Our top bird hide in Ronda, Málaga
This hide will allow you to photograph some of the most iconic mountain birds and warblers of the Serranía de Ronda, Málaga.
AVAILABLE: mornings all year round.
MEETING POINT: Ronda.
DURATION: 4 h.
SEATS: 2 seats. 2 additional photographers could also be accomodated separately in pop-up hides if requested.
SHOOTING DISTANCE: 4 - 10 m. Main activity at 4.50 m.
HIDE TYPE: Wood cabin with 1.75 m long spyglass and good insulation. Comfortable and overlooking wild scenery.
FARES: 1 person 100 eur, 2 or more people 80 eur each.
BIRDS
Main species: Black Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Iberian Grey Shrike, Dartford Warbler, Rock Bunting, Thekla Lark, Stonechat.
Occasional birds: Rock Sparrow, Wryneck, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Bonelli's Warbler, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Black Redstart, Bee-eater.
*Please query us to know species-by-species status before your visit!
Bird occurence
A family of Black Wheatears in the nearby valley and therefore visit the hide every now and then. It is normally the male the only one that shows up. Please note its occurence is variable and you need to contact us for updated status. It can be photographed all year round.
A pair of Dartford Warblers live in the gorse near the hide and can always be heard. Sometimes they show up quickly on the Hawthorn, so it is a challenging species that only fortunate photographers may be delighted to see at close distance.
Some years a pair of these breed near the hide. It is then when the male occupies the Hawthorn top as a favourite perch for singing. Its presence takes place from May till July and not every year. A powerful lens will be recommended as this very wary species just stays at some 10 m from the camera frame.
This is another migratory bird that nest in the area and is therefore possible to photograph from mid April till early September.
A pair live in the area and can be photographed 1 day out of 10 as they just scout their territory. We do not provide bait for this species.
Some years a stunning male Blue Rock Thrush takes the command at the hide and can be photographed quite well. "A real poser", shows its best blue plummage from mid Febrary till summer, but does occur throughout the year. Please ask us for updated status for this species if it is one of your primary targets.
A pair of Thekla Larks have been photographed regularly since the hide's beginning. It is interesting to see the colour variation both have, and same for other subtle features within this species.
The Rock Buntings are among the most realiable birds to photograph at the Majoleto, as they've been around in nearly all our sessions to date. Different age/sex plummages can be photographed at short distance.
If you book this hide from mid August till mid October you may come across migrants such as Spectacled Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Black Redstart, Bonelli's Warbler, Bee Eater and Pied Flycatcher. The species and numbers have been proved to be highly variable in different years. As a curiosity, we've even had records of migrating Osprey and Black Kite.
Some species occur by pure chance and they are very unlikely. The following have been photographed still at the hide: Wryneck (November), Bee-Eater (August), Misthle Thrush (December). There's also flight records of Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle and Kestrel. You must not expect to photograph any of these.
Wild Andalucía offers special prices for the use of hides over several days. We work together with different companys offering other amazing photo hides and can advice and help you book their services.
We also can help you arrange your stay in the area and collection from other places.
The use of our bird hides in Ronda can be combined with other activities, both for photographers and for companions. Álvaro is also a licensed cultural guide offering walks and sightseeing trips in Ronda, the White Villages and literally all Andalusia.
