This time it was the challenge of an 17k walk from Don Domingo on a 'camino' starting at 8pm with the intention of arriving at midnight. Most of us made it, but some like me, only just. We were in tents overnight but that was after unpacking the beer and whatever else anyone had brought with them. A bottle of Whiskey disappeared quickly to help the recovery. This is an excellent location to visit with an awe-inspiring ridge as the backdrop.
The quicker feet saw 'Jabali' dashing away with deer on the higher slopes. The more ardent drinkers saw a Nightjar fly through the camp into a pine tree. The next morning saw me hitching a lift in a support vehicle but Mel and Michelle made it with sore feet.
I never stop looking and we saw both Bonelli's (Perdicera) and Booted Eagle (Agulilla Calzada) on our way back with a Golden Oriole (Oropendola) glimpsed as it flew away.
We all had lunch, a few beers then back to Rosa Blanca to meet up with more friends who came to share the greatness of the Sierra de Segura with Yorkshire and Spanish hospitality as an added bonus.
The next morning saw some of the group go off road with Mel ascending into the Sierra for some, the first sight, of the majesty of the mountains. I stayed local with the simple view of seeing what was around us. I had Booted Eagles flying high then eventually just over our heads as they glided over the Popular trees. A Golden Oriole called but kept quiet with the predator overhead. At one stage there were over fifty Griffon Vultures (Buitre Leonardo) circling on the thermals.
The following morning we had a mid-day appointment the other side of the mountain where Wendy had ensured that we could see 'Quebrantahuesos' - the Bearded Vulture - also called Lammergeier - but in captivity at 'Centro de Cria del Quebrantahuesos´. Their aim is to breed and then release the wild juvenile birds to supplement the small numbers that still exist in various locations. They ensure that there is food for them so that they know where to come back to, to get fed. Also included in this program was the Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Comun) and so were able to see these species close up, albeit, in cages. You can check this out and support them on www.gypaetus.org it is always a good thing to know that there are people and organisations that are trying to remedy the faults of others.
It was a dash to get there on time but the journey back was more leisurely. We soon saw both Gamo and Ciervo (Fallow and Red Deer) in small groups. Jays flew often and again there was an Agulilla Calzada flying over showing the sharpness of the white and black underside of the wings. A Greater Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos) flew and perched. A Blue Rock Thrush was seen. We had a very brief sighting of possibly a male Hobby (Alcotan Europeo)
There were many small birds flying in and out of bushes but sharp eyes were sometimes not good enough with their speed. However Rock Sparrows (Gorrion Chillon), Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris), Linnet (Pardillo Comun) and Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudon Comun) were easily identified but one warbler did excite us. After checking the books we were sure that it was an Olivaceous Warbler (Zarcero Palido), that is when it stayed in one place long enough to be examined. Buitre Leonardo were visible often but then a flying black cloud was spotted up on the ridge. There was about one hundred Chough (Chova Piguirroja).
This is not intended ever to be a complete list but to give clear indications what can be seen in Sierra de Segura and there is no better place to stay than at www.rosablancabnb.com at Los Teatinos.
Our last evening saw us looking at the night sky with Mel checking out the planets on his App. Michelle set the camera up on a thirty-minute exposure to capture it. Her two shots are now on Facebook. While we were sitting relaxing a Scops Owl (Autillo Europeo) called from a tree in the corner of the garden with another one calling further away. We even saw one fly over us - now that is a good garden bird to have. Is it not?
Even if you are only there for the scenery there is so much to see but the harder you look the more you will see. This was also a great time for butterflies and we are still checking the photographs. I love these mountains.
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