Los Olivos, Holiday Accommodation.

Los Olivos holiday accommodation.

2009-08-07T15:25:00.020+02:00

Our house amongst the Olives

Los Olivos offers self contained holiday accommodation set amongst the olive groves in an unspoilt rural area of Granada Province, Southern Spain.
The accommodation is situated at the rear of the main house. It has its own entrance via a side gate, with a path leading through a pretty garden to its own patio area, with a wooden table and chairs and is a lovely place for outside dining. From this patio a spiral staircase leads to the upstairs sun terrace. On the terrace we have sun loungers and chairs. With views over the olive trees it makes it a great place to relax and perhaps catch up on a bit of holiday reading. For birders it is an excellent vantage point to sit at dusk and watch the Red-necked Nightjars along with many other species of birds seen from the terrace during the day. From the terrace you also have distant views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Built on one level Los Olivos has an open plan lounge/kitchen area. The lounge has comfortable chairs with a reading lamp. Guide books and information sheets on the area are kept in the lounge unit along with a selection of reading books. A CD player/radio is also available. The modern fitted kitchen has a gas oven/hob, refrigerator, microwave, electric toaster and all the usual dishes, cutlery and glasses you would expect. An iron, ironing board and sewing box are also provided. A gas heater is also provided during the cooler months.

The bedroom has comfortable twin beds. For the summer months an electric fan is provided. During the cooler winter/spring months we supply electric blankets and duvets. Hanging rails and draw units give plenty of space for storage. Because many airlines have weight restrictions an electric hairdryer along with toweling robes are provided.

The bright en-suite shower room has an electric wall heater, shaver point, sink, toilet and large shower. Bath and hand towels are provided.

Only 30 minutes from Granada airport and an hour from Malaga airport this area of Spain, unspoilt by the mass tourism seen in many areas, offers visitors the chance to see Spain at its best. Visit the local bars for a drink and tapas (in most local bars, tapas is still given free). Visit the vibrant city of Granada with its world famous Alhambra Palace, Its wonderful historic buildings and selection of shops. With Los Olivos being only 10 minutes drive from the main A92 motorway it makes it an ideal base to explore many major cities such as Seville, Cordoba, Malaga and Jaen, along with many of the beautiful smaller Spanish towns and villages.
You can also take a day out with Spanish Nature and discover the wonderful birds, wild flowers, orchids and butterflies etc to be found in this area. This area offers something for everyone and is only a short flight away from the UK
If you like the look of the area but need to accommodate a larger group please contact us as we are happy to recommend local villas and hotels.

Some of the comments made in our visitors book.

2009-08-07T15:00:00.005+02:00

Chris from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.
26th-28th March 08.

Congratulations on a lovely job very well thought out and fitted. Hopefully subsequent visitors will have time to do it justice.
PS: The birding wasn’t bad either!!

Dennis Coutts (The Shetland Birder). Lerwick, Shetlands.
30th March -3rd April 08.

I greatly enjoyed wonderful birding in a delightful area, easily accessible to magic areas of scenic beauty. I've never encountered a bird leader who tried harder to ensure the most was made of a tour. Fantastic birds, even from the cosy accommodation so well catered for by Jayne. I wish her and Mick well, their care for detail and hospitality deserves the best.

Jenny and Brian, Hampshire.
7th-14th June 08.

We have enjoyed our stay in this very cosy apartment. You have thought of everything to make us feel comfortable. Thank you for your hospitality, Mick and Jayne.
Mick's knowledge of the local flora and fauna is encyclopedic and made our day trips most memorable. Nothing was to much trouble and the Roller were the highlight of our week.

Pam and John, Norwich, Norfolk.
27th Sept-2nd Oct 08.

In England the table against the wall would be called the breakfast bar and would have been just that. Here, not only can you eat at it, but make notes at it, clean your optical equipment, refer to books, but primarily use it as your own personal wildlife hide. Mick and Jayne have created a great place to stay. Very many thanks.

Pam and John, Norwich, Norfolk.
24th-28th June 09.

Weather, hospitality and obliging birds made this return visit splendid. In particular, Golden Oriole, Wryneck, Hawfinch, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Eagle Owl, Bonelli's Eagle and Red-necked Nightjar were special treats. Very many thanks.

Trip Report at http://www.lojawildlife.com/

A selection of Wildflowers.

2009-08-07T14:32:00.008+02:00

The list below is just a selection of the wildflowers we have seen in this area and on trips into Malaga and Cadiz Provinces.

Abies pinsapo,

Adonis annua, Pheasant's Eye,

Adonis vernalis,

Anagyris foetida, Bean Trefoil,

Anthericum lilago, St Bernards Lily,

Anthyllis tetraphylla, Bladder Vetch,

Anthyllis vulneraria, Mediterranean Kidney Vetch,

Arenaria imbricata,

Arisarum vulgare, Friar's Cowl,

Aristolochia baetica, Dutchman's Pipe,

Armeria splendens ssp splendens,

Artemisia granatensis,

Asphodelus fistulosus, Hollow-stemmed Asphodel,

Asphodelus albus, White Asphodel,

Asteriscus maritimus, Yellow Sea Aster,

Astragalus lusitanicus ssp lusitanicus, Iberian Milk-vetch,

Biarum carratracense,

Botrychium lunaria, Moonwort,

Bupleurum fruticosum, Shrubby Thorow-wax,

Capparis spinosa, Caper,

Carduus granatensis,

Centaurea boissieri,

Centaurea prolongoi,

Centaurea pullata ssp pullata, Southern Knapweed,

Centranthus calcitrapae, Cut-leaved Valerian,

Cerastium boissieri,

Cerastium cerastoides,

Cerinthe major, Honeywort,

Chaenorhinum villosum, Cliffhanger,

Chaenorrhinum Glareosum, Blue Dreams,

Cistis albidus, Grey-leaved Cistis,

Cistus landanifer, Gum Cistus,

Colchicum lusitanicum, Southern Crocus,

Colchicum triphyllum,

Crocus nevadensis, Sierra Nevada Crocus,

Cytinus hypocistis,

Delphinium nanum,

Dianthus broteroi,

Dianthus subacaulis ssp brachyanthus,

Digitalis obscura, Spanish Rusty Foxglove,

Digitalis purpurea var nevadensis, Foxglove,

Dipcadi serotinum, Brown Bluebell,

Echium albicans, White-leaved bugloss,

Echium boissieri, Candle Bugloss,

Erigeron frigidus,

Erinacea anthyllis, Blue Hedgehog Broom,

Erodium cheilanthifolium,

Eryngium glaciale,

European Plumbago, Plumbago europaea,

Fagonia cretica,

Fritillaria hispanica, Snake's Head Fritillary,

Galactites tomentosa, Galactites,

Galium pyrenaicum,

Gentiana verna ssp sierrae,

Gentiana boryi,

Gladiolus italicus, Field Gladiolus,

Gynandiris sisyrinchium, Barbary Nut,

Halimum halimifolium, Yellow Sunrose,

Hedysarum coronarium, Italian Sainfoin,

Iris germanica, Tall Bearded Iris,

Iris planifolia, Wide-leaved Iris,

Iris Subbiflora,

Iris xiphium, Spanish Iris,

Jasione crispa ssp amethystina,

Jasminum fruticans, Shrubby Jasmine,

Legousia speculum-veneris, Large Venus's Looking Glass,

Leucojum trichophyllum, Spring Snowflake,

Limonium sinuatum, Winged Sea-lavender,

Linaria aeruginea ssp nevadensis,

Linaria amethystea, Spanish Toadflax,

Linaria anticaria,

Linaria glacialis,

Linum perenne, Perenial Flax,

Linum suffruticosum, White Flax,

Lupinus angustifolius, Narrow leaved Lupin,

Lupinus luteus, Yellow Lupin,

Lythrum junceum, Rush Loosestrife,

Malva Hispanica, Spanish Mallow, Mandragora autumnalis, Mandrake,

Merendera pyrenaica,

Mucizonia hispida,

Narcissis fernandesi,

Narcissus baeticus,

Narcissus bugei,

Narcissus jonquilla, Common Jonquil,

Narcissus papyraceus, Paperwhite Narcissus,

Narcissus triandrus ssb pallidulus,

Nigella damascena, Love-in-a-mist,

Nicotinana glauca, Shrub Tobacco,

Odontites granatensis,

Onosma tricerosperma ssp granatensis,

Ornithogalum umbellatum, Star of Bethlehem,

Orobanche crenata, Bean Broomrape,

Orobanche ramosa, Branched Broomrape,

Paeonia broteroi, Wild Peony,

Paeonia coriacea, Upland Peony,

Papaver argenone, Prickly Poppy,

Parentucellia latifolia, Southern Red Bartsia,

Phagnalon saxatile, Rock Phagnalon,

Phlomis lychnitis,

Pinguicula nevadensis,

Pistorinia hispanica, Spanish Crassula,

Plantago nivalis, Sierra Nevada Plantain,

Pterocephalus spathulatus,

Quercus coccifera Kermes Oak,

Quercus pyrenaica, Pyrenean Oak,

Quercus rotundifolia, Round-leaved Oak,

Quercus suber, Cork Oak,

Ranunculus acetosellifolius,

Reichardia gaditana, Sand Reichardia,

Roemeria hybrida,

Romulea clusiana,

Ruscus hypophyllum, Southern Butchers Broom,

Sarcocapnos pulcherrima,

Saponaria ocymoides,

Saxifraga Camposii,

Scilla peruviana,

Scrophularia sambucifolia subsp.sambucifolia,

Sedum melanantherum,

Sempervivum vicentei ssp lainzii, House Leek,

Silene nicaeensis, Sticky Catchfly,

Sternbergia lutea, Common Sternbergia,

Teucrium chamaedrys, Wall Germander,

Trachelium caeruleum, Throatwort,

Tuberaria guttata, Spotted Rockrose,

Tulipa sylvestris ssp australis, Southern Wild Tulip,

Upinus micranthus, Hairy Blue Lupin,

Urginea maritima, Sea Squill,

Vaccaria hispanica, Cow Basil,

Verbascum nevadense, Sierra Nevada Mullein,

Vicia onobrychioides, False Sainfoin,

Viola crassiuscula, Sierra Nevada Violet,

Viola dementria,

Viola kitaibeliana, Dwarf Pansy,

Viscum cruciatum, Red-berried Mistletoe,

Xeranthemum annuum, Pink Everlasting,

2009-08-06T23:44:00.018+02:00

The list below is a record of the Orchid species that I have found in Granada, Malaga and Cadiz Provinces. I have by no means found all the species that are in the area and I am looking forward to adding to my discoveries. The list is pretty much in the order that each species was found.

Robust Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza elata ssp sesquipedalis.

Robust Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza elata ssp durandii.

Somber Bee Orchid, Ophrys fusla subsp fusca.

Bumble Bee Orchid, Ophrys bombyliflora.

Southern Early Purple Orchid, Orchis olbiensis.

Man Orchid, Aceras anthropoporum.

Mirror Orchid, Ophrys speculum ssp speculum.

Pink Butterfly Orchid, Orchis papillonecea.

Sawfly Orchid, Ophrys tenthredinifera var tenthredinifera.

Yellow Bee Orchid, Ophrys lutea.

Small Tongue Orchid, Serapias parviflora.

Bug Orchid, Orchis coriophora.

Sword-leaved Helleborine, Cephalanthera longifolia.

Giant Orchid, Barlia robertiana.

Italian Man Orchid, Orchis italica.

Pyramidel Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis.

Lizard Orchid, Himantoglossum hircinum.

Woodcock Orchid, Ophrys scolopax var picta.

Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera.

Epipactis tremolsii.

Fan-lipped Orchid, Orchis collina.

Conical Orchid, Orchis conica.

Green-winged Orchid, Orchis Morio ssp champagneuxii.

Lange's Orchid, Orchis langei.

Tongue Orchid, Serapias lingua.

Mirror Orchid, Ophrys speculum ssp Lusitanica.

Lax-flowered Orchid, Orchis Laxifolia.

Dense-flowered Orchid, Neotinea maculata.

Barton's Orchid, Dactylorhiza insularis.

Orchis cazorlensis.

Sawfly Orchid, Ophrys tenthredinifera var ficalhoana.

Small -flowered Helleborine, Epipactis Macrophylla.

Pendulous Flowered Helleborine, Epipactis phyllanthes var. fageticola.

Atlas Orchid, Ophrys atlantica.

Ophrys Dyris.

Two-leaved Gennaria, Gennaria diphylla.

Woodcock Orchid, Ophrys scolopax var scolopax.

Sulphure Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza markusii / sulpherea.

Trabant's Limodore, Limodorum trabutianum.

Common Twayblade, Listera ovata.

Bird List.

2009-08-06T20:26:00.002+02:00

A year round birding area.

All the birds listed below have been seen within a 5km range of our house, the habitats are very varied ranging from olive and almond groves, agricultural fields, Oak woodlands and mountain scrub. The rio Montefrio and several of its smaller tributaries meander their way around the area and onwards into the Embalse de Iznajar.

Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea
Purple Heron, Ardea purpurea
Little Egret, Egretta garzetta
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
Black Stork, Ciconia nigra
White Stork, Ciconia ciconia
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
European Honey-buzzard, Pernis apivorus
Black Kite, Milvus migrans
Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus
Short-toed Eagle, Circaetus gallicus
Western Marsh-Harrier, Circus aeruginosus
Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus
Montagu's Harrier, Circus pygargus
Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
Eurasian Buzzard, Buteo buteo
Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
Bonelli's Eagle, Aquila fasciatus
Booted Eagle, Aquila pennatus
Eurasian Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Merlin, Falco columbarius
Eurasian Hobby, Falco subbuteo
Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa
Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix
Common Crane, Grus grus
Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra
Little Bustard, Tetrax tetrax
Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus
Stone Curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus
Northern Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
European Golden-Plover, Pluvialis apricaria
Little Ringed Plover, Charadrius dubius
Jack Snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago
Common Greenshank, Tringa nebularia
Green Sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola
Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
Rock Dove, Columba livia
Common Wood-Pigeon, Columba palumbus
Eurasian Turtle-Dove, Streptopelia turtur
Eurasian Collared-Dove, Streptopelia decaocto
Monk Parakeet, Myiopsitta monachus
Great Spotted Cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
Common Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Eagle Owl, Bubo bubo
Barn Owl, Tyto alba
European Scops-Owl, Otus scops
Little Owl, Athene noctua
Red-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
Alpine Swift, Tachymarptis melba
Common Swift, Apus apus
Pallid Swift, Apus pallidus
European Bee-eater, Merops apiaster
Hoopoe, Upupa epops
Eurasian Wryneck, Jynx torquilla
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
Crested Lark, Galerida cristata
Wood Lark, Lullula arborea
Sky Lark, Alauda arvensis
Sand Martin, Riparia riparia
Eurasian Crag-Martin, Hirundo rupestris
Swallow, Hirundo rustica
Red-rumped Swallow, Hirundo daurica
House-Martin, Delichon urbica
White Wagtail, Motacilla alba
Pied Wagtail, Motacilla yarrellii
Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava
Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
Tawny Pipit, Anthus campestris
Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis
Water Pipit, Anthus spinoletta
Goldcrest, Regulus regulus
Firecrest, Regulus ignicapillus
Winter Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
Blue Rock-Thrush, Monticola solitarius
Eurasian Blackbird, Turdus merula
Redwing, Turdus iliacus
Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos
Mistle Thrush, Turdus viscivorus
Zitting Cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Cetti's Warbler, Cettia cetti
Sedge Warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Eurasian Reed-Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Melodious Warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
Common Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
Western Bonelli's Warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli
Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
Garden Warbler, Sylvia borin
Greater Whitethroat, Sylvia communis
Western Orphean Warbler, Sylvia hortensis
Subalpine Warbler, Sylvia cantillans
Sardinian Warbler, Sylvia melanocephala
Dartford Warbler, Sylvia undata
Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
European Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
European Robin, Erithacus rubecula
Common Nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
Black Redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
Common Redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
European Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola
Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
Black-eared Wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica
Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus
Coal Tit, Periparus ater
Great Tit, Parus major
Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus
Short-toed Treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla
Eurasian Golden Oriole, Oriolus oriolus
Southern Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis
Woodchat Shrike, Lanius senator
Eurasian Jay, Garrulus glandarius
Azure-winged Magpie, Cyanopica cyana
Eurasian Magpie, Pica pica
Red-billed Chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Eurasian Jackdaw, Corvus monedula
Common Raven, Corvus corax
European Starling, Sturnus vulgaris
Spotless Starling, Sturnus unicolor
Cirl Bunting, Emberiza cirlus
Rock Bunting, Emberiza cia
Reed Bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus
Corn Bunting, Emberiza calandra
Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
Common Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
European Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris
Eurasian Siskin, Carduelis spinus
European Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
Eurasian Linnet, Carduelis cannabina
European Serin, Serinus serinus
Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus
Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus
Rock Sparrow, Petronia petronia

The Alhambra Palace, Granada.

2009-08-05T14:09:00.000+02:00