Alectoris rufa or Red-legged Partridge

Yesterday guests that were having a drink on the terrace were treated by a close look at a pair of Red-legged Partridges. As they were keen birdwatchers they had there binoculars within reach and enjoyed following this game bird and looking at its colouration. We quite often hear this Perdiz roja and we sometimes see them in the kitchen garden, but so close to the terrace was quite special. A Russian ornithologist who stayed with us in April had taken a number of photos of this bird of which we incorporated one in a slideshow. Here is another photo of this Alectoris rufa taken by Sergei V. Drovetski.



Related key words: rode patrijs, rothuhn, perdrix rouge

A few excellent bird photographs taken by an ornithologist

The Russian ornithologist Sergei V. Drovetski who stayed at El Paraje recently shared the wildlife photographs he took in the area. It is a great pleasure for us to be able to offer a slideshow of a selection of his bird shots and we feel really grateful for this opportunity. We hope other people will enjoy the photos as much as we do.



Falco Tinnunculus - Common Kestrel - Cernícalo vulgar - Torenvalk
Alectoris rufa - Red-legged Patridge - Perdiz roja - Rode patrijs
Galerida cristata - Crested Lark - Cogujada común - Kuifleeuwerik
Saxicola Torquata - Common Stonechat - Tarabilla común - Roodborsttapuit
Oenanthe oenanthe - Northern Wheatear - Collalba gris - Tapuit
Oenanthe hispanica - Black-eared Wheatear - Collalba rubia - Blonde tapuit
Certhia brachydact​yla - Short-toed Treecreepe​r - Agateador - Boomkruipe​r
Lanius senator - Woodchat shrike - Alcaudón común - Roodkopklauwier
Serinus serinus - European Serin - Verdecillo - Europese kanarie
Emberiza cia - Rock Bunting - Escribano montesino - Grijze gors
Miliaria calandra - Corn Bunting - Triguero - Grauwe gors

Report of the IV Censo de Aves or Alpujarra bird count

Yesterday the 16th of April the IV Censo de Aves took place. The census was led by Antonio Ramos, guide of the Sierra Nevada Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, and the local wildlife specialist Gary Morrell. Five people, of three different nacionalities, participated. A total of 45 species were counted of which 7 birds were not seen or heard on earlier bird counts: Sparrohawk (Gavilán), Cuckoo (Cuco), Little Owl (Mochuelo común), Pallid Swift (Vencejo común), Nortern Wheatear (Collalba gris) and the Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón común). The Collalba gris (Oenanthe oenanthe, Tapuit in Dutch) and the Collalba rubia, the Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica, Blonde tapuit in Dutch) were regarded as the´Birds of the Day´. We saw a male and a female of the Collalba rubia in an abandoned vineyard and we could follow them closely as they were posing on the trunks. The guides agreed that there could very well be a nest somewhere between the vines. We ticked off the bird species that were observed on this census on the ´Listado de aves avistadas en los censos de Alquería de Morayma´ (see related links below).
Apart from counting species, the participants appreciated all aspects of wildlife on a glorious morning in an area of great natural beauty. Four different types of orchids were counted, amongst which the Ophrys lutea or Yellow Ophrys and the Ophrys tenthredinifera. Footprints were found of a Genet and a couple of Ocellated Lizards were observed through Gary´s telescope. Like last time we followed the GR142 to Lobras and returned to the Alquería de Morayma on the GR7. This walk is a route that we offer our guests as well (see map below), but it must be observed that parts of the path along the Rambla Albayar have disappeared. Some people will find it difficult to find their way through this riverbed. You should not mind improvising a little bit following the watercourse northwards until you get to the crossing of the two Long Distance Footpaths. Almost all waymarks of the GR142 have diseappeared on this stretch.





Related articles:
- Report I bird census, II bird census, III bird census

Related links:
- List of birds censuses around Alquería de Morayma (word doc)
- GPS track of the walk
- Slideshow of photos IV Censo de Aves
- Crónica de Carmen: IV Censo de aves de la Alpujarra desde la Alquería de Morayma


Related key words: vogeltelling, orchid, orchidee

Bird Count, IV Censo de Aves de la Alpujarra 16 de abril de 2011

This coming Saturday the 16th of April at 08.00 hours the second spring bird count will take place starting at the rural hotel Alquería de Morayma in Cádiar. Last year the spring bird census was done on the 18th of April, during which 37 different bird species were counted. It will be the fourth censo, as two other autumn countings were organized. From the map of this announcement the first loop will be done which is a walk of 8,5 kilometres through the beautiful valley of the Río Guadalfeo. Anybody interested is welcome to participate. The ´IV Censo de Aves´ will be led by Antonio Ramos, guide of the National Park Sierra Nevada and by the enthusiastic expert and local wildlife guide, Gary Morrell. For more information you can call us at El Paraje, the Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada or Alquería de Morayma.



Related article:
- Report of the II Censo de aves de la Alpujarra 18th of April 2010

Related key words: censo de pájaros, bird census, vogeltelling

Report of the third Alpujarran bird census

Sunday the 3rd of October the third bird census of the Alpujarra was organized by Carmen of Alquería de Morayma, a rural hotel in Cádiar. A total of 32 different species were counted and ticked off on the list that was made by Miranda and Trevor, a British couple that has been bird watching in this area for over twenty years. Apart from adding the Dutch and scientific names to the bird checklist, we have ticked off the species sighted or heard on the past three bird counts.

Carmen published a report of this day on the website of Alquería de Morayma. This is a translation of her account of the International Bird Day celebrated on the 3rd of October in Cádiar:
"This day was celebrated by Alquería de Morayma with a beautiful walk in the valley of the river Guadalfeo. The eleven participants with different nationalities, were guided by Gary, a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable naturalist and Antonio J. Ramos, guide of the Natural Park Sierra Nevada. Anita of Casa Rural El Paraje and Carmen of the Alquería also participated.
The morning started clear and pinkish but turned windy. The day was blessed by birds of prey. The first birds that were sighted was a pair of Golden Eagles while setting off.
While walking on the ridge of the Loma de Cayón through vineyards, almond and fig orchards a number of Stonechats and other passerine birds were spotted. Under the bridge of the river Guadalfeo, an igloo-shaped nest of the Red-rumped Swallow was observed. Antonio commented that this bird started colonising Andalusia not too long ago. He added that the White-rumped Swift, another bird that has expanded into southern Spain, appropriates the nests of the Golondrina daúrica, while these two species share a territory in a curious way. Further on the Red-rumped Swallow was observed. The route continued through the Rambla de Albayar covered with gorse, rosemary and tamarisk. There was still water running through this river bed, thanks to the abundant rain fall this past winter (1217 litres/m2 measured by the meteorological station in Cádiar). As the Peregrine Falcon was sighted it got the title of ´Bird of the Day´, but it did not keep this for long. While watching a family of fat partridges running and flying up, two Goshawks appeared from behind some cliffs and took over the title. At this time of the year, this raptor comes down from the pine woods in search of food. To strenghten its first place, this pair of raptors stayed around for some time and gave a fantastic flight show. More information on the bird census can be found on the blogs of Sendero Sulayr and Casa Rural El Paraje."

Related article: Peregrine Falcon holds the title of the animal kingdom's fastest flier article on Nacional Geographic

Related key words: vogels, alpujarras, sierra nevada, wandelen, wandelingen, trektocht, standplaats vakantie, hiking, trekking, Berchules, B&B, hotel, wanderungen

III Censo de aves de la Alpujarra desde la Alquería de Morayma

On Sunday the 3rd of October 2010 the third Alpujarran bird census will be held, which starts at 08.00 hours at the Alquería de Morayma. A circular route of nine kilometres will be done. On the first two bird counts the GR-7 was followed towards Lobras and back to the Alquería. This time the idea is to follow the GR-142 and do the two loops as seen on the map. On the first autumn bird count, which was held the 3rd of October 2009, 33 different species were counted. A list of these birds can be found on our post Día mundial de las aves celebrated in the Alpujarra. More information on the III Censo de aves de la Alpujarr desde la Alqueria de Morayma can be found on the website of this hotel/appartment complex near Cádiar.

Aquila chrysaetos or golden eagle

There are a number of places in the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra that have a name that refers to an an animal, like Plaza de Lobos or Hoyo del Lobo. When we pass the Tajo del Águila between Juviles and Tímar, we actually quite often see eagles. Mostly you see birds of prey hover or circle high in the sky, too far for us to take a photograph with our camera. The other day we were lucky enough to see a golden eagle fly very low, a few metres in front of us. We had the feeling we could have shaken hands with this magnificent ´águila real´. When we had a look at the map to see where we had this special encounter, we saw the name ´Tosca del águila´. Maybe it was not such a coincidence after all.



Related links:
- On-line magazine Waste: Aguila chrysaetos
- Quercus: Situación actual del águila real en Andalucía
- Quercus: Aumenta la población de águila real en Andalucía

Related key words: águila caudal, steenarend, steinadler, aigle royal

Report of the II Censo de aves de la Alpujarra 18th of April 2010

Yesterday we joined the second bird counting organized by Miranda, Trevor and Carmen of the Alquería de Morayma. Just like last time, Miranda and Trevor handed out lists with the bird species they have spotted over the last twenty years near Mecina Bombarón and Cádiar.
This census Antonio Ramos, a guide of the Parque Natural Sierra Nevada, was going to join the group. He had taken a present with him for all the participants: the CD ´El Sonido de los Parques Nacionales - Sierra Nevada´ of Carlos de Hita and Iñaki Gabilondo.
After coffee, breakfast, greetings and introductions, the group of ten birders was ready to set off. Within five minutes, the first five birds could be ticked on the list. Gary, a wildlife specialist living in Cádiar, had brought his telescope and put it up for special observations. Hereby, all participants could see a nest of a green woodpecker that could hardly be seen with the naked eye.

When Gary sighted a pair of hawfinches (picogordo) near the Rambla de Albayar, he immediately exclaimed that this was the bird of the day. This coccothraustes coccothraustes, a passerine bird in the finch family, is a shy bird often hiding between leaves in the top of trees. This was the first species that we were able to incorporate. The crag martín (avión roquero) and red rumped swallow (golondrina daurica) were also added on to the list. Some participants were a bit disappointed about not sighting any birds of prey, but spotting a golden oriole and a flock of bee-eaters close to Lobras did make up something. On this second bird census, the group has come up with thirthy-seven sightings. This is the list with the results of the II Censo de aves de la Alpujarra held on the 18th of April 2010.
We encourage all birdwatchers coming to the area, to do this ´ruta de los pajaros´ and to take the list with them. We are curious to learn more about other sightings on this route on different moments of the year. So birdwatchers please leave your comments.



Related articles:
- Announcement of the II Censo de aves
- I Censo de aves 3rd of October 2009

related keywords: birds, aves, vogels, oiseaux, Vögel, check list, controle lijst, liste de vérification, checkliste, Kernbeisser, gros-bec casse-noyaux, appelvink

Alpujarras outdoors activities link list

This is a list of Alpujarras based organisations dedicated to outdoor activities. We will update this list when we find out more. This article has a permanent link in the side column.




GUIDED WALKING
- WalkAlpujarra - Trevélez
- Spanishhighs - Lanjarón
- Nevadensis - Pampaneira
- Ibex Trex - Narila
- Rafatours - Motril (oriented mostly on the Alpujarras)

HORSEBACK RIDING
- Virgen de las Nieves - Trevélez
- Dallas Love , Sierra Trails - Bubión
- Cabalgar Rutas Alternativas - Bubión
- Caballo Park - Soportújar
- Caballo Blanco - Lanjarón
- Camino Verde - Busquístar
- Aventura Polar - Puerto de la Ragua, Bayarcal
- Maria Barbero López - Mecina Bombarón (Alpujarra de la Sierra)

MOUNTAIN BIKING and ROAD CYCLING
- South Side Cycling - Bérchules
- ADR Berja cycling club - Berja

CLIMBING
- Spanishhighs - Lanjarón

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
- Aventura Polar - Puerto de la Ragua, Bayarcal

BIRD WATCHING
- BirdwatchAlpujarras - Lanjarón

A BIT OF EVERYTHING
- Nevadensis - Pampaneira (guided walks, 4x4, mtb btt, gorge descent, skiing, courses)
- Aventura Rural - Lanjarón (gorge descent, archery, bridge diving, 4x4, mtb btt)
- Multiaventura - Órgiva (quads, paintball, archery, mtb bike hire)
- Saltarios - Órgiva (Cano, rafting and more)
- Al Mihras - Laujar de Andarax (youth groups oriented)

CHILD CAMPS / AULAS DE NATURELEZA
- Vivetuaventura - Bérchules
- Iniza - Lucainea de Alcolea (Almería)

SIERRA NEVADA SPORTS EVENTS 
- Click to jump to a special article about sports events

RELATED ARTICLES:
- Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada Sports events
- Professional sports and thai yoga massages at El Paraje
- El Paraje now has crampons available
- Mountain biking in the Alpujarras Sierra Nevada

RELATED LINKS:
- Casa Rural El Paraje is dedicated to walkers and organise guided mountain-bike trips.
- Rafa-tours. Excursions throughout the Alpujarras guided by Rafael Gan ´el connaisseur´.
- Nómadas. Outdoors activity materials shop in Durcal.
- Solo Aventura. Outdoors activity materials shop and online shopping in Granada city.

- online brochure about the transnevada biking trail
- Bikemap.net alpujarras routes
- Some road cycling suggestions around Haza del Lino
- Mountain gear rental service of Spanish Highs
- Granada activa. The Association of Active Tourism Companies of Granada
- Viasur S.L. Travel agency for the Alpujarras and Valle lecrin, with extended outdoor activity packages

related keywords: turismo activo, activiteiten, paardrijden, reiten, rutas a caballo, wandelen, senderismo, wandern, radfahren, cyclisme, fietsen

Día Mundial de las Aves celebrated in the Alpujarra

Yesterday on the International Bird Day, the first bird census in the Alpujarra took place. An English couple, Miranda Ravetto Wood and Trevor, had taken up this initiative. They have been bird watching in the area for over twenty years and had prepared a list of birds to hand out to the participants. The starting point was Alquería de Morayma in Cádiar. Just after leaving the centre to walk the GR-7 towards Lobras, one wildlife specialist spotted a merlin - esmerejón in Spanish and smelleken in Dutch - and was able to point it out to the others. This was quite a special observation as this falco columbarius is a migratory bird that you are not able to see here often. This was the first species that could be added to the list. In total the group has come up with a list of 33 different birds within a radius of six kilometres from the Alquería. All the participants enjoyed the morning very much. It was special to start off at the first light and experience the daybreak. Most birds were spotted during these magic early hours when it was still quite fresh. The originators of this event, are planning to organize a spring and autumn bird count every year. Anyone who wants to receive information on the next bird census or censo de aves in the Alpujarra, can contact the Alquería de Morayma. We will announce the next spring bird count on this blog as soon as we know the date.
More photographs and an enthusiastic account of this unforgettable morning can be found on ´La Otra Mirada´ a weblog of Colin Bertholet, one of the participants.


Related links:
- Our bird watching check list for the Alpujarras - Sierra Nevada.
- Organized tours with BirdwatchAlpujarras.

related keywords: eventos, evenementen, evénements, veranstaltungen, birds, aves, vogels, oiseaux, Vögel

Bonelli´s eagle in the valley of the Río Grande de Bérchules

Yesterday guests told us enthusiastically that they had spotted a pair of Bonelli´s eagles, halfway from Bérchules towards the Junta de los Ríos. As keen bird watchers they knew that this was quite an unique experience as only a thousand odd pairs of this ´Hieraaetus fasciatus´ survive in Europe. The article about the Bonelli´s eagle on Wikipedia explains that it is a large bird of prey. Its population is declining throughout Europe. The strongest populations are in Extremadura, Andalucia, Valencia and Castilla La Mancha, though the bird appears to be in decline everywhere. This bird is classified as ´endangerd´ in the ´Libro Rojo de las Aves de España´ published by SEO/BirdLife. A survey by the Junta de Andalucía in 2005 puts the number of Bonelli's eagle at 650 throughout Andalusia, between 52 and 56 pairs in the Granada province as we can read in the article ´Aguilas perdiceras en el sur de España´ on Waste Magazine. As far as we know, the river valley of the Río Grande de Bérchules is not described as a site in any bird watching book, but is nevertheless interesting. Another bird that was seen on the Junta de los Rios route last week, was a pair of red kites. It was the first time that we heard of an observation of this Milvus Milvus, and we therfore added this red kite to a our bird watching Sierra Nevada check list. Like the Bonelli´s eagle, the red kite is also on the list of 39 ´endangerd´ epecies in the ´Libro Rojo de las Aves de España´.
In general, the Alpujarras offer ornithologists considerable opportunities for exploration of interesting habitats. Three sites in the Alpujarras are described in the ornitholgocial publication ´Where to Watch birds in Southern and Western Spain´ by Ernest García and Andres Paterson: cortijo Dar al Habibi and parque forestal de Soportújar, Capileira to Sierra Nevada and the valley of Trevélez river. On the list of resident Alpujarran birds in this book, figures the Bonelli´s Eagle. We had heard about people seeing the Bonelli´s eagle a number of times, once above ´El Paraje´, but this was the first time a pair was spotted. It could therefor very well be that there´s a nesting place in the river valley of Bérchules, one of the very few in Europe.
Read our bird watching checklist for the Alpujarras - Sierra Nevada here.

Bird watching Sierra Nevada check list

Although autumn is coming to its end, it is still an interesting season for bird watching. Around ´El Paraje´ green woodpeckers, serins, tits and robins are around, but also a good number of jays, magpies and spotless starlings for example. Golden eagles overfly with some frequency, as well as the short-toed and bonelli´s eagles. Common buzzards, common kestres, peregrine falcons, eagle and little owls can be seen as well, just to name a few. For those people interested in ornithology, we have made a checklist with the birds of the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarras region. The latin names are in alphabetical order and behind these the Spanish, English and Dutch names are given. We have also given more information on whether they are residents or live here part of the year, whether they breed here and in what sort of biotopes they have their home etc. This is as far as we have found this information in different books and articles on the subject. We will continue to improve this list when we obtain the necesarry data to do this, so comments are very welcome. We hope that this list proves to be useful for those people interested in keeping track of their bird observations during their stay in the area. ...

Related links:
- Organized tours with BirdwatchAlpujarras.

related keywords: birds, aves, vogels, oiseaux, Vögel, check list, controle lijst, liste de vérification, checkliste