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Hard to reach but worth a visit: birding around Jimena de la Frontera

Jimena de la Frontera is a small town in the South East of the province of Cadiz, on the edge of the Los Alcornocales Natural Park. Depending on where you set off, you can go to this place up in the mountains taking the C3331I or by taking the faster A381. Driving along the C3331can be a bit tricky. There is not a lot of traffic, but it is a quite narrow track in the mountains, with a lot of curves. Keep your eyes on the road at all times, and don't get distracted by the beautiful landscape or birds.


As I approached my destination, I saw a lot of Chaffinches sitting on a shady part the road. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to photograph a single one. There is simply no space to pull over your car.


If you do like me and take this road through the mountains, then be careful with what your GPS tells you. Avoid going through the centre of the village at all costs! The streets are very narrow and extremely steep.


Upon arriving I immediately heard a Nightingale, singing in the bushes. Some Griffon Vultures, House Sparrows, Barn Swallows, Greenfinches and Goldfinches could all be observed at the start of the trail, called Sendero Rio Hozgarganta, within minutes after starting my walk. As you can see in the photo, there wasn't much water in the river at some stage.



River running through a rocky landscape
The river Hozgarganta in the middle of the route


After a few minutes I came across a curious structure, which turned out to be the remains of an old ammunition factory. A few swallows performed an acrobatic display through the canals that used to lead to the factory and I assume they had their nest in one of the small tunnels.


The path continues along the river. Sometimes you can get really close to the crystal clear water. The sound of the stream flowing over the rocks is really relaxing, especially in cambination with the songs of the many birds.




Small river running through a valley
View over the valley



After one kilometre or so there are concrete blocks in the river so you can reach the other side if you want. I was hoping to find a path there and continue my walk, but I soon found out I had to turn back to the original side of the river.




Concrete blocks forming a path to cross a river
Here you can cross the river if you want



Chaffinches were the most common species of the afternoon, together with a colony of Griffon Vultures. I was prepared for a very long distance walk, but at the point were I expected to find some way to cross the river, my only option was to climb a mountain. The views were great, but I started to feel I was getting too far away from the river and I wisely decided to descend and go back.




Chaffinch on a branch
One of the many Chaffinches



Before I went down again, I took some photos of a low flying Griffon Vulture and spotted a nest on the opposite side of the river, high up between the rocks.




Griffon Vulture
Almost eye in eye with a Griffon Vulture


Griffon Vultures sitting between the rocks
Griffon Vultures at their nest



Small river with rocks on both sides
The river Hozgarganta



A Eurasian Wren singing on a branch
A singing Eurasian Wren



Eurasian Blackcap on a branch
Eurasian Blackcap


Egyptian Vulture
Egyptian Vulture




Vulture flying over the rocks
This vulture came scarily close




River running through a green valley
The river at its widest


During my walk I identified these species:


  • White Stork

  • Collared Dove

  • Egyptian Vulture

  • Griffon Vulture

  • Eurasian Blue Tit

  • Eurasian Crag Martin

  • Barn Swallow

  • Eurasian Blackcap

  • Sardinian Warbler

  • Eurasian Wren

  • Eurasian Blackbird

  • Common Nightingale

  • House Sparrow

  • Common Chaffinch

  • European Greenfinch

  • European Goldfinch

  • European Serin

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