Birdwatchin in Jaén

Birdwatching in Jaén

COLECCIÓN TEMÁTICA

Edition Diputación Provincial de Jaén Direction, writing and design Iberus Birding & Nature Illustrations Diego Ortega Alonso Pictures José Jiménez Garrido, Javier Milla, José Rico Teba, Francisco J. Martín Barranco, Francisco J. Pulpillo Ramírez, Pedro A. Jódar de La Casa y José Antonio Mancera García.

Text Francisco J. Martín Barranco y José Antonio Mancera García Legal deposit First edition, december 2013

www.jaenparaisointerior.es

B

irdwatching in Jaén

and

N

ature

Common Rock Thrush

Sierra de Andujar July 10th

Aldeaquemada

Magina Peak Despeñaperros August 13th... El Centenillo Santa Elena

Siles Puente Génave Puerta Benatae Venta de de Segura 2 los Santos 32 Aldeahermosa Chiclana N- Arroyo Orcera del Ojanco de Segura Beas de Cortijos Santisteban Castellar Segura nuevos del Puerto Sorihuela

A4

Montizón

La Carolina

Torredonjimeno

Santiago de Calatrava

Martos

-322 Sabiote N Torreperogil

N-3 22 Est. Linares-Baeza Canena Rus Ibros Jabalquinto

Alcaudete

A-44

Here are some pictograms you can find in the signaling of natural areas.

Jódar

Cabra del Santo Cristo

Cambil

Huelma

Cazorla Quesada

Camping

Recreation Mountain Shelter area

Hotel

Trail

Huesa

Food service

Pozo Alcón

Arbuniel

Viewpoint Panoramic Fountain view

Reservoir Interesting flora

Forbidden Forbidden Don’t collect Don’t trap Don’t collect Forbidden to make fire to camp animals minerals to vehicles plants 40 1

Campillo de Arenas Noalejo

Hostel

A2 –> A-9 km 40

Alcalá La Real

Santiago de la Espada

Arroyo Frío Peal de Becerro

a nad Gra m –> 50 k A-44

422

N-

Valdepeñas de Jaén Castillo de Locubín

Pontones

Villacarrillo

Santo Tomé

Úbeda

Jimena Aldeaquemada... walking from the rural Bédmar Mancha home and there’re the Imperial Eagles Jaén Real La Cimbarra - December 25th

Los Villares

Ecological olive grove!! so good...

Linares

A-31 6

Fuerte del Rey

Porcuna

Vva. del Arzobispo

Navas de Arquillos San Juan

44 A-

Eu Lo rp. R nd da ra foun stock po e w far oller live ack m ... ay b tork in a y 10th (P jus W Jul kS orc t ar Blac ndado un riv o a) ed El C - M from ay Af 1 st rica ?

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Baños de la Encina August 4th

A-4 5 Córd0 km oba

Vilches

Again in Cazorla...

Andújar Vva. de la Reina looking for Lammergeier...

Arjonilla La Higuera Begíjar Cazalilla long Lopera Mengíbar weekend! - December Baeza 6th...

Arjona A-4

Marmolejo

A31 6

Valdeutiel - Santiago de Calatrava March 9th

Black-bellied Sandgrouse in the shores of Guadalen Reservoir - July 7th

llas s Vi e La ation? r ra d Sier l mig re in tnuptia s ultu n V th...po 9 ptia Egy tember Sep

Male Great Bustard in lek!!

Bailén

–>

First sighting of year Almenara - Jaen February 21 st

Baños de la Encina

A4

Lesser Kestrel

Legend of te maps

Villarrodrigo Génave

Las Juntas

A-4

Cinereous Vulture

Adult bird defending its territory Sierra Sur - February 28th

N-322

Madrid 250 km –>

Bonelli’s Eagle

422

N-

◀------▶ 10 km

Pick up your waste

Remain silent

Respect private property

Take the walkway

Accessible

RESPECT THE RULES

Common Rock Thrush Magina Peak August 13th...

llas s Vi e La ation? r ra d Sier l mig re in tnuptia s ultu n V th...po 9 ptia Egy tember Sep

Again in Cazorla... looking for Lammergeier... long weekend! - December 6th...

Aldeaquemada... walking from the rural home and there’re the Imperial Eagles La Cimbarra - December 25th

LOCATION The Jaén province is located in the South of Spain at the Southeast end of the European continent and is the most North-Eastern of the eight provinces of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. This strategic location and its peculiar orography, set in the Castilian plateau, and separated from it by the Sierra Morena, the gentle Valley of the Guadalquivir River and the steep Sierras Béticas, now form a reservoir of biodiversity, landscapes and towns, that are very worth enjoying.

ACCESS Very good communications connect the province with the rest of the world, merely 2-3 hours from the airports of Madrid, Málaga and Seville, and connected with them by the A-4 and A-44 motorways that form the traffic backbone of the province from North to South and from East to West... In Jaén there is a profuse network of roads in good condition, the A-301 in the County area; the N-322 linking La Loma with Cazorla, Segura and las Villas, and the N-432 with Sierra Sur.

THE PROVINCE Jaén has the largest area of protected natural areas of Spain, with more than 300,000 hectares distributed in the nature reserve of the Sierra de Andujar, Despeñaperros, Sierra Magina and Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas; as well as the natural landscapes of the Cascada de la Cimbarra, reservoirs of the Alto Guadalquivir, Laguna Grande and Laguna Honda and the Chinche.

40% is included in the Natura 2000 network, which shows its natural values, but not all areas of ornithological interest are integrated into protected spaces, there are many other areas of the Sierras Béticas, agricultural countryside and grasslands of the Sierra Morena, which have

Laguna de Valdeazores (Cazorla)

not been included within this network, but given its natural values have been declared IBA (Important Bird Areas) by Birdlife International.

The variety of ecosystems and the huge extension of natural areas offer to the birdwatcher the chance to enjoy unique landscapes and unique species that can be seen in few places in the world geography, such as the world’s most endangered feline, the Iberian lynx, in Sierra Morena (Andujar and Guarrizas) survive more than 50% of the world population, and is the only place where it coexists with the great European predator, the Iberian wolf, in the southernmost population of Europe.

There is no places in the province where we can not enjoy birdwatching, being able to find jewels of the Mediterranean forest as the spanish imperial eagle, black vulture and black stork in Sierra Morena, we can find in the countryside very rare steppe-land birds

Cathedral of Jaén from old Jewish quarter

as rufous-tailed Scrub Robin , great bustard, Montagu’s Harrier and Lesser Kestrel and species of desertic places like Bonelli´s eagle, black Wheatear, Black-bellied Sandgrouse or European Roller in the mountains and valleys of the South, not forgetting the emblem of the avifauna of Jaén, the lammergeier recently reintroduced in the Mountains of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas.

The province 2 | 3

ÍNDEX The province 2 Natural values 5 Ornithological values 8 Protected Nature Areas 10 Areas of ornithological interest The Sierra de Andújar Natural Reserve and the Rumblar Basin Despeñaperros Natural Reserve and Cascada de la Cimbarra Condado pastures Guadalén and Giribaile reservoirs Cereal fields of Porcuna-Arjona Jaén countryside Alto Guadalquivir, La Loma and Laguna Grande Sierra Sur de Jaén The region of Sierra Mágina Natural Reserve Subdeserts and Guadiana Menor Natural Reserve of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas (I) Sierra de Las Villas (II) Sierra de Cazorla (III) Sierra de Segura Check-list of birds of Jaén Helpful information MAPS: the legend can be found in the general map at the end of the guide.

12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 42

NATURAL VALUES: FLORA AND ECOSYSTEMS The Jaén province is still a nature reserve within the European context. The existence of large mountain ranges of low and medium altitude, unchanged and with its climate variations, altitudinal and geological contrasts it allows the existence of a rich variety of species, both flora and fauna; landscapes with

Jándula river. Sierra de Andújar

low density populations, and clear skies for astronomical observation.

Jaen is located in the Mediterranean bioclimatic region, with altitudes ranging from 200 meters at the Guadalquivir River to the 2.167 meters of the Mágina peak. Altitudinal diversity introduced by the

oak woods and pastures, cork oak groves, damp oak woods, pine, thyme, elm, willow, alder, ash, grasslands, and the fields of olive groves, cereals, legumes, vineyards, almond trees, cherry trees, orchards,...

This high environmental Sierra Mágina peaks

geo-diversity factor adds to the area: siliceous mountains to the North, limestone to the South and clays and marls in the depression of the Guadalquivir.

These and other environmental factors directly determine the presence of ecosystems or others and therefore its biodiversity: from endorheic wetlands to crags in high mountains, passing through

El Chillar. Guadiana Menor

Viola cazorlensis

diversity is conducive to the presence of a large floral catalogue, around 2.665 different species having been quoted, with species endemic and unique in the world, such as the Viola cazorlensis, Lithodora nitida or Coincya longirrostra, amongst others.

Natural values 4 | 5

NATURAL VALUES: The Fauna of JaĂŠn is the richest in Western Europe, and are a bridge between Europe and Africa. Reserve of large vertebrates, here in the Sierra Morena is the best preserved population of the most endangered cat in the world, the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus). This is also the location of the only stable population of Iberian wolf in the South of the Iberian Peninsula thanks to good densities of wild ungulates that exist here: Iberian red deer, roe deer, Iberian ibex, wild boar, Mouflon and fallow deer. In terms of Mediterranean climate the carnivore species that are present are: Palaearctic Otter, European Polecat, Badger, Common Genet, Beech Marten, Weasel, Mongoose, etc.

A total of 70 species of mammals have been cited, including small mammals, some threatened such as Cabrera’s vole (Microtus cabrerae) and bats, not to mention the vital importance of the monte rabbit, sort key of Mediterranean ecosystems.

Pictures: up-down, left-right. Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus), Iberian Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), Iberian Ibex (Capra pyrenaica), Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris baeticus), Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Palaearctic Otter (Lutra lutra) and Wild Cat (Felix silvestris).

FAUNA

Pictures: up-down, left-right.

Betic Midwife Toad (Alytes dickhilleni), Mediterranean Tree Frog (Hyla meridionalis), Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus), European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis), Iberus Gualtierianus, Tyria jacobaeae y Argynnis adippe.

Regarding the herpetofauna we find one of the richest in the Peninsula, having a strong representation with 23 species of reptiles and 16 of amphibians, some of them endemic Iberian such as the Betic midwife toad (Alytes dickhilleni) or the Spanish Algyroides (Algyroides marchi).

We mustn’t overlook the invertebrates, no doubt this little known, and most numerous group being very remarkable in abundance and variety, among which are butterflies and dragonflies, including the very threatened species in Andalusia: Oxygastra curtisii, Gomphus graslinii and Macromia splendens between the dragonflies and the rare Graellsia isabellae among butterflies. Also is noteworthy the order of molluscs with a high diversity of endemic species, such as the genus Iberus, and the threatened rare land snails Iberus gualtieranus, gualtierianus I.g. angustatus, I.g. intermedius, etc.

Natural values 6 | 7

ORNITHOLOGICAL VALUES Given the variety of environments, landscapes and habitats of the province, there is a very high specific diversity comparable to any established destination in birdwatching, with rare and endangered species such as the bearded vulture, recently reintroduced in the Sierras of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, or the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian endemism at Jaén has more than 30 couples, one of the highest densities in the world, or the globally threatened black stork species, with 10 couples, all of them in the Sierra Morena.

The province is one of the few places in Europe where you can find up to 5 species of vultures: bearded vulture from the plan of reintroduction; Egyptian vulture with 6 couples, Cinereous Vulture with 60 couples, Griffon Vulture 500 couples and even sporadic sightings of Rüppell’s Vulture.

Within the Group of birds of prey, should equally highlighted the Bonelli’s Eagle with 40 couples or the Peregrine Falcon with more than 60, mainly in the Sierras Béticas.

Also remarkable is the group of steppe birds with the presence of the great bustard, common bustard, black-bellied sand grouse, Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, European ratchet, spectacled Warbler or Black Wheatear among other species.

In the limited wetlands can be found unusual species such as the White-headed Duck, the Purple Swamphen, Red-knobbed Coot or the Squacco Heron.

Not only the big birds call the attention of the ornithologist, and is why it is necessary to highlight the presence of passerine birds typical of scrub, meadows and mediterranean crops, such as the Dartford Warbler, Orphean Garden Warbler, Azure-winged Magpie, rufous bush chat or Iberian Chiffchaff; and other birds more typical of northern environments as are the Citril, European Nightjar, and Common Rock Thrush, linked to mountain areas; and even typical African species that have recently colonized the Iberian peninsula as has the black-winged kite or the Whiterumped swift, emphasising the important role played by the Southern part of the peninsula where not only converge European and African species, but is also a must for migratory birds which, due to the high number of species and ecosystems, gives rise to hot spotfor global biodiversity.

Pictures. Previus pag. up-down: Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cookii), Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus).

This pag. Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), Egyptian Vulture(Neophron percnopterus) and Black Stork (Ciconia nigra).

Ornitological values 8 | 9

PROTECTED NATURE AREAS OF JAÉN Jaén is the Spanish province with largest spread of protected areas, to which should be added the extension of the Natura 2000 network and the IBA (Important Bird Areas). This gives us an idea of its international importance as a destination for Wildlife and nature observation.

The nature reserve of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas is the largest in Spain with 209.920 hectares, occupying all the East of the province, consisting of a limestone massif where the more important rivers in the southern peninsular are born: the Guadalquivir and the Segura.

Also, in the limestone Sierras Béticas to the South of the province, is the Sierra Mágina Nature Reserve, a Massif that rises between olive groves and offers a magical view from anywhere in the province.

In the Sierra Morena is the Sierra de Andujar nature reserve with nearly 75,000 acres, and without any nucleus of population in its interior. Formed by Granite crags and typical rangeland and Andalusian mountains, is home to the emblematic Mediterranean marquis and the Iberian lynx.

Finally the smallest area, with more than 8,000 hectares and also located in the Sierra

Morena, is the Despeñaperros Nature Reserve, within its boundaries alternate typical landscapes of these mountains, and steep cuts by rivers, allow the existence of rock fauna and flora. Nearby you will find the Natural Paraje Cascada de la Cimbarra with its spectacular waterfalls and a good representation of the Mediterranean forest.

Other nature areas in the countryside are the Alto Guadalquivir and the Laguna Grande, formed by semi-natural wetlands that allow a greater biodiversity that is associated with the protected areas of the Laguna Honda and the Chinche reserves of Jaén.

Finally note the existence of other figures of protection such as the Perirubanos reserves or the natural monuments that represent unique geological or paleontological formations of woods and monumental trees.

The “IBA’s” - Important Bird Areas - are spaces designated of ornithological importance by SEO-Birdlife. Much of which in Jaén coincides with protected areas or the Natura Network, however others areas are excluded despite their high ecological value such as the IBAs Sierras to the South of Jaén and the Jaén countryside. Evidence of the ornithological diversity and the need for its

Sierra de AndĂşjar Natural Reserve

management is present in the province.

The following highlights the most important areas for the observation of birds and nature in general; 13 areas that allow tourists and motorcyclists the enjoyment of all and each of the environments in the southern peninsular and the birds that live in them.

Within its description you will find a series of tips to get the most out your visit: brief description of the area, unique features, target or important species as well as a description of the areas or routes where there have been the most successful sightings.

Protected areas 10 | 11

Azure-winged Magpie

THE SIERRA DE ANDÚJAR NATURE RESERVE & THE RUMBLAR RIVER BASIN

In Jaén the Nature reserve of Sierra de Andújar and the basin of the Rumblar river have the maximum representation of Mediterranean shrub lands and therefore of birds and fauna associated with this habitat, and which are preserved until today thanks to the existence of large hunting estates.

This is the stronghold of the threatened Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus); these ranges are one of the few places in the world where the probability of sighting it is relatively high.

We can find typical meadows with the mosaic of scrub and grasses, as well as

riparian forests in the streams and rivers that descend from the gentle slopes of these mountains of granite and slate.

Except for the brown bear, all species of carnivorous mammals, including the Iberian wolf, inhabit these mountains and are in serious danger of extinction in Andalusia.

Target species:

Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Cinereous Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Black Stork, Azure-winged Magpie, Little Owl, Dartford Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, White-rumped Swift, Common Kingfisher, Great Spotted Cuckoo.

Access to the area can be made from Andújar, on the road from the Centenillo or from Baños de la Encina. In the case of starting a tour from this point, it is required to stop at the castle of Burgalimar, an ancient fortress that presides over the town and which has a large colony of the Lesser Kestrel. The dam of the Rumblar greets the traveler with its craggy shores where it is possible to spot the Black Stork, and later on the dam enters into the ridged pastures that are the preferential hunting habitat of the large population of birds of prey of the Sierra Morena, including the Golden and Spanish Imperial Eagle.

In the heart of this valley are the granite crags where, thanks to its sandy soils and the existence of Mediterranean scrub, the rabbit can thrive. It is possible to find at

Birdwatchers and photographers in the Reserve

any time the Iberian Lynx. The dams of the Encinarejo and La Lancha are very sought after places. It is not uncommon to observe mammals such as otters or foxes in these places. Considering the trusted nature of some specimens, it’s always recommended to drive with great caution, to avoid abuses and the scaring or pursuing of animals.

Throughout the area, it is possible to spot deer, wild boar and species introduced in the hunting grounds such as fallow deer and Mouflon, which provide the possible sighting of their rutting in early autumn.

Livestock and hunting support a large population of the Cinereous Vulture and Griffon Vulture which carry out a relentless elimination of carrion.

Cerro del Cabezo crowning Jándula Valley Sierra de Andújar 12 | 13

White-rumped Swift

DESPEÑAPERROS NATURAL RESERVE AND CASCADA DE LA CIMBARRA

The Despeñaperros and the Cascada de la Cimbarra Nature Reserves and their surroundings certainly differ from the hillocks and gentle landscapes of the rest of the Sierra Morena. Escarpments and quartzite cuts represent the typical landscape of the natural entrance to Andalusia.

There are few rocky gorges in the whole of the Sierra Morena, so this offers a special uniqueness in terms of variety of fauna and flora with rupicolous species, some of which are very threatened. Forest of Pyrenean oak, Portuguese oak, whitebeam and

cork oaks witness the highest humidity in the area and offer an interesting habitat with species typical of Northern environments.

Highlighting the rich herpetofauna present in this area with the salamanders, Iberian

Target species:

Los Órganos de Despeñaperros Natural Monument

Spanish Imperial Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Griffon vulture, Black Stork, Stock Dove, Iberian Chiffchaff, European Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart, White-rumped Swift, Alpine Swift.

Newt, Southern Marbled New, Mediter-

ranean Tree Frog , etc.

DespeĂąaperros, by its condition as the natural road entrance to Andalusia, is one of the better connected regions of the province. You can access this protected area from the AutovĂ­a A4. From here you can plan walking routes through the abundant trails for public use of the Reserve. It is highly recommended to visit the oak groves of the Valdeazores ravine or the Umbria de Malabrigo with its very threatened species like the Centaurea citricolor, Sideritis lacaitae, or Marian Digitalis as well as a stop at the lookout-points of Los Organos, where you can see a large colony of Griffon vultures and other very rare rupicolous birds in detail, such as the

Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti)

Paraje Natural Cascada de la Cimbarra

White-rumped Swift, all within the municipality of Santa Elena.

The village of Aldeaquemada opens the door to the spectacular Cascada de la Cimbarra, a tectonic fault that crosses the river Guarrizas, offers a unique landscape within the Sierra Morena. Predominant vegetation of dense oak groves are only interrupted by the vegetation of riverside trees like the alder and ash, used by the endangered Spanish Imperial Eagle for their nesting.

These gorges are also the witness of the remote civilizations that inhabited these places and have left their mark with dozens of Neolithic paintings declared as heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

DespeĂąaperros 14 | 15

EL CONDADO PASTURES Hoopoe

It is without a doubt that the Sierra Morena is greatly unknown, the last foothills of the Sierra de Segura, and other than the Natura 2000 network it is without legal protection even though it is as interesting and has the same values as any other natural area. Meadows, forest and Mediterranean scrub, cork and pine trees form this landscape of the bulls of lidia, livestock and hunting of vertebrates in the valleys of the river Guarrizas, Guadalen, DaĂąador and Guadalmena.

The Valley of the river Guarrizas, due to the good state of conservation of the habitat and the high density of rabbit, was the setting for the reintroduction of the

Iberian Lynx, and which also allows the sustenance of a large number of birds of prey, notably one of the highest densities of Spanish Imperial Eagle in the world.

The tradition of livestock in the area have resulted in many public roads and cattle trails

Target species:

Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)

Black Stork, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Cinereus Vulture, Black-winged Kite, Spanish Sparrow, Black Wheatear, Red-billed Chough, Tekla Lark, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Black-bellied Sandgrouse.

that provide access to the area, however, few roads are paved and therefore require suitable vehicles or guide services.

Especially interesting is the cattle route that crosses from South to North of the greater biologically rich rangelands from the town of Vilches to the Castellar de Santiago. From this principal route are branches that lead to other towns in the region: Arquillos, Navas de San Juan, Santisteban del Puerto and

El Condado key landscape

“Los Canjorrosâ€? of the GuadalĂŠn river. Unique limestone island in Sierra Morena

Castellar emerge from this main road. These roads offer us the possibility of sighting the endangered Spanish Imperial Eagle and even the little Black-winged Kite, the Thekla Lark, and the Azure-winged Magpie in the areas of pasture or the rare Black Stork on the banks of the rivers and ponds.

There are traces of mining in the area, where you can find birds such as the black wheatear or red-billed chough which use the abandoned buildings for their nesting.

To the East, in areas close to la Venta de los Santos, lies the Laguna de los Perales, where it is possible to find the presence of Eurasian Hobby or the Black-bellied Sandgrouse as well as enjoy the fragile biodiversity associated with these seasonal wetlands.

El Condado Pastures 16 | 17

Spanish Sparrow

GUADALEN AND GIRIBAILE RESERVOIRS

These artificially created man-made ecosystems have become havens of biodiversity in the province of JaĂŠn; but not only for harbouring species typical of wetlands, that are rare in the whole of the province, surprisingly also welcomes species linked to steppe environments in typical Mediterranean dry seasons.

At the foot of the Sierra Morena and surrounded by olive groves, pastures and holm oak, the mosaic of environments offer the opportunity to observe a great number of species: breeding colonies of herons and great cormorant; wintering aquatic birds of prey; steppe birds, and

species of Mediterranean crop environments, allow you to enjoy successful days of bird watching all year round.

Target species:

Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, Great Cormorant, Black Stork, White Stork, Little Bustard, Northern Harrier, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Black-winged Kite.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

The Guadalen reservoir, located between the towns of Vilches and Arquillos, boasts a wide variety of environments. Outstanding is the presence of one of the few mixed breeding colonies of herons (Grey Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret and Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret) and Great Cormorant in Andalusia. It is possible in this reservoir to see species typical of wetlands: waterfowl, waders, gulls, stork, heron, marsh harrier, osprey, black kite and for very many years the Egyptian Goose has reproduced in a natural way.

The reservoir of the Giribaile, guarded by the ruins of the Iberian Castle which gives the name to the dam that holds back the river Guadalimar, is located halfway between the county region and La Loma. It is distinguished by hosting the largest colony

Group of birdwatchers

of cormorants in Andalusia and one of the largest winter concentrations of seagulls.

When, in both reservoirs, the water level is low can be found the highest concentrations of threatened steppe birds such as the Black-bellied Sandgrouse and other birds typical of these environments: Little Bustard, Black-winged Kite, Northern Harrier, European Golden Plover, etc. Likewise on steep slopes, there are populations of Northern Raven and Eurasian Eagle-Owl.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) GuadalĂŠn and Giribaile reservoirs 18 | 19

Montagu’s Harrier

CEREAL FIELDS OF PORCUNA - ARJONA

Cereal crops in the province of Jaén are a landscape that is increasingly scarce, reduced to the minimum by the hasty expansion of the olive grove. However, there was a strong cereal tradition and this is attested to by the numerous cereal silos scattered around the province and the limited presence of steppe species linked to these media such as the Great Bustard, the Little Bustard, Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, etc.

The best populations of these birds and the unique area of Jaén where you can even find the Great Bustard, is the area west of the province, connected with Cordoba, in

the vicinity of Porcuna, Arjona, Santiago and Higuera de Calatrava, an oasis of cereal in a sea of olive trees.

Predominantly an agricultural area, some private estates and just patches of natural

Target species:

Little Bustards (Tetrax tetrax) flying

Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Montagu’s Harrier, Northern Harrier, Red Kite, Lesser Kestrel, Merlin, Black-winged Kite, European Roller, Calandra Lark, Greater Shorttoed Lark, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin.

vegetation, acquires a substantial importance in the conservation of steppe birds.

Today the area boasts some areas of cereal crops dotted among olive groves, where reside a tiny population of 50-60 examples of Great Bustard, and is connected with the nearby countryside village of Baena (Córdoba) and allows the survival of the bird population. It is also the largest wintering population of Little Bustard in the province of Jaén and the best in reproduction.

The environment of the hamlet of Lendinez has one of the largest colonies of Montagu’s Harrier in Andalusia, with spectacular concentrations in the communal roosts, as well as a large population of the Lesser Kestrel present in the historical centres of Porcuna and Arjona, and well

Valdeutiel. Porcuna

European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

distributed in many abandoned farmhouses, where you can find also nesting the colourful European Roller, Barn Owl and Little Owl. It is also possible to find the only stable wintering population of Red Kite in the province and visit some projects to help the conservation of birds like the Lesser Kestrel, Common Swift, Barn Owl, taken in the towns historic buildings.

Porcuna - Arjona 20 | 21

Stone-curlew

JAÉN COUNTRYSIDE In the countryside more immediately to the North of the capital of Jaén is an imaginary rhombus between the towns of Fuerte del Rey, Mengíbar, Torrequebradilla and its own capital. Here is a cereal area which has been preserved until today and allows the existence of steppe species, the Black-bellied Sandgrouse, the Little Bustar and the Lesser Kestrel being the most interesting for bird enthusiasts.

It’s also the juvenile dispersal and feeding ground of Bonelli’s Eagle, as well as an area of abundance of other raptors due to the high densities of rabbit that exist

throughout the area.

The banks of the Guadalbullon River and small forests forming in its meanderings offer a note of colour and diversity where

Target species:

Countryside landscape

Lesser Kestrel, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Little Bustard, Montagu’s Harrier, Northern Harrier, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Buzzar, Black Kite, European Roller, Eurasian Stonecurlew, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Bittern, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark.

can be found species linked to these environments.

The reduction of the availability of the cereal areas by the advance of the olive grove has caused the steppe species to be relegated to these more limited spaces, so they have become small reserves of biodiversity and often isolated among themselves.

Places even unknown to the Jaén locals, such as Villar de Cuevas, the Castillo de Fuente Tétar, and the villages of La Ventosilla and Almenara offer very interesting places for the observation of birds related to agricultural resources, the likes of the lesser Kestrel; a small colony of falcon nests in buildings, from the majestic Cathedral of Jaén to more humble farmhouse in process of abandonment, and

Montagu’s Harrier (Circus Pygargus)

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)

threatened by collapse. In the farmhouse de Almenara is the largest colony of the province of Jaén, with around 60 pairs of primillas that coexist with some of the European Roller, Barn Owl,... thanks to the refurbishment of a building for the nesting of birds through the “Casas de Vida” (Houses of Life) promoted project within the framework of the programme of environmental responsibility of companies based in the province.

Other species of interest include the rare Black-bellied Sandgrouse that uses the ample fallow land and crops, and also the Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin which, in its case, uses areas between olive groves, mature cereal areas.

Jaén countryside 22 | 23

Marsh Harrier

ALTO GUADALQUIVIR RIVER, LA LOMA AND LAGUNA GRANDE

If there is a characteristic image of JaĂŠn olive fields, it would be in the region of la Loma, cradle of the Renaissance and with Human Heritage cities such as Ubeda and Baeza. Rolling landscapes and ancient olive groves; the Guadalquivir River part the region leaves a trail of reservoirs filled by sediments, filled with vegetation and reedbeds, with great ornithological importance. In these makeshift wetlands you can sight rare waterfowl such as the Purple Swamphen, Water Rail, Marsh Harrier, Purple Heron and Squacco

Heron, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, etc., not forgetting the birds of the olive groves and the steppe birds re-

Target species:

Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Swamphen, Water Rail, Montagu’s Harrier, Northern Harrier, Western Marsh Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Black-winged Kite, Eurasian Stone-curlew, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Bluethroat, Eurasian Wryneck, Western Orphean Warbler, Red-necked Nightjar.

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)

siding within a whole repertoire of lands with the Laguna Grande de Baeza as the culmination.

The demarcation includes the Nature Reserve of the Alto Guadalquivir, composed by Pedro Marin’s reservoirs, Doña Aldonza, and Puente de la Cerrada, as well as that of the Laguna Grande that is dotted with small patches of cereal and extensive olive groves. This offers ornithologists a variety of environments and species, and birds linked to aquatic environments excel.

Pedro Marin’s reservoirs and Doña Aldonza the largest populations of Marsh Harrier, Purple Heron and Purple Swamphen within the province, without diminishing the role of other species of

Marsh vegetation in Pedro Marín reservoir

Purple Swamphem (Porphyrio porphyrio)

aquatic birds, thanks to the extension of reed beds and sediment beds.

The Laguna Grande on the other hand is one of the most comfortable places for bird watching, thanks to a public perimeter trail which allows you to enter all the environments. This place is spectacular with the roosts of herons, highlighting the threatened Squacco Heron breeding in the area. The lagoon also offers one of the best rest areas and migratory passage of birds, waders and passerines in general.

In the areas the surrounding the reservoirs settle numerous colonies of Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Little Bustard and pairs of Black-winged kite.

Alto Guadalquivir 24 | 25

SIERRA SUR DE JAÉN Eagle-Owl

Surprisingly this sierra is a largely unknown part of the province despite being the eternal companion of the capital. It is not included in any legal protection figure, not even the Natura 2000 network, although it is recognized internationally with Important Bird Area (IBA) precisely because of its natural values, especially those of birds.

It is a great limestone sierra expansion and hard terrain, typical Mediterranean vegetation with a marked altitudinal gradient.

From the warmer valleys up to the peak

of la Pandera at close to 2,000 metres, we can find all vegetation at bioclimatic levels, from thermal oak Juniper groves and mountain thickets where dwells the rock thrush or wheatear. But the star of the

Target species:

Sunset on the shady side of Ventisqueros

Bonelli’s Eagle, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian-eagle Owl, Red-billed Chough, Common Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Northern Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, Spectacled Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Dartford Warbler, White-headed Duck, Western Marsh Harrier .

visit, with a population of 12-14 couples is without doubt the Bonelli’s Eagle nesting birds and a significant number of juveniles.

The Sierra Sur de Jaén offers exceptional possibilities for observation of nature, not just birds, but endemic flora of the Sierras Béticas, orchids, dragonflies and even unique and endemic molluscs such as the genus Iberus.

To enjoy this environment just a stroll from the city of Jaen or the towns of Torredelcampo, Martos, Alcalá la Real, Alcaudete, Friars or Valdepeñas de Jaén, to countryside locations like the reservoir of the Quiebrajano or the Cañada de las Hazadillas, Sierra Grajales, Jabalcuz, Sierra Ahillos, Sierra de la Pandera, the river

Pitillos canyon.

Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata)

Viboras, the San Juan River or the Castillo de Santa Catalina in Jaén. These places offer outstanding views and the possibility of sightings of Peregrine Falcon, Bonelli’s Eagle and Golden Eagle.

Another way to get to know the region and get a different view is to take the Via Verde del Aceite (Greenway). An old railway that today becomes a great trail that passes through the foot of the sierra between olive groves, offering magnificent views up to two small nature reserves situated in the South-West of the province: the Laguna Honda and the Laguna de Chinche.

There we can note on our check-list a variety of species other than the usual mountain-dwellers, like the little White-headed Duck, pochards, or the marsh harrier.

Sierra Sur 26 | 27

Peregrine Falcon

THE REGION OF THE SIERRA MÁGINA NATURAL RESERVE

An island of mountains between olive groves and roof of the province is located in the South. An oasis of biodiversity with calcareous slopes, snowfields, mountain pastures, crags, juniper, Rocky, oak, and the largest oleander fields in Europe, serve as a backdrop for birds in general and flora, and endemic invertebrates in particular.

From the point of view floristic Sierra Mágina treasures endemic species in the Highlands of mountain, crags and smooth as they are sharp Lithodora nitida, Jurinea fontquerii or Vicia glauca giennensis.

These mountain habitats are also refuge of Iberian Ibex and the occasional presence of reptiles such as Lataste’s vipers. This nature park offers many possibilities for the enjoyment of nature and birds in particular. There are many trails that cross and transverse the longitudinal nature of the

Target species:

Iberian Ibex (Capra pyrenaica)

Common Rock Thrush, Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Northern Wheatear, Red-billed Chough, Ring Ouzel, Blue Rock Thrush, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Western Orphean Warbler, Subalpine Warbler.

park, passing through areas of great ecological value such as Mata Begid, el Caño del Aguadero, la Fuenmayor, El Aznaitín de Albanchez, the Gorgoriton, the Almadén, the mythical peak Peña de Jaén or the Mágina peak at 2.164 m. These altitudes retain snow much of the year and it is possible to contemplate more typical birds of Northern and mountainous environments such as the Common Rock Thrush, the ring ouzel and the fieldfare, but above all the number of plant species adapted to hard or extreme weather conditions, are important. On the other hand, the most humid areas have a singular community of amphibians: the obstetrician toad, the spur toad and salamanders.

It is a major limestone cut sierra, so the presence of rupicolous birds of prey is abundant. They share the territory at

Albanchez de Mágina

high altitudes with the Eagle and with the Bonelli’s Eagle in the low and humanized zones. They can add a touch of ornithological variety to your visit when they are in the areas of cereals and open high plains to the south of the reserve, environment of the Estación de Huelma, where it is possible to spot steppe species, as well as birds of prey in hunting flights.

Views of Mata Bejid. Climbing the pass of La Mata Sierra Mágina 28 | 29

Black Wheatear

SUBDESERTS AND GUADIANA MENOR

The existence of desert areas in the province of Jaén may be surprising to the visitor. But that’s the territory to the Southeast in the lower Guadiana basin. The low rainfall and the existence of arid soils composed of gypsum, limestone and salt marshes have formed a spectacular landscape of gullies, bad-lands, esparto fields, low gypsofilia scrub, centuries-old pinewoods and wadis with waters that give life to the region.

The Guadiana Menor River rises in the Almeria region of los Vélez, passes through

arid lands of Granada to flow into the Guadalquivir and provide the resulting foliage of this area: tamarisk and poplar groves which contrast with the slopes of bare gypsum and gives visitors unusual landscapes.

Target species:

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos ) juvenile

Black Wheatear, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, European Roller, Spectacled Warbler, Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark, Eurasian Skylark, Stock Dove.

The area has bird species of arid areas and singular flora endemic species adapted to poor soils and high aridity.

This unknown and fascinating corner of the province offers many possibilities to enjoy the birds and extremes of nature.

Towns such as Larva, Cabra del Santo Cristo, Hinojares, Huesa and Jodar serve as access to the areas of “stations”: an area crossed by the slow meandering Almería train which allows the traveler to discover magical places such as the Salado River basin, inhabited by the steppe birds such as the Black Wheatear or Spectacled Warbler or predatory birds like the Bonelli’s Eagle.

Called by the locals “the Siberia of Jaén”, Peña Cambron, solid limestone with one

Observers in the steppe

Railroad Bridge over The Salado river in Jódar

of the few indigenous pine trees, rises between the ravines and high plains in the area inhabited by the forest birds of prey like the Booted Eagle, and the Short-toed Snake Eagle as well as other interesting species like the Coal Tit, contrasting with other areas whose vegetation is limited to feathergrass fields and a bio-diverse low scrubland.

More plains areas have been plowed and put into the cultivation of cereal land allowing cereal linked birds such as the Black-bellied Sandgrouse, the Calandria Lark and even the Montagu’s harrier.

Noting, despite its aridity, the presence of the endemic amphibian Betic Midwife Toad.

Guadiana Menor 30 | 31

Griffon Vulture

SIERRAS DE CAZORLA, SEGURA Y LAS VILLAS NATURAL RESERVE. (I) SIERRA DE LAS VILLAS

If there is a wild, sheer dizzying area in the province of Jaén undoubtedly it is the Sierra de las Villas. The least known of the mountain ranges that make up the largest Nature Reserve in Spain, nevertheless just as interesting as her companions.

Territory of the Griffon Vulture and rupicolous birds of prey: Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Golden Eagle, which use the nearby countryside’s abundance of prey as an area of

foraging. Recently have been released examples of Bearded Vultures in this sierra, so it will take years for their population to become established.

To complete the scene there are imposing cascades and waterfalls of crystal clear waters, endless pine forests between the olive groves of the mountain that form a

Target species:

Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)

Egyptian Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Booted Eagle, Alpine Swift, Coal Tit, Lesser Kestrel, Montagu’s Harrier.

typical mosaic in these Sierras Béticas.

The Sierra de las Villas is the area of connection of the olive-growing countryside with the massif of the Betic of the Parque Natural de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas; the natural exit of the Guadalquivir River on its journey to the Atlantic, and by which we find a variety of suddenly changing landscape: gentle hills of olive groves to towering limestone peaks of pine forests and sheer rock masses that increase the opportunities of bird watching.

There are very suitable places for bird

La Osera Fall

Natural Park view to the horizon

watching as can be the Paraje de la Osera, the area of the reservoir of the Aguascebas, La Fresnedilla and the so-called “Transversal” of the Villas, a road that transversely crosses the sierra and it allows you to get a complete picture of the territory.

It is a perfect year-long place for observation of birds, because summers are less severe due to the abundant presence of water and springs, and for presenting a lower altitude the winters are not as hard as in the nearby Sierra de Segura or Cazorla.

In the towns of Villacarillo and Villanueva del Arzobispo we can equally find interesting populations of Montagu’s Harrier and the Lesser Kestrel in nearby cereal fields, out side of the mountainous area.

Sierra de Las Villas 32 | 33

White-throated Dipper

SIERRAS DE CAZORLA, SEGURA Y LAS VILLAS NATURAL RESERVE. (II) SIERRA DE CAZORLA

It is one of the better known and emblematic natural nature environments of Andalusia; however its ornithological values go unnoticed by most of its visitors.

Extensive forests are inhabited by mainly forest birds: high densities of Short-toed Snake Eagle, the Booted Eagle, Goshawk and sparrow hawk, but we must not overlook the rupicolous birds of prey of these sierras like the Royal eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, falcons, vultures are everywhere and these include the increasingly rare Egyptian vulture.

Sierra de Cazorla offers an unbeatable place to enjoy hiking and the sightings of flora and fauna with the many available trails.

There is an abundance of endemic species such as Viola cazorlensis, Pinguicola vallisneriifolia, Geranium cazorlense, etc.

Target species:

Source of the Borosa river

White-throated Dipper, Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Rüppell’s Vulture, Alpine Swift, Blue Rock Thrush, Citril Finch, Common Redstart.

Endemic of the Massif is the Spanish Algyroides (Algyroides marchii).

It is the sierra’s water that is quintessential to Andalusia and where rises its most extensive River, the Guadalquivir, and thanks to its karstic nature arise springs and upwellings create rivers, waterfalls, and spectacular gorges such as the Cerrada del Utrero, the Cerrada de Elias in the Borosa river or the Tornillos of Gualay in the Guadalentín river, being home to such rare species in the southern peninsular such as

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)

the Dipper and Kingfisher and where still abounds native trout (Trutta trutta) and the native Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes).

There can be found breeding populations of birds typical of forests in the North of Spain as is the Citril or the Redstart, in the areas of elevated clearings in the pine forests.

But it may be the carrion birds that stand out in the set of birds such as the reintroduced Bearded Vulture, Egyptian Vulture or the abundant Griffon Vulture, but it is also possible to find wandering birds such as the Cinereus Vulture from the nearby Sierra Morena and there are even mottled or Rüppel’s vulture the in their dunghills.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis ) Sierra de Cazorla 34 | 35

Citril Finch

SIERRAS DE CAZORLA, SEGURA Y LAS VILLAS NATURAL RESERVE. (III)SIERRA DE SEGURA If I had to choose a remote, solitary, quiet and surprising place it would be undoubtedly the Sierra de Segura. Vast expanses of mountains and large sparsely populated areas come to give meaning to these high, wooded and arid lands.

It is a unique place in Andalusia; we can find species that are only present in this extreme part of the region. It has been chosen by the majority of the Bearded Vultures, released in the Andalusian programme of reintroduction headed by the Gypaetus

Foundation for their foraging, together with the Granada’s Sierra de Castril. It is one of the few places where it is possible to see flocks of migrating Eleonora’s Falcon,

Target Species:

Thekla Lark (Galerida theklae)

Bearded Vulture, Eleonora’s Falcon, Egyptian Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, LesserKestrel, European Nightjar, Citril Finch, Eurasian Skylark, Thekla Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit, Common Redstart, Yellowhammer, Fieldfare, Ring Ouzel, Common Rock Thrush, Carrion Crow, Northern Wheatear.

a bird associated with marine resources, finding areas for food in the high plains of the sierra, as well as other rare species in these latitudes, such as the European Nightjar, Citril, and Yellowhammer.

One of the most magical places of Andalusian geography are the Campos de Hernán Perea, in the surroundings of SantiagoPontones, where the Segura River rises, a limestone plateau of lunar appearance an average altitude of 1500 meters, great aridity and low temperatures, a large complex Karst that contrasts with the green forests of the outline. Here are reproduced species such as the lark, pipit, and rock thrush, besides being the best places to spot the bearded vulture and the migratory passage of Falcon’s. Eleanor as mentioned above...

At the other end of the sierra is one of the

Spring in the Sierra de Segura

Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus )

wettest territories of Andalusia, Las Acebeas area near the town of Siles. Kingdom of the Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture and Golden Eagle where to survive the forests of Holly, Acer granatense, Sorbus torminalis and Quercus pyrenaica, dense laricio pine woods (Pinus nigra) by the River at the foot of the spectacular sheer Rocky cut of the Zumeta River and the reservoir of the Anchuricas.

In the northernmost municipalities of Génave, Villarodrigo and Torres de Albánchez you find holm oaks, pine forests and fields of most Mediterranean character, where it is increasingly common to see juveniles and sub-adults of Spanish Imperial Eagle population of the nearby of Sierra Morena, Ciudad Real and Jaén.

Sierra de Segura 36 | 37

CHECK-LIST OF BIRDS OF JAÉN Below are the birds listed according to literature and own data in the province of Jaén. This list confirms the excellent opportunities for observing birds and nature, thanks to the diversity of environments and ecosystems. At least 253 species, some of them highly threatened and rare in the European context, have been cited. The listing as well as the common name indicates the scientific name followed by the status of the species in the province (S) in the ANATIDAE ☐ Greylag Goose Anser anser (P) ☐ Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca (S) ☐ Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (P) ☐ Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata (A) ☐ Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope (W) ☐ Gadwall Anas strepera (S) ☐ Eurasian Teal Anas crecca (W) ☐ Mallard Anas platyrhynchos (S) ☐ Northern Pintail Anas acuta (W) ☐ Garganey Anas querquedula (P) ☐ Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata (W) ☐ Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris (A) ☐ Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina (S) ☐ Common Pochard Aythya ferina (W) ☐ Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca (A) ☐ Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula (A) ☐ Greater scaup Aythya marila (A) ☐ White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (S) PHASIANIDAE ☐ Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa (S) ☐ Common Quail Coturnix coturnix (E) ☐ Common Pheasant Phasianus colchicus (CV) PODICIPEDIDAE ☐ Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (S)

case of sedentary species that remain throughout the year in the province, (E) migratory species using the province for their reproduction, contrary to the (W) winter visitors who stay during the autumn and winter. (P) are those species that can be detected in migratory passage. Finally represented by (A) are species that are rare or accidental in the province, (CV) breakaways in captivity and (R) intentionally reintroduced species. ☐ Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus (S) ☐ Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (A) PHALACROCORACIDAE ☐ Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (W-S) ARDEIDAE ☐ Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris (A) ☐ Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (E) ☐ Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (E) ☐ Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (P) ☐ Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (S) ☐ Little Egret Egretta garzetta (S) ☐ Great Egret Egretta alba (A) ☐ Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (S) ☐ Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (E) CICONIIDAE ☐ Black Stork Ciconia nigra (E) ☐ White Stork Ciconia ciconia (E-S) ☐ Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer (A) THRESKIORNITHIDAE ☐ Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (A) ☐ Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (P) PHOENICOPTERIDAE ☐ Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus (P) ACCIPITRIDAE ☐ European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus (P)

☐ Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus (S) ☐ Black Kite Milvus migrans (E-P) ☐ Red Kite Milvus milvus (W) ☐ Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus (R) ☐ Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (E) ☐ Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus (S) ☐ Rüppell’s Vulture Gyps rueppellii (A) ☐ Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus (S) ☐ Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus (E) ☐ Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus (S) ☐ Palid Harrier Circus macrorus (A) ☐ Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus (W) ☐ Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus (E) ☐ Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis (S) ☐ Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus (S-W) ☐ Common Buzzard Buteo buteo (S) ☐ Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus (A) ☐ Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti (S) ☐ Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos (S) ☐ Booted Eagle Aquila pennata (E) ☐ Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata (S) PANDIONIDAE ☐ Osprey Pandion haliaetus (P) FALCONIDAE ☐ Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (E) ☐ Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus (S) ☐ Merlin Falco columbarius (W) ☐ Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo (E) ☐ Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae (P) ☐ Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus (S) RALLIDAE ☐Water Rail Rallus aquaticus (S) ☐ Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (S) ☐ Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio (S) ☐ Eurasian Coot Fulica atra (S) ☐ Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata (R) GRUIDAE ☐ Common Crane Grus grus (P) OTIDAE ☐ Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax (W-E)

☐ Great Bustard Otis tarda (S) RECURVIROSTRIDAE ☐ Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (S) ☐ Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta (E) BURHINIDAE ☐ Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (S) GLAREOLIDAE ☐ Collared pranticole Glareola pranticola (A-P) CHARADRIIDAE ☐ Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius (E-P) ☐ Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus (P) ☐ European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria (W) ☐ Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (W) SCOLOPACIDAE ☐Red knot Calidris canutus (P) ☐ Little Stint Calidris minuta (P) ☐ Dunlin Calidris alpina (P) ☐ Ruff Philomachus pugnax (P) ☐ Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago (P) ☐ Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticola (W) ☐ Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (P) ☐ Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata (P) ☐ Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (P) ☐ Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus (W-P) ☐ Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (P) ☐ Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis (P) ☐ Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola (A) ☐ Common Redshank Tringa totanus (W-P) ☐ Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres (A) ☐ Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus (A) STERCORARIIDAE ☐ Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus (A) LARIDAE ☐ Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (W) ☐ Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus (W) ☐ Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis (A) STERNIDAE ☐ Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica (P) ☐ Common Tern Sterna hirundo (P) ☐ Little Tern Sternula albifrons (P)

Check-list 38 | 39

☐ Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida (P) ☐ Black Tern Chlidonias niger (P) PTEROCLIDIDAE ☐ Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis (S) ☐ Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata (A) COLUMBIDAE ☐ Rock Dove Columba livia (S) ☐ Stock Dove Columba oenas (S) ☐ Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus (S) ☐ Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto (S) ☐ European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur (E) PSITTACIDAE ☐ Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri (CV) ☐ Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus (CV) CUCULIDAE ☐ Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius (E) ☐ Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus (E) TYTONIDAE ☐ Barn Owl Tyto alba (S) STRIGIDAE ☐ Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops (E) ☐ Eurasian Eagle-Owl Bubo bubo (S) ☐ Little Owl Athene noctua (S) ☐ Tawny Owl Strix aluco (S) ☐ Long-eared Owl Asio otus (S) ☐ Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus (P) CAPRIMULGIDAE ☐ European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (P) ☐ Red-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis (E) APODIDAE ☐ Common Swift Apus apus (E) ☐ Pallid Swift Apus pallidus (E) ☐ Alpine Swift Apus melba (E) ☐ White-rumped Swift Apus caffer (E) ALCEDINIDAE ☐ Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (S) MEROPIDAE ☐ European Bee-eater Merops apiaster (E) CORACIIDAE ☐ European Roller Coracias garrulus (E)

UPUPIDAE ☐ Hoopoe Upupa epops (S) PICIDAE ☐ Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla (E-S) ☐ European Green Woodpecker Picus viridis (S) ☐ Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major (S) ☐ Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor (A) ALAUDIDAE ☐ Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra (S) ☐ Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (E) ☐ Crested Lark Galerida cristata (S) ☐ Thekla Lark Galerida theklae (S) ☐ Woodlark Lullula arborea (S) ☐ Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis (W-S) HIRUNDINIDAE ☐ Sand Martin Riparia riparia (E) ☐ Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris (S) ☐ Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica (E) ☐ Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica (E) ☐ Common House Martin Delichon urbicum (E) MOTACILLIDAE ☐ Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris (P-E) ☐ Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis (P) ☐ Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis (W) ☐ Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta (A-P) ☐ Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (P-E) ☐ Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea (S) ☐ White Wagtail Motacilla alba (W-S) CINCLIDAE ☐ White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus (S) TROGLODYTIDAE ☐ Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes (S) PRUNELLIDAE ☐ Dunnock Prunella modularis (W) ☐ Acentor alpino Prunella collaris (P) TURDIDAE ☐ Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes (E) ☐ European Robin Erithacus rubecula (W-S) ☐ Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos (E) ☐ Bluethroat Luscinia svecica (P)

☐ Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (S) ☐ Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus (P-E) ☐ Whinchat Saxicola rubetra (P) ☐ European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola (S) ☐ Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (P-E) ☐ Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica (E) ☐ Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura (S) ☐ Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis (E) ☐ Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (S) ☐ Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus (W) ☐ Common Blackbird Turdus merula (S) ☐ Fieldfare Turdus pilaris (W) ☐ Song Thrush Turdus philomelos (W) ☐ Redwing Turdus iliacus (W) ☐ Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus (S) SYLVIIDAE ☐ Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti (S) ☐ Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis (S) ☐ Common Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia (P) ☐ Western Olivaceous Warbler Iduna opaca (E) ☐ Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus (P) ☐ Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus (E) ☐ Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus (E) ☐ Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta (E) ☐ Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata (S) ☐ Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata (E) ☐ Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans (E) ☐ Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala (S) ☐ Western Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis (E) ☐ Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis (P) ☐ Garden Warbler Sylvia borin (P) ☐ Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla (W-S) ☐ Pallas´s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus (A) ☐ Western Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli (E) ☐ Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix (P) ☐ Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (W) ☐ Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus (E) ☐ Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus (P) ☐ Goldcrest Regulus regulus (A) ☐ Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla (S)

MUSCICAPIDAE ☐ Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata (E) ☐ European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca (P-E) AEGITHALIDAE ☐ Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus (S) PARIDAE ☐ European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus (S) ☐ Coal Tit Periparus ater (S) ☐ Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus (S) ☐ Great Tit Parus major (S) SITTIDAE ☐ Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea (S) TICHODROMIDAE ☐ Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria (A) CERTHIIDAE ☐ Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla (S) REMIZIDAE ☐ Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus (S) ORIOLIDAE ☐ Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (E) LANIIDAE ☐ Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor (W) ☐ Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis (E) ☐ Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator (E) CORVIDAE ☐ Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius (S) ☐ Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cookii (S) ☐ Common Magpie Pica pica (S) ☐ Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (S) ☐ Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula (S) ☐ Carrion Crow Corvus corone (S) ☐ Northern Raven Corvus corax (S) STURNIDAE ☐ Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor (S) ☐ Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris (W) PASSERIDAE ☐ House Sparrow Passer domesticus (S) ☐ Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis (S) ☐ Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus (S) ☐ Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia (S)

Check-list 40 | 41

ESTRILDIDAE ☐ Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild (CV) FRINGILLIDAE ☐ Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (S) ☐ Brambling Fringilla montifringilla (W) ☐ European Serin Serinus serinus (S) ☐ European Greenfinch Chloris chloris (S) ☐ Citril Finch Carduelis citrinella (S) ☐ European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis (S) ☐ Eurasian Siskin Carduelis spinus (W) ☐ Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina (S)

UTILITY INFORMATION

Provincial Authorities of Jaen Plaza de San Francisco, s/n.

23071 Jaén Tel: 0034-953248000 www.jaenparaisointerior.es Environmental Authorities of Andalusia Provincial Delegation of Jaén C/ Dr. Eduardo García Triviño, 15 23009 Jaén Tel: 0034-953 368 800 www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente Administrative Offices of Natural Reserves Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Martínez Falero, 11 23470 , Cazorla Tlf: 0034-953 105 098 pn.cazorla.capma@juntadeandalucia.es Sierra de Andújar Parque Medioambiental “El Cercado del Ciprés”.

Camino de Los Rubiales s/n.

23740 Andújar Tlf: 0034-953 103 300 pn.andujar.capma@juntadeandalucia.es

☐ Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra (S) ☐ Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula (W) ☐ Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes (S) EMBERIZIDAE ☐ Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella (A) ☐ Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus (S) ☐ Rock Bunting Emberiza cia (S) ☐ Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana (P) ☐ Common Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus (P) ☐ Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra (S)

Despeñaperros Tlfs: 0034 953 230 800 / 0034 953 368 839 pn.despenaperros.capma@juntadeandalucia.es Sierra Mágina Tlf: 0034 953 230 800 pn.sierramagina.capma@juntadeandalucia.es Visitor Centers Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Visitor Center “Torre del Vinagre” Ctra del Tranco, A-319, km 48 23904 Santiago Pontones Tlf: 0034 953 71 30 17 Visitor Center Río Borosa Ctra. del Tranco, A–319, km 48 desviación a la piscifactoria del Borosa, km 2 23478 Santo Tomé Tlf: 0034 - 953 124 235 Endangeres Species Thematic Centre Plaza Santa María s/n.

23470 Cazorla Tlf: 0034 953 720 923

Interpretive Center Frondosa Naturaleza La Casa de la Luz. Camino del Ángel, 7-9 23470 Cazorla Tlf: 0034 953 721 330 www.lacasadelaluz.eu

Public Transportation

Parque Natural Sierra de Andújar

Main airports: Federico Garcia Lorca Airport (Granada & Jaén) Málaga Internacional Airport Madrid - Barajas Internacional Airport Routes and operators information: www.aena.es

Visitor Centre “Viñas de Peñallana” Ctra. A- 6177, Andújar – Santuario Virgen de la Cabeza, km 13 23740 Andújar Tlf: 0034 953 539 628

Main railway stations: Jaén Linares-Baeza Andújar

Parque Natural Sierra Mágina

more info: www.renfe.es

Visitor Center “Castillo de Jódar” C/ Alhorí s/n.

23500 Jódar Tlf: 0034 - 953 787 656

Main bus stations: Jaén Bailén Martos Alcalá la Real

Visitor Center “Mata Bejid” Carretera de Cambil a Huelma A- 324 km 15,6 23120 Cambil Tlfs: 0034 682 692 652 / 0034 953 368 800 (Delegación de Medio Ambiente) Parque Natural Despeñaperros Visitor Center Puerta de Andalucía Autovía A-4, Madrid – Cádiz, km 257 23213 Santa Elena Tlf: 0034 - 953 60 97 06 www.santaelena.eu General information General Emergencies Tel: 112 Guardia Civil (rural safety authorities) Tel: 062 Endangered Species Rehabilitation Center (CREA) Tel: 0034 670 946 263

Vilches AVE Córdoba

Andújar Úbeda Cazorla La Carolina

Ornithological and environmental organizations Sociedad Española de Ornitología SEO-Birdlife.Local group SEO-Jaén Tlf: 0034 914 340 910 www.seo.org seojaen@seo.org Sociedad Ibérica para el Estudio y Conservación de Ecosistemas SIECE www.siece.org info@siece.org Fundación Gypaetus www.gypaetus.org fundacion@gypaetus.org

Utility information 42 | 43

Business Associations Red MITO: Ornithological tourism initiatives network in Sierra Morena.

Tlf: 0034 957 350 273 www.avesdesierramorena.com Andalusian Wilderness. Nature tourism initiatives network in Andalusia.

Tlf: 0034 954 186 500 www.andalusianwilderness.org Birdwatchin registered companies Iberian Lynx Land Tlf: 0034 -667 506 166 info@iberianlynxland.com www.iberianlynxland.com

Iberus Birding & Nature www.iberusbirdingnature.com www.iberusmedioambiente.com info@iberusbirdingnature.com Tel.: 0034-676 127 611 Active tourism registered companies Natureda Tlf: 0034 666 705 000 info@natureda.com www.natureda.com

Turisnat Tlfs: 0034 953 721 351 / 0034 686 938 375 www.turisnat.es Sierra-Trek Tlfs: 0034 953 744 126 / 0034 626 700 525 balsera@rockmail.com www.sierra-trek.com

Turismo Verde Tlfs: 0034 953 510 931 / 0034 629 518 345 info@lasierradeandujar.com www.lasierradeandujar.com

Nature Classroom and others activities Nature Classroom “Villa Matilde” Viñas de Peñallana, 302. Andújar Tlfs: 0034 953 549 127 / 0034 618 329 980 villamatilde@villamatilde.org www.villamatilde.org Agro-tourism & Environmental Education Center “Huerta de Cañamares” Junta de Muriel, s/n. San Martín-Burunchel La Iruela Tlfs: 0034 953 727 084 / 0034 609 570 632 huertacazorla@gmail.com www.huertacanamares.com Almazara turística oleoturismo C/Pedro Pérez, s/n. Begíjar 0034-953 763 415 Ornithological Reserve “Las Víboras” Ringing Station Ringing Group Erithacus juanmanuelmiguelpines@hotmail.com Montizón Rescue Centre of Amphibians and Reptiles Aula de la Naturaleza Alcalá la Real www.alcalalareal.es All detailed information on tourism, culture and entertainment in the province of Jaén is on: www.promojaen.es

Common Rock Thrush

Sierra de Andujar July 10th

Aldeaquemada

Magina Peak Despeñaperros August 13th... El Centenillo Santa Elena

Siles Puente Génave Puerta Benatae Venta de de Segura 2 los Santos 32 Aldeahermosa Chiclana N- Arroyo Orcera del Ojanco de Segura Beas de Cortijos Santisteban Castellar Segura nuevos del Puerto Sorihuela

A4

Montizón

La Carolina

Torredonjimeno

Santiago de Calatrava

Martos

-322 Sabiote N Torreperogil

N-3 22 Est. Linares-Baeza Canena Rus Ibros Jabalquinto

Alcaudete

A-44

Here are some pictograms you can find in the signaling of natural areas.

Jódar

Cabra del Santo Cristo

Cambil

Huelma

Cazorla Quesada

Camping

Recreation Mountain Shelter area

Hotel

Trail

Huesa

Food service

Pozo Alcón

Arbuniel

Viewpoint Panoramic Fountain view

Reservoir Interesting flora

Forbidden Forbidden Don’t collect Don’t trap Don’t collect Forbidden to make fire to camp animals minerals to vehicles plants 40 1

Campillo de Arenas Noalejo

Hostel

A2 –> A-9 km 40

Alcalá La Real

Santiago de la Espada

Arroyo Frío Peal de Becerro

a nad Gra m –> 50 k A-44

422

N-

Valdepeñas de Jaén Castillo de Locubín

Pontones

Villacarrillo

Santo Tomé

Úbeda

Jimena Aldeaquemada... walking from the rural Bédmar Mancha home and there’re the Imperial Eagles Jaén Real La Cimbarra - December 25th

Los Villares

Ecological olive grove!! so good...

Linares

A-31 6

Fuerte del Rey

Porcuna

Vva. del Arzobispo

Navas de Arquillos San Juan

44 A-

Eu Lo rp. R nd da ra foun stock po e w far oller live ack m ... ay b tork in a y 10th (P jus W Jul kS orc t ar Blac ndado un riv o a) ed El C - M from ay Af 1 st rica ?

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin Baños de la Encina August 4th

A-4 5 Córd0 km oba

Vilches

Again in Cazorla...

Andújar Vva. de la Reina looking for Lammergeier...

Arjonilla La Higuera Begíjar Cazalilla long Lopera Mengíbar weekend! - December Baeza 6th...

Arjona A-4

Marmolejo

A31 6

Valdeutiel - Santiago de Calatrava March 9th

Black-bellied Sandgrouse in the shores of Guadalen Reservoir - July 7th

llas s Vi e La ation? r ra d Sier l mig re in tnuptia s ultu n V th...po 9 ptia Egy tember Sep

Male Great Bustard in lek!!

Bailén

–>

First sighting of year Almenara - Jaen February 21 st

Baños de la Encina

A4

Lesser Kestrel

Legend of te maps

Villarrodrigo Génave

Las Juntas

A-4

Cinereous Vulture

Adult bird defending its territory Sierra Sur - February 28th

N-322

Madrid 250 km –>

Bonelli’s Eagle

422

N-

◀------▶ 10 km

Pick up your waste

Remain silent

Respect private property

Take the walkway

Accessible

RESPECT THE RULES

Birdwatching in Jaén

COLECCIÓN TEMÁTICA

Edition Diputación Provincial de Jaén Direction, writing and design Iberus Birding & Nature Illustrations Diego Ortega Alonso Pictures José Jiménez Garrido, Javier Milla, José Rico Teba, Francisco J. Martín Barranco, Francisco J. Pulpillo Ramírez, Pedro A. Jódar de La Casa y José Antonio Mancera García.

Text Francisco J. Martín Barranco y José Antonio Mancera García Legal deposit First edition, december 2013

www.jaenparaisointerior.es

B

irdwatching in Jaén

and

N

ature