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Routes & Birdwatching Sites

Routes & Birdwatching Sites

Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 25. Estación de Benaoján - Jimera de Líbar

The presence of the river clearly marks the type of bird species you can see at the beginning of Stage 25, soecies which then give way to a community of forest birds in the uphill stretches leading through holm oaks.

 

Highlighted Species

At the starting point you can see urban dwellers, such as Eurasian Collared Dove, Pallid and Common Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Black Redstart, Common Starling, House Sparrow and, at the same time, species typical of riverside woods, including Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Sandpiper, Eurasian Collared Dove, Scops Owl, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Great Spotted Woodpecker, White and Grey Wagtail, Nightingale, Cetti´s Warbler, Wren, and Golden Oriole. Besides, the vegetable plots and scrubland at the first part of Stage 25 hold the European Robin, Common Blackbird, Song Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher, Woodchat Shrike, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Serin, Greenfinch and Cirl Bunting. These birds, together with rock-dwelling species such as Alpine Swift, Crag Martin and Blue Rock Thrush, create one of the most diverse birdlife starting points of all the stages along the Great Malaga Path.

In the holm oak woods you can find Common Wood Pigeon, European Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Song and Mistle Thrush, Blackcap, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Eurasian Jay, Goldfinch and Cirl Bunting, whilst in the shadiest spots with Portuguese gall oaks, Bonelli´s Warbler occurs, and you can see flocks of Long-tailed Tits.

The river, present virtually along the whole stage, allows for the presence of large birds such as Grey Heron and even Great Cormorant in winter, on top of the already named typical riparian species of birds.

Stage 25 is highly suitable for watching birds of prey, with such notable species as Griffon Vulture, Northern Goshawk, Short-toed, Booted, Golden and Bonelli´s Eagle, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon. Additionally, during migration passage periods you can frequently observe Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, and Hobby. As far as nocturnal raptors, the Eagle Owl is present, plus Tawny Owl and Scops Owl.  Stage 25 also holds Common Linnet and Rock Bunting, which, together with Zitting Cisticola and Crested Lark occurring in cultivated areas, make up which quite an impressive set of species for such a short stage.

Itinerary

This beautiful route goes between holm and gall oaks, poplars and ash trees, follows the railway that stretches from Bobadilla to Algeciras and goes along the River Guadiaro, where you can admire people who go kayaking in its pure waters.

 

Route On foot
Trail Type Lineal
Distance 9600
Estimated Time 3:00
Difficulty - Green - Very easy