Looking for the Iberian Lynx in Spain / Private tour with Dave in January 2023

Day 1: I meet Dave at the Hilton, we drink coffee and start the tour! We eat something on the road and we arrive in the afternoon in the Sierra Morena mountains in Spain. Before even taking the track known for its good population of Iberian Lynx, we see a a first one! The photo equipment is not even ready! We hurry and manage to take decent photos of this individual, probably a female.

We continue on the trail when observers already present tell us that they have something! We arrive, eyes screwed to the telescope and observe two young Iberian Lynx from last year. Then the adult female arrives, and then the male who joins them by marking its territory on a few stones! 4 Iberian Lynx interact together: grooming, playing, scolding, etc.

After an hour of observation, we leave the place feeling emotionally very moved to have had the chance to observe five Iberian Lynx in one afternoon! Tonight we'll open a bottle of wine!

Day 2: after a hearty breakfast, we leave at dawn to look for the lynx. Despite great efforts, no cats were observed. But the morning is far from boring: Spanish Eagles, Eurasian Griffons and Cinereous Vultures, Iberian Magpies, etc.

We try to picnic at the place where we observed the first female the day before. The wind is strong and the temperatures low. We leave our spot and head to the river.

There, we are still looking for the Iberian Lynx without success. After observing a lot of European Otter droppings on a bank, I suggest Dave to take a lookout. We find the most comfortable pebbles and do not move for an hour and a half. Just before dark, I see one in the distance. She goes down the river and approaches us. She is very close when she starts turning over the pebbles in search of crayfish which she crushes between her jaws! We watch her for a good ten minutes without her noticing! An extraordinary show!

Day 3: The day starts badly: heavy rain and powerful gusts of wind. After the extended breakfast, we try the track to observe the lynx.

With this weather, we see nothing. We leave to look for the Iberian ibex further. I find a herd of females with last year's young. Next we find two hibernating Mouse-eared bats in a tunnel. Two animals that Dave sees for the first time in his life! We redo the track and join our accommodation to have a good meal.

In the afternoon, we go back to the edge of the river. Three European Otters are seen: two adults and the youngster calling with a whistle! We are still looking for the Iberian Lynx, again without success. But we still observe the Spanish Eagles, Iberian Magpies, stags, fallow deer, etc.

After another sighting of otters out of the water (!), we try the lookout from the day before at the edge of the river. Despite the wait, only the Kingfishers are seen.

Day 4: we are looking for the Iberian Lynx all morning, nothing. We eat our lunch and plan to search for another hour before heading north. After this again unsuccessful search, we quickly move on to our accommodation to settle the last details.

It is still early in the afternoon and I suggest Dave a final passage to the river. We arrive and a couple of Iberian Lynx were seen crossing the bridge shortly before our arrival. One of the two is sleeping peacefully and we can observe him.

Suddenly, the second appears out of nowhere and crosses the bridge back to the other side. Great !

We keep an eye out for the sleeping lynx as it wakes up and heads for some bushes by the river. After 15 minutes, we see him going up the stream.

I propose to Dave to get ahead of him to observe him again further, keeping our distance. Despite our efficiency, when I arrive at the first site I had imagined, I only observe the feline's back. We start again further. I find two large trees downstream, the perfect hide. We sit down with Dave and wait. He is coming ! The lynx passes just 3 meters away from us, totally undisturbed! Our hearts are racing and we leave happy, full of emotions, full of images! An absolutely exceptional encounter. Dave did not expect so much before starting this private lynx tour to Spain.

On the way that leads to the second region of our itinerary where we will be able to hide to try to see the Iberian Lynx, we still observe Iberian ibex.

Day 5: the lookout starts early. The temperature is negative and we begin a long wait. Not that long: around 10 a.m. three Iberian Lynx arrive! It's a family: The adult female and male observe the surroundings while the youngster of last year is more restless and experiences. After a brief passage of a few minutes, they leave. But not for long ! An hour later, they return to the hide for a few moments. The light is perfect and closeness rare! What a day!

Day 6: we return to the hide for a dozen hours, without seeing a lynx. This is nature, nothing is ever guaranteed. We should all also note some beautiful bird sightings: Red-legged Partridges, Spanish Eagles, Goshawk, Hen Harrier, etc.

Day 7: this is the last day of this wildlife tour in Spain dedicated to the Iberian Lynx and we reach Malaga. During a last meal together, we look back on this fabulous trip. We measure how lucky we were to observe 10 different Iberian Lynx during this lynx tour! Heads full of memories and cards full of photos, we leave the south of Spain.

If the adventure tempts you, do not hesitate to contact us.

Jérémy
Guide Salva Fauna