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Spanish Nature News
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| Spanish Nature for quality birding and wildlife holidays |
Latest News from Spanish Nature
Spanish Nature E-news
February, 2010 - Vol 2, Issue 1
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| Dear Pieter, |
We have had a pretty hectic schedule to the start of the new year. We started in January with our recce tour to Gambia/Senegal. Returning home from this most successful and enjoyable tour, with only 4 days before setting-off again to lead our Costa Rica tour! On the 21st of February we are off yet again to Morocco, this time to liaise with various schools and women's cooperatives as part of our responsible tourism programme. We are going armed with clothes, crayons, pairs of binoculars and funding managers for various projects we have been asked to assist. Busy, but of course it is all great fun.
We have a couple of places left for our Moroccan Grand Safari tour, which begins March 17th and ends on March 27th. If you have had enough of this long and very cold winter, why not consider giving yourself a very special treat and join us on this wonderfully exotic tour (see article below). On the topic of Morocco, we have interest from folk to do a 3 day short break to the Atlantic coast area of Morocco between the dates of 28th April and 4th May 2010, if you have an interest in this tour and would like to join us, please do get in touch, the price reduces for this tour with each extra person signing-on!
The tour to Gambia and Senegal was a great success, in fact so successful we have decided to include a March 2010 tour to the Gambia! It is short notice, but if you want to bask in temperatures in the 30's and forget the cold at home, then we think this is a great option. To go ahead we need a minimum number of 4 people and the dates will coincide with our Moroccan Grand Safari tour, so two great opportunities to escape the winter during March.
With the spring fast approaching and hopefully bearing the promise of better weather, don't forget we do day tours down here in deepest southern Spain (see 'Quick Links' in the column to the left). With the enormous rainfall we have experienced during the past couple of months, water has filled all the lagoons and this will make the spring an absolute feast for migrants and summer visitors. A great time to plan a holiday in Andalucia!
Warmest best wishes,
Peter & Pieter
Spanish Nature |
A Classic 3 Day Short Break in Morocco
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 Visiting Spain? Whilst you are there why not consider a mini-adventure and visit the exotic North African destination of Morocco? Spanish Nature offers 3 day away breaks to Morocco with a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of only 4 persons needed in order for any of these trips to proceed! To take a look at the full itinerary, please click here - Morocco 3 day Short Break.
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| The Cream-coloured Courser |
Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor
 When our travels take us to Morocco, the Cream-coloured Courser seems to thrill our friends and is also one of our favourite birds, ranking right up there with Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes and a few other species which rarely, if ever, appear in Europe. Polytypic, the Cream-coloured Courser is the only west Palearctic representative of this distinctive genus and is well adapted to desert type habitats. As its scientific name suggests, the bird's behaviour is one of frequent running and this helps us spot this otherwise elusive bird whose sandy coloured plumage blends perfectly with its favoured desert surroundings. At all times of the year this species can be found across low, mainly continental latitudes in arid, very warm, mostly lowland desert fringes, semi-desert, and areas marginally cultivated, probably only temporarily visiting inner deserts. The Saharan race, nominate cursor, makes extensive movements which appear to include seasonal migrations. Bannerman 1962; Heim de Balsac and Mayaud 1962; Smith 1965, observed that it was evidently scarce to absent in the northern Sahara in winter, though present then in coastal plains of Morocco. Our own observations contradict this view; we have found good numbers in the winter, especially near to M'hamid and also close to Zagora. So whatever time of year you wish to visit Morocco and particularly the Saharan region, be sure to keep a sharp lookout for this most striking of desert birds. |
| Morocco - Grand Safari Tour - ONLY 2 PLACES AVAILABLE! |
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 A truly great destination the exotic and warm Sahara in Morocco, full of vibrant colours, great people and a landscape which is simply stunning. Our tours start in the cultural centre of Marrakech, a bustling hub of enterprise with rich ingredients of tradition and historical interest; warm days soon dispel any lingering thoughts of home in surroundings so pleasantly different from what you might have expected. It's a wrench to leave the old city, but the call of the Sahara and the prospect of crossing the High Atlas, make the departure one of high expectation mixed with the excitement of seeing a wilderness so full of spectacular scenery and views, you feel a strange longing to be on your way in our adventure. The contrast in scenery couldn't be more marked on our journey, green and rocky valleys, where rivers run northward from the snow melts of the high mountains to the southern slopes, where rich and fertile valleys stretch like fingers into an altogether different and more arid landscape.
 The birding in the Sahara is wonderful and full of species not seen in the more fertile parts of the north. Here there is an array of Lark and Wheatear species unparalleled outside of Africa, we will also see birds such as Desert Sparrow, a highly prized species, along with a real favourite among visiting birders the Cream-coloured Courser. Following the Draa Valley with its famous palmeries, whose green hues glow in stark contrast to the surrounding deserts and mountains, we will arrive at the end of the road in the small desert village of M'hamid. We spend a night here in a Bedouin Camp and can see stars at night, so close you really do feel you can reach out and touch them! The tour winds its way onward and eastwards to the famous Erg Chebbi dunes, perhaps the finest dune complex in the Sahara. We stay for 3 nights in one of our favourite Kasbahs the Auberge Derkaoua, it is a wonderful and isolated oasis, a perfect retreat to explore for birds or just simply relax. Sandgrouse species, Desert Warbler and a host of real quality birds can be seen here and with the prospect of water filling a nearby lagoon, birds such as Greater Flamingo can provide a bizarre experience in the middle of the desert! There is so much more to this tour, that I recommend reading our full tour listing on our website.
So, if you feel like escaping the winter and prepare for spring, why not join our March safari tour and give yourself a taste of summer and the exotic? For further information and our full itinerary click here.
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| The Gambia - Leave the winter behind - MARCH 2010 |
 After such a successful and enjoyable recce, we are now planning to run a 9 night 10 day tour to the Gambia in March 2010. This tour is relaxed and combines birding with an opportunity to experience the 'real' Africa in all its splendour and colour. If you need a holiday which provides you with time to lounge on the beach, relax on boat rides into mangroves and on the River Gambia, experience quiet and peaceful surroundings plus giving great birding, then this is a perfect holiday for you. Most days include options to go birding or simply relax on the beach or around the pool, so it offers the perfect combination for couples who may not share the same degree of enthusiasm for early morning birdwatching or birding walks!
 Unlike so many tours to the Gambia, we will venture into the interior of the country where life is easy and the people friendly. We start on the coast and unwind with 3 nights in a beachside hotel, then we depart for a night by the river to experience mangrove habitat, before spending 3 nights in our safari lodge deep in the interior, where we will be based on the river's edge. We then return to our beachside hotel for a final 2 nights to end the tour. By carefully selecting each destination, we combine great birding and also ample opportunities to appreciate our surroundings.
 We believe this latest addition to our ever growing list of tours will fit perfectly with our philosophy of travelling together as friends. It provides the perfect blend of good standards of accommodation, food and transport, whilst giving outstanding birding opportunities. The tour will be accompanied by our local bird guide and his services are available at all times to the both the group and individual who want to take advantage of his extensive local knowledge. The ingredients are there to make for an unforgettable experience and of course we also want to enjoy the tour as much as you and be an integral part of the group, so this also serves as your guarantee of a great holiday!
To find our more visit The Gambia - Leave the winter behind or contact us online.
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| Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus - A colossus in our mountains! |
 A colossus in our mountains! With a wingspan of 2.8 metres and weighing 8 kilos, that's 9 foot and 17lbs in old money, Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus is our largest resident raptor here in the Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema. Essentially a specialist carrion eater, this enormous bird is spectacular and the most easily seen raptor in our mountains. Throughout Spain, this species has increased steadily over the past 15 years by the provision of feeding stations, the last official census carried out to ascertain the number of breeding birds put the population at 17,000 pairs. EU legislation threatened the status quo with the banning of artificial feeding stations. With the advent of mad cow disease (BSE), legislation was introduced requiring all dead carcases to be incinerated limiting the possibility of any further cross-contamination of this disease. The affect upon many areas was a disaster for Griffon Vulture populations and other carrion eating birds. In fact, some Griffon Vultures, normally a placid bird, took to attacking livestock where feeding stations were closed! Happily, due to pressure from various conservation and agricultural organisations, feeding stations are now to be permitted again and will be regulated to include fenced off compounds sited more than 500 metres away from human habitation. Of course all carcases will have to have been tested negative for BSE!!! Many visitors (and possibly those living in the area) find identification of raptors difficult and confusing. With 4 breeding species of eagle and other large raptors in the area, then I think this is not surprising! However, as far as our Griffon Vultures are concerned, identification is made less difficult if we take account of its unique flight silhouette. Next time you see this bird in flight, either at close quarters or in the distance, make a note of the almost total lack of tail in relation to overall size. The depth of wing (leading to trailing edge) is very much greater than tail length. In many other raptors the tail is as long as the depth of wing. You could say, when in the air, Griffon Vultures look rather like a huge flying moustache!  Our local breeding population of circa.600 pairs and probably as many non-breeding birds, make this area one of the most important in Europe for Griffon Vultures. Perhaps not the best looking of birds, whilst perched or feeding, seeing these birds in flight is a natural wonder. They are among the best aviators in the bird world, using up-draughts and thermals to perfection. In common with many large birds, Griffons save energy by finding airflows which reduce the need for the flapping of their wings. In fact, apart from take-off and landing, it is rare to see these giants of the skies flap their wings. Young birds can take 6 years to mature sufficiently to become breeding birds and this makes their adolescence one of the most protracted of all birds. Adults can live beyond thirty years and once established in an area will rarely venture far from their home territories. Non-breeding birds however will range over wide areas, with some choosing to venture as far a field as Africa.
Interested to see our raptors yourself, have a look at Classic Spring Birding Tour to Southern Spain
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Thank you for your continuing support and interest
Its great fun to be involved with picking out destinations and investigating them to see if they fit with our philosophy. In the end it is all done to provide you with the opportunity to visit and explore great places in good company. Our enjoyment, put very simply, is your enjoyment. We thank you all for your encouragement and most of all your friendships. Our company phrase 'Travelling Together as Friends', we believe, says it all. Please keep well and in touch.
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Contact Info
For friendly and expert advice on any of our tours please telephone Pieter Verheij on +34 636 291 714 or email us
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For full tour itineraries and tour listings please see www.spanishnature.com |
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| Save 10% |
If you are an existing customer and recommend us to friends and they book a holiday with us, we will give you 10% off your next holiday with Spanish Nature. The offer will also apply if you bring friends along on your next tour with us, so why not take advantage and reduce the cost of your next holiday? Places are still available on the 2010 March Moroccan Safari tours, so why not ask friends to join you on one of these very special tours? Discount Voucher can be used when booking. Offer open only to those who have travelled with us on previous tours.
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| Offer Expires: 31st December 2010 NOTE: Bookings must be received on or before 31/12/2010 |
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Do you consider a friendly atmosphere, comfort and relaxation, as well as value for money, an essential part of any well earned holiday? If you do, then all our birding and nature tours have been specifically designed to suit you!
If you require further information please Contact Us or telephone: +34 636 291 714
Spanish Nature, not only for bird watching holidays in Spain, but also worldwide including Morocco, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos, India , Brazil, China, Thailand, Kenya, The Gambia and Botswana |
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Moroccan Birds. A must visit for every Birdwatcher, or considering a Birding Holiday in Morocco
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