Extremadura 26th April to 3rd May 2008

By Mike Fox, Sean Murphy and Colin Murphy 

Saturday 26th April  

This being our fifth Birding holiday together we decided to try somewhere new and settled on a week in Extremadura. Our flight from Gatwick was on time and uneventful which is more than I can say about trying to find our way out of Madrid. As per usual, the obligatory House Sparrow was the first bird seen, flying around the airport buildings. After leaving the airport we drove around for half an hour trying to find our way onto the E-90 which eventually, thankfully, we did. Once on that road it was pretty straightforward. On route we stopped a couple of times for a quick break and at one petrol station we began our birding holiday in earnest. We saw half a dozen Griffon Vultures soaring above our head and a similar number of Black Kites and Red Kites drifting around. Also in the fields and small lake we found Red-legged Partridge, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Common Sandpiper, Black winged Stilt, Corn Bunting, Spotless Starling (pic below) and Ringed Plover. As we continued our journey the skies were full of White Storks, Kites and Griffon Vultures. When we left the main road to head for the village of Mirabel and our destination the village of Serradilla we took another short break to look at more White Storks, Vultures, Kites, Woodchat Shrike, Crested Lark, Southern Grey Shrike and Jay plus numerous hirundines. We eventually arrived at the Hotel Laurel in Serradilla. Within a short space of time, Mike was knocking on Sean and my door to get us to come and see a Black Redstart within an orange and lemon orchard. 

Sunday 27th April

Today we decided to visit the famous Monfrague National Park. Leaving Serradilla we headed for the River Tajo. Stopping-off a couple of times on route, to view Crag Martin and Woodlark. At the bridge crossing the river we were greeted by a very obliging pair of Egyptian Vultures with one settling on a rock on the far side of the bridge. Under the bridge House Martins were nesting in large numbers. Here we again saw numerous White Storks, Griffon Vultures and Black Kites. The Red Kite not so numerous but still the odd one around. The first port of call was Castillo de Monfrague where we bumped into half of Spain and their wives and kids. The place was packed so not really the best day to visit. Although it was very encouraging to see so many local people showing such enthusiasm for the national heritage. Despite this we did see a few new birds for the trip including Blue Rock Thrush. Because of the melee we soon moved on to the next stop, the Penafalcon. Just around the corner from the castle. Here we had spectacular views of Griffon Vultures (pics below).

After which we made our way to the visitor’s centre at Villareal de San Carlos. By then of course the other half of Spain and their wives and kids were there enjoying their lunch. Therefore, it was onward to the mirador's (viewpoints) along side the River Tietar. At various points we were treated to more spectacular views of Griffon Vulture and a Red Kite nest site, a Black Vulture nest site and Black Stork nest sites (pic below). Again the sky was full of Griffons and White Storks with a fine array of Kites plus the odd Black Stork and Egyptian Vulture. Our final stop was at the Mirador Portilla del Tietar. Here there were a good number of birders and we added some stars to our list - Eagle Owl, Spanish Imperial Eagle and Rock Bunting. A Rock Bunting was feeding fledglings in a nest along side the road (pic below). 

Throughout the park we sighted numerous Azure-winged Magpies, Woodchat Shrike, Nightingale, Raven, Serin and Red-rumped Swallow amongst others. 

Monday 28th April 

On our visit to Portugal last year we missed out on 'Bustards' so we headed for the Bustard road. The road off the N-521 towards Santa Marta de Magascar which lies between Caceres and Trujillo. Please be aware the N-521 road between Caceres and Trujillo is currently under major road works. We had hardly gone more than 300 yards along the Bustard road when we found a Little Bustard and three Great Bustards (we were happy chaps). Along the road we were treated to wonderful views of Montagu's Harriers, a Short-toed Eagle, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Calandra Larks and Roller. There were plenty of other birds around including the now familiar Vultures, Kites, Storks, Bee-eaters, Shrikes, Zitting Cisticola, Stonechats etc. We headed into the centre of Trujillo where we found the nesting colony of Lesser Kestrel before having a coffee break. We spent the rest of the day around the Belen Plains with plenty of birds on view (apart from any more Bustards). On our back to the hotel we stopped on the Mirabel road to take in the sights and here we added Common Buzzard and Sean found a Stone Curlew. 

Tuesday 29th April

We opted for a trip to Embalse de Gabrial Y Galan (a reservoir to the northwest of Plasencia) for our day's birding. We found the lake without any problems and soon set about birding. The lake itself was completely devoid of life but here we added Booted Eagle (excellent views of two or three birds). Mike found an obliging Melodious Warbler and we also noted Stonechat (pic below), Serin, Nightingale, Bee-eater, Woodchat Shrike, Thekla Lark (pic below) and a Black Redstart. 

We left here to go to La Garganta de los Infiernos (a new Nature Reserve between the villages of Jerte and Cabezula Del Valleon the N-110 road). The chosen route took us over the mountains which proved to be a hair-raising experience. The road was barely wide enough for two cars and in some parts just wide enough for one car. The journey took about 20 minutes climbing and again about 20 minutes to descend. We did stop of at one point for a breather and saw Rock Bunting, Red-legged Partridge and Stonechat etc. We eventually reached the Nature Reserve where we added a few new birds for the trip including Blackcap, Robin, Firecrest and Short-toed Treecreeper. Throughout the day there were plenty of vultures, storks and kites to view. 

Wednesday 30th April

Today we decided to stay closer to home and set off on the Torrejon el Rubio to Caceres road. We headed for the well known Black shouldered Kite site which can be found along this road quite easily. All you have to do is look out for the standing pines by the roadside with dozens of White Storks nesting (pic below).

The Black shouldered Kite had been seen about an hour prior to our arrival but not since so we decided to hang around. We had plenty to look at with Bee-eaters, Azure-winged Magpies Hoopoe, Thekla Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Cuckoo and Spanish Sparrow to our growing list. While we were there a German couple informed us of the location of a Golden Eagles nest about 6 kms down the road and then taking the road to Talavan. Two kms down the road was a small lake with a hide in front of it. Here we had Great Reed Warbler, Black Stork, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Coot plus two Great Spotted Cuckoos. The Golden Eagle's nest (pic below) was located within a group of trees in a field behind the hide. The nest contained what looked like a solitary chick. We kept watch on the nest and surrounding area for a couple of hours before we were rewarded with great views of both the parent birds. 

Flushed with success we decided to give the Kites another go so back at the pines we wandered down the track where we met an English couple who had just had a very brief view of the Black-shouldered Kite. Armed with the location of their sight we sat with our backs against a green gate listing to Quail behind us and keeping our eye's open for the Kite. Again our luck was in and we too had a brief flight view and perhaps a minute in the scope while it perched on a wire before flying off out of sight. 

Thursday 1st May

Although we had seen Rollers on this trip before, we were keen to have a look at the 'Roller road' in the plains west of Caceres so this was our destination for today. We found the place in question it being the EX-207 Brozas to Villa del Rey road. Sure enough the telegraph poles all had nest boxes for the Rollers of which we had excellent views. Although it wasn't a day where we picked anything new for the trip we had a very enjoyable time looking at Griffon and Black Vultures, Red-rumped Swallows White Storks Bee-eaters, Lesser Kestrel, Azure-winged Magpies etc. We were also lucky to come across to flocks of Spanish Sparrows with probably 100 birds in each flock. On route back to the hotel we stopped off at the Black-shouldered Kite site where this time we had excellent views of two birds both in flight and perching.  

Friday 2nd May

This being our last full day's birding we decided to return to Monfrague. Although today we failed to see the Eagle Owl or Spanish Imperial Eagle we managed to add Red billed Chough at the castle and Alpine Swift at the Penafalcon. The support act was aided with excellent views of Booted Eagle, Griffon and Black Vultures, Black and White Storks, Rock Bunting, both Kites, Hooded Crow, Raven etc.

Species noted