The Birds of the Serrania de Ronda – Bird Watching
Hotel Bandolero is situated in a location ideal for fans of bird watching. Especially during the annual migratory seasons, there are many different types of birds to be seen in this area of Spain including large numbers of raptors. Hotel Bandolero is pleased to provide the information below, courtesy of OrniRonda, local bird experts offering guided bird watching tours in the area with additional information about local flora and mammals.
The geographical locations of the Serrania de Ronda makes it one of Europe’s best areas for the concentration of raptors. The Serrania has four breeding species of eagle and many other raptors. The importance of the area is recognised for the habitant it provides for so many breeding species. Apart from this, the area is also an important staging area in spring and autumn for spectacular numbers of migrant birds of prey. Indeed, being placed so near the famous Straits of Gibraltar, the area is rich in passerine species migrating to other European parts in spring and autumn. Even in winter, the area provides a temperate living quarter for many familiar summer birds of northern Europe. Whatever the time of year, the Serrania de Ronda is a must for anyone interested in birds and wildlife in general.
The Penibaetic Range of mountains dips its toes into the Mediterranean on the eastern side of Gibraltar and into the Atlantic to Gibraltar’s western seaboard. From here the range strikes north and then eastwards, never far from the Mediterranean and has its ceiling in the Sierra Nevada with several peaks of over 3,000 metres; it is as dramatic as it is stunning. The Serrania de Ronda is situated amidst the limestone peaks, which lie west of the Sierra Nevada; the area’s highest peak is Torrecilla at 1,919 metres. To the southwest of the Serrania de Ronda, the mountains are sandstone; the habitats of the area are varied and include sheer limestone cliffs, pine woods (P. sylvestris, P. pinaster), Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo), grasslands, scrub and oak (Q. rotundifoloa, Q. suber) woods. Amongst the flora, there are over 100 species endemic to the area.
The bird community is particularly rich; breeding birds include Golden, Bonelli’s, Booted and Short-toed eagles, Griffon and Egyptian vultures, peregrine falcon, lesser kestrel, eagle owl, white-rumped, alpine and pallid swifts, blue rock thrush, rock thrush, black wheatear, black redstart, chough, rock sparrow, rock bunting and crossbill.
The Serrania de Ronda and its surroundings include three major natural parks, Sierra de las Nieves, Sierra de Grazalema and Los Alcornocales, a richly wooded park declared a ZEPA reserve (Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves / Special Zone of Protection for Birds).
Why not book a holiday at Hotel Bandolero and enjoy searching for and watching your favorite birds in the Serrania de Ronda.
For more information on the birds of the Serrania de Ronda and organised tours, please visit OrniRonda at:
Information and photos provided courtesy of Orni-Ronda.
