Nature notes diary Archives - Page 3 of 6

April wildlife in the Sierra de Grazalema

April 24, 2024 by Clive Muir

April wildlife in the Sierra de Grazalema starts with some bird species returning from their wintering grounds and many passing northwards to their breeding grounds. The first newborn Spanish Ibex take tentative steps across the rocky terrain whilst streams and permanent ponds are full of spawn and larvae of amphibians. Many snakes and lizards are out of hibernation and hungry for a snack!

Looking for a place to stay in Grazalema?

Clive Muir

I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!

grazalemaguide.com/

March in the Sierra de Grazalema

March 19, 2024 by Clive Muir

March in the Sierra de Grazalema brings more migratory birds returning back to their breeding grounds, with large groups of Short-toed and Booted Eagles passing through to Central and Northern Spain, and then “our” breeding pairs settling back home.

Short toed eagle in the Sierra de Grazalema

Clive Muir

grazalemaguide.com/

January wildlife in the Sierra de Grazalema

January 15, 2024 by Clive Muir

January is a great month for watching griffon vultures repairing last year´s nests high on limestone ledges, performing beautifully synchronized flights that are a part of their courtship routines, breeding and incubating their single egg. The parents take turns at sitting on the nest and perform an almost acrobatic change-over at the nest. The cliffs where griffons nest, or “buitreras” in Spanish, are full of activity and interest at this time of the year.

Clive Muir

grazalemaguide.com/

Animal Education with Cole Shirk. (The Iberian Lynx)

February 22, 2023 by Clive Muir

What a fantastic project created by this young man interested in the conservation and protection of wildlife across the world. Animal Education with Cole Shirk. (The Iberian Lynx) Cole started his virtual interview channel on you tube to share his love of wild animals and over the last four years the project has grown to … Read more

Signs and notices

February 14, 2023 by Clive Muir

Whilst out and about in the countryside here in Andalucia, you are bound to come across a variety of signs and notices telling you what kind of area you are in or whether you are about to stray onto private land. You may find signs telling you to “keep out!!” or to “Please close the gate”. More and more fences are going up and access to land is being restricted. In some cases trails and paths are closed and directional signs taken down illegally. (see Via pecuaria below)

Basically the rules to follow, whether on horseback, walking or cycling in the countryside are:

Have an up to date map with the footpath shown
Don’t go through a gate that has a Propiedad Privada sign on it.
Respect private land (Propiedad Privada) and stay on designated footpaths

Clive Muir

grazalemaguide.com/