between members of this genus. Botanists are not sure when an intra-species variation (crossing between members from the same genus) is classified as a species in its own right. The last group we find flowering, are the Tongue-Orchids, the Serapias.

INVERTEBRATES

Spring in south-western Andalucía is a time when butterflies are at their most prolific. Some of the most stunning butterflies Spain has to offer can admired, including species as Spanish Festoon, Swallowtail, Two-tailed Pasha, Cleopatra with hopefully a touch of Africa too by trying to catch a glimpse of the Moroccan Orange Tip.

Two other species of invertebrate that are found here, which are part of Spanish folklore, are the Carpenter Bee and Hummingbird Hawk-moth. The Carpenter Bee is said to be a harbinger of bad luck if it is found inside your home, whilst the Hummingbird Hawk-moth inside the house is a portent of good luck! Both species are well worth looking out for, the Hummingbird Hawkmoth for its obvious beauty and grace and the Carpenter Bee for its sheer size, (some would also say beauty and elegance, but I leave that upto yourself to decide!). There are more than sixty species of dragon and damselflies found in Andalucía, with five species found nowhere else in the Western Palaearctic.

MAMMALS & FISH

On both our Spring and Autumn tours we are never disappointed when we encounter, probably the most charismatic and sentient group of mammals of the whole experience, the Cetaceans. You will have the opportunity to encounter several of these species of Whales and Dolphins, including Pilot Whales, Killer Whales and Fin Whales along with three species of Dolphins and the occasional Shark species and Sunfish.

Another of these charismatic flagship species of the area is the Pardel Lynx, a stunning awe-inspiring carnivore. This is a very elusive animal but is always enjoyed whenever sighted, leaving you with a memory that lasts a lifetime. There are twenty seven species of Bat in Spain . With the help of bat detectors we hope to show you some of these elusive species in a totally different light. At the end of the experience we hope you will come away with a working knowledge of bat detectors, and a new understanding of these little seen, mis-understood and important mammals within the eco-systems we visit. Other species of mammal that can be seen during this experience include Genet, Egyptian Mongoose, Red and Roe Deer and Wild Boar.

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

There are at least forty five different reptiles to be found in mainland Spain , including both land and freshwater. While the status of reptiles in Spain is relatively healthy, half of these are threatened to varying degrees including Spur-Thighed Tortoise, European Pond Terrapin, Iberian Rock Lizard, Stripe-necked Terrapin and probably everyones favourite the Chameleon. The latter three are all endemic to the region but the Chameleon is the only one of its kind in Europe . Some of the regions snakes we could encounter include the largest snake in the region the Montpelier's, Ladder Snake and the venomous front fanged species the Latastes Viper.

There are twenty five species of Amphibian on mainland Spain and the Balearics. A few of the species more commonly encountered are Midwife and Natterjack toads, Common and Stripeless Tree Frog, Iberian Green Frog and Marbled Newt.

Many of the species mentioned above are classified as threatened with extinction or are locally rare. We will not only do our best to show you as many of these species as possible but, also, explain to you any threats they may currently suffer and discuss conservation initiatives that are being implemented for their survival.

"Our natural heritage is largely the result of the harmonious relationship between man and nature that for centuries has remained in Andalucía. But we must not forget that in recent decades conservation and development have been presented as often conflicting ideas. Hence, that we find ourselves before the paradox that many of our most valuable natural areas coincide with stagnant zones from the point of view socially and economically."
(SIC) Manuel Chavez Gonzales, President of the Government of Andalucía. (Pages South 1997/Numero April 4 th : 3)