Spain

Day 1
FLY TO MALAGA. TRANSFER TO LLERENA VISITING LAGUNA DE FUENTE DE PIEDRA
Our wildlife holiday to southern Spain begins with a flight from the UK to Malaga where we will meet up with WildWings guide Fernando Enrique Navarrete.

We will then head towards LLerena and, subject to flight times, plan to stop enroute to explore Laguna de Fuente de Piedra. This four-mile long lake is home to the second largest colony of Greater Flamingos in Europe and although these will not be breeding at the time of our visit, we should still see plenty of them.

The lagoon is also an important wintering site for an impressive selection of other species with both Marbled and White-headed Ducks amongst the waterfowl we hope to find. Wintering flocks of Common Cranes are also likely to be present along with Eurasian Stone-curlew and a good range of other species.

We plan to arrive at our comfortable and ideally located hotel in the late afternoon or early evening for the first of four nights. Night in Llerena

Days 2-4
EXPLORING SOUTHERN EXTREMADURA
We have three full days to explore the beautiful countryside of southern Extremadura which is home to a rich diversity of Mediterranean birds and mammals.

This is now considered to be one of the best places to look for Iberian Lynx and making full use of Fernando’s expert local knowledge and contacts, we are very hopeful of encountering this special cat.

We are likely to spend some of our time scanning hillsides, river valleys and rocky outcrops from key vantage points to maximise our chances of finding this special species.

Southern Extremadura is also excellent for birds including a good variety of raptors and vultures with Spanish Imperial, Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles and Cinerous and Griffon Vultures all likely. Iberian Magpie, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock and Cirl Buntings, Crested Tit, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper and Hawfinch are also possible and, if the opportunity arises, we may well visit the roost of a Eurasian Eagle-Owl.

Some species, such as Great Spotted Cuckoo, which usually winter in Africa, are also present in small numbers in January so we will be on the lookout for these too. Three further nights in Llerena

Day 5
FINAL MORNING IN LLERENA AND TRANSFER TO DOÑANA WITH BIRDING STOPS ENROUTE
Depending on what we have seen over the previous three days, we may have a final morning around Llerena before we begin our journey south towards the Doñana. We will probably make a few stops and depending on what we have seen, we may visit an area which comprises a patchwork of cereal fields and steppe habitat that are home to rare dryland species such as Great and Little Bustards, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse and both Calandra and Thekla Larks.

Depending on our arrival time, we may have time to begin our exploration of one of Europe’s most impressive national parks, the Doñana National Park. Night near Pilas

Days 6-7
DOÑANA NATIONAL PARK
The Doñana National Park is rightly classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and we have two full days to explore the marshes, saltpans, pine forests and rice fields of what is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most iconic reserves.

The wetter areas will provide us with further chances to look for birds such as White-headed, Marbled and Ferruginous Ducks, Red-knobbed Coot, Western Swamphen and Greater Flamingos.

We can expect to encounter a good selection of familiar waders such as Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit and Little Stint but will also be on the lookout for raptors which could include Spanish Imperial Eagle and Black-winged Kite, as well as Hen Harrier, Red Kite and Merlin.

Whilst the Doñana is most famous for birds, it is also home to an estimated population of one hundred Iberian Lynx so we will have further chances to look for this species and once again will make use of Fernando’s expert local knowledge to maximise on our chances. Two further nights near Pilas

Day 8
FINAL EXPLORATION. RETURN TO MALAGA AND FLY TO UK
Depending on flight times, we are likely to have time in the morning for some final exploration before we reluctantly head for Malaga airport and our flights back to the UK.

Accommodation
Seven nights accommodation in Spain, staying in rural and small town hotels. We spend the first four nights near LLerena before heading south for a three-night stay near Pilas and not far from the Doñana National Park. All rooms have private facilities.

Meals
All main meals are included in the tour price, commencing with a light lunch on Day 1 (subject to flight times) and concluding with lunch on Day 8. Breakfasts and evening meals will generally be at the hotels but we may take some packed breakfasts on a few occasions to allow us to be out early in the morning. Lunches are likely to be a mixture of picnics and light cafe lunches.

Walking
Our walks will be mixed with some short (eg when watching for targets from various viewpoints) but there may be other occasions when we have optional longer walks which may be uphill. Wear comfortable walking shoes or lightweight boots, with sturdy corrugated soles for grip.

Weather
The weather is likely to be warmer than the UK and typically will be in the range of 8-15C when we are in Andújar with the possibility it will be a little warmer further south. Days are typically sunny but it can be chilly first thing with the occasional ground frost possible at this season.

If we go higher into the mountains in the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park, it is likely to feel cool, especially when we are scanning for lynx and other wildlife from viewpoints.

There are chances of rain so it will be important to bring some warm and weatherproof clothing.

Ground Transport
By minibus or other suitable vehicle depending on the group size.