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Spring feast: birds and blooms along the Campobuche river

  • Apr 29
  • 3 min read

Spring is in full swing, and nature is putting on a show that is simply impossible to ignore. Recently, I had the pleasure of exploring the Campobuche River in Grazalema, and it turned into a true celebration of the season’s vitality. The moment I stepped onto the path along the river, I was welcomed by a wave of perfumes, each breath filled with the bittersweet scent of countless herbs and wildflowers in bloom. Describing the smell in words feels futile; it’s something that demands to be experienced firsthand. Spring had wrapped the landscape in a colourful, fragrant blanket, and it was clear that not only humans find this explosion of life irresistible.



Colourful bird with green and orange plumage perches on a wire against a blurred green background.
Bee-eater sitting on a power line


A serene river surrounded by lush green trees, with white flowers floating on the water.
The Campobuche river in spring


A small bird with black and white plumage perches on a branch.
Male Stonechat


Everywhere I went, the air vibrated with the songs of birds. It was not just background music — it was a full concert, with different species singing their hearts out. Robins, Bonelli’s Warblers, and Wrens filled the soundscape with a variety of notes, creating an atmosphere that made every step along the river feel enchanted.




A small brown bird sings on a mossy branch with green leaves.
A singing Wren


A small brown and white bird with yellow-tipped wings perches on a branch with green leaves.
Bonelli's Warbler

A robin sings on a lichen-covered branch against a soft yellow-green background.
A singing Robin


A serene landscape with a winding stream, lush green grass, and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.



But it wasn’t just about sound. The birds were busy — incredibly busy. One of the most striking things during this visit was seeing so many birds either feeding or carrying food. Insects were clearly abundant, and the birds were taking full advantage of this seasonal banquet. There were moments when I wished I had a second pair of eyes and hands; there was simply so much happening all around me, I could barely keep up.



A small bird perched on a lichen-covered branch in a sunlit setting, with soft green and yellow background hues.
A Long-tailed Tit gathers soft materials to build its nest

Brown bird clings upside down to tree bark with blurred green background.
Treecreeper


A vulture soars against a clear blue sky, wings fully extended.
Griffon Vulture transporting nesting material


A small bird sings on a leafy branch against a blurred blue background.
Melodious Warbler



Among the highlights was encountering a Woodlark just a few metres away. It had caught not just one, but two impressive meals — a huge spider and a large grasshopper. The bird stood proudly, unbothered by my presence, as if showing off its successful hunt before flying off to a nearby rock to enjoy its catch.



A bird with striped feathers perches on leafy branches against a clear blue sky.
Woodlark

A bird perches on rusty metal, holding an insect in its beak.



Close-up of a brown speckled bird holding a black spider in its beak against a green blurred background.




A small bird perches on a branch with fresh leaves, holding an insect in its beak.
This Bonelli's Warbler has caught a small caterpillar

Brown bird holding an insect perched on a lichen-covered branch.
Wren with an Earwig


Another unforgettable moment was when a Short-toed Snake Eagle soared by, clutching a freshly caught snake in its beak. The eagle’s smooth power and spot-on hunting skills were truly impressive, showing off the raw yet graceful balance of life and death in nature.


An eagle flies in a clear blue sky with a snake in its beak.
Short-toed Snake Eagle with a succesful catch

Eagle soaring with wings spread against a clear blue sky,




An eagle soars over a green forest under a clear blue sky.
Booted Eagle flying at low level


And of course, the Campobuche's springtime show wouldn’t have been complete without some of its more elusive and spectacular visitors. I was lucky enough to hear the call of the Cuckoo, one of those unmistakable sounds that always signal spring’s arrival in Europe.



A cuckoo with blue-grey plumage perches on a leafy branch, surrounded by green foliage, under sunlight.



Even more thrilling were the Bee-eaters, whose colourful flashes lit up the air as they hunted insects on the wing. Their acrobatic flights and vibrant plumage never fail to mesmerize.


A colorful bird perched on a lichen-covered branch against a clear blue sky.


A colourful bird with yellow and green wings flies against a clear blue sky,


Colourful bird flying against a clear blue sky.



Two brightly coloured birds perched on a blossoming tree against a blurred mountainous background.



A colourful bird with blue, orange, and yellow plumage perched on a branch amid green leaves, set against a soft, blurred background.


Perhaps the most tantalizing encounter was with a pair of Golden Orioles. Although they stayed hidden in the dense canopy of the trees, their melodious, fluting calls floated down to me, hinting at their bright yellow brilliance just out of sight. Sometimes, hearing is just as magical as seeing.


Lush green pathway through a serene forest with a small clear stream.




Green and brown speckled frog sits on a mossy rock by water, bathed in sunlight.
One of the many Iberian Waterfrogs along the river



Woodpecker with red, black, and white plumage pecking at a tree trunk.
Often heard, but no so easily seen: a Great Spotted Woodpecker



A Jay bird with blue and black plumage perches on a branch amidst lush green foliage.
One of the noisiest creatures of the day: the Eurasian Jay



Besides the birds, the river seemed to have another resident: a Mongoose. I spotted it several times close to the water’s edge, darting through the undergrowth with typical agility. Its occasional appearances added an extra layer of wildness to the already lively scene.



Mongoose with open mouth stands in tall grass, surrounded by leafy branches.
Mongoose



Mongoose on a rock in a sunlit forest, surrounded by greenery and dry branches.



The entire experience left me with a strong impression of a landscape fully alive, thriving in every sense. The rich scents, the dazzling colours, the abundance of insects, and the sheer energy of the birdlife turned the simple act of walking along the river into a multi-sensory adventure.




Bird perches upside-down on a lichen-covered branch against a soft, light background. The bird has a blue and orange plumage.
Nuthatch




Crested Tit on brown branch against blurred green background.
Crested Tit

Black bird perched on a mossy tree branch in a lush green forest.
Blackbird



If you’d like to make the most of a visit to this beautiful corner of Grazalema, exploring it with Birdwatch Cadiz can open your eyes to even more. Sometimes, a bit of expert knowledge makes all the difference in truly appreciating the hidden wonders that spring has to offer.




Turtle resting on a fallen tree trunk above calm water, surrounded by green foliage.


Calm river reflecting trees under a clear blue sky, surrounded by lush greenery.

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