Day Tour - Sabinillas, Manilva, Casares and Gaucin
This tour stretches from the coastal town of Manilva to the “pueblo blanco” (white village) of Gaucin some 30km inland. We take in the bird rich fertile valley of the Rio de Manilva, we visit La Hedionda, the Roman Baths, we walk alongside the impressive limestone ridge of the Sierra de Utrera and we visit the village of Casares, with its breeding Lesser Kestrel, picturesque Church and Moorish Castle.
We then drive along the northern edge of the magnificent Sierra Crestellina looking for Vultures, Eagles, Choughs, Owls and Warblers. We visit the Rio Genal valley with its lush green wooded slopes where we search for Woodpeckers, Orioles, Flycatchers, Tits, Bee-eaters, Hoopoes, Egrets, Herons and Plovers.
Finally we arrive at Gaucin, a beautiful village with outstanding views of the surrounding mountains, coastal areas and on clear days, Gibraltar and the African coastline. Pallid Swifts are common here in the summer and our stay will include a walk to the castle.
Around 50-70 resident species may be seen on this trip with another 30 summer visitor boosting the tally. In winter some thrushes and waders, maybe 10 species, could be seen, whilst during passage periods another 10 may enhance your day.
Spring sought after Species include:
Bonelli’s Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Eagle Owl, Alpine Swift, Pallid Swift, White-rumped Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Melodious Warbler, Sub-alpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Bonelli’s Warbler, Red-billed Chough, Tawny Pipit, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting and Cirl Bunting.
