After a few days in Cadiz with Debbie, I dropped her off at Seville Airport and headed for Trujillo arriving just before 10pm. My plan is to combine walking and birding by following a number of 'bird trails' developed by Iberoaves, a group of interested parties for developing birdwatching in the Miajadas-Trujillo region.
Wednesday 9th April 2025
Out to walk the Sierra de Los Alijares about a 25 min drive from Trujillo and started around 09.30. Within a short while I realized that I had walked this route before with Debbie some years ago when we stayed at Montanchez. This didn't distract from really good walk that gave spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
Cuckoo could be heard calling from a number of locations and Nightingale and Serin were constant throughout. Sardinian Warbler were very vocal as were Chaffinch.
As with all the walks I did it took a lot longer than it should due to birdwatching and sound recording.
As the day warmed up so did the birds of prey. Griffon Vulture soared along the edges and two Short-toed Eagles were tumbling together. Black and Red Kite were seen as were two Booted Eagle.
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| Short-toed Eagle |
Red-rumped Swallow were mixed in with Swallow around the village and a Hoopoe was calling but not seen. A male and female Cirl Bunting were feeding along the footpath.
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| Cirl Bunting |
Along the path, about halfway, you come to an open area looking out on the plains. Here there are three water troughs which are infested by frogs that call loudly until you approach with in a few feet and then they dive, en masse, into the water.
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| The Frog Troughs |
The end of the walk is marked by one of many stone crosses you see in Spain.
Full sighting list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224384454
Thursday 10th April
Another recommended birding route from Iberoaves this morning on what was to be a very hot (27 degrees C) day. The starting point was the small village of Conquista de a Sierra. Arrived and parked up in the relatively cool morning and set out along a broad track that led through the dehesa passing a number of cattle farms. The walk was a real treat, going through wonderful landscape full of bird life. In theory the walk should have taken two and a half hours but due to many stops it took me just over five!
The number of Woodchat Shrike were amazing and I counted thirteen while doing the walk. It always surprises me how little these birds are.
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| Woodchat Shrike |
The whole area was amazingly green. Usually when I visited in the past the grass has turned brown with the heat, but being a little earlier this year and with recent heavy rain the landscape was green and full of wildflowers.
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| Looking out on a rich, green dehesa. |
Throughout the walk I was accompanied by the near constant call of Corn Bunting, Cuckoo and Hoopoe
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| Corn Bunting |
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| Sparrow Lane |
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| Spanish Sparrow |
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| Spanish Sparrow |
Sightings list part 1: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224386946
Sightings list part 2: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224387739
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| Hoopoe along the track towards the end of the walk. |
After having lunch sitting under a tree by the village playground I headed towards the Vegas area. Last time I visited here much of the area was dry and they seemed to be planting fruit trees rather than rice for which it is famous.
On the way I made a stop just outside Zorita and walked between the fields back to the village. Four White Stork were in the field and nineteen Griffon circled above. These were joined by two Booted Eagle, two Red Kite and one Black Kite.
Circling the church tower was sa group of five Lesser Kestrel.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224388320
Just as I arrived at Vegas Atlas there was a flooded field beside the road. A quick scan of the field produced four Black Winged Stilt, one White Stork and one Grey Heron. A male and female Marsh Harrier quarted the area and Zitting Cisticola flitted through the long grass constantly calling.
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| White Stork, field by EX-355, Acedera |
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224388892
The area around the village of Vegas Altas is intensive agricultural land. It is formed mainly for rice and dependent on the time of year can be flooded widespread or in restricted areas. Much of it was being ploughed when I visited in preparation for planting. Crossing the area are a number of canals and channels that move the water around along with irrigation courses running along the roadside. A number of roads criss-cross the area and the best way to cover this area is to drive slowly along the roads, windows down to listen out for calls from the ditches.
A Redshank was calling from one flooded field but could not be located. White Stork were ever present and a female Marsh Harrier hunted over the area.Great Reed Warbler called from the ditches as did the target bird for this area the Red Avadavat. These will explode from the ditches but to photograph them proved to be a challenge.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224389379
The Vegas Atlas area is large so I tend to split my record list to cover the Obando Area. It was here that I found a Glossy Ibis feeding with forty-seven Little Egret and three Great White Egret. While scanning a field for possible Stone Curlew a Collared Pratincole flew across my line of vision and disappeared behind some trees. Despite my best effort I wasn't able to relocate it.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224396072
Driving back to Trujillo I headed towards Campo Lugar stopping along the road to scan for typical birds of the open, rolling farm land of this area. On stopping for the first time it was apparent that there was a number of Quail calling from the rich grass. Seven Great Bustard showed well but sadly no Little Bustard.
A female Montagu's Harrier gave distant views and Greater Short-toed Lark were singing and moving around.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224489850
Friday 11th April
Headed over to the Magasca area of the Trujillo plains an area that I have visited on a number of occasions.Stopping at a location that has always been good for Bee-eaters (GOS 02: Trujillo, Extremadura, ES (39.506, -5.894)). It has a small pool that is usually dry, so it was pleasing to see it full of water and surrounded by wonderful wildflowers.
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| Bee-eater pool |
I spotted and had a brief look at a Great Spotted Cuckoo, the second of three seen during the week. It quickly disappeared over the ridge.A couple of Red-rumped Swallow were mixed in with the ordinary Swallow and Bee-eater was present.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224489850
Moving on I next stopped at The Stork House (CC-128, Trujillo, Extremadura, ES (39.516, -5.915)) an old abandoned farm house that the White Stork has taken over for their nests. I counted twenty-three in the immediate area.
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| White Stork House |
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| Black Vulture |
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| Griffon Vulture |
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| Black Vulture |
Quails were calling from a number of locations and a pair of Raven were honking away. The vultures finally moved to a distant ridge where they regrouped and waited for a while longer.
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| A Committee of Vultures |
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224489824
Next stop was Magasca ZEPA--Cañada Puente Mocha, The Stone Cross location famous for Sandgrouse, Harriers and Bustards. The Stone Cross itself has gone, how or why I don't know, but the location itself is part of Iberoaves birding trail. I've visited this place a number of times and have always enjoyed the views and the bird life.
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| No longer a Stone Cross |
Another Black Vulture was in with the loafing Griffon Vulture and Black and Red Kite were visible as was a female Montagu's Harrier.
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| Female Montagu's Harrier |
Moving along the farm track away from the car park it soon became apparent that there was a large flock of sandgrouse somewhere in the area. Sandgrouse have always been one of those birds that are a challenge to see close up but always in flight crossing from one area to another. These seemed to be calling from just beyond a ridge. Suddenly the sandgrouse were on the wing, circling and splitting into smaller groups, some landing back down and others moving off to other areas. The calls were that of the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse and I was able to record them. (https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/634033081)
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| Pin-tailed Sandgrouse on the wing |
The constant call of the Calandra Lark constantly fills the area throughout this area.
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| Calandra Lark |
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| Purple Heron |
A Great White Heron and Great Crested Grebe were at the second, equally destroyed, hide. However no sign of Spanish Imperial or Golden Eagle which I've had before here.
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| Great Crested Grebe |
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| Great White Egret |
That evening, after a splendid meal in the hotel at Monfrague, I popped out to my old haunt at Torrejón el Rubio and the reservoir behind the village. I had read a report of Red-necked Nightjar being heard in the area. As this seemed a bit early I thought I'd see if they had returned to an area where I have had them in good numbers in the past. Sadly nothing was heard other than Nightingale and frogs!
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224741412
Saturday 12th
On previous visits I have stood on the edge of the Monfrague Ridge and looked towards Sarradilla and noted a viewpoint looking towards the ridge. I often wondered about how to get there as it seemed an ideal spot for watching vultures. While in the hotel the evening before I came across a circular walk from Sarradilla to this point and so this would be my walk for the day.
As it turned out it was a splendid walk, leaving Sarradilla and passing through dehesa on a broad path.
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| The path out of Sarradilla |
The forecast was for rain but other than being grey for most of the day it was a dry, warm walk. The track brought me to a very nice pool with a picnic area for a quick snack.
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| The picnic pool |
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| View from the Mirador towards Monfrague Ridge |
The Mirador (viewpoint) gave excellent views of the Monfrague Ridge and I arrived as the weather warmed and the vultures became more active. Griffon dominated but in with them were two Black Vulture.
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| Black Vulture with Griffon Vultures |
Shortly afterwards an Egyptian Vulture joined the circling birds.
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| Egyptian Vulture |
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| Egyptian Vulture and Griffon |
Walking down from the mirador I watched the local goat herd being moved by its owner and dogs that protect them.
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| Goats on the road |
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| Gragantua del Fraile (Waterfall) |
The walk back into the village was pleasant with the sun breaking out. Along the way were more Golden Oriole and plenty of Siskin.
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| Siskin drinking from a pool |
Returning to the car just in time, I had a quick snack before a thunderstorm broke over head. A short heavy downpour soon ended leaving it steamy for a while.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224949185
I drove through some excellent countryside on my way to Hinojil a small town in the middle of wonderful plains excellent for Bustards and other plain species. Along the way I stopped to scan the countryside on a number of occasions. At one stopping point ( Camino Rural,The Road To Hinojal, Casas de Millán, Extremadura, ES (39.814, -6.259)) I spotted my first Iberian Grey Shrike. In past years I seemed to see them quite often sitting on the lines running alongside of the road but this was the first and I saw only three others during my stay.
Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S224966113
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| White Stork on roof of the Church |
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| Spanish Sparrow |
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| Spanish Sparrow nests in the base of the White Stork nest |
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| Montagu's Harrier (Male) |
Passing a small road-side pool I was surprised to spot of Green Sandpiper feeding along the edge of the water.
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| Male Black Redstart |
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| The Roman Aqueduct at night |
Segovia was well worth a visit and we shall return at a later date for a short city break.
