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 Gredos Mountains, the most prolific granite range in Spain. Here we should see the spectacular breeding display of the Bluethroat,together with other specialities such as Rock and Ortolan Buntings.
Itinerary
Day 1,2,3- We will meet at Madrid airport. Drive to Extremadura birding on route. Stop in Oropesa where Black Shoulder Kite and Lesser Kestrel soar above green cereal fileds. 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 Monfrague.
Day 4- 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 Monfrague.
Day 5,6,7- We will drive to our base in the Gredos Mountains, a fantastic farm literally 'hanging' on a mountain slop. Roller, Bee-eater, Spanish Imperail Eagle and Spanish Sparrow are some of the fine birds we will look for. On the next two days we will explore several remote areas in these wild granite mountains with spectacular landscapes, where birds such as Golden Eagle, Rock Bunting, the handsome Rock Thrush and the elusive Bonelli´s Warbler are regular breeders. We will also search for Citril Finch and Alpine Accentor, two alpine specialities which are not always easy to find, being at the southern limit of their distribution.
One of the best populations of Spanish Ibex have also live here since in the beggining of 20th century, they were protected from overhunting and possible extinction by the Spanish King Alfonso XIII. Overnight In Gredos.
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 Monfrague & Gredos as we offer in the Pyrenees at Boletas.
