We're delighted to offer an Iberian Lynx tour with a difference - as befits one of Europe's rarest and most iconic of mammals!
The Iberian Lynx is a dramatic apex predator in the Iberian Peninsula - and one that, for a time, teetered on the brink of extinction. Even now, it retains the dubious distinction of being Europe's rarest feline, but thanks to years of dedicated conservation work its population is recovering, and visits to its heartland can be made with an expectation of sightings, particularly in the months of winter when the animals are particularly active.
Some tours might rely on sightings coming in the public areas of the Natural Park of Sierra de Andujar - and we'll judiciously explore these areas too - but we prefer to maximise our chances of higher quality encounters with Iberian Lynx. To this end, we will enjoy two days of exclusive access to a private estate in the area, accompanied by biologists who work in the Iberian Lynx conservation program. Their knowledge of the countryside and the individual animals to be found in it is second to none, and in addition to enjoying the best chances of close encounters with the big cats, we can also learn firsthand about their conservation and prospects.
In the course of the tour we will also enjoy some other superb late winter wildlife watching - the first Provence Hairstreaks of the year may be on the wing, freshly emerged and looking like the lovechild of Green Hairstreak and Small Copper! Wildflowers will be starting to bloom - we'd expect to see delicate endemic Narcissus jonquila, and in the limestone areas may bump into some early orchids too - there's a chance of Anacamptis colina, Himantoglossum robertianum, and Ophrys fusca. We won't be able to miss the endemic Iberian Magpies with their flashing azure wings, and other top quality birds may also be hoped for - Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Rock Bunting, Cinereous Vulture, Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, and Greater Flamingo amongst others. Another iconic mammal is also on the cards - we should get close views of the photogenic Iberian Ibex.
Please note - we deliberately keep the group size of this tour small (no more than seven guests) to ensure the best encounters with the famously shy and enigmatic Iberian Lynx. Several days will involve early, pre-dawn starts to ensure we're on-site before day breaks, to minimise disturbance and maximise the quality of the encounters we're hoping for.
