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.

Spanish Ibex normally roam at lower altitudes during the winter months and the alpha males are more visible as they are establishing and keeping a close eye on their harems, while the pregnant females ruminate in the winter sun.

There are plenty of exciting resident and wintering birds to see, such as the Iberian Grey Shrike, Bonelli´s Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Rock and Cirl Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Black Wheatear, Ring Ouzel and Alpine Accentor.

Plants to look out for whilst walking in the Sierra de Grazalema

Although its winter, there are still a lot of flowering plants to enjoy including the stunning displays of almond blossom and, in places, carpets of the bright blue and yellow broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia) along with paperwhite narcissus

Yellow

• Bean trefoil (Anagyris foetida)
• Bermuda buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae)
• Western gorse (Ulex parviflorus)
• Field marigold (Calendula arvensis)

Green, Brown

• Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus)
• Dutchman’s pipe (Aritolochia baetica)
• Friars Cowl (Arisarum simorrhinum)
• Spurge laurel (Daphne laureola)

Pink, Blue, Purple

• Broad-leaved Iris (Iris planifolia)
• Pink catchfly (Silene colorata)
• Periwinkle (Vinca difformis)
• Tree germander (Teucrium fruticans)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Southern Knapweed (Centaurea pullata)
• Fedia (Fedia cornucopiae)
• Andaluz storksbill (Erodium primulaceum)

White

• Marsh chamomile (Chamaemelum fuscatum)
• Paper-white Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus)
• Branched asphodel (Asphodelus ramosus)
• Common daisy (Bellis sylvestris)
• Shepherds purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
• Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritime)
• Common daisy (Bellis sylvestris)

Ronda Today

Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/

Visit Cádiz

Planning on visiting Cádiz? Tourist information. Monuments. Hotels. Activities. City guides: https://visitingcadiz.com/

The Caminito del Rey

Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/

Wildside Holidays – Spain

Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.

Iberia Nature Forum

Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.

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!