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Routes & Birdwatching Sites

Routes & Birdwatching Sites

El Cerro de Santi Petri

These are some of the birds we can find around here in February: Red-legged Partridge, Griffon Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Hoopoe, Green Woodpecker, Thekla Lark, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Raven, Starling, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Serin, Cirl Bunting, Corn Bunting and Rock Bunting.

Most of the hills here are topped by rock outcrops where a lush Mediterranean scrub and even little oaks grow away from the plough impact. This is a very appropriate habitat for the invisible Eagle Owl. When these rocks are big enough to form cliffs, Bonelli’s Eagles can (and in fact do!) use them to nest despite they are not very high. So, let’s keep an eye on the sky for such an emblematic bird of Malaga province.

We will also go across one of the last Cork Oak forests in this district which will give us some birds different from those in the groves.

Itinerary

The Cerro (hill) Santi Petri is the tallest (796 m. above sea level) among a set of smooth rolling hills around Almogia, a beautiful village to the east of the Valle (valley) del Guadalhorce District. These hills have traditionally been devoted to grow almonds and olives, and even wheat, as shown by the presence of some old threshing floors. In spite of the low productivity of these sometimes steep slopes, most of the olives and almond groves are still managed “the old way”, allowing a natural field layer on the ground and the presence of many different birds. Where the olive and almond groves have been abandoned, the Mediterranean scrub develops, giving these plots a very natural appearance.

As the Medina Azahara legend states, the almond groves are the way to create a falling snow illusion in the lower lands and February is the time it “snows” in Malaga province.

If you are interested in doing this route, click on this link where we will provide you information about how to do it and which are the best points of interest.

Route On foot
Difficulty - Easy