The Aitana mountain

Today I have prepared to climb to the summit of the Sierra de Aitana, which with its 1558 meters, is the highest in the province of Alicante. The perfect excuse to enjoy another day in the mountains has been a tiny and elusive bird, the wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria), which wanted to try to find it near the top, because now in winter this inhabitant of the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains It usually performs an altitudinal migration looking for lower levels.

The sharp Sierra de Bernia turns its back on us at the beginning of the route towards Aitana.

Panoramic view of the mountain before crossing the Pas de la Rabosa.

The characteristic habitat of the rock bunting (Emberiza cia) are stony slopes and mountainous spaces where there are areas of vegetation with groups of outstanding stones. Its name indicates its preference for mountainous terrain, sunny slopes where the terrain is irregular and stony. The Sierra de Aitana meets all these conditions, and during the journey I can see some specimens.
The mountain Bernia seen very close to the Forata fountain
On the way to the Forata spring, located at 1,350 meters, numerous specimens of thrushes and ring ouzel.
Ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus) in the Forata fountain.
La Penya Forata is a very steep formation located on the north face of the Sierra de Aitana and which precedes the Pas de la Rabosa.
A Common Chiffchaff (Philloscopus collibita) perched on a Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). This shrub is very abundant along the route.
Chasms of Partagat and Pas de la Rabosa seen from the path that goes to Collado de Tagarina. On the left, the military base located on the highest level of the sierra.
Path of Collado de Tagarina
The birds that I have located on the summit and very close to it are the rock thrush (Monticola saxatilis), the totovía (Lullula arborea), the alpine accentor (Prunella collaris), the common pipit (Anthus pratensis), among others.
Summit of Puigcampana from Collado de Tagarina, which precedes the Mediterranean coast
Almost at the end of the route, once we have passed the Runar dels Teixos micro-reserve, this curious fox was visible for a few moments and then quietly disappeared into the undergrowth.

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