Iberian Lynx, Mouflon, Wild Boar, Otter, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Hawfinch, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Azure-winged Magpie.
The Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardina) stands on the brink of extinction. Just a century ago, it ranged over half of the Iberian peninsula. As recently as the mid nineties it was estimated to occur in a wide area of south west Spain. Today its range has shrunk dramatically to just two viable populations within Andalusia, with an estimation of approximately 200 individuals. Four main factors have combined to decimate the population. First has been hunting, a tradition in deep rural Spain. Afterwards came myxomatosis, which devastated Iberia's rabbit numbers and deprived the Iberian Lynx of 90% of its diet! Habitat destruction and fragmentation has also been a contributing factor. Southern Spain has also been developed and urbanised with many new motorways and roads and consequential traffic road-kills have dramatically affected Lynx communities.
A recent census in the granite hills of this unique and remote Sierra Morena, some of the best preserved Mediterranean forest in the Iberian peninsula, has revealed a most important population of the this ‘jewel', the most endangered of the world's 36 cat species. As well as Iberian Lynx, Otter , Wild Boar, Genet , Mouflon and Red Deer occur in the area. These mountains also hold a large population of Griffon Vultures, as well as good numbers of the rare Black Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle .
Days 1,2,3,4 - Sierra Morena
After meeting you at Malaga airport we will head north to the hills, starting our holiday with a 3-night stay in the Sierra Morena. On our way to the Sierra Morena, we will stop for lunch at a natural lake where White-headed Duck and Red Crested Pochard are residents. If we are to have a chance of a sighting of Iberian Lynx, we must spend much of our time scanning from various scenic viewpoints. From each one we will be able to overlook vast tracts of Lynx habitat. Here sightings of Lynx and other animals are often at long range, but the scenery formed by huge rock boulders is magnificent, and the birdlife is rich, being an easy place from where to enjoy such a peculiar mediterranean woodland which offers very good chances for Spanish Imperial Eagle & Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Sardinian Warbler, the Spanish race of Green Woodpecker, Hawfinch, Firecrest, Iberian Grey Shrike, and Eagle Owl.
Our accommodation here is a traditional guest house, similar to Boletas, and situated in the heart of the beautiful mediterranean woodland. All rooms have en suite facilities. Food is first class including local specialities, Goat Leg, Partridge Pâté, Sea-bass, local Chorizo and Cheese all accompanied with good local wines.
Day 5- Early morning birding before driving back to Malaga airport to take your flight home
Dear Josele Jan and I want to thank you for making our holiday so happy. Seeing the Lynx was a wonderful experience which we could not have done without your knowledge and skill. The birds and the flowers were so good and we had a lot of fun. We hope you have as good a time with your group from Ireland. Best wishes to Esther and Marina
Joyce Jones - May 2008
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Hi Josele, We arrived back home yesterday after a punctual flight, a night at Liverpool airport hotel and a smooth drive back home where there is no longer any snow lying, at least not at our levels at present. Many thanks for looking after us so well, in spite of the less than ideal travelling conditions and weather which didn't make things exactly easy for you. The view of the lynx was better than I had even hoped for and the birds very good in spite of the unusual conditions. The food and accomodation, planned and unplanned, was as usual very good. Best wishes and regards.
Neil and Marjorie Hutchin - January 2010
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Dear Josele
Thank you so much for a wonderful few days in Andalucia. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, not just the lynx, but also the Spanish Imperial Eagle, the company and the food. It was a great time. Also, thank you especially for all the hard work you put in organising it for us and all that driving. We eventually got to the airport, as the train we were on ended one stop short, the next train refused to stop at the station at all and finally, 30 minutes later, one did stop and got us to the airport. Still, we had plenty of time to spare. We hope you had a good time with Marina and we look forward to seeing you again in May.
Take care. Roger and Imogen.2014
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