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Routes & Birdwatching Sites

Routes & Birdwatching Sites

Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 07. Cómpeta - Canillas de Aceituno

Stage 7 leads through the total of 5 settlements which makes it very anthropic (or transformed by humans) in character, with plenty of crop fields. The watercourses mingle with woodland and the plant formations consisting of pine trees and holm oaks demonstrate a part of the potential vegetation of the area.

 

Highlighted Species

This is a stage of the walk which, in major part, takes you to areas marked by human influence. You will visit the total of five towns and their surroundings, so the urban-dwelling species of birds are abundant. Eurasian Collared Dove, Common and Pallid Swifts, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Crag Martin, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Common Blackbird, Great Tit, Spotless and Common Starling, House Sparrow, Goldfinch and Serin are the leading species of Stage 7.  Additionally to these species, in the areas with orchards and vegetable gardens found between Cómpeta and Canillas de Albaida, you can see Stonechat, Great Tit, Common Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Serin, which will continue to appear throughout Stage 7.

In the woods of Aleppo and Maritime pines you can also see Common Wood Pigeon, European Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle and Song Thrush, Great and Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Common Chaffinch and Crossbill. Additionally, in the copses of holm oak, we should add to the list the Blue Tit, Eurasian Jay, Spotted Flycatcher and Eurasian Siskin.

You will also be walking through some open scrubland, predominantly composed of broom and it is in this type of environment where the Crested Lark becomes the star species, together with such birds as Red-legged Partridge, Zitting Cisticola and Sardinian Warbler. The water channels and any other places where water is present close to main riverbeds are the best spots to see Blackcap, Wren and Golden Oriole, and to enjoy the Nightingale´s and Cetti´s Warbler´s song.

What is more, the closeness of the mountains makes finding the great raptors easier, such as Griffon Vulture, Bonelli´s and Golden Eagle, as well as the typical forest species of birds of prey which also manage to find some suitable nesting spots in this area (mainly Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard).The list of birds can be rounded up by adding Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Little Owl, Scops Owl, Tawny Owl, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Cirl Bunting and Corn Bunting.

Itinerary

This stage is symbolized by a huge chalky massif of the Sierra Tejeda, and connects various villages and small towns of Axarquía. It stretches to the middle of the mountain, where different rural constructions of diverse civilizations are set.

 

Route On foot
Trail Type Lineal
Distance 24300
Estimated Time 8:15
Difficulty - Black - Very difficult