Читать книгу Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada. 38 walks, scrambles and multi-day traverses онлайн

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The friendly alpine accentor is found above 2000m and seems to like the Mulhacén summit area in particular in summer. It is mainly resident but winters more widely at lower latitudes.

Skylark, red-billed chough, wheatear and rock thrush are some of the few non-raptors that can be seen, and the ring ouzel visits in winter.

Animals, reptiles and insects

A fine example of a macho Spanish ibex (Cabra Montés) (Photo: Nick Cranham)

Mammals to be spotted in the Sierra Nevada area include the Spanish ibex (of which there is a thriving population, although it is now facing threats from illegal hunting and the fatal disease of sarcoptic mange), fox, wildcat, martens, snow vole and wild boar.

Large solitary feline prints have been seen in the snow at 3000m; Lynx are known to frequent the Sierra Arana just north east of Granada, and while it is not inconceivable that they travel south, locals suggest the prints are more likely to be those of a wildcat.

Snakes including the ladder snake, horseshoe whip snake and Lataste’s viper can be encountered (see ‘General hazards’). Lizards will often be seen sunning themselves on the trails. The ocellated lizard was once traditional cuisine, but is now protected.