Extremadura: 4th-11th May 2017
Introduction
Introduction
Having travelled to the Sierra de Aracena on a number of occasions with family, I was keen to explore the more northerly region of Extremadura and its birdlife. Being a solo birder on my first trip alone abroad, I was keen to travel in country that I was at least familiar with and so planning started in late January for this trip.
Planning
Many hours were spent researching the area and bird life on the internet. Websites visited were numerous but the most useful were:
· http://www.birdinginextremadura.com : an excellent introduction to the area
· http://birdingextremadura.blogspot.co.uk : Martin Kelsey’s excellent blogs were inspiring as well as very appetizing!
· https://www.cloudbirders.com: packed full of reports, too many to mention, that proved very useful in selecting times of visits, locations, species lists and places to stay.
· https://www.spainbirds.com: Their itinerary for their organised trips proved a useful basis for this solo traveller when planning.
Special mention needs to go to Dave Gosney. His ‘Finding Birds in Extremadura’ and its companion video were invaluable. I found that his sites and routes were accurately described and easy to follow and that, for the majority of occasions led me to the species I was seeking.
Planning Tip:
The beauty of Dave Gosney’s site and route descriptions is that he gives very accurate location co-ordinates. Being a solo traveller I did not wish to spend time pouring over maps or road signs while travelling, so time was spent during the winter putting these co-ordinates into my Tomtom SatNav and saved in MyPlaces. These were entered in such a way that each morning I was able to enter the route I wished to follow with each point of interest. In doing so I was able to quickly move from one point of interest to another and more importantly, enjoy the beauty of the countryside as I drove along.
DVD: Dave’s DVD wetted the appetite during the long winter months of planning and waiting. It also proved very useful in reinforcing that I was in the right location as I often remarked to myself…. ‘ I recognise this!’
Other Material
Crossbill Guides: Extremadura: ISBN 9789050113826
Where to Watch Birds: Southern ansd Western Spain: ISBN 97807136-83158
Travel and Accommodation
Flight from London Stansted to Madrid: £101.98 Return cost with additional bag allowance and Priority Boarding (sorry don’t like the pushing and shoving!)
Flight departure was at 08.25 arriving at 12.00 giving additional time for birding on the way down. Return flight 18.00 again giving maximum birding time.
Accommadation:
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Cost: £314 for a top floor apartment. Its location was ideal, being central to most of the areas I wished to visit. An apartment allowed me to cook meals as and when required. Highly recommended.
Car Rental: Automatic rented from Eurocar for £197. I upgraded on arrival as I fancied trying the offered Audi!
Note on birds mentioned
In the daily recording the birds mentioned are those that are either Lifers (LF) or those of the greater interest. Many other birds were seen each day but while not being mentioned have been recorded and will be listed at the end of this report.
Daily Report
Arrival: Day 1: Thursday 4th May 2017: Madrid airport – Sierra De Gredos: arrived, having stopped for lunch and on numerous occasions to enjoy the scenery, later than expected to find the Platforma empty of not only people but birds as well. An Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris): (LF) was feeding around the car park and Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitaries) present as well. An Ibex also showed well. I hadn’t really given myself enough time so this is an an area to return too and explore in greater detail.
Highlights during the drive included:
Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Black-Eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica), Hoopoe (Upupa epops) and Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
Day 2: Friday 5th May: Torrejón El Rubio - Monfragüe Natural Park:
Day started with very poor weather, cold and grey with heavy rain showers. Headed into Monfrague Natinal Park, expecting to find other bird watchers out and about but saw only three during the whole day.
Monfrague Castle: Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) passing at close range. Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia) present but very little. Heavy rain meant a quick retreat to car.
Penafalcon Rock: A pair of Black Stork: (Ciconia nigra) present. They were ocated toward back of a cave midway up the rock face and while watching the male was seen to mount the female. Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) were present in good numbers as well as two Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus).
In the car park a Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitaries) gave good photo opportunities. However the weather was appalling and so again retreated to the car. While getting ready to leave was pleased to see an Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) appear and gave excellent views for a short while before it moved away.
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| Male Blue Rock Thrush
Villa De San Carlos: A school party of very soggy children present, looking how I felt! A coffee vending machine provided an excellent cup of coffee and while drinking the sun came out! Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) hunted across the fields while Swallow (Hirundo rustica) and House Martins (Delichon urbicum) were present in large numbers. A Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans) was showing well in the car park. Black Kite ( Milvus migrans) were present throughout the day.
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La Tajadilla: An excellent spot for a picnic and to observe good numbers of Griffon on the rocks opposite. A hide is provided but sitting under the trees was more pleasant. Azure-winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) were present and a Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) passed through. Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martin (Delichon urbicum) were present in large numbers. In the river below an otter was briefly seen.
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| I tell ya..... he went that a way! |
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| Azure-Winged Magpie |
Rios Y Arroyos: Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) singing and showing well. Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans) and Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) also present.
Minor Road To Serrejon: A loose surfaced road to Serrejon proved to be an excellent spot for the lazy birder. With no traffic at all seen I was able to drive slowly along with windows down, stopping every now and then to enjoy the birds. Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) was present in good numbers
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| Bee-Eater |
as were Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator). Two Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) were observed circling together and shortly afterwards a Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) was seen carrying an object. A number of Iberian Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) were observed hunting and resting on the fencing along the track.
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| Iberian Grey Shrike with lizard |
Shortly after reaching the end of this road the weather broke with a violent thunderstorm. Returned to base for tea and to watch the storm continue into the night.
Day 3: Saturday 6th May: Torrejón El Rubio – Deleitosa Area
Warm morning with mists over the Dehesas gave a wonderful start to the morning as I headed to the two pillars of rock at Cabanas de Castillo. Stopped on a number of occasions to explore the different areas I was driving through and to enjoy the sounds and smells of an increasingly hot morning. Arrived expecting to find other birdwatchers present but was there for over an hour or so before another solo birder appeared. The twin pillars allowed excellent views of Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) as well as two Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and a pair of Peregrine (Falco peregrines). A Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) drifted by. Ever present were Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) and Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitaries). A group of Alpine Swift (Apus melba) showed well for part of the morning before moving off.
Having enjoyed a great morning birding at Cabanas de Castillo I moved south towards the Vegas Atlas on the way stopping at the following locations:
Las Corradias Viewpoint: A small pull-in by a wooded area and stream produced excellent views of a Western Orphean Warbler (Sylvia hortensis) and a pair of Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta).
Obando: A flooded rice field just outside Obando produced a single Red Kite (Milvus milvus), a male Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), two Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) and numerous (50+) White Stork (Ciconia ciconia).
A stop for lunch at an Observation Hide just before Obando was most fortuitous as four Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola): (LF) were hawking over a nearby reservoir. These continued to be present for 15 minutes before moving off. It also gave a good opportunity to watch a small flock of Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) feeding in the area.
Vegas Atlas Area: The old canal that runs through this are produced good views of Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and a small flock of seven Trumpeter Finch (Bucanetes githagineus): (LF) which proved difficult to photograph!
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| Can you see 5 Trumpeter Finch? |
Day 4: Sunday 7th May: Cáceres Plains:
Up and out early to head down to the Caceres and Trujillo area. The weather was warm and pleasant and the early hour meant the roads were quiet (as they were throughout the visit!). The area holds many interesting sites to visit and is worth spending a good proportion of the day there. Scanning the vast fields in the Santa Marta area produced a total of nine Great Bustard (Otis tarda): (LF) and a couple of Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax): (LF). These views were distant and the heat haze made photographing them difficult. Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) were present in large numbers as were Crested Lark (Galerida cristata). Fan-tailed Warbler or Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) were showing well. Coming across a dead cow gave a wonderful opportunity to watch the feeding and social habits of a large number of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus).
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| A gathering or committee of Griffon Vultures |
Day 5: Monday 8th May: Belén Plains:
Another glorious day, warm and with little wind. 40 minute or so drive down to the Belen Plains just outside Trujillo. The Belen Plains are impressive in their size and the road through the steppes gives you a wonderful insight into the area. Within a short period of scanning the steppes a number of Great Bustard (Otis tarda) were located. However, they were distant and the heat haze was once again a problem. While enjoying a drive through the area a small wood produced a good view of a Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla).
Headed into the historic Trujillo for lunch and a bit of sedentary bird watching. The bullring produced numerous Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor) and a single Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) adding to the five seen on the steppes. A tower hide has been newly built by the bullring but was closed at the time of my visit.
While lunching in the town square I was able to catch up the good numbers of Common Swift (Apus apus) and Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus) as well as marvelling at the nesting habit of the White Stork (Ciconia ciconia).
With an increasingly hot day developing I returned to the apartment for an afternoon siesta and tea before heading out for an evening birdwatch.
Hinojal Plain: The lanes around the village of Hinojal pass through excellent areas of dehesa and are well worth exploring. The weather during my evening visit was glorious and much of the time was spent just standing by the roadside listening to the song on the Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) and enjoying the wonderful scent of the Spanish countryside. Again Great Bustard (Otis tarda) were present but distant. However, the view three Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) was not difficult as they feed by the side of the road as I sat by a wall.
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| Great Bustard: Distant views but worth seeing. |
On heading back to base stopped at area regarded as a good location for Black-shouldered Kite a track of EX390 opposite the CC47 near the turning for Monroy, parking under the pine trees which hold a number of White Stork nests. A pleasant walk takes you through a number of cultivated fields to a ridge that overlooks the dehesa. A number of now common species were present such as Azure-winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyanus), Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) and Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator).
Good number s of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) were loafing on the power cable pylon. As the sun was setting two Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus): (Lf) appeared in one of the nearby trees. Both were seen to take off and hunt for a short while, hovering above the fields, before departing.
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| Black-shouldered Kite in the setting sun |
While returning to the car the calls of Red-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis): (Lifer) were heard from a number of different locations as well as a single Scops Owl (Otus scops).
Day 6: Tuesday 9th May: Arrocampo Reservoir :
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| View from Hide 1 |
A leisurely drive to Saucedilla and the Arrocampo area to view some of the best wetland areas in Extremadura. Arriving just after the opening of the Visitors Centre (09.00) I collected a key from the Warden and he was able to point me in the direction of a number of different species. First stop was the hide behind the centre but before I could even get there a call attracted my attention and a Purple Swamp-hen (Porphyrio porphyrio): (LF) put in a splendid appearance, allowing a number of photos to be taken. This was the first of four to be seen at close range. Also present and easy to see were Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) and male Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutes), giving good views.
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| Purple Swamp-hen |
Hide two produced a couple of Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides): (LF) calling then flitting over the reed bed. On the advice of the local farmer I missed out hide three as he said there was little to see and headed back to the car for a short drive to the hide near to Saucedilla. Little was seen from the hide but a stroll across the road produced a Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
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| Night Heron |
as well as two Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). Passing through Saucedilla and following the sign posted route takes you to another hide, however prior to this hide a pool on the left produced good numbers of Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), two Great White Egret (Ardea alba) and a couple of Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). Exploration of the lanes further along did not produce the hope for Great spotted Cuckoo. Returning to the pool produced a single Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos).
Little Egret, Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis
Day 7: Wednesday 10th May: Return to the Cacares-Trujillo Plains:
A cool and breezy morning with the threat of rain in the air. Decided to revisit the Carcares-Trujillo area to see if I was able to pick up any of the birds not seen on the earlier visit. First stop was at the Stone Cross location given in Dave Gosney’s guide. Having had no luck previously it was a pleasure to have two Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) fly over while I was getting my equipment out of the car. A further three were seen to land further into the fields and while trying to locate them eleven more flew over, calling. Two Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris): (LF) completed a worthwhile second visit to this location.
Again distant views of Great Bustard (Otis tarda) were to be had and a single Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) flew across the road.
At the field on the left near the T-junction to Santa Marta, two pairs of Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) were seen quartering the fields. Heading towards Caceres produced a number of Roller (Coracias garrulous) sitting on the wires by nest boxes, some of which were occupied by Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) and a Little Owl (Athene noctua).
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| Roller |
Day 8: Thursday 11th May: Departure Day:
The plan was to return to Penafalcon and spend some time exploring the immediate area further. However woke to heavy rain that did not let up for most of the morning. At a small pond just before the Penafalcon a Black Stork: (Ciconia nigra) standing by the waterside. At the Penafalcon, a number of soggy Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) were present and a single Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) was seen.
At the nearby bridge a number of Alpine Swift (Apus melba) were showing well amongst the large number of House Martin (Delichon urbicum). A Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) attracted the unwanted attention of numerous Crag Martins and a couple of Raven (Corvus corax).
The rain and an earlier advisory email from Ryanair regarding long checking in delays due to increased security levels meant an earlier than planned departure from the area and a drive back to Seville.
Species List: Total 117
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Alpine Accentor
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Prunella collaris
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Alpine Swift
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Apus melba
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Azure-winged Magpie
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Cyanopica cyanus
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Bee-eater
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Merops apiaster
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Black Kite
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Milvus migrans
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Black Redstart
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Phoenicurus ochruros
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Black Stork
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Ciconia nigra
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Black Vulture
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Coragyps atratus
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Black-bellied Sandgrouse
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Pterocles orientalis
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Blackbird
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Turdus merula
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Blackcap
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Sylvia atricapilla
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Black-eared Wheatear
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Oenanthe hispanica
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Black-Shouldered Kite
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Elanus caeruleus
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Blue Rock Thrush
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Monticola solitarius
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Blue Tit
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Cyanistes caeruleus
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Booted Eagle
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Hieraaetus pennatus
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Buzzard
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Buteo buteo
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Calandra Lark
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Melanocorypha calandra
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Carrion Crow
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Corvus corone
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Cattle Egret
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Bubulcus ibis
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Cetti's Warbler
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Cettia cetti
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Chaffinch
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Fringilla coelebs
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Collared Dove
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Streptopelia decaocto
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Collared Pratincole
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Glareola pratincola
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Common Sandpiper
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Actitis hypoleucos
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Common Tern
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Sterna hirundo
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Coot
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Fulica atra
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Cormorant
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Phalacrocorax carbo
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Corn Bunting
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Emberiza calandra
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Crag Martin
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Ptyonoprogne rupestris
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Crested Lark
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Galerida cristata
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Cuckoo
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Cuculus canorus
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Egyptian Vulture
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Neophron percnopterus
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Fan-tailed Warbler
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Cisticola juncidis
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Gadwall
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Anas strepera
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Glossy Ibis
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Plegadis falcinellus
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Golden Oriole
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Oriolus oriolus
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Goldfinch
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Carduelis carduelis
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Great Bustard
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Otis tarda
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Great Crested Grebe
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Podiceps cristatus
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Great Reed Warbler
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Acrocephalus arundinaceus
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Great Tit
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Parus major
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Great White Egret
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Ardea alba
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Green Woodpecker
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Picus viridis
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Greenfinch
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Chloris chloris
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Grey Heron
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Ardea cinerea
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Grey Wagtail
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Motacilla cinerea
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Griffon Vulture
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Gyps fulvus
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Hawfinch
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Coccothraustes coccothraustes
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Hobby
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Falco subbuteo
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Hoopoe
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Upupa epops
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House Martin
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Delichon urbicum
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House Sparrow
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Passer domesticus
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Jay
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Garrulus glandarius
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Kestrel
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Falco tinnunculus
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Kingfisher
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Alcedo atthis
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Lesser Kestrel
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Falco naumanni
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Linnet
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Carduelis cannabina
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Little Bittern
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Ixobrychus minutus
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Little Bustard
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Tetrax tetrax
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Little Egret
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Egretta garzetta
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Little Grebe
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Tachybaptus ruficollis
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Little Owl
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Athene noctua
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Long-tailed Tit
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Aegithalos caudatus
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Magpie
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Pica pica
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Mallard
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Anas platyrhynchos
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Marsh Harrier
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Circus aeruginosus
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Melodious Warbler
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Hippolais polyglotta
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Mistle Thrush
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Turdus viscivorus
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Montagu's Harrier
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Circus pygargus
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Moorhen
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Gallinula chloropus
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Night-heron
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Nycticorax nycticorax
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Nightingale
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Luscinia megarhynchos
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Nightjar
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Caprimulgus europaeus
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Orphean Warbler
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Sylvia hortensis
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Pallid Swift
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Apus pallidus
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Peregrine
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Falco peregrinus
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Purple Heron
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Ardea purpurea
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Raven
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Corvus corax
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Red Kite
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Milvus milvus
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Red-legged Partridge
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Alectoris rufa
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Red-necked Nightjar
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Caprimulgus ruficollis
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Red-rumped Swallow
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Cecropis daurica
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Reed Warbler
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Acrocephalus scirpaceus
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Rock Bunting
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Emberiza cia
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Roller
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Coracias garrulus
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Sardinian Warbler
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Sylvia melanocephala
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Savi's Warbler
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Locustella luscinioides
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Scops Owl
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Otus scops
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Sedge Warbler
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Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
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Serin
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Serinus serinus
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Short-toed Eagle
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Circaetus gallicus
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Short-toed Lark
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Calandrella brachydactyla
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Short-toed Treecreeper
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Certhia brachydactyla
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Shoveler
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Anas clypeata
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Skylark
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Alauda arvensis
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Southern Grey Shrike
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Lanius meridionalis
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Spanish Imperial Eagle
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Aquila adalberti
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Spanish Sparrow
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Passer hispaniolensis
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Spotless Starling
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Sturnus unicolor
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Stonechat
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Saxicola torquatus
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Subalpine Warbler
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Sylvia cantillans
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Swallow
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Hirundo rustica
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Swift
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Apus apus
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Tawny Pipit
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Anthus campestris
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Teal
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Anas crecca
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Thekla Lark
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Galerida theklae
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Trumpeter Finch
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Bucanetes githagineus
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Turtle Dove
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Streptopelia turtur
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Water Rail
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Rallus aquaticus
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Western Swamphen
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Porphyrio porphyrio
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Wheatear
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Oenanthe oenanthe
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Whinchat
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Saxicola rubetra
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White Stork
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Ciconia ciconia
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Wood Warbler
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Phylloscopus sibilatrix
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Woodchat Shrike
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Lanius senator
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Woodpigeon
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Columba palumbus
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Wren
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Troglodytes troglodytes
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