Crossbill Nature Guides Eastern Andalucia – Spain

Region covered by this guide

This guide covers all of Andalucía east of the line Malaga-Córdoba, which coincides with the provinces of Almería, Granada, Jaén, Córdoba and half of Malaga. Well-known natural areas within this region include:

• Cabo de Gata
• Sierra Nevada
• Desierto de Tabernas
• Hoya de Guadix and Hoya de Baza
• Sierra de Maria
• Sierra de Cazorla
• Sierra de Andújar
• Many other, smaller sites.

The rest of the autonomous region of Andalucía is described in the twin book Crossbill Guide to Western Andalucia. Both books are also available as a package.

About Eastern Andalucia

Andalucía, the largest of Spain’s autonomous regions, is one of contrast. There are wild mountains and extensive marshes, but also semi-deserts and barren limestone plateau. The biodiversity here is the highest of any of the Spanish regions. Andalucía is the stronghold of the endangered Iberian Lynx. Herds of wild Ibex roam the mountains and large numbers of vultures and eagles nest on remote, precipitous cliffs. The Mediterranean Chameleon shelters in the wind-beaten dune scrub, while huge numbers of waterbirds feed in the marshes.
Each corner of Andalucia is different, but all share one characteristic – they have jewels of natural areas that for one reason or another, stand out among all others.

About the authors

Albert Vliegenthart (NL, 1975) works at the Dutch butterfly conservancy, is a renowned lepidopterist, in addition to being a keen birdwatcher. Albert co-authored the Crossbill Guide to the Eastern Rhodopes and contributed to the insect chapters of most other titles in the series.
Bouke ten Cate (NL, 1985) is an all-round naturalist with a special interest in ecology, history, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. He is also a keen wildlife photographer. Bouke previously co-authored the guidebook to North-east Poland.
Dirk Hilbers (NL, 1976) is an all-round naturalist with a special interest in landscape ecology, flora and birds. Dirk is the founder of the Crossbill Guides Foundation and wrote many Crossbill Guides, including the titles on the Canary Islands, Extremadura, Western Andalucía, but also Iceland and Hortobágy.
Kees Woutersen (NL, 1956) lives and works in Huesca in the north of Spain. Before retirement, he ran his own nature travel company, Aragon Natuurreizen, that specialised in birding trips. Kees is the co-author of the Crossbill Guides to the Spanish Pyrenees, both titles on the Canary Islands, Southern Portugal and Madeira.