J-13. Birds of Open Country
  • None.
  • Binoculars. A telescope would also come in handy.
  • Cropland, meadows and olive groves
  • Open dehesa
  • Artificial wetland (flooded gravel pits).
  • Spring (April to June); also worth a look in winter.
  • Any.
The spot called Los Lentiscares is a small plateau rising up from the River Guadiel. Its wheatfields, strips of scrub, meadows and a small open Holm-Oak wood all serve as a sort of “oasis” amongst the sea of olives in the Jaén countryside. Little Bustard, Roller, Spanish Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Montagu’s Harrier, Hen Harrier, Black-Shouldered Kite and Lesser Kestrel are the star turns. The ponds known as Charcones de La Norieta provide habitat for Snipe, Little-Ringed Plover, Moorhen and other waterfowl plus several species of dragonfly. More information on this trail in the book Birding and Nature Trails in Sierra Morena de Jaén.
 

Text and images: Rafael Romero Porrino

Detail J-13 trail description

Download J-13 trail GPS track

See J-13 trail map


J-1. Miner Birds
J-2. Barranco de Valdeazores
J-3. Along the footthills of Sierra Morena
J-4. Jándula's farewell
J-5. Land of Lynxes
J-6. El Mirador del Rey
J-7. La Cimbarra waterfall
J-8. Monte Burguillos
J-9. Family-friendly: La Pasada del Castaño
J-10. Family-friendly: La Campana River
J-11. La Lancha
J-12. Peñón Jurado and Las Tres Hermanas
J-13. Birds of Open Country
J-14. Bury al-Hammam
J-15. Alongs the Banks of the Guadalquivir