LOOKING FOR THE IBERIAN LYNX AND DISCOVERING A RICH LOCAL WILDLIFE

With 74,774 ha the sierra de Andújar N. P is part of the vast Sierra Morena mountain range and is located on the Jaen’s northern border. It is densely wooded and boasts one of Andalucia's best preserved expanses of Mediterranean forest and scrubland. Cork and holm oak woodland called "dehesa" mixed with pastureland is the typical landscape of Sierra Morena, which is used for its cork, as well as grazing pigs and sheeps. This area is home to many endangered species including the Iberian lynx, Wolf, Black vulture and Spanish imperial eagle. In our tour across this land we will focus our attention on searching the shy and elusive Iberian linx and of course enjoy seeing many others mammals and birds living in this amazing Park.

This is also a great place to enjoy along with the local territorial Spanish Imperial Eagles and other raptors like Golden eagles and Black vulture.

Other species we might to see are Kingfisher, Yellow wagtail, Green wodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker, Short-toed treecreeper, Great cormorant, Grey heron, or Green sandpiper, as well as Spanish terrapin and Otter.

The landscape in this area is the Mediterranean woodland. The forest areas are populated by Umbrella pines, holm oaks, cork trees, rockroses and kermes oaks. On the steep, north facing hillsides there are native plants such as the strawberry tree, myrtle and rosemary.

The river Jandula preserves its river bank vegetation: Willows, Hackberries, Oleanders, Narrow-leaf ashes, Poplars, Holm oaks, Portuguese oaks...

And get ready to enjoy with the local gastronomy!

If you are interested in the Iberian Linx please visit our website

The Cranes and Extremadura (Spain)

Extremadura is the main wintering area for European Common Cranes that follow the westerly migration route. Some 80,000 individuals choose our region to spend the winter, making up 30-40% of the Western European population, and more than half of the Spanish population, or, slightly more than 150,000 individuals.

An abundant food supply, numerous wetlands to provide shelter, and mild winter temperatures all combine to make Extremadura an ideal winter habitat for these birds.

Taking the foraging, feeding and roosting areas as a whole, it is estimated that the surface area occupied by this species is around 1,835,000 ha, which represents 44% of the region's surface area. It is therefore, a species which can be easily spotted over a large part of Extremadura's territory.

Watching the cranes’ daily movements, from feeding areas to nocturnal gathering sites, is an incredible experience for those seeing it for the first time. In flight they move in groups adopting a characteristic "V" formation while emitting their characteristic loud trumpeting call. It is that it is one of the most thrilling spectacles in the world of ornithology.

The Festival de las Grullas in Extremadura (Extremadura Crane Festival) December 1st, was created with the aim of promoting Extremadura's exceptional natural resources and its unique position in the European continent, while at the same time conserving this species, as well as educating people about these majestic birds. Culture, tradition, nature, environment, and tourism go hand in hand and create an entire program of activities, which offer something for all ages. During this event more than 2000 birder have been in Navalvillar de Pela (Badajoz) watching the Cranes arriving. 

Wild Andalucia, birder paradise.

Trekking y Aventura, with more than 30 years of experience promoting tourism, is now able to offer you a wide variety of trips based in outdoors activities.

We can offer you a network of bird and wildlife guides covering the whole of the most southerly province in Spain - Andalucia. We  hope to offer you an opportunity to plan an itinerary with options to incorporate professional guiding wherever you might wish to visit in the area. Combining some of the most popular day tours available to birdwatchers seeking the best hot spots for birding in Andalucia. From the western Odiel Marshes through the Doñana and across to the Strait of Gibraltar, ascending the high limestone peaks in Malaga Province to the highest point in Spain in the Sierra Nevada, to Lammergeier country in Jaen to the Deserts of Almería, see what’s on offer!

You have the choices of so many great areas for wildlife in Andalucia, now you have the ability to contact a single organization for local guiding and unsurpassed local knowledge. We can help you plan your nature holiday or simply respond to a request for a day tour. Please contact us and we will be delighted to assist in anyway possible.