From Seville, the largest city in Andalusia, we’ll make a short drive to Brazo del Este, an old branch of the Guadalquivir river, now sealed off it functions more as a lake. It's an ideal location to kickstart our tour, offering the possibility of encountering species like Marbled Duck and, in the rich reedbeds interesting passerines are possible, such as Savi’s and Great Reed Warbler. This habitat is optimal for larger wetland birds too and we might find breeding Squacco and Purple Herons, so we will keep alert for them. The marshland and large extensions of rice paddies around this main water branch are a prime area to observe waders, with the star being the Collared Pratincole, which breeds here. Time permitting, a visit to Los Palacios awaits, the only known breeding site of Laughing Dove in mainland Europe. This area will also give some good opportunities to observe migrating warblers such as Garden and Western Subalpine Warbler, Common Reed Warbler, etc. Afterwards we’ll make our way south towards Chipiona, where we will be staying at Hotel Agaró Chipiona.

Today we explore several wetlands in the area, while also focusing on some landbird specialities. We begin with a visit to one of the only European colonies of Little Swift, in the port of Chipiona. We’ll then head towards the Bonanza saltpans, a large extension of seawater pools used for the extraction of salt. There we will take in a diverse array of migrant waders feeding, before they continue their journey north. Among them could be Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Common Redshank, or even the scarce Red-necked Phalarope. Some breeder species may attract our attention too, such as the Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull, Mediterranean Short-toed Lark or the Spectacled Warbler. Afterwards we visit the odd lakes at El Colorado, which host some rarer European birds, such as White-headed and Marbled Ducks and Red-knobbed Coot, although our eyes will no doubt be distracted by the odd and quirky Western Swamphen. And there is a heron colony, with Black-crowned Night Heron and Squacco Herons, and even an Africann invasive, the Black-headed Weaver. In the afternoon, we'll journey to Tarifa, to the Mesón de Sancho hotel, our base for the next few nights.

The Strait of Gibraltar is a raptor hotspot in southern Europe, and especially during the migration period. Fortunately, this trip coincides with this world-class natural show. As a result, this day offers opportunities to observe Short-toed Snake-Eagle and Booted Eagle, Black and Black-winged Kites, as well as Montagu’s and Eurasian Marsh Harriers, all from some nice lookouts. And we explore Sierra de la Plata to admire the breeding colony of Eurasian Griffons and to look for other Mediterranean rock specialities, such as the Blue Rock-Thrush (which, despite the name, is really an Old World Flycatcher). The Los Lances beach area can yield interesting migrant waders too, such as Red Knot or fun passerines, like Tawny Pipit, Iberian Chiffchaff, Crested Tit and Eurasian Nuthatch. Overnight in Hotel Mesón de Sancho in Tarifa.

Our last day in the Strait of Gibraltar takes us to La Janda. This large plain once held one of the biggest and most important lakes in Europe. Though now it is mostly agricultural fields and cattle farms, it remains a very diverse area for birds. Indeed it is renowned for its abundance of raptors, with Black-winged Kite and Spanish Eagle being our main targets. The rice paddies which constitute now the main landscape here are a much welcome stopover for many species of waders in their migration northwards, as well as for herons and storks.

Afterwards, we’ll visit the Barbate Marshes, another wader hotspot formed by the mouth of the Barbate river, with mixed natural marshland and man-made saltpans. The wetlands here often offer sightings of special shorebirds like Kentish Plover and Collared Pratincole. We'll also go to the Northern Bald Ibis colony, which is one of the rarest birds on Earth. This site holds one of the species strongholds, which is typically quite visible along a cliff edge, not far from the marshes. This night will be the last one spent in the Hotel Mesón de Sancho in Tarifa.

After crossing the Medina Sidonia fields and a scenic drive through the mountains we’ll arrive by late morning to Grazalema. The village and its surroundings are well known for the impressive limestone outcrops and the associated Spanish Ibex. This majestic wild goat hangs around the rocky areas here in some numbers, and we will actively search for it.

Besides this interesting mammal addition, we also expect to see some more Mediterranean rock specialities, such as Black Wheatear, Rock Bunting, and the charming Rock Sparrow. The skies above often carry Eurasian Griffons, as well as the chance to observe Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles. We’ll need to keep our eyes peeled the whole day through! In the afternoon we drive to Ronda, a charming historical city whose winding streets we’ll explore, always looking for birds as we go. The rocky cliffs over which it is built offer habitat for rock-dwellers such as Eurasian Crag-Martin, Alpine Swift, and Red-billed Chough. All these and more, as we enjoy a comfortable walk through the city. We spend the night in the Hotel Maestranza in Ronda.

Today we begin with an early morning drive to Fuente de Piedra, home to one of Europe's largest breeding populations of Greater Flamingo. This large lake holds healthy breeding populations of Gull-billed Tern, Pied Avocet and Black-winged Stilt. There are high chances of seeing Marbled Duck, which breeds in the small lakes around the visitor centre, and we may catch a glimpse of the elusive Western Olivaceous Warbler among the tamarisks. In the afternoon we head on for Osuna, another historical town, this time in the midst of the large steppes. Here, we'll search for the Great Bustard, one of the heaviest flying birds on Earth. With some luck, it can still be seen at some spots around this place despite its steeply declining population. We’ll also look for other steppe specialists like the scarce Little Bustard or the hard to find Black-bellied Sandgrouse. This night we will stay at the Hotel Palacio del Marqués de La Gomera, in Osuna.

In the morning we’ll explore the steppe again, looking for any speciality that has yet eluded our sights. Then we start heading north, with a stop in the majestic city of Córdoba. This city, full of history, has long been considered one of the historic culture hotspots. Here we find the Great Mosque of Cordoba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which we will plan to visit. Later on we get back to driving northeast to Andújar, where our focus will shift dramatically.

In the next days, our main target will be the Iberian Lynx, the most endangered wild cat in the world, whose populations in these mountains enjoy a very good health. Thanks to the Lynx, the Mediterranean forests housing them are very well conserved and carry not only the usual species, but also some major highlights in our birdlife, such as the Spanish Eagle or the Iberian Magpie. This will be our first night at the Hotel Los Pinos in Andújar.

Today is dedicated solely to seeking the Iberian Lynx. El Rocinejo and La Lancha are well known hotspots, offering us our best chances of lynx sightings. As we work our way through the Mediterranean shrub/forest habitat, birding opportunities will arise as well. Some of the most special breeding passerines in our region are found here. We’ll keep our eyes peeled and ears open for Western Subalpine, Western Orphean and Western Bonelli’s Warblers, for Hawfinches flying by, or even for the Iberian Green Woodpecker. This landbird bonanza means plenty of food for the Eurasian Goshawk, which finds a stronghold in these mountains. It is also a good area for the Cinereous Vulture and the Black Stork, two large soaring birds which might at any time fly over our heads and take our attention away from the Lynx. Among the mammals we may be lucky to spot Eurasian Otter too. A picnic lunch maximizes our time in the field, but then it will be dinner in Andújar and our last night at Hotel Los Pinos here.

In our last morning in Andalusia we’ll keep exploring the Andújar surroundings, making an effort to spot any overlooked species and a final attempt at the elusive Iberian Lynx. Later, we'll head north towards Alcázar de San Juan, in the neighboring region of Castilla La Mancha. There, after driving through the vast Castilian plains, we’ll have the opportunity to explore some lagoons near town. Amidst this steppeland, the lakes act as an oasis and a magnet, attracting a wide array of species linked to the water. These can include the White-headed Duck, and Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns, Western Marsh Harrier, the sneaky Little Bittern and specialties like Moustached Warbler, Eurasian Penduline-Tit and Bearded Reedling. Tonight we’ll stay at the Hotel Intur in Alcázar de San Juan.

We’ll see what flight times look like, but if time allows we may try our luck with any missing species or there may be chances to look for some more lake residents or steppe specialties, as we drive to Madrid. Our trip concludes upon arrival at the Madrid airport.