Ornithology / Bird watching

Almost one-fifth of Andalucia's total area enjoys a protected status and with the variety of habitats, everything from wetlands to desert, makes it an interesting place for bird-watching. Bird-watching in Andalucia is a popular hobby for both visitors and residents. Many migrating birds return much earlier after winter because of the moderate Mediterranean climate. Migration can be followed throughout the year, with peak numbers present in spring and autumn. The Tarifa area is a prime location to view all migratory birds. It is said that the number of birds in transit in that area is higher than the number passing the Bosporus in Greece, and the fact that the famous Coto Doñana is one of the most important wetlands in Europe makes it even more worth a visit.
The province of Almeria have on average very few rainfalls a year, which is reflected in its landscapes, where the steppes, known as "ramblas" (ravines of sand), the soft ranges and the coastal atmospheres, all share an extreme dryness.
A nicebird watching tour starts around the locality of Roquetas de Mar, placed to the south of Almeria town. From Roquetas runs a road towards the South for the "Faro de la Punta del Sabinal" where you get the urbanizations to the left hand side. You should then take this road until reaching an area of greenhouses to the right with the saltpans on the opposite side of the road. This is where you can leave the car and take the sandy track which leads to the beach.
From this point onwards driving is prohibited (although most of people don't respect the sign). Here we will start our walk between the saltpans, where it is easy to see Audouin's Gull, Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt and more species of waders depending on the time of your visit.
At the end of the track you will reach the coastal strip, where Phoenician Junipers (juniperus phoenicea) are abundant and is a suitable place to see Dartford, Sardinian and Spectacled Warbler, Zitting Cisticola and even Stone Curlew and Little Bustard in the more cleared fields. It is commended to walk all the way to the beach where you will increase your viewings with Sanderling, Sandwich Tern, Balearic Shearwater, Northern Gannet and Cory's Shearwater.

List bird watching sites

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