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Birdwatching Day Tours and Birding Breaks
in the beautiful surroundings of the Rio Guadalhorce valleyOnly 30 minutes inland from Malaga, its airport and resorts on the Costa del Sol.
Our location in Alora in central inland Andalucia contains a huge variety of terrain - river valley, prairie-like rolling hills, cliffs and gorges, lakes and forests, all providing both superb habitats for many different bird species, and all set amidst breathtaking scenery.
Novice or expert birder - or even if you mainly prefer to enjoy the scenery - our tours will leave you with an unforgettable experience of the birdlife of Andalucia.
We are happy to conduct Day Tours for those staying in the Malaga and Costa del Sol areas - pickups anywhere by arrangement.
For those birders also looking for accommodation we offer Birding Breaks at our own finca - licenced by the Tourism Department of Andalucia - Finca Limoneros.
More details under Day Tours and Birding Breaks below.
Great location and scenery
Our location in the Rio Guadalhorce valley is in the heart of Andalucia, yet within easy reach (30 minutes drive) of Malaga airport and resorts on the Costa del Sol.
Our surroundings include the rugged gorges at El Chorro and Teba, and of course the lovely lake district of Ardales. Nowhere in Andalucia is the scenery better or more varied.
Scenic Bird Tours visit the most beautiful scenic spots - some of them well hidden from the casual tourist.
Your Tour Guide
Tours are all personally guided by either Keith or Heidi, with the emphasis on a friendly and relaxed approach.
Maximum tick-lists are not our aim - but enjoyable birding is.
Tours have evolved from Keith and Heidi's guiding to guests at Finca Limoneros, the comfortable holiday retreat run by Heidi and husband Martin in Alora in the heart of Andalucia.
When to come birding in Andalucia
Five years experience in the Rio Guadalhorce Valley have taught us that productive birding can be had all year round, even during the hottest period of July and early August - our tours in early July 2007 gave excellent results and the start of migration in August adds the likelihood of species on passage - Black Kites and the like.
Most birders choose the Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) periods. Both weather-wise and birding-wise they are rarely disappointed, with mostly sunny, comfortable conditions, the overlapping of Summer and Winter visitors, and of course migratory species.
March and June are less popular but for no good reason. March is cooler and June warmer, but both are good birding months.
Andalucia, of course, does have marked seasons and rain is likeliest in November and February but rarely lasts for very long. Both have cooler weather but with great birding - our tour with well-known Finnish bird photographer Jorma Tenovuo in mid-February 2007 produced an excellent list and some superb pictures, in very pleasant conditions.
Perhaps the most overlooked period of all is the true Winter, December and January, which most years are dry and sunny with crisp, cold days (though cold is relative and temperatures only reach freezing on two or three days each year). Winter birding is superb, with river birds in particular being present in numbers not seen in other seasons.
Most birders choose the Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) periods. Both weather-wise and birding-wise they are rarely disappointed, with mostly sunny, comfortable conditions, the overlapping of Summer and Winter visitors, and of course migratory species.
March and June are less popular but for no good reason. March is cooler and June warmer, but both are good birding months.
Andalucia, of course, does have marked seasons and rain is likeliest in November and February but rarely lasts for very long. Both have cooler weather but with great birding - our tour with well-known Finnish bird photographer Jorma Tenovuo in mid-February 2007 produced an excellent list and some superb pictures, in very pleasant conditions.
Perhaps the most overlooked period of all is the true Winter, December and January, which most years are dry and sunny with crisp, cold days (though cold is relative and temperatures only reach freezing on two or three days each year). Winter birding is superb, with river birds in particular being present in numbers not seen in other seasons.
Day Tours
A typical day tour will embrace a cross section of terrain, from the high sierras, cliffs and gorges through wooded river valleys and pine forests to lakes, marshes and estuaries. Sites visited will be local or within an hour or so's drive of Keith's finca in Alora. Itineraries can be tailored to individual target species and preferences. All tours take advantage of the outstanding natural beauty of our surroundings and the scenery of the Natural Parks of El Chorro, Ardales, Guadalhorce, Teba and others. More details on our Itineraries page.
Tours start around 10:00am and visit some local areas before venturing further afield. Lunch is usually a home made picnic or delicious tapas in a bar en route. In the afternoon we will complete the circuit and arrive back in Alora around 6:00pm - or later if we having an especially good birding day!
No matter where you are staying in the area, Keith will be pleased to guide you for one or more day tours. See our Book a Tour page for prices, what's included and how to book.
Tours start around 10:00am and visit some local areas before venturing further afield. Lunch is usually a home made picnic or delicious tapas in a bar en route. In the afternoon we will complete the circuit and arrive back in Alora around 6:00pm - or later if we having an especially good birding day!
No matter where you are staying in the area, Keith will be pleased to guide you for one or more day tours. See our Book a Tour page for prices, what's included and how to book.
Birding Breaks
There is ample birding here to fill at least three full tour days. Our short breaks of 3 nights (2 birding days) and 4 nights (3 birding days) combine Keith's guiding with superior accommodation at Finca Limoneros.
Accommodation is self catering but a generous welcome pack is supplied. Lunch will be taken whilst out birding and there are a variety of restaurants and tapas bars within easy reach for evening meals (not included).
Prices reflect a simple accommodation plus guiding fees formula which is great value for money. See our Book a Tour page for prices and other details.
Accommodation is self catering but a generous welcome pack is supplied. Lunch will be taken whilst out birding and there are a variety of restaurants and tapas bars within easy reach for evening meals (not included).
Prices reflect a simple accommodation plus guiding fees formula which is great value for money. See our Book a Tour page for prices and other details.
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