Extremadura and the Monfrague Natural Park, simply brimming with birds, represent one of the best birdwatching areas in Europe, and justifiably so, as they are also the last stronghold of some of Europes rarest and most endangered species. We will journey from the spectacular Monfrague National Park, where raptor watching can be truly outstanding, giving us opportunities to see, amongst others Spanish Imperial Eagle, Eagle Owl, Black Vulture or Black-shouldered Kite.
Sierra de Andújar is the natural border between central and south Spain. This well conserved system of wild Mediterranean - mountain habitat, holds dense populations of several mammals, mainly deers , Otter, Wild Boar, as well as the largest Iberian Lynx population in Spain. Birds seen here include raptors; Black Vultures, Spanish Imperial Eagle, or those typical of this habitat , Azure-winged Magpie or Sardinian Warbler.
On this tour we also will explore the most important Mediterranean wetland; “Marismas de Doñana”, declared a National Park due to its rich birdlife, for its varied habitats and for being an important wintering European sanctuary for waterfowl. A large part of the National Park is a restricted area, we will visit some of the protected areas which are very productive for resident birds including Marbled and White-headed Duck, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Crested Coot or Purple Gallinule among many others on autumn migration. Near Seville there are important extensions of rice fields which attracts a good number of egrets, storks, ibis and waders, although less known that Doñana those areas are rich in a good variety of birds which use them for wintering.
Itinerary
Day 1- Meet you at Seville airport . Drive to Doñana birding on route
Days 2.3 Doñana National park.- Surrounded by pine and holm-oak groves the nearby areas of the park are very productive for small birds including Dartford Warbler, Azure-winged Magpie, Spotless Starling lots of warblers and waders or gulls while resident and migrant raptors will keep our attention looking skywards.All the area will be crammed with birds but especially the marshes near El Rocio where we´ll meander along the banks on the lookout for huge numbers of herons, egrets, storks, ducks, waders, gulls and terns. One of the highlights of our visit to the national park is a one day excursion by 4WD crossing the heart of the park where we will have good chances for mammals including Roe Dear, Wild Boar and Iberian Lynx, the most threatened European feline, in 2003 we where lucky to see a family group. This is one of the last refuges of the Spanish Imperial Eagle where it can be safe from poisoning and hunting, two of the most relevant reasons for its decline. Near Seville there are important extensions of rice fields which attracts a good number of egrets, storks, ibis and waders, although less known that Doñana those areas are rich in a good variety of birds which use them for wintering. Overnight in El Rocio.
Day 4,5 - Driving from Doñana area through Extremadura , we have had several encounters with the local specialities including Bee-eaters or Lesser Kestrel. In the area among other interesting birds we will have good chances for Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Crested Tit or Rock Sparrow . We will deeply explore the best Iberian Lynx habitat searching for this rare feline. Overnight in the area.
Days 6,7,- : Monfrague Natural park is an area of truly dramatic scenery, and regarded by raptor watchers as one of the most outstanding sites to see birds of prey in Europe. We will explore the north side of the park excellent for raptors, here specialities like the Black Vulture breed, together with Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, and eagles are well represented with Golden, Booted, Bonelli's, Short-toed and Spanish Imperial. Around the rocky pinnacle of Portilla del Tietar , which holds Rock Bunting , Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin and Alpine Swift we will look for breeding Black Stork in one of the easiest sites in Europe to watch these shy birds at the nest. Eagle Owls can often be found at their day-time roost. The south side of the park will provide us good chances for most of the mediterranean warbles such as Orphean, Dartford, Sardinian, Subalpine, Spectacled or Melodious, birds as Bee-eater, Roller, Wood Lark, Great Spotted Cuckoo or Southern Grey Shrike are abundant. Near our base in Serrejón there is an important marshy area where breed some interesting specialities such us Purple Heron, Purple Swamphen, Little Bittern or Savi´s Warbler. One night evening we will visit a superb area for Red-necked Nightjar with good chances for several mammals. Overnight in Trujillo.
Day 8- We visit Trujillo with its large breeding colony of Lesser Kestrel and then onwards to the oak woodlands - the ‘dehesa' -, with good possibilities for Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Calandra Lark, Tawny Pipit, Red-rumped Swallow, Bee-eater, Roller, Hoopoe and Great Spotted Cuckoos. Birds are everywhere but in the middle of the plains we will find an spectacular spot where Cattle Egret, Little Egret , White Stork and Jackdaw breed together in “perfect harmony”.
Day 9 - In the south side of Monfrague Natural Park we can find a reservoir worthy to be visited as we will find an exciting variety of intersting birds Great Spotted Cuckoo, Purple Heron, Little Bittern, several raptors including Black Vulture, Spanish Sparrow and Savi´s Warbler. Driving through the pure Mediterranean habitat we will find and interesting variety of warblers; Sardinian, Subalpine, Dartford, Spectacled, Orphean or Melodious, in 2002 we were lucky to spot a shy Olivaceus Warbler. Noticeable is the incredible number of Woodchat Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie and Bee-eater. Overnight in Trujillo.
Day 10 - We return to Madrid, birding en route, for your flight home.
