The seasons in Andalusia: Serranía de Ronda

Cork oaks with evergreen foliage make us forget winter… First aromas of spring with the flowering of almond trees, stinking bean trefoil and the first daffodils. The sun’s ray activates the flight of the  Spanish festoon (Zerynthia rumina) and domestic bees in fruit trees. The summit of the Sierra de Las Nieves is sporadically covered in snow and offers us the chance to experience several seasons in the same day.

The large birds of prey, griffon vultures and Bonelli’s eagles, are busy in their nuptial processions and are particularly visible on the cliffs. In the coastal plains, not subject to frost and close to the Strait, monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are abundant, the adults in flight and the caterpillars on their host plant. The biodiversity of ponds is close to its peak with large branchiopods and amphibians.

A good time to explore the Pinsapo forests. Spring is early and fleeting in Andalusia… Winter precipitation will determine the phenology of flowering, the persistence of ponds and the extent of the explosion of life in Mediterranean ecosystems. White storks occupy their nests and early species are visible.

Important migrations across the Strait… Raptors, many Black Kites, fly over the Serranía. Peak of orchids, such as Ophrys, Orchis, Serapias, etc. very common in Andalusian limestone meadows. The glorious blooming of peonies is a sight like no other. Butterflies in abundance such as the endemic Polyommatus lorquinii in the scrublands. The poppies are fading and announce the end of spring.

The decadence of spring and its large flowering umbellifers which attract many insects. Serranía’s birds, Cirl buntings, Blue Rock-trushes, Black wheatears, etc. are breeding. In the rivers, kingfishers, golden orioles and dippers are busy. Peak season for running water dragonflies, among the most sought after: Macromia, Oxygastra and Gomphus graslinii.

Already the herbaceous vegetation is withering in the sierras, except at the highest altitudes. The temperature is high day and night. When the sap falls, the cork is harvested. The month of Mediterranean Fireflies and Pine Chafers, visible very briefly. Numerous orthoptera in dry meadows and scrublands. Breeding birds (tits) disperse in families in the woods.

Difficult times for biodiversity. Travelers focus on the coast or visit the mountains. Southern (African) dragonflies thrive in streams. Nighttime is conducive to numerous nocturnal insects. Unfavorable season except for Orthoptera at altitude, especially in the eastern sierras like Sierra Nevada. In August the storks begin their migration.

The migration of storks and kites (by the tens of thousands) gives way to other birds of prey and black storks. The soil is dry and herbaceous vegetation is almost non-existent… Look for waterbirds (white-headed duck, etc.) in the gravel pits and permanent lagoons, dragonflies on the larger rivers, particularly Migrant hawker and Desert darter. After the first autumn rains, second generation of Mediterranean crickets and the powerful bellowing of the Red deer.

Strong peak in abundance of the African Monarch (Danaus chrysippus). Young griffon vultures of the year migrate to Africa. Curiously, Mediterranean smilax and Flax-leaved daphne flower at this season. The wild fruits of the Mediterranean forest ripen and are the delight of passerines. Their migration is remarkable on the coast and wintering birds arrive in numbers… common cranes, gannets, etc. Cattle egret numerous at their roosts.

Deciduous trees take on their fall colors (the copper forest) before losing their foliage. Mountain birds winter in the sierras and water birds in the marshes.

Rainy nights and mild temperatures (over 12ºC) are ideal for the activity of amphibians, particularly betic salamanders.