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Extremadura remains, perhaps, one of the richest regions of all Europe. Of course we express richness not in economic terms, but in a healthy environment, traditions, gastronomy and cultural & historic heritage. Mixing features of Andalucía and the two Castillas regions in Spain with the Alentejo region in Portugal, is a land waiting to be discovered with huge and extremely important bird populations and an incredible variety of species. Extremadura and its wild and unspoilt nature covers 41,602Sq Kms of the Iberian Peninsula's surface, of which more that 30,000Sq kms have been catalogued as IBAs (Important Bird Areas). More than 75% of the territory! Extremadura has almost all the ecosystems represented in the Iberian Peninsula, except for coastline and seashores. High mountain ranges with altitudes above 8,000 feet, highlands, rice fields, wide steppe areas, isolated relict Mediterranean jungles and the most extensive Cork forests in the world. From North to South, or East to West, you will discover one of the richest places in Europe for birding. Thousands of Common Cranes and raptors know it, coming back every year to over-winter or breed. But which areas do they prefer? See the top sites below. |
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Jerez de los Caballeros (Dehesa Woodlands)
Satellite ViewSouthern Extremadura, where villages climb up the hills, and impressive castles nestle on the peaks. Birdwatchers sitting here can explore the horizon with their binoculars, all you can see around are Dehesas. The Dehesa woodland is an open Oak tree forest where traditional human activities are still going on. It is so extensive that you would think that our old continent has no forestry problems at all! Miles and miles of Dehesas supporting extremely rich bird communities: Black Storks have their largest populations, a high density of forest raptors, Hawks and Kites all abound. Abandoned & collapsed houses are shelter for European Rollers, Hoopoes, Thrushes and Wheatears. And if you close your eyes and just listen, you will discover the flying calls of European Bee-eaters and the non-stop song of Red-necked Nightjars.
La Serena Steppes
Some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Extremadura are the huge grassy plains and wide open steppes. These lands, apparently dead during the hot Iberian summer, sustain the most important breeding populations of Little and Great Bustards in Europe, the unforgettable silhouette of Montagu`s Harriers, Lesser Kestrels and hundreds of Collared Pranticoles, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse.Monfragüe Natural Park
Satellite ViewWhat Doñana is to Andalusia, Monfragüe is to Extremadura: A sanctuary for birds! An area where one can still enjoy the best Iberian Mediterranean woodlands spotted with rock cliffs and deep gullies. The best site for searching some of the most endangered species: the biggest breeding colony of Monk Vulture in the world, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Stork, Bonelli's Eagle, and many others. This is a mountainous area alongside the rivers Tajo and Tiétar, about 30 Km in length and with peaks reaching 300m to 700m. It includes two distinct landscapes, precipitous ridges and an extensive area of plains. The two areas are quite distinct, and offer quite different types of birds. It is remarkable for the presence of birds of prey and is considered the best area in the world to see Black Vulture (225 pairs - these birds may be seen at almost any point in the park); Black-winged Kite, Black Kite (abundant); Egyptian Vulture (10 pairs); Griffon Vulture (400 pairs); Short-toed Eagle, Golden Eagle (4 pairs); and Imperial Eagle (12 pairs). One can also see White Stork (with a high population density); and Black Stork (at 10 pairs it is the best area in Spain).
Vegas Altas of the Guadiana River
The third most extensive rice fields in Spain can be found here. A highly cultivated area, mixed with extenses open Oak woodlands or Dehesas, and huge reservoirs including Orellana – the inner sea - the only Ramsar zone of the region. An impressive landscape which feeds thousands of Common Cranes every year. Winter is the more interesting season for birding, although it is a very cold land, commonly known as Siberia by the locals. Huge populations of Herons, Egrets, Ducks, Plovers, Sandpipers and Raptors can be found here and it is a perfect place to see the beautiful flight of our beloved Merlins and Black-shouldered Kites, in comfort.Villuercas Ranges
Not far from Monfragüe the horizon has extensive mountain ranges and hidden valleys where the Guadalupe Monastery stands. The surrounding areas are covered with Mediterranean and deciduous forests resembling northern latitudes vegetation such as Walnuts, Silver Birch, Sweet Chesnut and Oaks. Due to the mixing of features of Mediteranean and Atlantic flora, it is a paradise for warblers, passerines and forest birds. At the same time European Honey-buzzards, Black and Red Kites, Short-toed eagles and Egyptian or Eurasian Griffon Vultures fight to establish their own flight territories in the skys!Jorge Garzón
Coordinador - Investnatura - Observación de aves
(Andalucía - Extremadura - Portugal - Marruecos)
nature@investnatura.org
Birding Extremadura - Azure Wings in the dogs bowl
by Malcolm Rymer DVD - 90minsSee Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 142198
Buy this book from NHBS.com
The Nature Guide to Extremadura
By Dirk Hilbers | CROSSBILL GUIDES - KNNV | Softcover | 2011 | Edition: 2 | 224 pages, col photos, col illus.See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 9050113818
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where to Watch Birds in Southern Spain
Ernest Garcia & Andrew Paterson Helm (1994)ISBN: 0713638591
Buy this book from NHBS.com
ADENEX -Association for the Defence of the Nature and the Resources of Extremadura
WebsiteAmongst ADENEX`s best known campaigns, we should mention: campaign in defence of Extremaduran holm-oak woods; campaign against Valdecaballeros`s nuclear plant; establishment of a vulture`s feeding places network; campaign against Great Bustard hunting; campaign in defence of birds of prey; campaign for the rescue of the Montagu`s Harrier young; campaign in defence of White and Black Storks; campaign for the conservation of the Crane`s wintering habitats in Extremadura; campaign in defence of the Jerte Valley; campaign for the adaptation and re-arrangement of high-tension lines in Extremadura; campaign in defence of the International Tajo river; campaign for the rescue of Roman Forum of Mérida; campaign for the conservation of the historical centre of Badajoz; campaign Close Almaraz, etc...
Extremadura Birdwatching Fair
http://www.fioextremadura.es/28th February to 4th March 2007 - La Junta de Extremadura, the local government of the region of Extremadura in Spain, is organising the second edition of FIO, the Extremadura Birdwatching Fair. FIO is the first fair of its kind in Spain and has become a meeting point for travel agents, services, destinations, ornithologists and amateurs of birdwatching who take part in this exciting tourist segment...
La Naturaleza de Extremadura
WebsiteRestructuring [November 2008]
Monfrague
WebsiteSatellite View
El Parque Natural de Monfragüe, referencia obligada del bosque y matorral mediterráneo, se encuentra en la provincia de Cáceres, en el centro del triángulo formado por Navalmoral de la Mata, Plasencia y Trujillo...
Parque Natural de Monfragüe
WebsiteSatellite View
El Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, su Reserva de la Biosfera y el Área de Influencia Socioeconómica, constituyen un destino turístico de primer orden...
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2000 [June] - Ian Reid
ReportWith possibly my last work trip to Madrid for some time due by end of May at the latest, I decided to tack a few days on to the end in order to try to relive the excellent birding that mate Steve and I had enjoyed in Extremadura in May 1999. Work constraints forced me to visit later than I had hoped, but early June was potentially still a good time...
2002 [January] - James Eaton
ReportWith the cold and birdless days of winter in Derbyshire, We decided to soak up the sun and go birding for a week in Andalucia and Extremadura. We flew from Stansted with Go to Malaga, at only £50 return, you certainly can`t go wrong, and the birds didn`t disappoint. We hired a Citroen Xsara with National, which was adequate, as we did about 1500 miles, luckily it was a diesel, and fuel costing €0.67 a litre, in other words, a lot less than Britain...
2003 [April] - Honeyguide
Report2003 [April] - Lutz Lücker
Report...Having nothing special to tick off in the Extremadura area, my main aim was to get GOOD views of certain raptors and steppe birds...
2003 [March] - Honeyguide
Report2004 [April] - Greg Anderson
ReportThe holiday duration was 12 days, 8 days in Fuengirola with the mother-in- law in her apartment. Then with my wife Linda and two children Katherine 14 and Daniel 12 we departed to our country home for the next four days...
2004 [March] - Honeyguide
Report2005 [April] - Audouin Birding Tours
ReportThe arrival to Madrid airport was problem free, and we started going towards Silos reservoir. The journey was smooth and without much traffic. On our way we stopped for views of some raptors, and we saw our first Griffon Vultures flying above the Evergreen Oak forests...
2005 [March] - Honeyguides
Report2005 [May] - Hans Schick
ReportI observed 96 bird species in the steppelands, dehesas and national parks of Extremadura. 9 of these species could be documented by digiscoping and are displayed in the Species List of this report...
2005 [May] - Honeyguides
Report2005 [May] - Ray Wilson
ReportExtremadura, located in central Spain, is a popular destination for birders wanting to see many of the Iberian peninsula's speciality birds, such as Spanish Imperial Eagle, Great Bustard and Azure-winged Magpie. The following pages give a taste of many of the species you are likely to encounter on a spring trip...
2006 [April] - Audouin Birding Tours
ReportThe arrival to Madrid airport was problem free, and we started going towards Silos reservoir. The journey was smooth and without much traffic. On our way we stopped for views of some raptors, and we saw our first Griffon Vultures flying above the Evergreen Oak forests...
2006 [April] - Lutz Lucker
ReportExtremadura and northwestern Spain,12th to 23rd-April 2006 (deutsche Fassung)- First nights camping rough , then Hotel Rosales in Malpartida de Plasencia and Motorway Motel El Cruce, 10 kms north of Trujillo between la Aldea and Torrecillas...
2006 [June] - Clare Miller
ReportMonfragüe Nature Park, La Serena plains, Badajoz Reservoirs - A group of us (living in Paris, Brussels and London) decided we would take a birding holiday at Easter to see some Spring migrants and catch some sunshine. After extensive consultation with friends and fellow bird enthusiasts, we decided to head for Extremadura...
2006 [March] - Honeyguides
Report2007 [April] - Cristian Jensen Marcet - Audouin Birding
Report...This area hosts some of the best Umbrella Pine forests of Spain and also a good representation of dehesa and other Mediterranean forest types. During our first stop we stretched our legs while watching a Crested Tit followed by the "Speedy Josele". Short-toed Treecreper, Blue and Great Tits, Serin, Chaffinch, and Spotless Starling, were among the birds that we were warming up with. The day was unusually cold for this time of year in Spain...
2007 [January] - Travelling Birder
Report... That morning was clear and sunny, far from the miserable weather in that moment in England. We saw very soon our first Corn Buntings and Crested Larks of the trip, lots of Lapwings were also very distinctive almost everywhere, and dozens of Spotless Starlings were going back and forth in the fields. In less than 10 minutes and in one of the traditional places where males display in Spring we found a party of 14 Great Bustards, all of them males but one, a solitary female...
2007 [March] - Honeyguides
Report2008 [April] - Cristian Jensen
Report...On our way we stopped at a beautiful old town with a medieval castle with breeding Lesser Kestrels, White Storks, Jackdaws, and Crag Martins. From the castle we could enjoy the beautiful landscape of Extremadura. Our first Short-toed Eagle was spotted, together with Griffon Vultures and Black Kites. Barn Swallow, House Martin, Goldfinch, Spotless Starling and Common Swift were also spotted...
2008 [March] - Honeyguide
Report2008 [May] - Hans Schick
ReportFrom May 20 – 29, 2008 I spent again 10 days in Andalucía and Extremadura in Spain. I was accompanied by Stefan Wedler. We visited some well known places in the Province of Málaga in Andaucía, but spent most of our time in the Province of Cáceres in Extremadura...
2008 [May] - Ian Kinley & Dave Thexton
ReportExtremadura and Sierra de Gredos...
2009 [March] - Honeyguide
Report2009 [May] - Cristian Jensen
Report...The three of us then headed to the airport, and on our way there a group of three Monk Parakeets crossed the road just in front of us! Unfortunately Alison and Peter didn’t see them well enough to be sure what they'd seen, so we could not tick the species on our list. At the airport we had a drink and a chat while waiting for the other group members to arrive. The arrival of the other participants at Madrid Airport was without any problems, and we went on towards Extremadura...
2010 [March] - Honeyguide
Report2010 [March] - Neville Davies & Mike Cram
PDFOur trip was based on exploring central Extremedura around Trujillo, Caceres, Montanchez and Madrigalejo, particularly the ‘dehesa’ habitat. After breakfast we scanned the countryside in cool breezy sunny weather and got off to a great start with 6 Hoopoe, 20 Azure-winged Magpie, 3 Hawfinch and the first of many White Stork, Swallow, Crested Lark, Black Redstart, Spotless Starling, Serin and Corn Bunting....
2010 [May] - Cristian Jensen
Report...After dinner we already had the first contacts with nocturnal birds inhabiting the area. Several Nightingales were singing around the Hotel and a Red-necked Nightjar delighted us with its song, but we couldn’t spot it, no yet...
2010 [May] - Eric & Pam Barnes
Report...We were welcomed by sunshine in Madrid and after a slight delay in pick-up we were soon heading towards the Sierra Gredos (this year the tour was run in reverse because of accommodation issues) with the usual Spotless Starlings, Black Kites & White Storks in our wake...
2010 [May] - Mark Jarrett - Extremadura & Andalucia
ReportWe flew into Madrid, collected the hire car and travelled the 250 km or so to our base in Torrejon El Rubio, situated on the southern edge of Parque Natural de Monfrague. The weather was cloudy and cool with one or two showers and apart from the odd brief stop, all our birdwatching was done from the car...
2011 [March] - Honeyguide
Report…it was difficult to decide what to look at: a Spanish imperial eagle soaring, a calling peregrine, black storks (including a pair on their nest) and Egyptian vultures, as well numerous griffon vultures. Add to that black vulture, red and black kites and booted eagle...
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Audouin Birding Tours
Tour OperatorBirding in Extremadura
Tour OperatorVisit with people who really know the area... we only work in Extremadura and know the area and its birds intimately...
Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Boletus - Josele J. Saiz
Tour OperatorBetter known for his wonderful birder's guesthouse in the Pyrenees [Boletas]; Josele guides throughout Spain and Morocco...
Gone Birding
Tour OperatorThis six day tour will be based close to Trujillo, centrally located to the plains, and close to Monfrague National Park. Accommodation will be in a converted farm, with bed, breakfast and evening meal supplied...
Honeyguide Wildlife Holidays
Tour OperatorIf you are looking for a quality natural history holiday, this is a great place to start. The Honeyguide programme offers a mix of the very best of wildlife in fascinating parts of Europe..
Iberia Nature
Tour OperatorIberia Nature is an Extremadura-based company offering, through its nature guiding service the possibility of getting to know first hand the rich natural legacy of this Region. It arranges guided visits, nature photographing and much more. It guarantees a combination of top standards with a fully-committed respect for the natural medium...
Iberian Wildlife Tours
Tour OperatorThe combination of such diverse geography and habitats in the Extremadura region make it one of the best in Europe for wildlife, especially birds...
Julian Sykes Wildlife Holidays
TourExtremadura is world famous amongst naturalists and birdwatchers with its incredible diversity, sheer numbers of raptor and steppe species, needs no introduction...
Spain Birds
Tour OperatorSPAINBIRDS is a small company which efforts are appointed to organize ornithology tours over all spanish geography. Its expert leader, Santiago Villa, has a deep knowledge about iberian birds. Natural Parks as Doñana, Cabañeros and Monfragüe are his favourite spots, in which he has spent unforgettable moments, and also there, there is one of the most vulnerable raptors of the world: Spanish Imperial Eagle. Species that he knows very well, in fact he controlled a pair for two breeding season in the Monte de El Pardo. In spite of that he was born in Madrid, he is very bound to Extremadura by strong affection since he was a child, due to his parents were born in Membrio, a little village placed between Sierra de San Pedro and Llanos de Brozas, with no doubt, two of the best conserved places in Europe.
Wildlifers Spain Tours
Tour OperatorWildlifers Spain Tours is a small eco tour company offering bird & wildlife tours in Extremadura and Western Iberia. Their lead guides are mostly from Northern Europe, they live in Western Spain for many years and are expert in their fields...
Casa Rural El Recuerdo
AccommodationRun by birders, for birders...
Casa Rural Las Canteras - Trujillo
WebsiteCasa Rural La Canteras is an old manor house, dating back to the late 19th Century. It is located 12 km by road from Trujillo, within a Special Protection Area for Birds, a paradise for birdwatchers. Its privileged situation makes it an ideal place to explore Extremadura...
El Tenado
AccommodationCasa Rural con encanto en Extremadura Para disfrutar de la naturaleza y los placeres rurales...
Finca Al Manzil
AccommodationFinca Al-manzil is 22 hectare finca on the S.W. slope of the Sierra de Montanchez. One approaches the finca along a winding lane, part of the ancient system of communication that link even the most remote parts of the sierra...
Ornithological Rural Houses of Extremadura
AccommodationVina las Torres
AccommodationYou could not wish for a better base for exploring Extremadura - Vina las Torres is a comfortable, family run, rural hotel situated in the heart of the Lagares Mountains, in the province of Caceres, Extremadura, just 10 km. outside Trujillo - what an unexpected and delightful surprise. It is a stately home, which has been carefully restored to provide a warm and comfortable environment…
Birds of Extramadura
WebsiteThe combination of such diverse geography and habitats in the Extremadura region make it one of the best in Europe for wildlife, especially birds...
Extremadura Birds
InformationExtremadura is very popular with bird lovers all over Europe, for it has a very divers population of interesting species of birds. All the year round one can enjoy particular species of birds that are difficult to be found anywhere else in Europe...
Extremadura Birds
WebsiteExtremadura is very popular with bird lovers all over Europe, for it has a very divers population of interesting species of birds. All the year round one can enjoy particular species of birds that are difficult to be found anywhere else in Europe...
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This site was last updated on Sunday, 29th January 2012.
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