Item: Sierra Magina Golden Eagle Birding Tour, Jaén, Spain
Rating: 4.61
Author: helloiberianlynxland-com

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Golden Eagle Birding Tour in Jaén

This 5-day Sierra Mágina Golden Eagle Tour is available on request and explores the rugged Sierra Mágina Natural Park in the province of Jaén, Spain. This Park covers 19,900ha of steep and rocky limestone terrain, with precipitous cliffs and high summits that are often snow-capped in winter. It is a mountain range famous for having one of the high densities of Golden Eagles to be found in Europe.

Due to wide variations in climate and terrain, this protected area is also home to an extraordinary variety and number of wild plants, including many orchids and wild mushrooms. The abundance of wildflowers and aromatic plants add a richness of colour and scent to the Sierra, and hardy species growing on the upper slopes are unique to this part of Spain.

"On 24th and 25th April, we enjoyed the best two wildlife excursions we have ever had. From Ubeda, Jose Luis Sanchez of Iberian Lynx Land, took us to the Sierra Andujar and Sierra Magina Natural Parks in his four wheel drive vehicle for some magical encounters with a range of animals. Jose found lynx, otter, red deer, ibex, several species of bat and a huge range of birds, many of which were "firsts" for me. Jose has a tremendous knowledge of the natural landscape surrounding Ubeda and is passionate about its wildlife. He is also an expert tracker (I cannot imagine one better) and does not like to be beaten when it comes to searching for specific species. " - Mark Green

As well as Golden Eagle, in such a magnificent natural space you can see Bonelli’s Eagle, Goshawk, Peregrine, Eagle Owl, Red-tailed Rock Thrush and Blue-rock Thrush, Red-billed Chough, Crag Martin, Alpine Swift, Ring Ouzel, Golden Oriole, Black Wheatear, Cirl Bunting and, with luck, perhaps a Wallcreeper fleeing the cold of northern Europe.

On top of the birdlife there are interesting mammals and reptiles: Wild Boar, Spanish Ibex, Ocellated Lizard, Montpellier Snake, and Snub-nose Viper, to name a few. Furthermore, there are the invertebrates such as the grasshopper Eumigas monticola, which is native to Andalucía, and butterflies such as the threatened Purple Shot Copper Lycaena alciphron, Two-tailed Pasha Charaxes jasius, and the rare Mazarine Blue Cyaniris semiargus.

Staying in the heart of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park puts you in the perfect spot to appreciate this colossus of a Sierra, at 7,100 feet the highest in the region. This tour is a chance to combine the riches of an area known for its Golden Eagles with the folklore and cuisine of Jaén and its age-old relationship with the 'liquid gold' known as olive oil.

This is the Realm of the Golden Eagle, so if you want to enjoy the birds' wonderful aerial courtship displays and hunting flights or just admire the majestic view of an eagle perching, you have to visit Sierra Mágina.

Sierra Mágina Golden Eagle Birding Tour highlights include:

The unique rocky limestone terrain of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park
One of the largest collection of Golden Eagles in Europe
A taste of the unique cuisine of the province of Jáen

Interested in this tour but keen to see what longer tours are on offer in other locations? Have a look aT the Birdwatching in Morocco and Wildlife Tour.

Alternative Tour Name: Sierra Magina Natural Park: The Realm of the Golden Eagle

Day 1

Day 1 - Arrival

Arrival at our meeting point in the village of Torres and check-in into our hotel. If we have time, we can do a short excursion in the surrounding area.

Day 2

Day 2 - To Sierra

Right to the heart of the Sierra, and at an impressive 1750 m, the highest accessible point by vehicle, our route takes us to El Caño del Aguadero, combining landscapes of dramatic mountain peaks and open highland meadows of exceptional botanical interest.

Day 3

Day 3 - Olive Oil Museum

A foodie morning visiting the Olive Oil Museum, to know about the olive oil culture and for olive oil tasting. After that, we’ll go for birding to the Laguna Grande Lagoon, the biggest of the province, placed next to the Museum. Late afternoon we’ll go to the foot of a spectacular cliff. Rising dramatically out of myriad olive groves and lands of Mediterranean fruit trees such as almond, cherry and fig, is the immense rock face known as El Torcal. Here, traditional rural activity meets spectacular, rugged countryside.

Day 4

Day 4 - Guadalquivir river

Early breakfast and we’ll head down to the valley of the Guadalquivir river. We’ll visit the wetlands and marshes along the valley. It is an important area for breeding and migrating birds, as well as overwintering waterfowls.

Day 5

Day 5 - End of the tour

End of the tour.

Wildlife Reviews

4.61 stars

- based on 3 reviews

Golden eagle
Martin G.26 Oct 2019
3.83
Overall

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Conservation
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Value

Interesting landscape: steep mountains deep glens. We spotted a golden eagle sitting on top of a cliff.Could watch him for some time. We saw also Ibexes up there.
Best Wildlife Trips Ever
Mark Green24 Apr 2017
5
Overall

Tours
Wildlife
Guides
Conservation
Location
Value

On 24th and 25th April, we enjoyed the best two wildlife excursions we have ever had. From Ubeda, Jose Luis Sanchez of Iberian Lynx Land, took us to the Sierra Andujar and Sierra Magina Natural Parks in his four wheel drive vehicle for some magical encounters with a range of animals. Jose found lynx, otter, red deer, ibex, several species of bat and a huge range of birds, many of which were "firsts" for me. Jose has a tremendous knowledge of the natural landscape surrounding Ubeda and is passionate about its wildlife. He is also an expert tracker (I cannot imagine one better) and does not like to be beaten when it comes to searching for specific species. In the Sierra Andujar, he was constantly looking for signs of lynx and when he spotted one, he had it in the scope in seconds, giving us a beautiful view view of a male lynx. When the animal moved out of sight, Jose Luis was able to follow its progress from the alarm calls of magpies until he spotted it again, on the other side of the track, where it was joined by a female. We watched them lying under some holm oaks for some time. A wonderful experience. Jose showed us Golden Eagle, Spanish Imperial Eagle and Bonelli's Eagle among a bird list too numerous to mention. He also provided a picnic on each day, one of which was laid out in a glorious position in view of a Bonelli's Eagle nest site. In the Sierra Magina, I asked Jose if we could see orchids and within 30 minutes we had visited two sites and I had photographed five species of orchid. We came away with beautiful pictures and memories of all the wildlife seen. Jose offers every help to clients. He booked our hotel for us and gave lots of general advice on sights to see in and around Ubeda. We would give him and Iberian Lynx Land the highest recommendation.
Cazorla National Park
Nigel Meyrick31 Jul 2017
5
Overall

Tours
Wildlife
Guides
Conservation
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Value

We had a full day tour in the National Park with our guide Tomas, he was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna within the Park. The whole experience was one of the best we have had. The animals we sighted were, Fallow Deer, Foxes, Squirrels, Andalucian Ibex, Griffin Vulture, Motagu's Harrier, Golden Eagle, Hoopoe. The best park of the trip was the Griffin Vultures nesting site. The birds came within 5 metres of us, awe inspiring. I would recommend the Safari to anyone, it is different to anything we have done before, but well worth it. A special thanks to Tomas.

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Why book with Iberian Lynx Land?

Iberian lynx Land is an Ecotourism Registered Company. Along with RESPONSIBLE NATURE TOURISM, Iberian Lynx Land’s pivotal values include EDUCATION and CONSERVATION of Nature and Natural Resources. We are also an Environmental Consultant Company.

Information

The rugged Sierra Mágina Natural Park covers 19,900ha of rocky, steep limestone terrain, with precipitous cliffs and high summits that are often snow-capped in winter. A mountain range home to the greatest density of Golden eagles in Europe. It is as well home to an extraordinary variety and number of wild plants; hardy plants growing on the upper slopes are unique to the park and its abundant wildflowers and aromatic plants add a richness of colour and scent to the Sierra. Due to wide variations in climate and terrain within the park, there is a wealth of wildlife, including many orchids and wild mushrooms, as well as native plant species, some of which are exclusive to the Sierra. In such magnificent natural space you can see Bonelli’s eagle, Goshawk, Peregrine, Eagle owl, Red-tailed rock and Blue-rock trush, Red-billed chough, Crag martin, Alpine swift, Ring ouzel, Golden oriole, Black wheatear, Cirl bunting, and if we are very lucky, maybe a Wallcreeper fleeing from the cold of Northern Europe. And...not only birds: Wild boar, Spanish ibex, Ocellated lizard, Montpellier snake, Snub-nose viper. Invertebrates like the grasshopper Eumigus monticola, which is native to Andalusia, and butterflies like the threatened Purple shot copper Lycaena alciphron, Two-tailed pasha Charaxes jasius, and the rare Mazarine blue Cyaniris semiargus.

Tips

It is advisable to bring light trekking boots walking shoes, a jacket or a fleece jacket and a rain jacket, binoculars, photo camera.

Flights

In regards to your flight, the nearest airport is Malaga - located 230 km,, 2,5h from Torres. Another option is Madrid airport. 365 km, 3,5from Torres