This province has a great ornithological importance due to its strategic location between Andalusia and the Mediterranean Sea and the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. This privileged position attracts plenty of tourists, especially foreigners and, above all, visitors from the UK.

This is why the County Council of Málaga has decided to gather all the information related to birds and bird watching on the website Birding Málaga and in numerous publications, such as 'Birds along the Great Málaga Path', 'Bird Watching Guide' or the 'Birding Map of the Province of Málaga'.

Bird watching is an ecological leisure activity, which can be rather fascinating. It is given an advantage because it can be performed everywhere throughout the year.

Professional ornithologists have some tricks which make bird watching easier. Even though one needs a lot of time to learn how it is done, it is true that there are some features that are crucial for identifying birds and which are to be followed by both, professionals and amateurs.

If you do not know which bird you are observing, firstly you need to look at the particular details of its body:

1 Shape and size:  Is their head round and big like in little owl or small like in a turtledove? What is their wingspan while flying?

2 Colour and marks: There is to know a bird’s appearance in order to recognise patterns of colours and important marks for their identification.

3 Beak and legs: These are crucial for recognising the species. Beak can also tell us a lot about its feeding habits.

4 Feather: Their features depend on the season, breeding and mating period. Their colour patterns and shape also help us to identify a species.

Basic Rules for Birdwatching

Having mastered that the most important thing in birdwatching is species protection and conservation, as well as the enjoyment that birdwatchers get out of it, there is to choose and plan well the route which is to be followed in order to get to the surroundings where the particular species can be found. The more you plan, the better your experience!

Basic equipment:

Every birdwatcher should have binoculars, and/or telescope as these allow you to watch birds form distance and avoid interfering in their natural behaviour. You will also need a birds guide in order to check the information regarding the species you are observing as well as their traits when you want to identify them (it is said that the guide is a bible for birdwatchers).

The best moment in birdwatching is when birds move their beak first thing in the morning and late in the evening.

Birds singing helps find and identify them in vegetation. It is a good idea to have a guide which can help you distinguish singing among different species. You can download it on your mobile phone as well as the Birds Guide of the Spanish Society for Ornithology. Also, follow your senses!

You should always have a notebook with you so you can draw and write down how you recognised a species and create your own guide. So, get your pencil and let's start!

Remember that paths go through public and private properties. Therefore, it is important to respect the surroundings where you walk and look after them. Nature is our home, we need to take care of it!

July

• River Guadalmina: This nature paradise full of birds is only ten minutes away from the Costa del Sol.
• Ventilla Stream: Enjoy a nice walk while watching birds through this 'jungle' in the south of Europe.
• Acebuche Spring: This is where you can easily spot forest birds that live in the south of Spain.

Birds that can be seen in July:  Black Wheatears. This unique species, which can only be found in Spain regarding Europe, will have finished breeding its chicks at the beginning of summer.

August

• The Burgo River: This could be a refreshing outing while one goes birdwatching in the middle of the Sierra de las Nieves.
• Mouth of the Guadalhorce: Beach and birds... Just choose!
• Mouth of the River Vélez: Come to see the key spot for birdwatching in the area of La Axarquía.

Birds that can be seen in August:  Greater Flamingo. Round 600 chicks will be ringed in August during a traditional event celebrated every year in Fuente de Piedra Lagoon when flamingos are tagged.

September

• Alaminos Hill: No need to go far away when you can stay here to watch birds start migrating in autumn.
• Las Campiñuelas: This might be the best place for seeing the highest diversity of migratory species in September.
• Utrera Mountains: The birds here fly over the southernmost karstic formations in Europe.

Birds that can be seen in September:  Audouin's Gull. This Mediterranean seagull comes to Málaga coast to finish moulting after the breeding period.