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ALCOY AREA
Proyecto de Canyet (Operation Canyet) - This Project was started in about 2,001, with the object of re-introducing Griffon Vultures to the area, and therefore to Alicante Province, where the species had been extinct for many years. The ‘hacking’ system has been employed, with great success here, and along with a regime of assisted feeding, has resulted in the re-establishment of a considerable colony on the big cliffs of the Cinta de Alcoy, where intrusive rock-climbing has been strictly regulated.
To visit the vulture feeding site, you need to take the Banyeres road out of Alcoy, past the Alcoyano football ground, then branch off right on the CV796, the Carretera de Preventori. When you come to a junction, fork left and drive on until, when you start to go uphill into the woods, you will find a chained track up to the right. A stiff uphill walk will take you to the ‘hacking’ site and the feeding station.
To visit the breeding cliffs, take the other, right-hand fork, continuing on the Carretera de Preventori, down past a Sanatorium, and stop at the ‘S’ bends. From there you can walk up the gorge where the vultures nest, and stand a good chance of other birds, like Blue Rock Thrush and Raven.
Font Roja - From the entrance to Alcoy off the A7 from Alicante, take a slightly complicated left turn, signposted to the Font Roja. It is quite a long way, then, up into the reserve, where a major shrine and museum are centred on the eponymous ‘red fountain.’ In the woods hereabouts, Blue Tits have their sole stronghold in the Province, and a good variety of other woodland birds may even include the elusive Hawfinch. Goshawk and Bonelli’s Eagle are breeding species, and largely nocturnal mammals occur, including Wild Cat.
MAIGMÓ - SAT NAV N38 30.256 W0 37.283
Maigmó is a mountain woodland reserve, no more than twenty minutes from the centre of Alicante, but not as easy of access as it used to be, before the new motorway was built.
Access instructions: Take the Alcoy/Castalla motorway from Alicante, and leave at the turning for Tibi. Ignore the right turn for that village, and continue until you see a sign for 'Polígono industrial' to the left. Go straight up here until you get to the top, where a small metalled road goes off to the left under the pines. This leads you under a bridge below the motorway. Turn right, and the entrance to Maigmó is some 100 metres along on the left. You can drive all the way to two summits, but most birds are lower down in the bigger pines, especially around the drinking ponds of 'la Melonera' a kids' campsite, where Crossbill come to drink, and there are nestboxes for Crested and Coal Tit.
Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest, Crossbill, Mistle Thrush, Jay, Woodlark, Rock & Cirl Bunting are usually to be found, and summer breeders include Bonelli's Warbler. Mammals include Wild Boar and occasionally Moufflon. Weekends are best avoided, as the reserve is a popular picnic venue.
Monnegré de Arriba
The river valley of Monnegre (alternatively Mont Negre – Black Mountain) gives its name to a hamlet in that valley, accessed by a signposted road which runs from near Muchamiel to eventually join the Tibi – Jijona road. This whole road can be a dangerous one to drive – you will need your wits about you!
After you leave civilisation, driving up from Muchamiel, and a small urbanisation, a big curve in the road leads you through low pines where Rufous Bush Robin and Black-eared Wheatear have bred. Then you are in rocky country, and the chances of a Bonelli's Eagle hunting are good, as a pair nests nearby. Late summer evenings can be interesting, as Red necked Nightjars, Little Scops & Eagle Owls are all possible here.
Beyond the village, ruined farms are often occupied by Red-rumped Swallows, along with the odd Bee-eater colony, and there are often Rock Sparrow to be seen. A ruined house close to the road on the left is a good spot to stop, as Western Orphean Warbler have bred in recent years on hillsides above here, Spectacled Warbler also inhabit the scrub, and a walk (with care) down into the barranco on the right, from a point a hundred metres further on will give you a good chance of the super-elusive Trumpeter Finch. A Rock Sparrow colony and several pairs of 'good' Rock Doves, as well as Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear and Thekla Lark, are to be found with patience whilst there is water in the barranco or around the disused olive groves.
Granadella
Description of Site -This must be one of the largest coastal “wilderness” areas on the Northern Costa Blanca. It is located just south of the “nose” of the east coast, Cabo de la Nao. With steep cliffs, ravines, mixed scrub and occasional stands of pine it is an inviting prospect for any migrants following the coastal routes. Unfortunately for the birds it is also a well used hunting area, but the hunting season ends each year in January (Jan 6th in 2009).
Granadella covers many square kilometres, but despite ravines and sheer cliffs has a fairly level network of pathways close to the sea but at an elevation of 150/200m. The vegetation is mainly scrub with occasional stands of pine, lavender and rosemary bushes being everywhere.
Birds seen here include; Meadow Pipit, Sardinian and Dartford Warbler, Chaffinch, Crag Martin and Siskin, and it is a reliable spot for Peregrine and Kestrel.
Directions - To find the site come off the A7 motorway at Junction 63, Benissa. After the tollbooth take the second exit to Teulada (first exit is to Benissa). This brings you directly onto the N332 heading north.
After 3 km, at the first roundabout, turn right for Teulada.
At the next small roundabout carry straight on (commercial centre on your right)
You pass immediately under a railway bridge and go 2/3 rds of the way round the next roundabout before turning up the dual carriageway that runs through Teulada´s main street.
At the top of the hill, and end of the dual carriageway, there is yet another roundabout. Again go about 2/3 rds round and head for Benitachell.
Benitatxell (Valenciano spelling!) is 4 km from Teulada. On entering Benitatxell follow the main road (it bends right at one point) until you come to traffic lights at a cross roads (BBVA bank on your right). Go straight across and down the main road with the shops either side, heading for Javea (Xabia).
As you start to leave the shops there are traffic lights and a road forking off to the right to Cumbre del Sol – in case you miss it Cumbre del Sol is the 442m peak next to the sea!
Climb up to Cumbre del Sol and follow the main road until you see a variety of direction signs. Go left, and skirt round the northern edge of the urbanisation, following the signs to Bar Hipica.
Bar Hipica is on the left as you go down the hill. Just past the Bar the road ends and you are at the start of the Granadella scrub and pathways. There is plenty of parking on the roadway at the edge of the urbanisation. You can drive into the scrub for about 400 metres and then park, but risk missing ideal warbler habitat which is on your right as soon as you enter the area.
There is a marked path running north-east parallel to the coast. After about 1 km you pass a concrete reservoir on your right and there is a choice of signed routes. On an initial visit it is recommended that the right hand path is taken as this goes to the sea, and a small shelter perched on the top of the cliff. At this small shelter there are a number of options of marked paths.
El Portet Tower
Description of Site - This is more of a pleasant fitness testing walk then a birding site but the views are magnificent. The initial climb is fairly steep on a single file rocky path (although holidaymakers in flip-flops have been seen at the top!). The path then levels off for the second part, and the area actually around the tower is easy. The round trip takes about an hour.
The tower is at an elevation of 165m and looks down on El Portet Bay to the south, and the rugged cliffs between it and Cabo de la Nao to the north. It is a good spot for migrants, and the cliffs are ideal raptor territory.
Birds seen here include; Black Redstart, Thekla Lark, Black Wheatear and Greenfinch.
Directions - To reach El Portet please consult the directions for Granadella. If going directly to El Portet then at the top of the hill in Teulada carry straight on for Moraira.
On reaching Moraira´s dual carriageway carry straight on with the large free car park (also doubles as a Friday market) on your right.
At the next roundabout (BBVA bank at 10 o´clock) turn left and carry on for 100m to the next roundabout, where you veer right for El Portet. At El Portet the road runs out at the sea. There is a free car park on the right some 150m before you reach the sea.
It is recommended that you drive a little nearer to the start of the walk. To do this, just before (around 40m) you reach the sea take the left turn up the hill (there is a restaurant on the corner).
Carry on up this road until you reach a Tee junction (may actually be a crossroads with a track straight on, as my memory fails me!) and turn right.
After another 200m there is a rubbish area and concrete electricity building on the left. Turn left after this.
After a further 200m turn sharp left up the hill. At the top of this dead-end, but wide, road the path runs off from the left. Cars can be left on the road.
If you are visiting after Granadella, go back from Granadella to Benitatxell. Proceed up the main street to the previously visited crossroads and turn left for Moraira. This road joins with the one from Teulada some 2 km north of Moraira.
After climbing the Tower, the cafes along the small seawall in El Portet are ideal for a spot of recuperation.
“Back” of Calpe Salinas
Description of Site - This site does not warrant a special visit, but is an interesting place if you are passing close by. There are high reed beds and bushes on your right between the footpath and the Salinas. On your left there is abandoned land that was once cultivated, and this has been tiered with low walls of less than a metre in height. The track is sometimes muddy but you can walk on the low walls if necessary. This is ideal territory for migrants. After about 300m there are access points to the Salinas where you can approach the water without being seen. Often birds congregate here away from the dual carriageway.
Birds seen here include; Grey Wagtail, Blackcap, Greater Flamingo, Grey Heron, Mallard, Cormorant, Coot, Teal, Yellow-legged gull, Black headed gull and Audouin’s Gull.
Directions - From whichever direction you approach Calpe head for the Peñon de Ifach, otherwise known as Calpe Rock. At over 300m its not hard to find! Then follow the signs to Lidl. At the small roundabout next to Lidl take the road opposite Lidl that heads off just to the right of Calpe Rock. After 50m park on the left, and this is where an unmarked footpath starts which goes round the edge of the Salinas.
Mont Olta
Description of Site - Mont Olta is located at the back of Calpe railway station. The mountain rises to 587m between the N332 and the A7 motorway. There is a walk around the mountain that takes around 3 hours. There are also other walks that are marked. The top of the mountain is fairly flat (not quite Table Mountain!) and has some sheer sides down to where the pine trees start. There is a campsite, at around 200m elevation, which can be driven to saving a lot of legwork.
On the walk around the mountain (if taken in a clockwise direction) there is a small church and grounds after about 30 minutes. In the grounds there are six large picnic tables, clean toilets, and plenty of seating with spectacular views of the sea over Calpe. The walks are marked with wooden signs and the green and white paint stripes. These are sometimes confusing but there are usually occasional walkers to ask directions from. The paths are generally wide and not too steep.
Birds seen here include; Blue Rock thrush, Great tit, Coal tit, Long tailed Tit, Crested Tit and Goldcrest.
Directions - First you need to get to Calpe railway station.
Approaching Calpe on the N332 from the south take the Calpe Sur (south) turn – this is actually the main dual carriageway that runs through the town.
After about 300m going downhill you will reach a roundabout. At this roundabout go right round and start coming back up the hill keeping to the left hand lane for Alicante.
Go under the N332 and do not take the road off to the right for Alicante but carry on for a few more metres where you turn left for the station (estación).
Approaching on the N332 from the north, turn off the N332 for Calpe Sur (there is a large Aitana store on the right) and immediately turn right for the station. If you go under the N332 you have gone too far and need to go round the roundabout as above.
You now go past the station, over the railway track, and continue for approx 4 km following the brown signs for Mont Olta and “Camping”. The road seems endless but it saves a lot of legwork as the “Camping” and carpark are at an elevation of around 200m. There is plenty of parking, and the walks start from the carpark and immediately climb above the terraced camping area.
The Plains of Pétrola
Pétrola is located in the Castilla La Mancha Region in central Spain. The town is about 140 kilometres and a one hour drive from Alicante. The area around the town consists of miles of plains, occasionally punctuated by a small hill or a farm building. Large wind farms are now much in evidence, largely replacing the more traditional windmills which used to be here.
The fields around the village of Corral Rubio are visited in winter by Great Bustards, Black bellied and Pin tailed Sand Grouse, and numerous other bird species can be found in the area, such as, Lapwing, Linnet and Calandra Lark. Near the town of Pétrola there is a lagoon which in winter may attract waterbirds, such as, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail, Mallard, Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon, and Pochard. A selection of raptors are often in attendance, including Buzzard, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier and Hen Harrier.
To visit the area, leave the A7 motorway at junction 17b near Alicante and take the motorway towards Albacete and Madrid. Stay on this road past Almansa until you reach the turn off for the town of Bonete. Leave the motorway here and follow signs towards the small village of Corral Rubio. Pass through the village and into the countryside where you should check the fields for Great Bustards. Follow signs for Pétrola to visit the lagoon.
