This tour combines the completely contrasting habitats of the open plains of Extremadura with the pine forests and high peaks of the Gredos Mountains, giving you the opportunity to see a wide variety of bird species and a huge diversity of wildlife.
Birding highlights included: Over 100 vultures, of 3 species, in the sky at once over Monfrague national park, a family party of Penduline Tits feeding on reed-mace, Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers at their nest hole feeding young, all 5 eagle species with great views of Spanish Imperial, Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles, over 40 Rollers and daily views of Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Azure-winged Magpie & Black Stork.
We also recorded over 35 species of butterfly without actually looking for them, these included both Swallowtails, the strange looking Nettle-Tree Butterfly and several Fritillaries.
An early morning sortie onto the grass plains near Casares produced over 20 Montagu's Harriers, 25 Rollers, 10 Black-bellied Sandgrouse, 2 Stone Curlews, several Great Bustards and hundreds of larks, buntings, wagtails and wheatears.
We had a magical stay in the Gredos Mountains where the Rock Thrush showed very well, the Ortolan Buntings allowed close approach and the magnificent Bluethroat performed superbly. The snow-capped mountain peaks provided a magnificent backdrop to the pine forests of the valleys. Clear springs and babbling brooks held Grey and White Wagtails and provided a haven for finches and flycatchers.
Our total bird count came to 151 species and included both Great and Little Bustard, Pin-tailed and Black bellied Sandgrouse, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Stone Curlew, Spectacled Warbler, Crested Tit, Pied Flycatcher & many more. We also saw some 'exotic' species such Common Waxbill, Red Avadavat & Monk Parakeet.
View - Montfrague National Park
The road up to the Plataforma de Gredos
Rio Magasca - near Trujillo, Extremadura
Ortolan Bunting - Sierra de Gredos
Eurasian Nuthatch - Monfrague Park
A very 'worn' Ilex hairstreak
Hoopoe & Black Eared Wheatear - Belen Plain, Extremadura
Part of the group resting by a babbling brook - Sierra de Gredos
View of Gredos Mountains
Near the top of the Gredos mountains - Bluethroat breeding grounds.
Blue Rock Thrush - Monfrague park
Black Stork with chicks - Monfrague Park
A FULL REPORT OF THE TRIP WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY ON THE WINGSPAN BIRDS TOURS WEBSITE AT: http://www.wingspanbirdtours.com/trip-reports.asp
THERE ARE SIX PLACES REMAINING ON THE 2012 - TOUR OF EXTREMADURA & SIERRA DE GREDOS: MAY 12TH - 19TH
- TO BOOK YOUR PLACE PLEASE CONTACT ME:
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