Jimena is ideally placed for birdwatching as it is on the very edge of the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales and is on one of the
main migratory routes from Africa across the Straits of Gibraltar. Songbirds abound, some of which are familiar to northern
Europeans but most are Mediterranean residents or visitors from Africa. Colonies of storks, flocks of cattle egrets and the
more solitary herons are everyday sights. Several species of eagle and vultures are resident but also visit from across the
straits. Owls, buzzards, kites, falcons and kestrels are common birds here. The other main group of birds are the true migrants,
who make the journey down through Europe funnelling into Andalucia in order to cross the Straits of Gibraltar to overwinter on
the African subcontinent. Migrants from Africa are often seen in the Park recovering after making the crossing. If the weather on
the coast is bad, vast flocks of birds rest and wait on the fringes of the park, until the weather improves enough for them to make
the crossing south.
Wildlife of the surrounding countryside
Birds
Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) - throughout the surrounding countryside
Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) - common along la Playa de los Lances nature reserve just west
of Tarifa
White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) - nests en masse along roadside leading up to Jimena
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) - throughout the surrounding countryside
Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) - seen around Jimena castle
Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) - easiest seen from bridge across Ronda gorge
Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus) - seen from Jimena castle, and from bridge crossing river on eastern outskirts
of Barbate
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) - throughout the surrounding countryside
European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) - in farmland around road to Jimena
Corn Bunting (Miliaria calandra) - in farmland around road to Jimena
Thekla Lark (Galerida theklae) - in farmland around road to Jimena
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba) - throughout surrounding countryside
Alpine Swift (Apus melba) - seen from Jimena castle
Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) - throughout surrounding countryside
Black Kite (Milvus migrans) - countryside around Tarifa, especially during migration
Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) - from bridge over Hozgarganta river in Jimena
Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) - from bridge over Hozgarganta river in Jimena
Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) - throughout surrounding countryside
Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cacchinans) - abundant on Upper Rock reserve, Gibraltar
Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) - on Upper Rock reserve, Gibraltar
Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) - on Upper Rock reserve, Gibraltar
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) - throughout surrounding countryside
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) - throughout surrounding countryside
Great White Egret (Egretta alba) - throughout surrounding countryside
Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) - in la Playa de los Lances west of Tarifa
Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) - throughout surrounding countryside
Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) - along river walk from bridge in Jimena
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) - from bridge over Hozgarganta river in Jimena
Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) - in botanical gardens on Gibraltar
Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) - throughout surrounding countryside
Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) - throughout surrounding countryside
Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) - farmland around Laguna de Medina
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) - over Laguna de Medina
Great Crest Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Shoveler (Anas clypeata) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - throughout surrounding countryside
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Redshank (Tringa tetanus) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Curlew (Numenius arquata) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei) - Marismas de Barbate, around the town of Barbate
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica) - Salinas de Bonanza, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca adalberti) - la Algaida forest, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) - la Algaida forest, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica) - la Algaida forest, just north of Sanlucar de Barrameda
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) - Bay of Cadiz natural park
Flocks of 1000+
White Stork and 100-200
Black Kite near Tarifa
Other Wildlife
Carline Skipper butterfly - throughout surrounding countryside, in particular Jimena castle
Scarce Swallowtail butterfly - throughout surrounding countryside
Two-tailed Pasha butterfly - throughout surrounding countryside
Swallowtail butterfly - throughout surrounding countryside
Monarch butterfly - small colony in botanical gardens, Gibraltar
Stripe-necked Terrapins - throughout surrounding countryside
Iberian Marsh Frog - throughout surrounding countryside
Fallow deer - farmland around Jimena area
