The sounds of autumn in the mountains of Málaga: from the bellowing of the deer to the mating call of the mountain goat

Autumn in Málaga is characterized by a palette of colors that quickly identifies the season, such as the ochre and brown tones of the dry leaves from deciduous trees. However, there are also sounds associated with this time of year. The mating period for large mammals living in mountains and meadows begins: the deer, the fallow deer, and the mountain goat.

Each of these herbivores has its peculiarities, though all are known for the noises linked to mating. Among these is the guttural bellow emitted by male deer to prove their worth. A noise that has surprised or even scared more than one hiker along the way. It can be heard in the last days of September and the first days of October, both day and night, although in reality, it is perceived more intensely at night due to the silence of the forests and meadows.

There is no need to leave the province of Málaga to enjoy phenomena like the deer's bellowing. Although in Andalusian provinces like Córdoba and Jaén, there are many proposals for excursions to hear it, there are also opportunities in Málaga. In fact, the active tourism company RF Natura organizes a guided visit each year to enjoy this auditory spectacle. This time, they will move to the old settlement of La Sauceda, in the municipality of Cortes de la Frontera, right in the heart of Los Alcornocales natural park. "On Saturday night, we will look for a nearby place to listen to it, and the next day we will take a route where we can surely hear and even see it," explains Rafael Flores, manager and guide of this company from Ronda.

But, in addition to Los Alcornocales, which is one of the great green lungs of Andalusia, there are many other spots in the Serranía de Ronda where you can hear the bellowing. Rafael Flores, in fact, changes locations every year, as he does not like to repeat this or other excursions he organizes. Among the spots he mentions, this nature guide and author of many hiking publications are places like Llanos de Líbar, Hoyo de Cortes, or the surroundings of Jimera de Líbar. But, there are even areas very close to the city of Ronda, which even the neighbors of the San Rafael neighborhood hear, as near there is the hunting ground of Los Peñoncillos.

There are also well-known places for the locals and close to very popular hiking routes such as the Tajo del Abanico or the port of Encinas Borrachas (on the Algeciras-Ronda road). Another option is what is popularly known as El Pantanillo, which is relatively close to the Hundidero Dam of Montejaque, although it is within the municipality of Ronda. "There the deer come to drink water and it is very easy to see and hear them," explains Flores. Part of the spectacle is not only in the sound they emit but also in the fight of the males who clash their antlers. It is not necessarily the strongest that wins, since sometimes, he gets tired and exhausted, which other males take advantage of to take the females.

Generally, according to the manager of RF Natura, the bellowing can be heard and seen in much of the Serranía de Ronda, especially in the natural parks of Grazalema and Los Alcornocales and their surroundings, as in recent years the number of deer has increased considerably. In any case, an organized visit is advisable since these groups of mammals are not always in the same place. Factors such as humidity or wind influence. Here the experience and knowledge of an expert guide are essential to get as close as possible.

Less known than the bellowing is the fallow deer's groan. In the case of the province of Málaga, it is logical, because there is only one area in the province where it occurs. It is the Navas de los Pinsapos, in the national park of the Sierra de las Nieves and in the municipality of Parauta. "There, the practitioners of this private estate are of great help to get close to the place where the fallow deer make their groan," points out Rafael Flores, who organizes a guided visit every autumn in collaboration with the owners of the Navas de los Pinsapos. This time, it will be next Thursday, October 10.

The sound emitted by the fallow deer in heat is very different from the bellowing of the deer. Although they have the same purpose, what is perceived here is "a roar similar to that made by the lion," according to the guide and manager of RF Natura. There is no need to be scared; it is simply a natural noise of the mammals inhabiting this area of the province of Málaga.

Later, as autumn progresses, another spectacle associated with the mating of the ruminants of the interior of the province will arrive, it is the mating season of the mountain goat, which can be enjoyed from a certain distance in many limestone enclaves of the province. Here there are neither guttural sounds nor roars. What sounds strongly is the thunder caused by the males' antlers clashing in front of the females' gaze.

The best place to see this spectacle is the natural site of Torcal de Antequera. There, each year the visitor center also organizes guided tours for the price of 2 euros (redeemable in the store or restaurant on the day of the visit). This time it will be next October 19 from 9 to 12 in the morning with a route that will be between 2 and 5 kilometers approximately.