February 23 - 29 Sat - Fri
Group Size: 6
Starting Point: Madrid
Based: Oropesa - 3 nights, Trujillo - 3 nights
Walking: Easy
Description:
Majestic Griffon and Black Vultures circling on rising thermals, bands of exotic Azure-winged Magpies roving through oak woodlands, and statuesque bustards strutting across grassy steppes, are some of the unforgettable sights typical of excursions through this fabulous region of Spain.
Extremadura is a land of extensive Cork and Holm Oak forests (dehesa), wooded sierras, steppes, and river gorges, supporting a wealth of wildlife that makes a visit at any time extremely rewarding.
This is the premier region in Europe for Great and Little Bustards, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Black Stork, Montagu's Harrier, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite and Lesser Kestrel. Bonelli's and Booted Eagles; Purple Gallinule (Swamp-hen); Pallid Swift; Red-rumped Swallow; Crested, Thekla, and Calandra Larks; Southern Grey and Woodchat Shrikes; Hoopoe; Sardinian and Dartford Warblers; Blue Rock Thrush; Rock and Spanish Sparrows, and Spotless Starling, are some of the other notable bird species found here.
Mammals are not easy to find but we should see Spanish Ibex and Iberian Hare, plus large Ocellated Lizards and other reptiles. Butterflies include Scarce Swallowtail.
Taking place early spring when the countryside is fresh and green, the tour is based at Oropesa and Trujillo - two delightful ancient towns that provide immediate access to some of the best areas. We visit Monfragüe National Park, the Sierras de Villuercas and Gredos, and Belen plains - locations selected for diversity of habitats which should yield all that we hope to see and more. Wildlife aside, the areas visited are visually arresting, historically rich and unspoiled by tourism. Itinerary
Day 1 Sat...Morning Rendezvous London Heathrow (or midday at Madrid Airport):
On arriving in Madrid we drive to our first base at Oropesa (2 hours), where White Storks and Lesser Kestrels are among birds seen at our parador accommodation. We visit a wetland habitat where a wide range of local birds includes Cattle and Little Egrets, Penduline Tit, Cetti's Warbler and Red Avadavat. Montagu's Harrier and Black-shouldered Kite also occur.
Days 2 & 3 Sun & Mon:
In the Sierra de Gredos Spanish Ibex is our main target. Up at subalpine levels Golden Eagle, Peregrine, Firecrest, Crested Tit and Citril Finch are among resident birds. Black Kite, Southern Grey Shrike, and long-eared Iberian Hares are also likely.
Purple Gallinule is star bird at a wetland where Marsh Harrier and Squacco Heron may also show. Along old traffic-free roads we check river gorges for Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting. Late morning flights of raptors often include Black, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed Eagle and Red Kite. Shingle bars in rivers may produce Black Stork, Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper. Short-toed Tree-creeper, Hawfinch and Cirl Bunting are found in lakeside cover, and Red Deer adds to the mammal tally.
Days 4 - 6 Tue - Thu:
Transferring to Trujillo we travel through the stunningly beautiful Sierras de Villuercas, haunt of Bonelli's Eagle and Goshawk. Red-rumped Swallow and Crag Martin frequent rock faces while Dipper and Grey Wagtail occur on fast flowing streams, with Thekla Lark, Black Wheatear and Sardinian Warbler on wooded slopes.
A day in Monfragüe National Park is a main highlight of the tour where, in addition to birds already seen, we find the endemic Spanish Imperial Eagle and look for Eagle Owls and Egyptian Vultures.
On the plains we see Great and Little Bustards, Stone Curlew, Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Great Spotted Cuckoo. We encounter quartering Montagu's Harriers, while Calandra Larks sing high overhead. At gentle-flowing streams European Pond Terrapins bask in the shallows. Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Cetti's Warbler, Spanish Sparrow, Spotless Starling and Azure-winged Magpie are seen or heard virtually every day.
Day 7 Fri:
Following an exploratory walk around Trujillo we depart for Madrid, for an early afternoon return flight to London.
Cost: £890...includes:
six nights dinner, b&b in twin rooms en suite; all excursions in Spain.
Excludes: Air travel; lunches.
Deposit: £150
Single Room Supplement: £140
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