INTRODUCTION
Spain is the most visited European country for the observation of birds due to its geographical situation in relation to the emigrational routes between Europe and Africa, and because it embraces almost all habitats of the Western Paleartic, (It was selected as the chosen destination of British birders in the forum UKBIRDNET).
This mosaic of habitats in a relatively good state of conservation provides shelter to a great number and variety of species; Raptors in variety and number ( 25 different species were recorded during the tour of 2000 ) , alpine birds, steppe birds, aquatic birds and an unsurpassed representation of typical Mediterranean species . In this two week tour we visit the most beautiful and important areas, and even with the exclusion of Donana due complications of attempting to combine this with the itinerary it is possible to observe more than 200 bird species ( 221 in the 2005 tour ). Special attention is given to the Spanish specialties such as ; Spanish Imperial Eagle, Lammergeier , Duponts Lark, Wallcreeper and Moustached Warbler, with the added opportunity to see a good number of mammals, reptiles and butterflies.
As a complementary embellishment to the tour we will visit different historic monuments and cultural sites such as; The House of Goya, El Castillo de Loarre (XI C. ), El Monasterio de San Juan de la Pena ( XI / XIII C. ) ,medieval villages such as Trujillo or Moorish villages like Alquezar. This tour is designed especially for American birdwatchers who wish to see a maximum number of bird species in Europe combined with some of Spain`s rich culture all in the most spectacular and interesting areas of this enchanting part of the world.
Itinerary
Day 1: Meet you at MAdrid airport. Drive to Extremadura birding on route with god chances fro raptors , Black Vulture, Spanish Imperial eagle, Goshawk, and other birds such us Rock Bunting, Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper or Azure-winged Magpie. Overnight in Monfrague.
Day 2-3: Monfrague National Park is an area of dramatic scenery and one of the premier places to observe raptors in all of Europe . Exploring the north side of the park will provide us with opportunities to see Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Bonelli'S Eagle and Spanish Imperial Eagle. At Portilla del Tietlar we will seek Blue Rock Thrush, nesting Black Storks and with luck day roosting Eagle Owls. On the park's south side a nice variety of Old World warblers are represented including Orphean, Dartford , Sardinian, Spectacled. There are many other birds in this region of Spain that are difficult to find elsewhere in the country and this will be our best opportunity to see them. These will include Azure-winged Magpie, Black Stork, Red-rumped Swallow, Black-shouldered Kite and Spanish Sparrow At some of the area's wetlands we may find Purple Swamphen and Savi's Warbler and we will also make an evening excursion to look for Red-necked Nightjar. On the steppes near the village of Trujillo we should also see Great Bustard, Little Bustard and in the village itself there will be Lesser Kestrel and Pallid Swift. Trujillo is the birthplace of the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and a charming village rich in history and architecture. Nights in Monfrague.
Day 4: Today we make the long drive through central Spain to the village of Belchite. To break up the drive we will stop in the village where Goya, the famous Spanish painter, was born. If time allows we will also visit the old ruined village of Belchite which was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. It is an eerie feeling to walk the streets and see the ruined homes, a silent testament to this terrible period in Spanish history. In the afternoon we will visit a nesting site for the difficult Bonelli's Eagle , Goshawk and other raptors. Before dusk an introduction to the habitat of the mythic Dupont´s Lark, quiet walk through the best nesting spopt. Night in Quinto de Ebro.
Day 5: The El Planeron, an ornithological reserve north of Belchite is home to the highest population density of Dupont's Lark in Spain. This elusive bird is one of Europe 's most sought-after species and we will devote an entire morning attempting get a look at this very difficult prize. Being in the field at sunrise is essential if we are to have an opportunity to see one. After returning to our hotel for a late breakfast we will return to the Belchite area. Belchite is a nature reserve, part of its land belongs to the SPANISH Birdlife (SEO). It is an excellent place to see Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Calandra and Lesser Short-toed Larks, Red-legged Partridge and Montagu's Harrier. Our ascent into the Pyrenees begins this morning with a drive across the Hecho Valley . As we travel through this arid steppe region we will take time to search for any birds we may have previously missed. As we approach the foothills of the Pyrenees the habitat will change and we will begin seeing Holm Oak and pines covering the hillsides. En route we will pass the towering rock spires known as Mallos de Riglos. These would not look out of place in Utah and are spectacular. This area will continue to be good for a variety of raptors and Egyptian Vultures should be especially conspicuous. O the next two nights will be the delightful village of Siresa where we will stay in a charming inn with a restaurant that has won several regional cooking awards. Night in Siresa.
Daysn 6, 7: We will have 2 full days to explore the Hecho Valley and surrounding areas as we attempt to find some of Spain 's most sought after birds. Here the habitat consists of deep ravines and gorges and meandering valleys covered with pine and beech groves. In the more open areas we will find cultivated fields and beautiful alpine meadows. The Hecho Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Spanish Pyrenees and here we will seek the enigmatic Wallcreeper and the Lammergeier—two species highly prized by European birders. Other specialties of the area that we hope to find include Black Woodpecker, Crested Tit, Firecrest, Ortolan Bunting, Rock Bunting, Citril Finch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Red-billed Chough, Dipper, Gray Wagtail and Crag Martin. Mammals will also be well-represented here and we should see Alpine Marmot and Chamois. Though the last of the Pyrenean brown bears also inhabit this region we would be very lucky to see one. During our stay in the high country we will be sure to stop at the Monastery of San Juan de la Pena, a 11 th century structure built on a rock face and reminiscent of Buddhist rock temples in India. The combination of magnificent birds and ancient culture will surely make us wish we had more time! Nights in Siresa.
Days 8-9: From the high Pyrenees we will descend into the Ebro River valley through pure Mediterranean pine woodland interspersed with almond and olive groves with chances for raptors, Mediterranean warblers and migrants. We will also take time to explore Castillo de Loarre, a dramatic walled and turreted fortress perched on a towering rock. Built in the 11 th century, it is said by some to be the oldest castle in Spain . We will also visit the Moorish village of Alquezar , a picturesque locale in the heart of the Sierra de Guara. This region of Spain is famous for the spectacular canyons that have been forged in the mountains by the Rio Vero. In the surrounding areas of Loporzano, the nearby Sierra de Guara and in the spectacular Vadiello and Salto de Roldan, we will find one of the most exciting and varied concentrations of bird species in Spain . Exciting possibilities here will include Hobby, Red Kite, Black-eared and Black Wheatear, Dartford Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Melodious Warbler, European Roller, Wryneck, Golden Oriol, Scops Owl , European Bee-eater, Corn Bunting and Thekla Lark. Nights in Boletas Birdwatching centre Loporzano
Days 10-11: The final leg of our adventure commences with an early morning drive southeast to the Ebro Delta, one of the great remaining Mediterranean wetlands and a site of major ecological importance. The delta is composed primarily of rice paddies but, these flooded fields provide excellent habitat for an amazing array of migrant and breeding birds including the rare Audouin's Gull. We will have nearly 2 full days to explore the delta as we search for exciting species like Little Bittern, Water Rail, Gray Heron, Purple Heron, Little Ringed Plover, Great Crested Grebe, Greater Flamingo, Collared Pratincole, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Slender-billed Gull, Great Reed Warbler, Common Redshank and Zitting's Cisticola. Since our visit will coincide with the passage of many migrant shorebirds the possibilities will be many and exciting. To cap the experience we will stay at a very comfortable inn with excellent birding on the grounds and a superb restaurant. Nights in Deltebre.
Day 12: This morning we will have several hours to further explore the delta before departing for Barcelona where the tour will end at the airport.
