6 September 2024: Day 0, Arrive in Seville, Spain WINGS Spain in Autumn
Click on right here to see (usually) the place I’m at present.
Right now I’ll land twice on the Iberian peninsula, at Lisbon, Portugal and Seville, Spain. It’s the solely house of the Spanish eagle* (Aquila adalberti), pictured above.
If all goes as deliberate I’ll land in Seville at 3:40pm Central European Summer season Time (9:40am in Pittsburgh). Tonight our group will spend an evening close to the airport, then set out early tomorrow for our birding journey. Since we received’t have time to check Spain’s tradition and historical past, I’ll use this chance to explain the cities the place we’ll be staying, marked on the WINGS map under.
embedded Google map from WINGS Birding Excursions
Our journey is totally inside Andalusia, the autonomous neighborhood that covers southern Spain. Positioned between Europe, Africa, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea, Andalusia has attracted immigrants, merchants and conquerors all through its historical past together with historical Iberians, Celts, Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs. We are going to see their influences within the cities we go to.
Seville
Factors A, B & G on the map, our tour will spend one night time close to the airport at the beginning of the journey. On the finish I’ll keep one night time on the identical resort earlier than my 6:30am flight house the following day. We won’t see a lot of Seville.
Seville is the fourth largest metropolis in Spain and its solely inland port. Based within the eighth century BC within the Guadalquivir River Valley (the “frying pan of Spain”) summers are lengthy, sizzling and dry (common 97°F in July, 88°F in September). Seville’s historical past is clear in its well-known buildings, two of that are pictured right here — one Catholic, one Muslim.
Chipiona
Level C on the map: 2 nights.
Chipiona is on the Atlantic coast close to the mouth of the Guadalquivir River the place the Salmedina Rocks are a hazard to navigation. The Romans constructed a lighthouse there and named the city for the Roman Consul who commissioned it. The current lighthouse, inbuilt 1867, is the tallest in Spain and fifth tallest on the earth.
Chipiona’s riverfront is filled with historical buildings together with Chipiona Citadel, constructed within the thirteenth century.
The city has a well-liked seaside on its Atlantic waterfront the place highs in July are 84°F, in September 81°F. For sure, the birds are on the river aspect.
Tarifa
Level D on the map: 5 nights.
The southernmost level in Europe and gateway to Africa, Tarifa is barely 8.1 miles (13 km) from Morocco throughout the Strait of Gibraltar. The wind blows right here. Loads! Which suggests heat climate can really feel downright chilly.
There are two varieties of wind in Tarifa: the windsurfer-friendly Levante (that is available in from the east, normally hotter and at it’s greatest throughout summer time) and the Poniente (blowing in from the west, cooler from the ocean and extra widespread throughout winter), which is greatest for kite surfers. Because of the drive and consistency of windy days, Tarifa has a whole lot of wind generators. Fascinating truth: in 2013, Spain was the primary nation on the earth to depend on wind power as its prime power supply. Visiting Tarifa, and experiencing the rate (and harm) of the wind firsthand, it’s no surprise why.
Due to wind and placement, Tarifa can also be an excellent place to observe fall migration. The chook commentary publish described at this hyperlink is on the pin drop on the map. Zoom the map to see the encircling space.
We may also take a pelagic tour (see instance at Birding the Strait) and go on a whale watch.
Ronda
Level E on the map, 2 nights.
Within the province of Malaga, Ronda is at 2,460 ft so its local weather is cooler. July excessive temperatures common 83°F, highs in September are 77°F.
Ronda is understood for its cliffside location and a deep canyon that carries the Guadalevín River and divides the city. It is without doubt one of the cities and villages which can be included within the Sierra de las Nieves Nationwide Park.
The Puento Nuevo bridge is the place I hope to see red-billed choughs (Crows With Purple Beaks).
Osuna
Level F on the map, 1 night time.
Although Osuna is constructed on a hilltop it’s within the Guadalquivir watershed with hot-weather plains under. Excessive temperatures in Osuna common 94°F in July and 85°F in September. Osuna is our final cease earlier than returning house by way of Seville Airport.
* The chook pictured at prime is an immature Spanish eagle coming in for a touchdown. Our journey guidelines has it because the “Spanish imperial eagle.” Birds of the World lists the Spanish eagle and the Imperial eagle as a separate species.
