 |
| Hoopoe Upupa epops ©Joël Bruezière http://www.eyesonsky.com/birds.php |
 |
 |
|
World BirdingBritish BirdingMiscellany & FunBirdnewsTravelLibraryBird FamiliesOrnithologySight & SoundsEquipment/Supplies |
|
|
 |
 |
birding...
|
Castilla y Leon is the largest region of Spain covering 9 provinces from Leon in the northwest, next to Galicia, to Segovia in the southwest only 50 miles from Madrid. Both were important centres of power in medieval history, and have many fine old cities, castles and palaces. The dominating geographical feature of Castilla y Leon is the high central plain around the regional capital Valladolid, and rising from the plains on all sides are high mountain ranges, except to the west where the Duero river valley runs toward Portugal. But even among the cereal prairies can be found a surprising amount of wildlife – we have even seen a pack of wolves within 500 yards of a combine at work! Then in the many sparsely inhabited areas you can find graceful beach woods, pine forests, and marginal farming lands now reverting to birch and pine that are being recolonised by both Roedeer and raptor. In the west are the Lagunas of Sanabria and Villafafila, important winter wetlands for migrating and wintering wildfowl, and moreover the Villafafila National Reserve also contains the steppes that are an important world site for Great Bustard. To the north are the Cantabrian Mountains and the Picos de Europa whose stunning rugged scenery attracts many walkers, including those who follow the pilgrimage route toward Santiago de Compostello. The Picos, with their stunning rugged scenery form a part of one of Spain nine National Parks, Montana de Covadonga, with the largest chamois population in Europe, and home to Black Woodpecker, Wallcreeper, and Capercaillie. In the south is the Cordillera Central including the Guadarama and Gredos Mountains. These wild crags rise to 8,900 feet at Pico Almanzor, and here it is easy to find Ibex, Black Vulture, Golden and Bonelli's Eagles, and also White-spotted Bluethroat, Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting. To the south these mountains give way to the cork oak woodlands of Extremadura and beyond with their Azure-winged Magpies, Black-shouldered Kite, Citril Finch and Golden Oriole. |
Julia Kemp
(La Lagunilla Cottage - Candeleda, Avila)
lagunilla@tiscali.co.uk http://web.onetel.com/~richardkemp/
Where to Watch Birds in North and East Spain
Michael Rebane, Stephen Message (Illustrator) Paperback - 295 pages (20 May, 1999) Christopher HelmISBN: 0713647000
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Ornithology of Bierzo
WebsiteList of birds and pictures...
TRINO (Tourismo Rural de Interior y Ornitologia)
WebsiteTRINO was set up to promote responsible ornithological tourism in Castile and Leon. The project works with rural accommodation providers in the region to provide a quality service focused around the needs visiting birdwatchers. Their regional guide in English provides an excellent overview of the main habitats and bird species in the region, accommodation linked to the project and local contact organisations...
Lagunas de Villafáfila (Villafafila)
InformationSatellite View
This is the most popular area for aquatic, steppe and migratory birds in Castile and Leon and one of the most important wetlands of northern Spain. The reserve is formed by three main lakes and other smaller wetlands and is surrounded by farmland. It is home to almost 2,000 great bustards, making it the largest colony of this species in the world. The reserve is also popular with wintering aquatic birds including around 30,000 Graylag geese...
Las Riberas de Castronuño (Vega del Duero)
InformationSatellite View
This natural park and bird sanctuary, located around the San José reservoir, is considered to be an important European Special Protection Area (SPA) for bird life. It accommodates both non-migratory and migratory birds with colonies of Purple Herons in the summer and Great Cormorants in the winter. The reserve is home to a number of endangered species such as the Blue Heron, the Marsh Harrier and the Black-crowned Night Heron, many of which make their nests in the reed beds along the River Duero...
Parque Nacional y Regional de Picos de Europa
WebsiteSatellite View
Spain's oldest National Park (1918); and the second largest in size, the Picos de Europa extends over three provinces: Asturias, Cantabria and León. This remarkable limestone range is Atlantic Europe's most extensive and is famous for its vertiginous slopes that go from 225ft above sea level to the highest peak, Torre Cerredo, 8100ft. These different altitudes and its proximity to the sea give rise to an impressive variety of flora and fauna...
Parque Natural de las Hoces del río Duratón
WebsiteSatellite View
El Parque Natural de las Hoces del río Duratón está situado en el noreste de Segovia, aguas abajo de la villa de Sepúlveda. En esta zona el río se ha encajado en un profundo cañon, que en algunos lugares alcanza más de 100 metros de desnivel. Al interés y belleza del paisaje hay que añadir la gran riqueza arqueológica e histórica que encierra en su interior esta garganta.
Parque Natural del Cañón del Río Lobos
WebsiteSatellite View
El Parque Natural del Cañón del Río Lobos constituye un singular espacio biogeográfico estructurado sobre el eje de un profundo cañón de escarpados farallones.
Parque Natural del Lago de Sanabria
WebsiteSatellite View
En el Pleistoceno Superior, hace 100.000 años, un impresionante glacial con lenguas de hielo de más de 20 kilómetros sirvió de origen al actual Lago de Sanabria.
Parque Natural del Valle de Iruelas
WebsiteSatellite View
En el límite más oriental de la Sierra de Gredos se descubre un pequeño y especial territorio: el Valle de Iruelas. Drenado por una serie de arroyos de montaña -el principal es el de Iruelas, afluente del río Alberche- sus laderas aparecen cubiertas por un valioso bosque formado por una gran diversidad de especies. Entre todas destacan los pinos negral y laricio, de los que aún se conservan unos grandes y milenarios ejemplares. En los límites del abulense Valle de Iruelas está instalada la colonia más numerosa (alrededor de ochenta parejas) de buitres negros de todo el continente europeo.
Parque Regional de la Sierra de Gredos
WebsiteSatellite View
Modelado Por la erosión en pretéritas épocas glaciares, la Sierra de Gredos, en el sur de Castilla y León, se presenta como una espectacular sucesión de lagunas, circos, gargantas, cuchillares, riscos, galayos y depósitos morrénicos.
Valle de Iruelas
InformationSatellite View
The Valle de Iruelas is located on the easternmost side of the Sierra de Gredos. Along its edge (in the province of Avila) can be found the largest colony of black vultures in continental Europe (around 80 pairs) and other birds of prey such as the Imperial Eagle. The vantage point of Puerto de Casillas has been declared a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birdlife. ...
La Casa de la Abuela Petra
AccommodationSituada en Solarana, Comarca de Arlanza Burgos - La Casa de la Abuela Petra se encuentra en un enclave ideal. En un cruce de caminos milenarios entre Santo Domingo de Silos, Lerma y Covarrubias...
Molino del Canto - Barrio la Cuesta
AccommodationWe found this exceptional spot in the Merindades region some years ago. It is hidden between the Ebro River and the mountains, and was formerly a flour mill and the millers' house. Both buildings have been restored with traditional local materials, and the inn has been perfectly adapted as accommodation, even in the coldest days of winter. We are outside the town, so just by going outdoors you find yourself in the middle of the countryside. The natural landscape is a delight to the senses; you can hear the sound of the river, you can see the griffon vultures wheeling on the wind, you can breath all that pure air with its fragrances, and feel the bark of the old trees, rooted to the ground since ancient times...
Rincón de Doña Inés Rincón de Doña Inés
WebsiteRincón de Doña Inés has everything you have been looking for in a traditional Spanish hotel - tranquillity, sublime comfort, exceptional food and some of the most beautiful landscape and sightseeing in Spain right on our doorstep...
Andanzas por el páramo
Blogste fín de semana Acenva ha realizado el censo de dormideros de Milano Real en la provincia de Valladolid…
Aves del norte de Burgos
BlogCitas y fotos, en formato cuaderno de campo de aves del norte de la provincia de Burgos…
Aves del Valle del Arlanza
BlogBienvenidos a este blog que tratará de mostraros en tiempo real la situación, fenología y vida en general de las aves que habitan el denominado Valle del Arlanza y su entorno, en la provincia de Burgos; a través de mis observaciones, comentarios y fotografías, y las de quien quiera colaborar...
Helmantica Ornithology
BlogLa Atalaya del Falco
BlogBirding BLOG from Burgos (Spain)…
Llanuras Castellanas
BlogAficionado a la observacion de aves y a la naturaleza en general… [This is a blog where i describe the nature of the center of Spain…]
Pajareando
BlogImpresiones de un naturalista aficionado…
Quintanilla del Agua Fauna Salvaje
http://quintanilladelaguafaunasalvaje.blogspot.com/Intentamos enseñar toda clase de fauna que habita cerca de nuestro pueblo
Anuario Ornitológico de la provincia de Burgos
WebsiteBienvenidos a la edición On-line del Anuario Ornitológico de la provincia de Burgos. Desde esta página podrás tener acceso a los informes correspondientes a las observaciones ornitológicas más relevantes comunicadas para la provincia de Burgos, Castilla y León (España). Los respectivos informes que aparecen en esta web constituirán la base de datos para la posterior realización de los anuarios con el formato habitual, que en nuestro caso intentaremos que sea trianual… [Ornithological Yearbook of the province of Burgos]
Aves de Palencia
WebsiteBirds & Birding in Palencia, ringing ornithological notebook etc…
Javier Morala - Birds in the North of Spain
WebsiteBlog dedicated to the Birdwatching in the North of Spain, more concretely on the Burgos province, where t is located the Molino del Canto Inn, bases from which we made the trips that make us know the birds the north of Spain...
Naturaleza de Quintanilla del Agua
WebsiteAves, mamíferos y naturaleza a tiempo real…
Photographer - Juan Martín Simón
GalleryLa fauna española, y más concretamente las aves, son el motivo principal del trabajo como fotógrafo de la naturaleza de Juan Martín Simón...
back to the top of this page
This site was last updated on Sunday, 29th January 2012.
Feedback/Contact/Advertising Info ::