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This was an intensive three day birdwatching trip to southern Spain to see, in particular, five different species of Swift. It was organised very effectively giving us four days of birding and led by a very competent and professional guide who lived locally. We stayed in an lovely converted farmhouse with large rooms, extensive grounds with farm animals, a swimming pool and very friendly staff. Breakfast and dinner were excellent, included local produce and were accompanied by a choice of local wines. The locations chosen on the trip were ideal without too much travelling in hot conditions to sites that provided good views of a variety of species. A mid-day picnic lunch comprising a variety of cold food and drinks was prepared daily. Naturetrek were meticulous in providing pre-departure details and ensuring that you were well prepared for the trip. The flights were at the right times and included the right baggage allowances. The transport provided during the trip was just right, seating six guests in comfort with easy access during frequent stops. The guide was excellent; by living locally he knew exactly where to go and was very good at ensuring everyone got to see everything that was found.
D.P. Hampshire, Jul 23
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A Swift Break in Andalucia
Tour Code: ESP07A 7-day break in southern Spain offering the chance to see all five species of swift breeding in Europe.
£1,795 (Inc flights)
£1,595
Highlights
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Summary
Common, Pallid, Alpine, Little and White-rumped Swift. In the Spanish department of Andalucia, it´s possible to find together all five European breeding species of that most aerially superb genus, the Swift - all over the course of a week of fantastic and varied birding! Because of its strategic position at the gateway of two continents, Andalucia is a unique blend of European and African, with our beloved swift species passing through on their way to and from breeding grounds, and the more typically African amongst them choosing the Iberian Peninsula as one of their very localised breeding sites in Europe. It’s one of the very few places in Europe you can see them all! This southernmost Spanish province is the most biodiverse region not only in Spain but the whole of Europe. So, set our swift-spotting against a background of superb resident species in intertidal, wetland, farmland, woodland and urban habitats, accompanied by fantastic food, passionate discussions, and welcoming people, and you have a break to remember!
- A chance to see all five European breeding species of swift!
- Fantastic and varied birding in Spain´s most biodiverse region.
- Raptors such as Griffon Vultures, Egyptian Vultures, Bonelli’s and Spanish Imperial Eagles, Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Black-winged Kites and Lesser Kestrels.
- Witness the beginnings of the passage of White Storks and Black Kites over the Strait of Gibraltar.
- Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper, Crested Tit, Hawfinch, Rock Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush and Northern Bald Ibis.
- Collared Pratincoles, Kentish Plover, Slender-billed Gull and Audouin’s Gull.
Grading
Grade A. Easy day walks, but with an action packed itinerary.
Common, Pallid, Alpine, Little and White-rumped Swift. In the autonomous region of Andalucía, at the most southerly point of mainland Europe, it is possible to find all five of Europe's breeding species of this most aerially-gifted genus over the course of a short break. It is the only place in Europe where this is possible. Here, Andalucía’s position at the gateway of two continents offers a unique blend of Europe and Africa, with our beloved swifts both breeding in the region and passing through on their way to and from their breeding grounds elsewhere. The most exotic amongst them, Little and White-rumped Swift, maintain just a toehold in Europe, breeding only in a few localised sites.
After a flight to Gibraltar, we will be based on this holiday close to Vejer de la Frontera in a lovingly converted farmhouse. After settling in, we will take time to explore Los Alcornacales Natural Park on our doorstep. Within the park lies the most extensive cork oak forest in Europe; this particular tract being unique in the way that it gathers moisture coming in off the ocean to create what is best described as a humid Mediterranean cloudforest. Through special access to a private site we should be able to find Rufous-tailed Bush Robin and perhaps a day-roosting Red-necked Nightjar. Other interesting birds include Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Hawfinch and Short-toed Treecreeper, whilst amongst the heath and on the rocky outcrops we will be looking for Blue Rock Thrush, Thekla Lark and Black-eared Wheatear. This time of year is also ideal for invertebrate-viewing, with Monarch butterflies, Two-tailed Pashas and Copper Demoiselles amongst many insect species on the wing and, additionally, a host of amphibians and reptiles to be seen.
As our holiday unfolds, we will be looking skywards for small flocks of Alpine Swifts over breakfast each morning, with groups of these stunning, super-sized swifts already passing overhead on passage, moving through from their montane breeding sites to their sub-Saharan wintering grounds. A visit to the nearby town of Vejer de la Frontera will be full of interest, as it was here, in 2008, that a successful reintroduction programme of the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis took place. From an initial 30 pairs, the birds now number close to 100 pairs, and we should be able to see these engaging and somewhat comical birds at their nesting colony on low, road-side cliffs, or feeding in nearby farmland. After our encounter with the Bald Ibis, we will head out to the farmland and wetlands of La Janda. Once a vast wetland, today La Janda is partly farmed, though not intensively, and amongst its rice paddies, pools and reedbeds, some real wetland gems can be found, hinting at the site’s former natural glory. Amongst many hundreds of White Storks and Glossy Ibises, we should also see such species as Purple Swamphen, Marsh Harrier and Black-winged Kite. There is also a chance of both Spanish Imperial and Bonelli’s Eagle. We will round off our first full day with a visit to a tiny breeding colony of White-rumped Swifts. Several pairs of this species, more commonly associated with breeding sites in Africa, have been found to occupy a collection of old Red-rumped Swallows’ nests. Close by is a stretch of open water, providing rich feeding both for the White-rumped Swifts as well as for large numbers of Common and Pallid Swifts, swallows and martins. This evening will be a feast of hirundines!
Our penultimate day will see us head northwest in pursuit of the last of our five swifts — the Little Swift. This is another typically African species, better known from the souks and medinas of Marrakech! But, as for White-rumped Swift, the Strait has proved no barrier for this tiny Apus, and we will be able to visit a coastal breeding site near Cadiz to enjoy its aerial antics. Cadiz bay also offers some exceptional coastal habitat, much of which is wetland protected under the Ramsar Convention. At this time of year, the southerly migration has already begun for many waders, and we can hope to see Curlew Sandpiper, Sanderling, Dunlin, Little Stint and both Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits passing through, along with breeding Collared Pratincoles, Avocets and Kentish Plovers. There are also many seabirds present such as Sandwich, Little, Gull-billed and Caspian Terns, Slender-billed Gull and the once extremely rare Audouin’s Gull, while freshwater lagoons nearby provide habitat for Whiteheaded and Marbled Ducks, Red-crested Pochard, Squacco Heron, Little Bittern and Red-knobbed Coot.
Finally, we will also explore the picturesque old town of Tarifa, where we can encounter Common Bulbuls (which look odd in Europe!), urban Little Owls and breeding Lesser Kestrels. A stroll along the picturesque harbour front will be a very pleasant way in which to round off our holiday, with Common and Pallid Swifts wheeling noisily overhead.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
Comfortable hotel with private facilities.
- Food:
All included in the price.
Reviews
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The tour guides, Simon and Niki, were superb. They knew their species and sites, and were very helpful to the participants. They did not rest until everybody had seen the bird, which is rarely easy. We also visited some off-the-beat sites to get the birds we were after. Great food and accommodation. Excellent tour guides. Excellent agenda. Excellent birds!
KP, Kent, June 19 -
Simon and Niki went out of their way to make sure that everybody in our group saw the key birds (particularly White-rumped Swift and Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin) and went above and beyond the call of duty on several occasions. I enjoyed the intensity of the birdwatching on the two full days and relished the opportunity to add quite a few species to my European list.
MJ, Hertfordshire, June 19
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Niki Williamson
Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.
2026
Tour Leader: Niki Williamson
Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.
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Among our programme is a significant range of short breaks, designed specially for those wishing to enjoy some of Europe’s top natural history highlights at the best time of year. All of these holidays have the bonus of being short-haul and supported by like-minded wildlife enthusiasts.
Naturetrek Short Break Wildlife Tours
Short breaks are becoming increasingly popular and in response to the high demand for this type of holiday we are continuing to increase our programme both within the UK and abroad. Most of our short breaks are within Europe, for convenience of travel.
For some of our mini-breaks there is an option to travel by plane or train, and we offer a choice of duration and type of break, from a weekend’s birdwatching in the Somerset Levels to a 6-day whale watching tour in the Azores.
A selection of our UK short breaks:
- A winter bird watching break in Norfolk
- An autumn holiday to enjoy the Red Deer rut in Ardnamurchan, Scotland
- A wildlife weekend in the New Forest
A selection of our overseas short breaks:
- In Spain we look for the world’s rarest cat, the Iberian Lynx
- Wolves on the plains in rural northern Spain
- An exploration of La Brenne’s exceptionally rich butterfly-life in northern France
Our specialist recommends...
"We offer two superb short breaks to the lovely island of Madeira in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds. It’s hard to beat our Just Brown Bears trip for families, while if you fancy something off the beaten track, try Estonia in Early Spring for some excellent spring birdwatching."
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
