The outing to the Sierra de Crestillina, took place on the 25^th April.

Due to Rock stabilisation on the road into Casares from the Gaucin road  our usual breakfast stop was changed from Venta  La Laguna  to one on the coastal road next to the turning towards Casares, Restaurant Bahia de Casares , and it did not disappoint great service coffee and Spanish toastada  was enjoyed by many.    Nineteen of us set off in various car combinations up the winding road from the coast into the mountains. The weather was  overcast skies with a light easterly wind and the occasional sunshine breaking through but as we drove higher into the mountains the mist was settling on their tops. We climbed off the main road and up the winding road towards the start of the walk at  Puerto de las Vinas.

The flora was breathtaking with lots of Greater Broomrape growing along the path probably parasites on the remains of a recent pine forest harvested for wood a few years back. Lots of Broom and Cistus brightened the day with their yellows, pinks and whites.

We also found a few fungi species not named as yet 

As we walked along the mountain ridge path we were surrounded in bird song, notably Chaffinch, many tit species including for some great views of Crested Tits.

Crested Tits & Chaffinch  Matthew Ulliott

And a tree creeper came to investigate us too. 

View Casares town 

Although distant visibility was not good we were treated to lovely views of Casares town and the mountain tops where Griffon Vultures and even an Egyptian Vulture were spotted as well as a raven family and a fleeting flash of a Black Wheatear as well as Crag Martins flitting across the crags and rock face.

Egyptian Vulture                                        Matthew Ulliot

Passing some amazing rocks covered in flora such as Star of Bethlehem, Rose Garlic we found a breautiful Bee Orchid and then I managed to spot an elusive Orchid slightly over but also right in a crevice another great specimen of a Man Orchid.

 Thompson Dodd  & Jill Yeoman

The weather started to close in as the clouds came lower or we rose higher, our original plan of a picnic at the high viewpoint which the faster ones of our group made it to, were changed to getting to the lower Refugio that had cover and picnic benches. Nearby we were rewarded by the most stunning Sawfly Orchid and also a Great Spotted Woodpecker landing briefly in a nearby Pine Tree. Lunch accomplished we returned towards the start point and the cars enjoying the numerous Lupins that seemed to have opened up in the rain.

Compiled by Jill Yeoman.