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Almería
Thursday 7 - Wednesday 13 April 2005
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© Mick Scarrott/Nature Portfolio  Trumpeter Finch |
Sun-drenched Almería, in the relatively unknown corner of south-eastern Spain, offers the travelling naturalist a unique experience. Join us to discover a wealth of wildlife in Western Europe's only true desert habitats, bird-rich coastal wetlands, extensive sand-dune systems and the fabulously eroded badlands in the hills behind the sea.
From our base at a spa-hotel (balneario) set in a palm-filled oasis in the Sierra Alhamilla, we will explore the wide range of ecosystems in the surrounding area, including the salinas, coastal lagoons, sand-dunes and volcanic cliffs of Cabo de Gata, the gullies and steppes of the Desierto de Tabernas, the karstified gypsum habitats of Sorbas and the freshwater haven of La Cañada de Las Norias.
Migrant birds pour into the coastal wetlands in their droves in early April, coinciding with the 'blooming of the desert' - if the meagre spring rains have fulfilled their promise - when the normally arid steppes disappear under a carpet of pinks, blues and yellows, among which we should come across several species unique to the region. We can expect around 140 species of birds during the course of the trip, the highlight of which must be the Trumpeter Finch, in one of its European strongholds, with other specialities of the area including a population of the notoriously elusive Dupont's Lark, a flourishing colony of White-headed Duck, and Bonelli's Eagle one of the most commonplace raptors. Further interest is added by encounters with reptiles such as Spiny-footed Lizard, Large Psammodromus, Bedriaga's Skink and Spanish Terrapin, with butterflies on the wing at this time of year including Swallowtail, Green-striped White, Common Tiger Blue, Spanish Marbled White and Spanish Gatekeeper. Itinerary Days 1 - 6 We shall be flying into Málaga, and will drive east along the Mediterranean coast to Almería, pausing en route at the flooded clay-pits of La Cañada de Las Norias. This SEO/BirdLife reserve is renowned for its breeding White-headed Duck - for which this is one of the principal localities in Europe - and Marbled Teal, although these latter are much more elusive. Passage periods attract a huge diversity of herons, waterfowl, waders and passerines, and almost anything might turn up during our visit, making for an excellent start to the week. We will then spend several days exploring the inimitable combination of habitats in the parque natural of Cabo de Gata-Níjar, one of south-east Spain's best-kept secrets. Small coastal lagoons attract a wide range of waders on passage, notably Collared Pratincole, as well as Garganey, Audouin's and Mediterranean Gulls and Gull-billed Tern, while the working salt-pans (a Ramsar site) harbour Greater Flamingo all year round, plus nesting Avocet, Kentish Plover and Little Tern. The well-preserved sand-dune system which encompasses these wetlands is a riot of colour in mid-April - mainly the yellows of Sea Medick, Yellow Sea Aster and Andryala ragusina, interspersed with lilac-flowered sea-lavenders and the pink trumpets of Mallow-leaved Bindweed - also housing such bizarre species as the parasitic Cynomorium. The more vegetated tertiary dunes here host Thekla Larks galore, Black-eared Wheatear, Dartford, Sardinian and Spectacled Warblers and Woodchat and Southern Grey Shrikes, as well as Ocellated Lizard and Iberian Hare. Cabo de Gata's volcanic sea-cliffs are populated by fragments of the original climax vegetation - a unique scrub of Maytenus senegalensis, Ziziphus lotus, Periploca laevigata and Dwarf Fan Palm - as well as harbouring local endemics such as the germander Teucrium charidemi and the snapdragon Antirrhinum charidemi. Here too is a small population of Trumpeter Finch, plus cliff-breeding Peregrine, Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush. Inland, the seemingly barren stony steppe of Las Amoladeras (another SEO/BirdLife reserve) harbours Barbary Nut and Dipcadi, and is also the best place in the area to track down Dupont's Lark, Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Little Bustard. The only permanent watercourse in the area behind Cabo de Gata is the Río Aguas, secreted in the heart of Spain's largest expanse of karstified gypsum at Yesos de Sorbas. Again we shall enjoy a rich and colourful flora as we wander along the banks of the river, keeping our eyes peeled for Spanish Terrapin and Iberian Water Frog, as well as 'rare' birds such as Nightingale and Cetti's Warbler. Another high point of our trip to Almería is the Desierto de Tabernas, where rainfall is less than 200mm per year: true desert conditions, more typical of northern Africa than Europe. The whole area is riddled with water-eroded gullies known as ramblas, however, where a hint of moisture attracts all manner of creatures and once again provides a niche for a specialised flora, including the endemic crucifer Euzomodendron bourgaeanum. As we explore one of these gullies, we shall be looking out for cliff-breeders such as Rock Dove, Black Wheatear, Rock Sparrow and, again, Trumpeter Finch, while also examining the tamarisk and oleander scrub for migrating passerines, including Orphean and Subalpine Warblers. Black-bellied Sandgrouse are also a possibility here, with Bonelli's Eagle, Bee-eater, Pallid Swift and Red-rumped Swallow likely overhead. Returning to the coast, we shall also pay a visit to the salinas and coastal lagoons of yet another protected area - Punta Entinas-Sabinar - where the vast range of breeding and migratory birds we can expect to see is similar to that of the Cabo de Gata wetlands. The stony steppe atop an old raised beach just inland is a prime breeding site for Stone Curlew, hosting more than 100 pairs, where we should also turn up Lesser Short-toed and Short-toed Larks, plus Mirror Ophrys and Wild Gladiolus. Day 7: We drive back to Málaga for our return flight to London. Accommodation: is in the restored and refurbished Balneario de Sierra Alhamilla, where the hot water leaves the taps at 'earth temperature'! The comfortable, well-furnished rooms are all en suite, and the regional cuisine is much appreciated; wine is included with the evening meal. |
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Leaders : Mike Lockwood and Teresa Farino Numbers : Max. 14 clients Price: £ 945 Single supp.: £ 95 Deposit: £ 200 per person The price per person includes return flights London - Málaga, airport taxes, 7 nights' accommodation, all meals in Spain, minibus transport and the services of the leaders. The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips to guides, drinks, and other personal expenses. |
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