birding...

Bee-eater Merops apiaster ©Joël Bruezière http://www.eyesonsky.com/birds.php

If there is a region which offers an outstanding variety of habitats and species in Spain that is undoubtedly Castilla La Mancha. Although not so well known as Extremadura or Andalucia it holds fantastic populations of raptors, steppe birds and wildfowl... and is also famous for its red wines and natural products. In fact it is the only region (Comunidad Autónoma) in mainland Spain with two National Parks: Cabañeros and Las Tablas de Daimiel... there is no other region with such honour. In its almost 80,000 square kilometres the three most representative ecosystems are the wooded areas of Holm Oaks of Toledo and Ciudad Real provinces, the wetlands of the region known as “La Mancha Húmeda” and the plains and dry cultivated areas of Albacete and Guadalajara.

The Cabañeros National Park is the best example of a wooded area mixed with some savanna-like fields. The Park is considered by many to be the “African region of Spain”. The community of raptors is really impressive with Spanish Imperial Eagles, Black and Griffon Vultures, Black Kites, Montagu’s Harriers and Black Shouldered Kites in appropriate seasons. Black and Black-eared Wheatear are also present and Black Storks, Rollers, Hoopoes and Bee-eaters are easy to see in the Spring and Summer whilst hundreds of Common Cranes feed on the acorns dropped from the oaks in the Winter time.

In La Mancha Húmeda there are several important wetlands amidst the very arid fields - a few of them having a high concentration of salt in the water,. The most interesting species here is the scarce White-headed Duck which breeds in good numbers within the area. Squacco and Purple Heron, Purple Swamphen, Red-crested Pochards, Avocets, Black-winged Stilts, Common Shelducks, Collared Pratincoles, Gull-billed Terns, Penduline and Bearded Tits all breed in or near the lagoons while Greater Flamingo is present all year around. Even the very shy and hard to see Dupont’s Lark may be seen with luck in the right habitats, although numbers, like Rufous Bush Chats that are present in some vineyards, are unfortunately very low.

In the steppes and cultivated areas of grain Great and Little Bustards are not a rare sight, while Stone Curlew, Montagu’s Harrier and Lesser Kestrel have very healthy populations in the region. There are also a number of reservoirs like Entrepeñas or Buendía where important numbers of ducks, cormorants, cranes and waders over-winter. A special mention should be made of the cliffs near the Entrepeñas which are a traditional winter spot for Wallcreeper and Alpine Accentor. Less than one hour’s drive from the city of Madrid.

A visit to this little known and under visited region is highly recommended for birders, especially for those who are travelling to Extremadura or Andalucia, they will never forget the views of dozens of White-headed Ducks and Flamingos, the powerful flight of the Spanish Imperial Eagle over the Toledo’s mountain range, the Great Bustards displaying with white villages in the background or thousands of Cranes coming to roost in the coldest months just to mention some of its natural wonders. Besides which a cultural visit to the medieval quarter of Toledo, the hanging houses of Cuenca or the routes taken in Don Quixote compliment your birding holiday.