© Photograph: Cinema Sur

The good state of conservation of the forest masses in the district and the existence of steep valleys with rocky cliff promote the presence of numerous woodland and rocky cliff species that are of special interest for the ornithological tourism, both for the beginner and the experience birdwatcher.

Species of interest

As for woodland or rocky cliff Species interesting one can hope to observe egyptian vulture, peregrine falcon, Bonelli's eagle, pallid swift, black wheatear, blue rock thrush, white-rumped swift, Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia ), common cuckoo, Eurasian scops-owl, olivaceous warbler ( Hippolais pallida ), Western Orphean warbler (Sylvia hortensis), Eurasian wryneck, Eurasian green woodpecker and Dartford warbler (Sylvia undata ), all them are threat at least at Andalusian level.

Time of the year

The whole year, although especially during the spring and beginnings of the summer.

Observation Sites

Suitable places to observe woodland and rocky cliff birds are the high areas of the mountain where generally lack the arboreal stratum, what allow wider vision. El Tajo de las Escobas o el de la Corza is characteristic examples of these places . The transit through the road that go from Jimena de la Frontera to Alcalá de los Gazules, crossing good part of the Natural Park of Alcornocales, it can also propitiate good moments to the ornithologist that look for birds that prefer these mountain range habitat.

© Photograph: Francisco Jiménez

The existence of rivers, reservoirs, marsh and beaches propitiates the establishment of a large group of species related with the humid areas and the coast, constituting an important resource for the ornithological tourism.

Species of interest

Among the most singular birds in the wetlands of the district we can mention the osprey, species threatened in Andalusia and in Spain that assiduously uses some of the reservoirs of the district for during the winter, but that in the last years has tried to breed in the vicinity of the Barbate marsh.
Other aquatic singular species of this areas are the Slavonia grebe, the European shag, the little bittern, the Eurasian bittern ( Botaurus stellaris), the black-crowned night-heron, the purple heron, the Common Shelduck, the common teal, the common snipe ( Gallinago gallinago ), the common kingfisher, the collared Sand Martin, the yellow wagtail, the great reed warbler and the common chiffchaff ( Phylloscopus collybita ).
Among the marine and coastal birds that can be observed in the district are the Kentish plover, the black-tailed godwit, the Eurasian curlew, the slender-billed gull, the Audouin's gull, the sandwich tern, the little tern ( Sterna albifrons ), the black tern and the Balearic shearwater.

Time of the year

During the whole year, although most of these birds are sedentary or winter visitor, the best time in the year to observe them will be during the autumn and the winter, since in these months when the biggest concentrations take place.

Observation Sites

The best places to observe birds associated to these habitats are the marsh of the river Palmones, where is possible to observe many of the mentioned birds, included the osprey wintering, los Lances beach and the outlets of the rivers Vega and Jara, although it can also be attractive the coastal front between Tarifa and Punta Carnero, mainly for the sighting of birds in migratory path.

Also are good places to observe aquatic birds the Cola del Embalse de Bornos, where is settle an important a rdeidae colony and the reservoir of Barbate.

© Photograph: Francisco Jiménez

Avifauna of agricultural areas

.The cultivated land and the grazing pastures constitute a suitable habitat for singular and attractive avifauna for the ornithologist.

Species of interest

The birds well adapted to open habitats that can be observed in the district are, among other, the common b lack-shouldered kite, the hen and Montagu's harrier, the lesser kestrel, the common crane, the European roller, the calandra lark, the woodlark, the Eurasian skylark, the common redstart, the Northern and black-eared wheatear, the spotted flycatcher ( Muscicapa striata ), the woodchat shrike ( Lanius senator ) and the common starling.

Time of the year

The best time to observe these birds is from spring to summer most of them breed in these places. Nevertheless, some of these birds are only come during the wintering or in migratory path, for what also seek advice to visit the open areas in the months of autumn and winter.

Observation sites

Some places of ornithological great potential are the flat areas among Tahivilla, Aciscar and Benalup-Casas Viejas. Also, the vegas and the plains near to Jimena de la Frontera constitute very suitable areas for the observation of birds. All these areas have a visual wide field that allow detecting the avifauna at great distance.