What a great start to our 7 day tour of Extremadura, the weather was superb, bright and sunny with nice temperatures of around 25C
The group assembled at Madrid airport, Ken, Lilian and Peter came with me from Barajas whilst Bill, Rita, Ann and Barbara arrived at barajas airport, we all met up and were on the road by 11:30am.
A comfortable and eventful ride found us at Jaraicejo by 1pm. We had stopped for coffee and toilets and during the trip we had logged: Eurasian and Azure-winged Magpies, both Black and Red Kites, Griffon and Black Vultures. At the heathland near Jaraceijo we found Dartford Warbler and a very showy Spectacled Warbler. Other birds noted were Crested Lark, Corn Bunting, Blackcap and Linnet.
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| On the heath looking for 'Spectacles' |
Next we stopped at the "three bridges" where we spent a lot of time listing many good species. A Common Nightingale showed well as did Woodchat Shrike, Red-rumped Swallow, Kingfisher, White Stork, Grey Heron and Grey Wagtail. We heard a Cetti's Warbler and a Common Cuckoo and watched a lovely Short-toed Eagle circling above us. All in all, it was a great scenic place to visit.
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| Common Nightingale with its throat expanded as it is about to sing |
We arrived at the Finca Santa Marta after a shopping trip to Trujillo, the grounds, ambiance and wild flowers of this secluded place make it something very special, this year it did not disappoint. We had a lovely warm welcome and arrival 'drinks on the house' were supplemented by a pep talk from the owner Henri, a really charming man and a wonderful experience for us all.
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| The three wise l;adies - butter would melt in their mouths -- 'not' |
We could hear Golden Orioles from our rooms, a Hoopoe flew across the yard and Azure-winged Magpies flitted from olive tree to almond bush. Serins, Spotless Starlings and Sardinian Warblers joined the nesting White Storks on our 'Finca' list.
A superb dinner was taken at 8pm then we all retired after a long and exciting day, welcome to Extremadura.
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