Autumn in Andalusia

15 – 21 September 2025

Autumn in Andalusia

15 – 21 September 2025

Price: 26,350 SEK per person in double room (excluding flights)
Single room supplement: 3.950 SEK

Birds of prey / Vultures / Storks / Sea birds / Bee-eaters / Bald ibis / White-headed Duck / Monarch butterfly

Autumn in Andalusia

Andalusia – Spain’s southernmost province is rich in nature and birds. Beyond the tourist cities, there are vast natural areas, several of which are reserves and nature parks, or even national parks. Andalusia is worth visiting all year round, but autumn and spring are particularly productive for bird enthusiasts. It is, of course, during these seasons that bird migration is concentrated to the southern tip of Europe and the Strait of Gibraltar, where the sea is narrowest to cross. The migration of birds of prey and storks is the most spectacular. But there are also numerous local breeding birds here that are interesting and unique.

Have a look at one of our trip reports!

Species

In the beginning to middle of September, the mix of birds of prey is at its greatest. You can see about 20 different species of birds of prey in a week on this trip. The dominant species during migration include Booted Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Western Marsh Harrier, among others. Among the more resident birds of prey that are also seen in the area are Eastern Imperial Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Bonelli’s Eagle, and Lesser Kestrel, some of the top species. There is also a good chance of seeing one of Europe’s newest bird species – Rüppell’s Vulture. Flocks of White Storks are usually large at this time of year, while Black Storks come in smaller groups. European Bee-eaters also usually migrate now, as do several species of Swifts.

Southern Spain hosts quite a few local bird specialties for which we make special efforts to see; Audouin’s Gull, Red-necked Nightjar, Bald Ibis, White-rumped Swift, Little Swift, White-headed Duck, Marbled Duck, Red-knobbed Coot, Porphyrio, Iberian Green Woodpecker, among others. There are also 3 other newly introduced birds, two of which are not even in the bird book; Black-headed Weaver, Yellow-crowned Bishop, and St Helena Waxbill. Spread by human intervention, but still beautiful birds. We also do a whale-watching safari by boat in the strait, where besides whales and dolphins, you can usually see some seabirds such as Cory’s Shearwater, Yelkouan Shearwater, Gannet, Great Skua, etc.

Other animals

On the whale-watching safari, you typically see a couple of species of dolphins, as well as pilot whales. Larger whales like sperm whales and occasionally killer whales are seen, but not as frequently. It’s not easy to spot mammals, but Iberian ibex is possible in the mountains. Monarch butterflies are usually on the wing and can also be seen in the larval stage at this time of year. Dragonflies are represented by several species; the red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) and the lesser emperor (Anax parthenope) are usually seen.

For whom?

This is a comfortable birdwatching trip at a relaxed pace. Most days, we birdwatch very close to the accommodation, and we stay at the same hotel outside of Tarifa for the entire week. There may be the occasional early morning included and a longer transfer to the Guadalquivir River. This is not a photography trip, but it’s worth bringing your camera as sometimes birds of prey and other low-flying birds come close. The trip is perfect for beginners and couples; if you’ve never birdwatched in the Mediterranean area, this trip is perfect for you. There is also some free time on certain afternoons when the program ends earlier. During this time, you can relax by the pool, enjoy the sun, or take a walk to the beach.

Freedom of choice

Since we stay at the same hotel all week, it’s easy to choose if you’d like to ”stay home” and just relax on any given day. Several of the days involve half-day excursions, so there’s also the option to choose whether to participate or not.

Environments

The landscape around Tarifa is hilly, and we often stand stationed on a hill with a good view to observe the migration of birds of prey. The local guide’s knowledge is crucial to be in the right place according to the wind direction of the day, as there are several different positions to scan from. The area’s beaches are among the cleanest and finest in the country, free from high-rise buildings and other exploitation. The beaches are worth birdwatching on; you can often find waders, gulls, and terns, with shearwaters frequently passing over the sea offshore. Grasslands and scrublands inland attract small birds such as larks, pipits, and songbirds. Inland, there are mountain ranges and valleys that we’ll explore a bit, and if flight times allow, we’ll also have a closer look. Around the eastern side of the Guadalquivir River, there is a whole landscape with salt pans, ponds, and wetlands but also steppe-like areas. Here, you can see plenty of waterfowl and birds of prey.

Local guides

We work with a local guide who leads us throughout the trip. Spain may seem easy to travel in without a guide, but local knowledge should not be underestimated when it comes to knowing where some of the rare birds are to be seen each year; the variation is considerable. Through our local guide, we also gain access to places that the general public cannot visit.

Food and accommodation

We stay at a cozy, pleasant, family-owned hotel with a long tradition of hosting birdwatching groups. We are within walking distance to the beach, have our own pool, and are close to nature and bird migration routes. The food is homemade, flavorful, and traditionally Andalusian. Dinners are enjoyed on the veranda with the singing of cicadas as a backdrop. According to some connoisseurs, coffee in southern Spain is the best in the world, not as strong as Italian espresso but definitely richer than Swedish filter coffee. Here, coffee is brewed cup by cup when you order it at the bar.

Traveling and Route

We start and end in Malaga. The travel time to Tarifa is 2.5 hours. We travel together in a minibus with 9 seats. On the way there, we are happy to stop for a coffee where the view is best towards Africa; on the way back, we would like to take a detour through valleys and mountain ranges. This is assuming that flight and train times allow.

Season and Time

Throughout the year, southern Spain offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. On this trip, the focus is on the migration of birds of prey in particular. We have chosen the time that offers the best mix of species, which is the first half of September. The migration of birds of prey and storks begins as early as July with large numbers of white storks and griffon vultures, continues throughout the autumn until November when the Egyptian vultures leave Europe in the largest numbers.

Practical Information

When: 15 – 21 September 2025

Price: 26,350 SEK per person in a double room (excluding flights)
Single room supplement: 3.950 SEK

Note: We reserve the right to increase the price if local costs or currency changes justify it. Minor adjustments to the start and end times of the trip may sometimes be necessary.

Minimum number of participants: 6
Maximum number of participants: 8

What’s included:
– Full board at a three-star hotel in double rooms with private bathroom/WC
– Local English-speaking guide throughout the trip
– All transportation within Spain
– All meals in Spain except for the transfer days – lunch or snack or dinner depending on flight times on the first and last days
– Swedish tour leader will not be provided if fewer than 6 participants.

Not included:
– Flight ticket Sweden-Malaga (estimated price 3,500 SEK)
– Whale-watching safari by boat (300 SEK per person)
– Alcohol, souvenirs, and other personal expenses
– Tips for the local guide/driver (we usually collect around 100 SEK per person for each of them at the end of the trip if we are satisfied)
– One lunch and one dinner.

Registration fee:
Once you have registered, we will send you an invoice for 5,000 SEK as a registration fee, guaranteeing you a place on the trip.