From Golden Eagle

Who?
Ian Williams is the “heart and soul” of Birdwatch Alpujarras. His enthusiasm for our feathered friends knows no bounds. He has vast experience of birdwatching throughout Europe, but especially in the Alpujarras, where he now lives, and in his native UK.

Kiersten Rowland (me) is resident in the Alpujarras and looks after the website and administration functions. I also help support Ian on birdwatching tours throughout the region. Contact me if you have relevant and related information you wish to be included on the site.

Both are passionate about the area and it’s birdlife.

The Birds
Resident raptors include Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles and these are joined by large numbers of Booted and Short Toed Eagles over the breeding season. All three of southern Spain’s “exotic” species, namely, Hoopoe, Rollers and Bee-Eaters, breed locally and are seen regularly. Golden orioles nest in and around the village. Chats and Thrushes include the Northen, Black and Black Eared Wheatear. Black Redstart and Blue Rock thrushes. Other seasonal visitors of note include Great Grey and Woodchat Shrikes, with Subalpine Warblers in the spring. Local woodland brings frequent sightings of Crossbills and Crested Tits. Firecrests are another local speciality.

From Bee-Eater

The Tours
They offer guided tours in 4×4 transport in small groups to ensure we get the best the region can provide. Recent days have brought great sightings of Eagle Owl, Goshawk and Iberian Yellow Wagtails. There is always something fantastic to see!

The Website
You will find much information about the tours and birdlife on the site. Also they report any news or frequent sightings. Much of the site is “interactive” and they encourage you to assist with any information you can provide.

Contact:
Via website: www.birdwatchalpujarras.com

Tapa the bite sized mutt just taking off with ears flying to chase Khumbu

Khumbu viewing the world from a strange angle and showing how flexible he is whilst having a shake

Bruno shaking the water off himself after sticking his head in the water

Have a look at the video below for the crazy dogs and skiing.

The stables are situated on a small plateau at a height of 1200 metres above the spa town of Lanjaron in the Alpujarra region of Andalucia, close to Granada. Wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, hills and Sierra Nevada mountains are evident in all directions!

Sarah Vesey of Caballo Blanco established the riding centre back in 1993. Since then it has grown to become one of the leading and most well known equestrian centres in Andalucia. On offer are rides between 1 hour and multi-day excursions into the hills and mountains. Novices and children are most welcome, as are single travellers. For the advanced rider there are challenging trails on offer in the glorious mountain scenery of the Sierra Nevada.

Riding lessons are available by the hour. Childrens’ parties can be arranged. We cater for special occasions, aniversaries, birthdays etc

Their horses are fully trained to be ridden either western style or traditional style. They have a wide choice of horses of varying ages to suit the beginner and advanced rider. Easy hacks or challenging trail rides. There is something there for all. There is a varied choice of ride from 1 hour to a 8 day multi-day trail ride high in the mountains.

For all the latest details of our horses, as well as news, happenings, photo uploads, guests comments, events and gossip, from the stables visit the Caballo Blanco Social Network

This is not a daft one but a nice one of Khumbu and Bruno together

These are a set of photos showing the facial expressions of a husky putting every effort into running

A close up of the above shot showing a husky entering psycho mode!

We met at 10am outside a bar in Lanjaron, there were 9 of us in total in 2 4×4 vehicles. We drove a short way outside of Lanjaron to a town called Padul and down some tracks to a wetland area (yes a wetland area in Andalucia). We spent a great few hours wandering around this reserve spotting all sorts of wildlife, including terrapins, and flowers along with the birds.

Now Dad is a keen birder (he does voluntary work for a local RSPB site) but mum is not that bothered, but they both thoroughly enjoyed their time on the tour. I have to agree, small birds I know nothing about, they flit around to quick to get a good look at them but with Ian and Steve’s enthusiasum and experience it was a truly enjoyable experience. By the end of the tour we could all tell the difference between these little birds and could recognise the sound of a corn bunting!!

If you are ever in this area and have a spare few hours I would honestly recommend a few hours with Ian and Steve. The Alpujarras offer some of Spain’s most spectacular birdlife, Ian and Steve report new and frequent sightings and write up the trip reports on their website, our trip can be viewed on their blog.

The birds that were spotted that day were Reed Warblers, Cetti’s Warblers, Corn Buntings, Stonechat, Woodchat Shrike, Kestrels, Bonelli’s Eagle.

These are a few photos from our trip, no bird ones im afraid, I just wasnt quick enough with the camera!

Bruno showing off his big tongue.

Khumbu running free off the lead

A happy bouncing Khumbu

The acequia is how we irrigate our land and is a source of great entertainment for our dogs. Our water comes from the snows in the Sierra Nevada and is collected in a lake called the Laguna de Lanjaron high up in the mountains. As the snow melts it flows down the various channels. When we want water we have to drive to an aquaduct that is higher up our mountain, open a gate that allows the water to flow down our side of the mountain, close off other acequias until it comes down to our land.

After the recent rains there was a landslide that blocked our acequia so Richard and a neighbour spent half a day digging it out and getting bitten by mosquitos. Their hard work paid off and the very next day we watered our land and entertained Khumbu and Bruno who spent a good hour in and out of the water.