Four spanish young birders decided to do an "extreme-birding" trip to Southern and Central Spain in order to see several southern Spain specialities. Two of us live in the north coast and the other two in the Mediterranean, and many of our birding pals call us "THE YOUNG TWITCHERS" which means that nearly all of us have seen everything the South offers, as we´ve done many trips to Monfragüe, Doñana… but there were still a few posible lifers to tick.
The four of us are studying at school/university so summer was our only chance to do the trip. We concentreated our efforts in a few selected species that are very localized and that arrive quite late in the season, which is the reason why all european birders that come to Spain in Spring don´t usually see them. (rufous bushchat, little swift…) This trip report will try to help birders coming in summer time by providing information of many southern Spain specialities.
Both Guille and I had been to Monfragüe earlier this year, so we didn´t have trouble finding the main target species there (Marti and Joan had never been there).
Guille and I would start our trip at Santander, heading south until we reached our destination, Tarifa, stopping on our way at La Mancha and Los palacios.
The other two (Marti and Joan) would travel from Barcelona by train, and we were suposed to meet them at Cadiz railway station.
Acknowledgments
We are extremely grateful to several people who helped a lot during the planning of the trip and others who kindly birded with us and showed their local area – Special thanks to David Cuenca Espinos, Dani L. Huertas, Paco Chiclana, Gonzalo Muñoz Arroyo, Manolo Lobón, Santiago Villa, Rafa Armada, Jose Luis Copete and Lee Gregory.
Accomodation
We spent 5 nights at Camping Paloma, Tarifa, which was quite close to the best birding areas around. At Monfragüe, we stayed in Torrejon el Rubio at Apartamentos Sierra de Monfragüe, a GREAT place, very clean and cheap and with really kind owners. It's webpage is here
Itinerary
3-7-05 We started the trip at Santander, headed south until we reached Alcazar de San Juan 5 hours later. Birded Miguel Esteban lagoon, but very few birds were seen.
4-7-05 Visited Pedro Muñoz lagoon in the morning, which was very productive, full of waterbirds (including lots of white headed ducks) and many pin tailed sandgrouses coming to drink. Travelled south all day. Arrived at Los Palacios and Villafranca, near Seville, at 5 pm, where we met local birder Dani l Huertas, who accompanied us all evening. Birded Laguna de la Mejorada known as "Lago de Diego Puerta" too, and saw the two target species within minutes of arriving! Western olivaceous warblers were singing all over, and a nice rufous bushchat showed very well too, as well as a rufous- necked nightjar on the ground, several common waxbills and lots of herons and egrets (including little bittern and squacco heron). After that to Brazo del Este, a big marsh full of ducks (including marbled teal), shorebirds, terns, swamphens and more. We arrived late at Cadiz railway station, where Joan and Marti should be waiting for us. Only Joan was there, as Marti had lost the train! We continued our way to Tarifa. Arrived at the camping at 1 am! A very long day.
5-7-05 Picked Marti up at the railway station first thing in the morning, then to Rota botanical gardens, where we found several European chamaleons (Chamaeleo Chamaéleon) They are almost guaranteed here. In the evening we went on a whale watching trip into the Strait of Gibraltar. Highlights included very good views of 3 species of dolphins (common, striped and bottle nosed), many pilot whales and several cory´s and balearic shearwaters. We finished the day at Bolonia. As expected, lots of swifts there, including our target species: little swift. In fact, there were at least 7 little swifts and 2 white rumped swifts flying around with pallid and common swifts. A pair of egyptian vultures were present too.
6-7-05 The day started at la Jara beach (near Chipiona), where we missed lesser crested tern by 3 minutes. After recovering from the shock we went to salinas de Bonanza, where there were impressive numbers of waders, specially avocets, black tailed godwits and flamingos, but also slender billed gulls and gull biled terns. After that we visited Tarelo lagoon, a very good spot with 6 marbled teals, 30 white headed ducks and 8 little bitterns among others.
7-7-05 God exists! We did some seawatching from Tarifa Island with local birders David Cuenca and Gonzalo Arroyo. Hundreds of cory´s and balearic shearwaters flew past the point, and some turnstones were feeding in the rocks. After 3 hours we decided to go to los Lances beach., and it proved to be the right decission! A stunning juvenile RUPPELL´S VULTURE came from the ocean and flew by just over our heads! Befote returning to the camping we stopped at Bolonia, where 3 little swifts were seen.
8-7-05 The morning was spent at la janda lagoon, where highlights included good views of a juveline great spotted cuckoo, big numbers of collared pratincoles, and a big group of feeding storks, cattle egrets and spoonbills. In the evening we birded Los Alcornocales natural park. It was very windy and we saw virtually nothing.
9 -7-05 We drove from Tarifa to Los Palacios, stopping on the way at Espera lagoons. It took a while to find our target species, but we eventually found 4 crested coots, 3 of them without neck collar. After that to los Palacios, where we had no trouble findind several western olivaceous warblers and 3 singing rufous bushchats. Our final destination was Monfragüe Natural Park. An hour before arriving we stopped at Vegas Altas, where we saw our target species: 4 red avadavats. Nearby we had incredible views of an adult black-shouldered kite. On the road to Torrejon el Rubio we saw several rollers. We decided to stop at Belen plains, where we easily found the long – staying bald ibis. At Peñafalcon we saw 3 alpine and 1 white rumped swifts but not even a single black stork. Arrived at dusk at Portilla del Tietar, where a couple of birders kindly showed us 2 wonderful Eagle owls (the female and one of the four chicks that had hatched this year). A red necked nighjat started calling at the same place and we eventually had good views of the bird flying and catching insects.
10-7-05 We headed to Portilla del Tietar first thing in the morning. The Spanish imperial eagles that are nesting this year there put on a great show. The female came twice to the nest to bring food to the chick, and gave incredible views. It even allowed us to do some digiscoping while it soared around! There were plenty of black vultures too, and we were surprised to find a white rumped swift flying above us. Probably the first record for the Portilla. Back at Peñafalcon, we had good views of 3 white rumped swifts and a pair of bonelli´s eagles. 2 black storks were on one of the nests too. In the evening we visited the plains just after Monroy, where I had seen all steppe species in my visit in May, but heat haze didn´t help. The pair of black-shouldered kites that nested there this year were the only highlight. We returned to portilla del Tietar to see if there were any Eagle owls out. After an hour or so searching, Marti and I were lucky to find 2 different birds.
11-7-05 In the morning we took Marti and Joan to Monfragüe railway station, on the way we stopped at the camping, where we took good pictures of azure winged magpies. Travelled north all day, until we reached Santander at 5 pm. We went to a nearby forest which is usually good for middle spotted woodpecker, but the only birds we saw were marsh tits and short toed treecreepers. My bus to Oviedo left at 8 pm, and that was the way we finished this very succesful trip.
Daily account
Sunday, 3 July 2005
I woke up early in the morning in order to be in time to catch the bus to Santander, where I was suposed to meet Guillermo, the older participant of the trip (19) and, most important, the only one with driving licence! As soon as I arrived we packed my staff in his car (2 bags, scope, tripod and a VERY useful cool box, which made life easier in the South! I´d recommend anyone travelling to the South in summer to carry one of these light cool boxes, as it kept water cold for many hours, and when temperature reaches 35 -40 º C outside of the car, you really app reciate something cold!)
After doing so, we started the long awaited trip. Our final destination today was Alcazar de San Juan, a small town located 150 km south of Madrid. On our way south we started picking up several interesting species, like red billed chough, montagu´s harrier and roller.
It was Guille´s first long trip as driver, and our moms were very worried! but thankfully we didn´t have any problems. We didn´t even get lost at Madrid, so after 5 hours we arrived at Alcazar. The reason for stopping here is that there are several interesting lagoons close to the town. We decided to go to Miguel Esteban lagoon and then to look for a hotel at Alcazar. The birding at the lagoon was very disapointing, being the only birds of note 10 pin tailed sandgouses that came to drink, some black headed gulls and a few great reed warblers. To go to the lagoon, go to the village of the same name (Miguel Esteban), and then look for a main road that goes to the village of "El Toboso", near the road sign there´s another sign which says "laguna de Miguel Esteban". Keep going on this road for the next 3 km, and then you´ll find a small track on the right hand side, with another sign of the lagoons. The track goes all around the reservoir, and there are several hides where you can stop and have a look. The lagoon is much better in spring, with several pairs of nesting white headed ducks. You have good chances of seeing bearded tit on the reedbed that surrounds the track, as well as crakes, specially spotted.
After trying to photograph the sandgrouses, we decided to head to Alcazar de San Juan, which was about 30 km from there. We hadn´t booked any hotels, as we thought there wouldn´t be many tourists in the middle of the plains in summer… There weren´t, but unfortunately for us a music festival was taking place there and after asking for a room in 5 differents hotels and having received the same answer: "No. Everything is full" we started to think we were going to have to sleep in the car. Miraculously, we found a hotel on the outskirts of the town which had vacancies! So my advice is to book a room even if you think it´s imposible that the hotels are full. You never know where the next spanish music festival is going to take place!!!
Monday, 4 July 2005
Today´s plan was to do some birding at the nearby Pedro Muñoz lagoon, and then head south. Pedro muñoz, unlike Miguel esteban, was full of birds. Highlights included an impressive flock of 100 white headed ducks, 45 flamingos,2 shelducks, 30 pin tailed sandgrouses coming to drink ( I must admit that they gave much better views than in Extremadura), red crested pochard, many shorebirds (black tailed godwit, little ringed and kentish plover, common redshank, ruff, wood sandpiper,…) To reach the lagoon, simply go to the village of the same name, and you´ll find a sign at the end of the main street which says something about the lagoon. It´s no more than 50 metres from the last house. Once there, just take the path that goes around the lagoon until you reach an observatory. This was undoubtedly the best place for watching the white headed ducks and the sandgrouses.
After that, we started the long trip to the South. Arrived at los Palacios y Villafranca, via Cordoba and Seville, 5 hours later. Dani l Huertas, local birder and digiscoper, and a very good friend too, was going to take us birding to several interesting places in the evening. The first place was Laguna de la Mejorada, known as "lago de Diego Puerta "too. This place is probably the easiest in Spain to see both western olivaceous warbler and rufous bush chat. To reach this area head south towards Los Palacios y Villafranca on the N-IV and a couple of km before Los Palacios you will cross an obvious canal. Turn right just before this canal and follow the bank until the road turns sharply left and crosses the canal after c1km. Cross this bridge and park just beyond. There´s a small track that goes around one part of the lagoon. On one side you have the lagoon and tamarisks, and on the other you have vineyards. Western Olivaceous Warbler is common in the tamarisks around the lake and responds well to tape. We saw at least 5 singing birds. The day was very windy, and we didn´t hear any bush robins in the vineyards.Fortunately, we found one bird searching for food on the ground near the tamarisks. Other birds seen here included 2 groups of common waxbills, 1 little bittern, many squacco herons, and a red necked nighjar resting on the ground. Our next destination was Brazo del Este. Thanks to Dani´s knowledge of the area we saw nearly everything there, including marbled teal, purple swamphen, savi´s warbler, little tern, collared pratincole, purple heron, little bittern, black crowned night heron, squacco heron, a nice juvenile great spotted cuckoo, spoonbills, melodious warbler and curlew sandpiper. It was getting late, so after saying thank you to Dani we contiued our way south, reaching Cadiz railway station at 11 pm, one hour late! Joan was already at the station waiting for us, and we got the news that Marti, the other participant of the trip, had unbelievably missed the train! He would catch the next one, so we´d have to be at the station the following morning. With Joan at the car, we drove from Cadiz to our camping at Tarifa, arriving there at 1 am! All of us were extremely tired, so as soon as we entered our cabin we fell asleep. It had been a very long day.
Tuesday, 5 July 2005
We woke up at 5 am. The first place we visited was Rota Botanical gardens, as we had been told that it was one of the easiest places in Andalucia to see European chamaleons (Chamaeleo Chamaéleon). It proved true, and within minutes of arriving we were watching one of these incredible reptiles. After studying and photographying it for an hour, we went to Cadiz railway station. Unfortunately we got stucked in a traffic jam, so we arrived two hours late at the station. We picked Marti up and made our way back to Tarifa. We had lunch with local birders David Cuenca and Manolo Lobón, who helped us a lot during the planning of the trip and guided through his area too. The plan for the evening was to go on a whale watching trip into the Strait of Gibraltar. It was a great trip, the sea was very calm and we had great views of 4 species of cetaceans: bottle nosed, striped and common dolphin and pilot whales. Seabirds were present too, with good numbers of balearic and cory´s shearwaters.
After the whale watch we decided to go to Sierra de la Plata near Bolonia, the only place in Spain where both little and white rumped swifts occur.
About 12 km before Tarifa we turned right towards the "Roman ruins at Baelo Claudio" (and "Bolonia"; CA9004), and when we reached the junction near the beach, we kept right (not left on the road to the entrance to the ruins). Then we continued this road for about 2,5 km to a small village, Bolonia, where the road bends 90o right and then (after about 100 m) 90o left. We kept going until the road ended just below a small mountain. We parked here and waited. The swifts nest on a cave, which has railings on the entrance and is located on the cliff face. The best time to see them is in the early morning or at dusk. We had good views of at least SEVEN! little swifts and 2 white rumped swifts.
We returned to the camping when light started to be too poor to see anything.
Wednesday, 6 July 2005
MADNESS! The morning started like a every other one. We woke upe very early and travelled west to Chipiona, via Cadiz. From there we went to the nearby la Jara Beach, where We were suposed to meet local birder Paco Chiclana. The beach was quite long and we didn´t find him. The place is very good for summer birding since the beach isn´t sandy but rocky and with many sea weeds, and that means there are very few people disturbing the birds. After looking unsuccesfully for him for some time we scanned a small group of gulls and waders, but there was nothing of interest. We came back to the car and then everything happened very quickly. As soon as I saw there was a message on my cell phone at 8: 30 a.m I realized something had happened. When I saw it was from Paco I started to sweat, and i can´t remember exactly what happened after reading these words: "lesser crested tern at la Jara beach. Paco" All I know is that we jumped out of the car and started running towards the beach. I called Paco and asked where the --- he was. We found him 200 metres from the place where we had previously stopped, and asked totally shocked about the tern. "It´s gone" He said. We looked for the bird for hours but we didn´t find it. With our spirits very low we decided to go somewhere else, and then we´d come back in the evening to see if the bird had reappeared. After recovering from the shock, we asked Paco about the observation. He told us that he had come earlier than us and that he had found the bird at 8:05 a.m. The bird flew off at 8:30, and we started scanning the group of gulls at 8:33 or so. We had missed it by 3 minutes!!
Salinas de Bonanza was our next destination. The place held huge numbers of birds, including 5000+ flamingos, 6000+ avocets, 2000+ black tailed godwits and many slender billed gulls, little and gull billed terns, kentish plovers, and more. A family of sardinian warblers was nice too. It took us no more than 15 minutes to reach Tarelo Lagoon, which was a very productive place. The highlights were 3 pairs of marbled teals and at least 30 white headed ducks, which were very obliging, Little bitterns were in evidence too, with no less than 8 birds seen. Other species encountered included purple swamphen, squacco and black crowned night heron and pintail.
Back to la Jara Beach. We searched for the tern for several hours, but we were unsuccesful. We read several ringed slender billed gulls, and there were some shorebirds around: turnstone, grey plover, kentish plover, oystercatcher, curlew, whimbrel, redshank and bar tailed godwit. But no lesser crested tern.
The trip back to the camping took 2 hours. It was entertaining, as it was used to blame ourselves for not having woken up 5 minutes earlier! We all dreamt about lesser crested terns flying around.
Thursday, 7 July 2005
We spent the morning seawatching from Tarifa Island with local birders David Cuenca and Gonzalo Arroyo. Cory´s shearwater were very common, with more than 300 seen. Balearics were seen in smaller numbers too. Other birds of note included honey buzzard, common tern, audouin´s gull and turnstone. There were some Spanish Sparrows there too.
Los Lances beach is supposed to be a good site for terns and shorebirds. Lesser crester tern is annual here, so we decided to give it a try. Thank God we did!
A small group of audoin´s gulls was resting on the beach, and we read several ringed birds. We were about to leave when a vulture came off the sea. Everyone started yelling RUPPELL´S VULTURE!! as the bird flew past above our heads 50 metres away . The bird landed on the ground and then took off again. We observed all the main field marks of this juvenile bird until it was out of sight. Incredible bird and great consolation prize for not having seen the lesser crested tern.
Happy faces and Smiles as we returned back to the car. We had a well deserved lunch at Tarifa, and after that we tryed for the long staying long legged buzzard at the usual spot near Tarifa, but didn´t find it. David gave us directions to a nearby rufous bushchat breeding area, but we failed to see them.
We spent the evening at Bolonia, where we saw 3 little swifts and one white rumped swift. A pair of egyptian vultures was seen too.
Friday, 8 July 2005
La Janda is an excellent plain area with reedy drainage ditches and rice fields. Very drivable tracks, with no apparent access problems, at an elevated level to the surrounding fields. A rustic bunting was ringed here this winter.
We headed to la Janda early in the morning and birded the place for several hours.
Impressive numbers of white storks and cattle egrets were feeding in the fields, and we saw an unexpected great spotted cuckoo too. Collared pratincoles seemed to be everywhere and great reed warbler, green sandpiper and spoonbill were common too. A short toed eagle was seen hovering on a nearby field.
We decided to visit Los Alcornocales Natural Park in the evening, but windy conditions didn´t help. Additions to the list included robin, nightingale and dartfor warbler.Sadly, the only egyptian mongoose of the trip was a road killed one seen here. As we were leaving the park a scop´s owl started to sing.
Saturday, 9 July 2005
We left the camping very early and headed north all day towards Extremadura. A red necked nightjar gave great views as it sat on the road near the camping. Our first stop was at Espera Lagoons, where after some time we located our target species: crested coot. The first one was seen on the first lagoon, which was nearlly all dry. However, the best place for the crested coot was the bigger lagoon. We climbed up a small hill in order to scan the whole place, and we eventually saw 3 birds mixed in with the common coots. Espera Lagoons are said to be the only Spanish place with completely wild crested coots (many uncollared birds in Doñana are descendants of captivity birds, and in other cases their collars have fallen off.).
White headed ducks were present too, along with red crested pochards, black tailed godwits, mallards and gadwalls. Many turtle doves fed near the track.
We moved on, and arrived at los Palacios and Villfranca half an hour later. The city was covered with pallid swifts, in fact common swift is a rarity there! We quickly found la Mejorada lagoon. Like the other day, several western olivaceous warblers were singing, and after some time we were able to obtain good photographs. No rufous bushchats responded to the tape, and we were a little worried as Marti and Joan hadn´t seen one. After some time a very obliging male came and perched on top of a fence for a long time, giving ridiculously close views. After a while another bird appeared and we took very good pictures as it sang from a grapevine.
We continued our way North. We reached Vegas Altas in the evening. The reason for stopping here is that it is probably one of the easiest sites in Spain to see Red Avadavat. If you come from the North, head south from Zorita on the CC702/CC701 towards Vegas Altas (not depicted on large scale maps), and c1 mile after the left turn to Vegas Altas you will cross the Rio Gargaligas. It is possible to turn right onto the old bridge here (where the Rio Gargaligas sign is), where you can park. We saw 4+ red avadavats here. Listen for their call. They sound just like penduline tits!
Near Vegas Altas we spotted a stunning adult black-shouldered kite perched on a wire. It performed superbly, flying around, hovering and perching on the wires. We actually saw the bright red eye!
We then drove to Trujillo. En route we saw 4 rollers and our first great bustards. From Trujillo we went to Belen, and 5 km past the village we found the heronry. The bald Ibis was at the usual branch, and we studied the bird for a while. A single juvenile great spotted cuckoo was around, as well as a nice melanistic montagu´s harrier. A group of great bustards was seen in the distance. Guille and I had seen the pair of long legged buzzards in May, but we weren´t lucky this time.
We moved to Torrejon el Rubio, and after leaving our bags at Apartamentos Sierra de Monfragüe we entered Monfragüe Natural Park. Our first stop was at Salto del Gitano. Peñafalcon was as usual impressive, with lots of griffon vultures flying overhead, as well as blue rock thrushes, rock buntings, red rumped swallows, crag martins, alpine swifts and at least one white rumped swift! We were surprised not to see any black storks, as there had been at least 3 pairs nesting there this spring. Light was fading, so we decided to go to Portilla del Tietar without stopping at any of the many interesting viewpoints.
2 juvenile black storks were on the nest a few hundred metres before Portilla del Tietar. There were only a few birders there, and we asked them if they had already found the eagle owl. And they DID have found it! In fact, there were two birds.They kindly showed us where they were, and we were soon watching both birds, the female and a very grown chick. I never get bored of watching this species.I can´t forget the way those big bright orange eyes look at you! We studied the owls until it was too dark to see anything. A red-necked nighjar started calling, and then we saw it against the sky as it hawked insects. What a great day!
Sunday, 10 July 2005
We started the day at Portilla del Tietar. We quickly found what we had come for: the Spanish imperial eagle nest. The 2 month old chick was present, and we had good views of the bird. After some time, one of the adults came, carrying a prey on its talons. It put on a great show as it flew around calling. After a while it landed briefly on the nest, left the prey, a rabbit, and flew off. We spent a few more hours there, and during that time, the adult eagles appeared twice. Also of interest was a white rumped swift that was flying over the river with other hirundines, probably the first record for the Portilla. Many black vultures soared overhead, a pair of booted eagles was seen too, and a subalpine warbler was located singing nearby.
Marti did some sketches of the pair of black storks, and then we continued to Peñafalcon. We spent some time there, trying to find some shadow in order to avoid the sun! Highlights included 3 white-rumped swifts, some hawfinches, a stunnig pair of bonelli´s Egles, a pair of black storks on one of the nests and the usual stuff: blue rock thrush, rock bunting, crag martin, blue tit and subalpine warbler. No sign of river otter on the river though.
We moved on to the plains located after passing Monroy. En route we saw many parties of azure winged magpies and bee eaters, and some raptors: lesser kestrel, red and black kites, short toed and booted Egles and black and griffon vultures
We didn´t stop at the usual black-shouldered location near Monroy, as they aren´t nesting there this year. Once on the plains, extreme heat haze didn´t help in our search for steppe species. After a while, the only birds of interest were the distant pair of nesting black-shouldered kites, a marsh harrier quartering the fields, and some calandra and short toed larks. After that we went to the bridge over the rio Almonte to look for black wheatear, but we didn´t find it.I must admit that we didn´t put much effort on the pursuit, as alll of us had already seen the species. Species noted here included jackdaw and alpine swift.
We decided to head straight back to la Portilla del Tietar to see if the Eagle owls had already appeared. En route we picked up several new species for the trip: woodlark, great spotted woodpecker and rock sparrow.
We were very surprised to see that there weren´t any birders at all at la Portilla when we arrived. So it was gonna be just us and the owl! We had 2 hours left to scan all the cliff face, so after breathing for a few seconds we jumped out of the car and started our task. We decided to divide the Portilla in 4 areas, so that each one of us would search only in his area. After an hour of frantic searching, I discovered the much hoped bird: a magnificent Eagle owl resting on a small cave. I gave directions to the others, and after a while Marti located it. But then we realized we were watching different birds! We observed them, photographed them and sketched them as they rested, preened, opened their wonderful eyes and then started to move. It was funny to watch how they walked, very slowly with their huge and powerful talons. They looked like hunchbacks! When it was nearly all dark, the owls started to fly, looking like massive ghosts. First a few metres, then longer distances, until we lost them behind the crag. A great way to finish the day!
Monday, 11 July 2005
Today was our final day. We decided to stop at Monfragüe Camping near Malpartida de Plasencia on our way to the railway station. The camping is one of the easiest places to see azure winged magpies, as they feed around picnic tables. We took several pictures of these tame birds, and then we headed straight up to the station. A nice black vulture soared overhead, and several interesting species like Spanish sparrow and short toed eagle were seen while waiting for the train. After saying goodbye to Marti and Joan, we continued our way North. Very few birds were seen, only the usual black kites, white storks and woodchat shrikes.
Species dramatically changed as we passed through the Cantabric Cordillera. Common buzzards started to dominate, as well as wood pigeons and carrion crows. We arrived at Santander at 4 pm. My bus home left the city at 8 pm, so we had plenty of time left.We decided to go to a nearby forest where middle spotted woodpeckers are quite common to see if we could add it to the list. The forest was very quiet, and we only added marsh tit and song thrush, but it was nice to be in a green and humid place after so many days in the dry South.
And that was it, I was in time to catch the bus home, and 3 hours later I arrived at Oviedo. From there I took another bus to my town, Salinas. It was the end of an absolutely great and unforgetable trip.
Species Lists
1-Black necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)
20 birds seen at Pedro muñoz lagoon and 15+ at Tarelo lagoon
2-Little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Common. Seen at many ponds and lagoons
3-Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
Seen at Brazo del Este, Pedro muñoz and Tarelo lagoon
4- Cory´s (Scopoli´s) shearwater (Calonectris diomedea diomedea)
About 50 birds seen at the whalewatch off Tarifa and 300 from Tarifa island
5- Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus)
30 birds seen at the whalewatch off Tarifa and 100 from Tarifa Island
6- Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus)
1 second summer and 1 first summer seen from Tarifa Island
7- Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
1 bird seen at the river near Portilla del Tietar
8- Little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)
1 bird at La Mejorada lagoon, 3 at Brazo del Este and up to 8 birds at Tarelo lagoon
9- Black crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Many breeding pairs at La Mejorada lagoon, and several birds at Brazo del Este and Tarelo lagoon
10- Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)
Very common. Seen daily at many locations. Big flocks at la Janda lagoon and la Mejorada lagoon
11- Squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides)
Many breeding pairs at la Mejorada lagoon. Common at Brazo del Este. Seen at la Janda and Tarelo lagoon too.
12- Little egret (Egretta garzetta)
Common at wetlands
13- Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)
Common at wetlands
14- Purple heron (Ardea purpurea)
Scarce. A few seen at Brazo del Este and la Janda lagoon. One (very unexpected) near Portilla del Tietar.
15- White stork (Ciconia ciconia)
Very common. Seen daily. Big flock of 300+ at La Janda lagoon.
16- Black stork (Ciconia nigra)
Seen only at Monfragüe. 2 juveniles on the nest near Portilla del Tietar and 2 adults at Peñafalcon.
17 - Glossy Ibis (Pleagadis falcinellus)
Several groups at Brazo del Este and a single bird at la Janda lagoon.
18- Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita)
The long staying subadult bird was easily seen at Belen steppes
19- Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
Scarce, only seen at Brazo del Este and la Janda lagoon.
20- Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus [ruber] roseus)
50 at Pedro Muñoz lagoon and 5000+ at salinas de Bonanza
21- Common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
2 birds at Pedro Muñoz lagoon
22- Mallard (Anas platyrrhynchos)
Common. Seen at many wetlands
23- Gadwall (Anas strepera)
Noted at Pedro muñoz and Espera lagoons.
24- Northern pintail (Anas acuta)
A single male at Tarelo lagoon
25- Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Seen at several wetlands.
26- Common teal (Anas crecca)
Several birds at Pedro Muñoz lagoon
27- Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris)
At least 3 pairs at Tarelo lagoon and one at Brazo del Este
28- Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina)
5 birds at Espera lagoons
29- Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)
6 birds at Tarelo lagoon
30- White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
An impressive flock of 100 birds at Pedro Muñoz lagoon and 20 at Tarelo lagoon
31-Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
Common around Monfragüe NP, with no less than 8 birds recorded
32- Eurasian Griffon-vulture (Gyps fulvus)
Very common in Monfrague National NP
33- Ruppell´s vulture (Gyps rueppellii)
A juvenile was seen coming from the sea at Playa de Los Lances
34- Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
Fairly common in Monfrague NP. Very good views at Portilla del Tietar
35- Black Kite (Milvus migrans)
Very Common throughout
36- Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
Four at Belen Steppes
37- Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
Quite common in Monfrague NP. Also seen near Tarifa and Monroy
38- Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Several birds at Brazo del Este and singles near Monroy and Tarelo
39- Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)
Fairly common in suitable habitat, with up to 6 birds at Belen (including a melanistic bird)
40- Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Scarce in the South, with only a few at Belen Steppes. Very common in the North, specially around Santander
41- Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
A male coming from the sea at Tarifa Island
42-Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila [heliaca] adalberti)
The pair nesting at Portilla del Tietar gave incredible views as it bringed food to its only chick.
43- Bonelli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus)
A pair seen over Peñafalcon at Monfragüe NP
44- Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)
Common at suitable habitat. At least 10 birds seen at Monfragüe NP
45- Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)
Seen at many places. Good views at Pedro Muñoz, Tarifa and Trujillo.
46- Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus).
Fairly common.
47- Black-shouldered kite (Elanus caeruleus)
An adult bird seen extremely well near Vegas Altas and 2 birds seen at their nesting are anear Monroy plains
48- Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)
Fairly common.
49-Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)
Heard calling near Vegas Altas
50- Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Seen at Brazo del Este, la Janda and Tarelo lagoon.
51-Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Common in wetland areas.
52- Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata)
4 birds at Espera lagoons
53- Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
Common in wetland areas, with huge numbers at Espera lagoons
54- Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
A group of 9 birds near Madrigalejo and another group of 10 birds at Belen steppes.
55- Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)
4 at La Jara beach
56- Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
Common in wetland areas
57- Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
At least 6000 at Salinas de Bonanza and good numbers noted at Brazo del Este too.
58- Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)
Only One bird seen near Pedro Muñoz
59-Collared Pratincole (Gareola pratincola)
Unexpectedly common at many places, specially at Brazo del Este and la Janda, but even observed flying overhead at the city of los palacios!
60- Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
2 birds at los Lances beach
61- Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
Several at Pedro Muñoz, Brazo del Este and los Lances beach.
62- Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
Very Common in coastal areas. 100+ at la Jara beach
63- Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
Only seen at Pedro Muñoz area.
64- Grey plover (Pluviales squatorola)
2 birds at la Jara Beach
65- Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
2 at Los Lances beach and 6 at Salinas de Bonanza
66- Curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
3 at Brazo del Este
67- Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
2000+ at Salinas de Bonanza and 100+ at Pedro Muñoz lagoon
68- Bar tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica)
5 birds at la Jara beach
69- Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
A flock of 8 at Tarifa
70- Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)
Seen at Pedro Muñoz and Salinas de Bonanza
71- Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
Common. Seen at all wetlands
72- Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
2 at Pedro Muñoz
73- Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
2 at la Jara Beach
74- Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
A single in la Janda
75- Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
10 at la Jara Beach
76- Curlew (Numenius arquata)
5 at la Jara beach
77- Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
Single in Pedro muñoz lagoon
78- Audouin's Gull (Larus audouinii)
20 at Los Lances beach. Singles at Tarifa and La Jara beach
79- Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis)
Common in coastal areas.
80- Lesser black backed gull (Larus fuscus graellsi)
Common in coastal areas, specially inmature birds.
81 Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
Very common at Pedro Muñoz and Miguel Esteban. Noted at many other wetlands too
82- Slender-billed Gull (Larus genei)
Up to 100 at Salinas de Bonanza 15 at la Jara Beach and 3 at Tarelo lagoon
83- Mediterranean gull (Larus melanocephalus)
Single in Salinas de Bonanza
84- Little tern (Sterna albifrons)
Very common at Brazo del Este and specially at la Jara Beach (300+ there)
85- Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica)
Several birds at Salinas de Bonanza
86- Sandwich tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
Surprisingly only 3 at la Jara Beach
87- Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
2 off Tarifa and 4 at la Jara beach.
88- Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus)
Common at Brazo del Este
89- Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata)
10 coming to drink at Miguel Esteban and then 30 at Pedro Muñoz
90- Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia)
Common and widespread.
91- Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus)
Common and widespread especially in the northern part of Spain.
92- European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)
Widespread. Good numbers noted at Espera lagoons
93- Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Abundant.
94- Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
1 found dead near Seville
95- Common Scops Owl (Otus scops)
1 heard at Los Alcornocales NP
96- Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo)
One of the higlights of the trip. 2 birds at Portilla del Tietar
97- Little Owl (Athene noctua)
A single bird on wires close to Alcazar de San Juan
98- Red-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis)
2 birds seen near Portilla del tietar
99- Great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)
3 juveniles seen: singles at Brazo del Este, La Janda and Belen steppes
100- Alpine swift (Apus melba)
3 birds seen over Peñafalcon and 2 at the rio Almonte
101- Common Swift (Apus apus)
Common and widespread particularly in the north.
102- Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)
Seemed the commonest Swift in the south, though not all Swifts were studied, with big numbers at los Palacios and Tarifa
103- White-rumped Swift (Apus caffer)
6 birds: 2 seen at Bolonia and 4 seen at Monfrague (3 birds seen at Salto del Gitano and one at Portilla del Tietar)
104- Little swift (Apus affinis)
At least 7 birds at Bolonia
105- Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
A single bird at Salinas de Bonanza
106- European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
Common in Extramadura and the south
107- European Roller (Coracias garrulus)
1 bird between Toledo and Alcazar, another at Vegas Altas and 4 in the road between Trujillo and Madrigalejo
108- Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
Sinlge in a Janda
109- Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)
Single at Monfragüe NP
110- Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
Single near Tarelo lagoon
111- Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra)
Common at Monroy plains
112- Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla)
6 at los Lances beach and 3 at Monroy plains
113- Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)
Common and widespread, particularly in cultivated areas
114- Thekla Lark (Galerida theklae)
Several in Monfragüe NP
115- Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)
Large numbers around Brazo del Este. Also seen at Tarifa, Tarelo lagoon and la Janda
116- Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)
Very common at Monfragüe NP
117- Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Common and widespread
118- Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica)
Fairly common in the South, specially around Monfragüe NP
119- House Martin (Delichon urbicum)
Very common throughout, with huge colonies nesting under the bridges in Monfrague NP
120- Tawny pipit (Anthus campestris)
2 birds seen at los Lances beach
121- White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)
Fairly common
122- Yellow-wagtail (Motacilla flava)
Common in marshy areas
123- Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
Only one bird near Rio Almonte
124- Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
Common in wooded areas
125- Rufous Bushchat (Cercotrichas galactotes)
3 birds in vineyards in the vicinity of Laguna de la Mejorada, near Los Palacios.
126- European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Fairly common in wooded areas.
127- Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)
Fairly common in the South
128- Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Several birds seen at Monfragüe NP
129- Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)
Fairly common
130- Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
A single male near Palencia
131- Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica)
Fairly common around Monfrague NP
132- Blue Rock-thrush (Monticola solitarius)
Very common in Monfragüe NP
133- Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula)
Common.
134- Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Only seen at a forest near Santander
135- Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti)
Seen at Miguel Esteban and heard at other wetlands
136- Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)
Abundant
137- Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides)
Heard at Brazo del Este
138- Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
Fairly common. Noted at manyl wetlands
139- Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)
Common in reedbed habitat, with the largest numbers noted at Brazo del Este
140- Western Olivaceous Warbler (Hippolais opaca)
At least 6 in tamarisks around Laguna de la Mejorada
141- Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta)
2 birds at Brazo del Este and one near Espera lagoons
142- Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Only seen at Monfragüe NP and near Santander
143- Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)
Common and widespread
144- Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans)
At least 5 seen in Monfrague NP
145- Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)
A single bird at los Alcornocales NP
146- Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus)
Several heard at Brazo del Este
147- Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
2 groups at Monfragüe NP and one at Bolonia were the only ones seen
148- Marsh Tit (Parus palustris)
5 birds at a forest near Santander
149- Great Tit (Parus major)
Common and widespread
150- Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus)
Common and widespread.
151- Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
A single bird at the forest near Santander
152- Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)
Widespread
153- Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
One bird seen near la Mejorada lagoon
154- Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis)
Widespread
155- Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)
Very Common in Extremadura, particularly Monfrague NP
156- Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Seen at Monfragüe NP and the forest near Santander
157- Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana)
Common in Extremadura, and easily seen in Monfrague NP
158- Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)
Common and widespread
159- Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)
A group near Palenc
160- Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
Common and widespread
161- Common Raven (Corvus corax)
Several pairs at Monfragüe NP
162- Common Raven (Corvus corax)
Several near Monfragüe NP and near Santander city
163- Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor)
Common and widespread
164- European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Seen at Santander city
165-House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Abundant
166- Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)
Common at Tarifa Island. Seen at Tarelo, Vegas Altas and Monfragüe NP too
167- Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Scarce
168- Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild)
A group of 6 birds and another of 2birds at La Mejorada lagoon
169- Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava)
At least 4 in the reeds by the bridge over the Rio Gargaligas close to Vegas Altas
170- Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Common and widespread
171- European Serin (Serinus serinus)
Common and widespread
172- European Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)
Common and widespread
173- European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Common and widespread
174- Eurasian Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)
Common and widespread
175- Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)
3 birds at Salto del Gitano
176- Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia)
Common at Monfragüe NP
177- Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus)
Found at Los Alcornocales NP
178- Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra)
Abundant in suitable habitat
