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© Alvaro Peral

Sierra de Grazalema

36.73417 , -5.26323

Spain

The Sierra de Grazalema is a Natural Park near Ronda in Southern Spain. The bird community is very rich, with over 160 species. This is quite remarkable in a place where there are no big marshes or masses of water. Mountain birds are of particular interest, some of the most emblematic species being the Black Wheatear, Blue and Common Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Thekla Lark, Red-billed Chough and Griffon Vultures, to name but a few.

Birds of prey such as Bonelli's Eagles or Eagle Owls are well represented but they are not easy to observe. Many of the sylvia (now curruca) warblers breed in the region and there is also a nice wintering population of Ring Ouzels and Redwings.

The park has well established hides for bird photography to rent, besides a nice network of secondary roads, rural hotels and local food establishments.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Alvaro Peral : 36.7342/-5.2632 (2023-08-02 08:58:58 )

Site name was set by Alvaro Peral as "Sierra De Grazalema" (2023-08-02 08:58:58 )

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2024-09-03 15:48:31
The Sierra de Grazalema is a Natural Park near Ronda in Southern Spain. The bird community is very rich, with over 160 species. This is quite remarkable in a place where there are not no big marshes or masses of water. Mountain birds are of particular interest, being some of the most emblematic species being the Black Wheatear, Blue and Common Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Thekla Lark, Red-billed Chough and Griffon Vultures, to name but a few. Birds of prey such as Bonelli's Eagles or Eagle Owls are well represented but their observation is they are not easy. TMany easy to observe. Many of the sylvia (now curruca) warblers breed in the region and there's there is also a nice wintering population of Ring Ouzels and Redwings. The park has well established hides for bird photography to rent, besides a nice network of secondary roads, rural hotels and local food establishments.
Edited by Alvaro Peral on 2023-08-02 09:03:57
The Sierra de Grazalema is a Natural Park near Ronda in Southern Spain. The bird community is very rich, with over 160 species. This is quite remarkable in a place where there are not big marshes or masses of water. Mountain birds are of particular interest, being some of the most emblematic species the Black Wheatear, Blue and Common Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Thekla Lark, Red-billed Chough and Griffon Vultures, to name but a few. Birds of prey such as Bonelli's Eagles or Eagle Owls are well represented but their observation is not easy. TMany of the sylvia (now curruca) warblers breed in the region and there's also a nice wintering population of Ring Ouzels and Redwings. The park has well established hides for bird photography to rent, besides a nice network of secondary roads, rural hotels and local food establishments.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata)
European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta)
Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca hortensis)
Dartford Warbler (Curruca undata)
Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)
Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius)
Western Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica)
Black Wheatear (Oenanthe leucura)
Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia)
Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:15:23)

Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:15:07)

Western Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:14:29)

Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:13:56)

Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:13:45)

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:13:36)

Dartford Warbler (Curruca undata) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:13:23)

Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:13:10)

Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:12:58)

Western Orphean Warbler (Curruca hortensis) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:12:42)

Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:12:23)

Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:12:13)

Black Wheatear (Oenanthe leucura) was added by Alvaro Peral (2023-08-02 09:11:59)

  • Timing and strategy

The site is worth at least a whole day or two, depending on the target species.

The mountains make birding here quite interesting not just in spring or autumn but year round, there's always localized species to see. Better to hire a guide as it saves time to get to the species.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Alvaro Peral on 2023-08-02 09:05
The site is worth at least a whole day or two, depending on the target species. The mountains make birding here quite interesting not just in spring or autumn but year round, there's always localized species to see. Better to hire a guide as it saves time to get to the species.
  • How to get there

Easily accessible from Málaga or Sevilla by road (either bus to Ronda or drive). Good roads. The charming little town of Ronda is a good base to explore the area.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Alvaro Peral on 2023-08-02 09:06
Easily accessible from Málaga or Sevilla by road (either bus to Ronda or drive). Good roads. The charming little town of Ronda is a good base to explore the area.

Some of the land is private but there are some public trails where birding is certainly possible without requesting permission. Our guiding company there has access to private estates to access tricky species.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2024-09-03 15:46
Some of the land is private but there's there are some public trails where birding is certainly possible without requesting permission. Our guiding company there has access to private states estates to access tricky species.
Edited by Alvaro Peral on 2023-08-02 09:07
Some of the land is private but there's some public trails where birding is certainly possible without requesting permission. Our guiding company there has access to private states to access tricky species.
  • Other attractions

Stunning scenery, lots of historical sites including a Roman town and the moorish legacy of some White Villages.

Iberian Ibex and a strong community of wild orchids and butterflies add a lot of entertainment to the visiting naturalist from March till July.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Alvaro Peral on 2023-08-02 09:09
Stunning scenery, lots of historical sites including a Roman town and the moorish legacy of some White Villages. Iberian Ibex and a strong community of wild orchids and butterflies add a lot of entertainment to the visiting naturalist from March till July.

Information centres are not fully operative but can provide road maps.

Accomodation is varied and offer all range of hotels and country inns.

Public viewpoints available, and Wild Andalucia offers a private photography hide for woodland birds.

There are plenty of roadside bars for comfort stops.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2024-09-03 15:49
Information centres are not fully operative but can provide road maps. Accomodation is varied and offer all range of hotels and country inns. Public viewpoints available, and Wild Andalucia offers a private photography hide for woodland birds. Plenty There are plenty of road roadside bars for comfort stops.
Edited by Alvaro Peral on 2023-08-02 09:11
Information centres are not fully operative but can provide road maps. Accomodation is varied and offer all range of hotels and country inns. Public viewpoints available, and Wild Andalucia offers a private photography hide for woodland birds. Plenty of road bars for comfort stops.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
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