Alicante Trip (07/01/26)!

Alicante (07/01/26)!

On the second day, we travelled to the Sierra del Maigmó and Sierra del Sit nature reserves in search of Griffon Vultures, Alpine Accentors, and Crested Tits. Whilst there we ended up climbing the summit of Maigmó mountain, before travelling to the edge of the Canelobre Caves and visiting a nearby Spanish town to get stuff to eat. We ended the day back at Alicante, where we had a wander around the city.

We headed off North to the Sierra del Maigmó.
First of all, we headed off North to the Sierra del Maigmó.
A monument saying 'Estima la natura'; Catalan for 'Love nature'.
A monument saying 'Estima la natura'; Catalan for 'Love nature'.
Views from the Maigmó mountain, off to the East.
Views from the Maigmó mountain, off to the East.
Views of the Sierra. The mountains go on for miles.
Views of the Sierra. The mountains go on for miles.
Close up of one of many mountains.
Close up of one of many mountains, coated with holm oaks and pines.
More views from above. Alicante itself can be seen in the background.
More views from above. Alicante itself can be seen in the background.
I think you get the idea by now :)
I think you get the idea by now :)
Views of Alicante from the mountain.
Views of Alicante from the mountain, taken with my telephoto lens.
A Pine Processionary Moth caterpillar on its nest.
A Pine Processionary Moth caterpillar on its nest. It turns out that these caterpillars are exceptionally dangerous due to toxins in their hairs. We didn't touch any though, so we were fine! :)
A Coal Tit amongst the branches of a pine.
A Coal Tit amongst the branches of a pine.
An Alpine Accentor. There were lots of these on the cliffs of the mountains.
An Alpine Accentor. There were lots of these on the cliffs of the mountains.
A Dartford warbler - they were particularly difficult to photograph.
A Dartford warbler - they were particularly difficult to photograph.
A Short-toed Treecreeper - one of the birds I was hoping to see the most!
A Short-toed Treecreeper - one of the birds I was hoping to see the most!
'Rancho Angelina', near the Cabeçó d'Or mountain range.
After visiting the Sierra del Maigmó, we headed off in search of Griffon Vultures. One was recently sighted at the Cabeçó d'Or mountain range - which is where we saw this ranch!
A Black Redstart near the ranch.
A Black Redstart near the ranch.
The same Black Redstart in flight.
The same Black Redstart in flight.
Possibly an Iberian Chiffchaff, sighted near the ranch.
Possibly an Iberian Chiffchaff, sighted near the ranch.
'El Pet de la Reina', a strange rock arch in the Cabeçó d'Or mountain range.
'El Pet de la Reina', a strange rock arch in the Cabeçó d'Or mountain range. It has a weird name.
A solitary grave.
We left the ranch and headed to a nearby town in a mountain valley. I don't know why I took a picture of this grave, but I did.
A Mistle Thrush, I think.
A Mistle Thrush, I think.
Another Short-toed Treecreeper!
Another Short-toed Treecreeper, making a nice silhouette!
We ended the day at Alicante, where I attempted to find a sew-on patch for my jacket. They have a road of whimsical mushroom houses there :)
We ended the day at Alicante, where I attempted to find a sew-on patch for my jacket. They have a road of whimsical mushroom houses there :)
A rather poor late-night picture of Alicante Castle.
A rather poor late-night picture of Alicante Castle.

Click here to see the photos from the previous day of our trip!

Click here to see the photos from the final day of our trip!