We ate breakfast at 7am and departed at 7:45am in the dark as usual. The trip went smoothly and uneventful as we passed through Sevilla and headed north to Merida. We stopped for a break near Merida and arrived at the Rice fields near Madrigalejo at 12 noon. Birds seen along the way included many Common Buzzards, Red Kites, Azure-winged Magpies, Cattle & Little Egrets, Grey Herons and a new bird for the trip Common Crane. In fact, at our first stop near Vegas Altas we saw hundreds of Cranes flying here and there in small flocks. Our visit to the rice fields near Madrigalejo was highlighted by great views of the Red Avadavat, we saw quite few and some were carrying nesting material whilst others carried food for chicks. We also had good views of Common Waxbill, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, large flocks of Spanish Sparrows, finches and egrets.
DON QUIXOTE AND SANCHO PANZA LOOKING OVER THE RICE FIELDS AT MADRIGALEJO
After taking a tapas lunch in the village we made a visit to the newly established nature reserve at Moheda Alta, the whole area is geared-up for the conservation of land to encourage Common Cranes. It seems to be working as we saw about 1000, a great sight of them all in the air at once was spectacular. We also found Greylag Geese, Shoveler, Gadwall and Lapwing.
RED AVADAVAT - MANY WERE SEEN BUT FEW WERE PHOTOGRAPHED - THE LITTLE BEGGERS WOULDN'T KEEP STILL!!!
Back at the rice fields we searched for Penduline Tit getting only brief glimpses of this elusive little begger, but we did see Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, many Chiffchaff, Waxbills (again), Skylarks, Robins, we also heard a Water Rail squealing ‘like a stuck-pig’ great expression!
HOOPOEDuring the last leg of the journey we passed the wide open steppe-like countryside near Zorita where we saw a couple of Great Bustards quite close to the roadside, we also found a fairly large flock of Skylarks and Calandra Larks. Overhead a few Griffon Vultures drifted over and lots of Common Cranes called noisily as they passed.
SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKEJust before we entered the village where we are staying we stopped to walk along a quiet lane where we found both Mistle and Song Thrushes, Hoopoe, Southern Grey Shrike, Blackcaps, Black Redstart, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Spotlees Starling, White Wagtail and Crested Lark.
We arrived at our Casa Rural in San Clemente at 5:30pm with time enough to rest before dinner. Only 4 new species were added today but tomorrow we are going to Monfrague National Park and hoping for more!
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