INTRODUCTION
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 and Black-shouldered Kite, to the "Spanish Steppes" one of the most important areas in the world for grassland birds. Here we should see the spectacular breeding display of the Great Bustard, together with other specialities such as Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, and Little Bustard.
Itinerary
Day 1- We will meet at Madrid airport. We will find the western part of the granite mountain Sierra de Gredos with its peculiar rock formations and its lovely pine forest. In the area among other interesting birds we will have good chances for Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Crested Tit or Rock Sparrow . Driving from La Mancha through Extremadura and before arrive to our base in Monfrague, we have had several encounters with the local specialities including Bee-eaters or Lesser Kestrel. Overnight Monfrague.
Days 2 - 3- : 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 Serrejón
Day 4- In the south side of Monfrague Natural Park we can find a reservoir worthy to be visited as we will find an interesting 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 Monfrague.
Day 5- 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”. After lunch we will move to La Serena crossing the best agricultural areas of Extremadura. A short visit to a huge reservoir can produce interesting wildfowl. Overnight in La Serena.
Day 6,7- We will explore La Serena, one of the most important areas in the world for grassland birds. It is here that we hope to see the impressive Great Bustard performing its incredible breeding display. The males almost turn themselves inside out and look like huge white balls of feathers. Here too are many other exciting species, including numerous Little Bustard, Stone-curlew, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Collared Pratincole, Calandra Lark and Montagu's Harrier in good numbers performing its attractive display in the sky. The “sierras” around La Serena are also well known as an excellent site for rock loving birds, we will walk to an old Moorish castle , now in ruins, where the views of the plains are stunning and birds we will find are unmistakable : Golden Eagle, Bonelli´s Eagle, Black Weathear, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Alpine Swift, Red-rumped Swallow. Roller breed here in good numbers and are easy to localise has they like perch in electric wires by the roads. Overnight in La Serena
Day 8- We return to Madrid, birding en route, for our flight home.
We will stay in very good quality and warm rural hotels which serve excellent local food. All rooms have private facilities. We have found similar accommodation in Extremadura as we offer in the Pyrenees at Boletas.
