General Information

This report covers my short trip to Spain to do some easy birding with my girlfriend Susanne Jacops. I could see 3 new birds which are Western Olivaceous warbler, Rufous-tailed Bushrobin and Dupont's Lark. We succeeded in the last species but the 2 former are not so easy in the Extramadura.

We flew out of Charleroi-Belgium towards Valadolid with Ryanair for only 62,00 Euro both way and for the two of us!!! At Valadolid Airport we rented a car (Avis) for 260 Euro a week including full insurance and unlimited mileage (a must for a birder) (185 Euro with minimum insurance).

I would like to thank Wilfried Van Den Schoor for some usefull tips and use of some equipment, Norbert Willaert for his reports, Alex Lain for some pre-trip information and last but not least to Susanne as excellent companion.

Overnight  stays

Salamanca

Hotel Amefa, Pozo Amarillo 18-20, 37002 Salamanca tel. 923218189 fax. 923260200. This hotel is very well situated near the central Plaza in the old part of the city. It was a nice hotel at 38 Euro for a double room with bath/shower.

Trujillo

Meson La Cadena is situated on the Plaza Mayor in the center of town and had good double rooms with bath/shower for 36 Euro.

Camping Monfrague

Carretera de Trjillo, km 10 10680 Malpartida de Plassencia Tel. 927/459233

This is situated 15-20 minute drive from the Castillo towards Placencia. Prices were 3,3 Euro/person, 3 Euro/car and 3 Euro/tent which gave us 12,60 Euro/night.

Bushcamping

We did some bushcamping to save some costs. I don't know if bushcamping is allowed in Spain but we didn't run into any troubles doing this. I must say that we chose our campsites always out of sight.

Weather

The first 2 days of our trip were sunny and warm overall. The next days we had partly clouded skies and we encountered rainy periods. Temperatures were maximum 27 ° in the afternoon. Mornings were a bit chilly.

Used maps and reports

Maps

Reports

ITINERARY

18 may        Flew out of Charleroi at around 14.00 hrs arriving in Valladolid around 16.00 hrs. After picking up luggage and car we headed for Villaseca, the nearest place that we knew for Dupont's Lark! We birded here in the evening.

19 may        In the morning we birded in the Parque Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton near Villaseca. Late morning we left for a long drive towards Trujillo where we arrived late afternoon, early evening and checked in in a hotel. In the evening we did some birding around the Castle ('Castillo').

20 may        In the morning we drove out of Trujillo to go birding in the plains around St. Marta da Magasca. Then we drove further towards Caceres stopping on some good birding spots along the way ('Bustard'-road, Embalse de Guadiloba.). In the evening we camped out in the wild near St. Marta da Magasca.

21 may        In the morning again birding on the plains near St.Marta da Magasca and along the road towards Caceres. In the afternoon we drove further towards Torrejon el Rubio stopping on the famous 'Black-shouldered Kite-spot' near the Umbrella-Pine trees along the CC912 road. In the evening we visited the Castillo in NP Monfrague with no luck in seeing White-rumped Swifts. We checked in at the Monfrague campground.

22 may        Started off birding along the river-trail near the bridge over the river 'Taag'. Late afternoon we checked the other good 'Black-shouldered Kite-spot' near Estacion de la Bazagona with no luck. In the afternoon we drove through NP Monfrague stopping at all the good viewpoints ('Mirradors'). In the evening again a look from the Castillo and this time we had luck in seeing two White-rumped Swifts! We again camped out on the Monfrague Campground.

23 may        In the morning we drove down towards Embalse de Arrocampo Almaraz. After this we returned again towards NP Monfrague and drove along all the viewpoints once more. In the afternoon we birded the river trail along the Taag for the second time and in the evening off course the Castillo. In the evening we bush-camped near Estacion de Arrocampo Almaraz.

24 may        In the morning we birded near our campground for an hour and then left for a city-visit in Salamanca.

25 may        City visit in Salamanca and late afternoon a flight back towards Belgium.

Visited sites

A.  PARK NATURAL DE MONFRAGÜE  (zie de gedetailleerde kaart in bijlage).

The national park Monfragüe has a size of 17.852 ha and is one of the best areas to see birds of prey in Europe! It is formed by a steep rocky hillside alongside the river 'Taag'. The park's birdlist stands on  173 species and from thes there are several very rare species like Spanish Imperial Eagle and Black Vulture (Monk Vulture). Furthermore the park holds 52 species of mammals, 20 species of reptiles, 15 species amfibia and 26 species of fish!

A1.  SANTUARIO Y CASTILLO DE MONFRAGÜE

Where the river 'Taag' cuts through the steep hillside is on one side the Vulture-rock 'Pena Falcon' and on the other side the 'Santuario de Monfragüe'. Here is an unaccessible cave with prehistoric paintings. The little castle on top was built by the 'Moors' on the remainings of a pre-roman castle. Inside the chapel is an authentic Maria-statue which was brought from Palestine by the crusaders. Along the road (C524) is a parking area on which you can drive higher on the rock untill you reach a second, smaller parking area.

Highlights : White-rumped Swift, Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Rock Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Blue Rock-trush, Red-legged Chough and Rock Bunting.

A3.  VULTURE-ROCK PENA FALCON (Salto del Gitano)

From the road (C524) you have a very good view on the rock on the other side of the river 'Taag'. This is a roosting and breeding rock for many vultures. There is a perking area which is comonly used by birders and tourists.

Highlights : Black Stork, Alpine Swift, Rock Bunting, Rock Martin, White-rumped Swift, Blue Rock-thrush.

A4.  WALKING-TRACK FROM THE NEW BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER 'TAAG' TO THE OLD BRIDGE

Just before the new bridge over the river 'Taag', coming from Torrejon el Rubio, there is a small parking area. From here there is a walking-track that leads to ech way along the river banks. This is a good walk for songbirds.

Highlights : Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Nightingale.

Just Past the village of villareal de san carlos you can turn right towards Embalse de torrejon. Along this road there are several viewpoints, here they are called 'mirradors'. The village of villareal de san carlos is worth a visit. Here you can get some information about the park, there are several walking tracks starting from the village and you can get a refreshing drink!

A5.  MIRADOR DE TAJADILLA

This is a viewpoint with a birdhide which gives a view over the river Taag behind the Dam. On the other side is a huge rock-formation with vultures.

Highlights: Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Azure-winged Magpie

A6.  MIRADOR DE LA BASCULA

Past the Dam on your right iels the Mirrador 'La Bascula' and is a good spot to see Monk Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle which nest in the area.

Highlights: Monk Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, .

A7.  MIRADOR DE LA HIGUERILLA AND THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE WOODEN BRIDGE

This spot is also known as a good spot to see Spanish Imperial Eagle which often flies over. Tradition calls this place 'Wooden Bridge' but there is no wood at all in this bridge!

A8.  MIRADOR PORTILLA TIETAR.

From here you can see a rock-formation on the other side of the river Rio Tiétar. Here you can see breeding Griffon Vltures and Black Stork. This is also a good spot to see Eagle Owl. Be carefull as there is no parking here.

Highlights: Black Stork, Griffon Vulture, Blue Rock-trush, Cetti's Warbler, Nightingale...

A9.  EMBALSE DE ARROCAMPO ALMARAZ

A good stop is along the road between the villages Castejada en Saucedilla. On both sides of the road is a big water area with reeds.

Highlights: Purple Gallinule, Purple Heron, Savi's Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler.

A10. SURROUNDINGS OF ESTACION DE LA BAZAGONA.

© Norbert Willaert

When you are coming from Villarreal De San Carlos, take the first road to the right past the railroad and drive towards the railwaystation of Bazagona. Turn left into the first dirt-track, this track leads you to a pine forest and turns left just before and a bit in the forest. Then drive ahead until you come on a barbed wire fence. From here on you can walk or drive the stretch along the fence. This Is the place where you can see Black-shouldered Kite sitting in the trees or on the electricity cables or on the electricity pylons itself.

Highlights: Golden Oriole, Bee-eater, .

B.  PLAINS BETWEEN MONFRAGÜE, TRUJILLO EN CACERES

B1.  PLAINS EAST OF STA MARTA DE MAGASCA

Coming from Trujillo towards Caceres (baan N521), take after 10.5 km the road to the right in the direction off Sta Marta de Magasca. After 2.3 km there is a curve to the left, here 2 dirt-tracks run into the plains. The left one runs for a few km's between 2 low walls that are used as boundary for the farmlands. These plains are very interesting and there is always something of interest.

Highlights: Roller, Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Monk Vulture, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Calandra Lark, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse.

B2.  PLAINS WEST OF STA MARTA DE MAGASCA (BUSTARD-ROAD)

The 'Bustard road' is a side-road of the CC 912 close to Caceres and runs straight through the plains west of Sta Marta de Magasca.  This is normally a very good place to see Great- and Little Bustard. When we visited this area we didn't see any of these here!!! The best thing we saw here were 2 Monk Vultures on the ground.

Highlights: Monk Vulture,Booted Eagle, Montagus Harrier

B3.  BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE- SPOT ON THE ROAD CC912 BETWEEN TORREJON EL RUBIO AND CACERES.

On the road from Torrejon (CC912) towards Caceres you will pass after approx. 20 km a a row of big pinetrees that are on both sides of the road.  This is the famous spot to see the Black-Shouldered Kite. The best time to visit is morning or evening when the Kite flies around. During the day it's very difficult but with a little luch you can find him sitting in a tree. In the Pine trees there are several Stork nests with colonies of Spanish Sparrows.

Highlights: Black-shouldered Kite

C.  PARQUE NATUREL HOCES DEL RIO DURATON

This park is situated near the village Villaseca near Sepúlveda, northeast of Madrid. To get to the park drive from Sepúlveda towards Urueñas. After 4-5 km's turn left towards 'Castrillo de Sepúlveda'. In this village (very narrow street) hold left (towards Villaseca). When in Villaseca you have to turn right just past the church. This gravel road leads to 'Ermita de San Frutos'. After approx. 2 km you will pass a dry stream valley. We heard and saw Dupont's Lark 500 meter past this valley on the right. Do not venture too far of the road, as this is a protected area. Birding along the road is allowed. We even bush-camped along one of the sidetracks. I must say that I don't know if this is allowed.

SPECIES LIST

01.   Great crested grebe                        Podiceps cristatus
20/5  few birds at Embalse Guadiloba
22/5  1 bird at Embalse De Arrocampo Almaraz

02.   Night Heron                                     Nycticorax nycticorax
22/5  few birds at Embalse De Arrocampo Almaraz

03.   Cattle Egret                                     Bubulcus Ibis
Fairly common throughout our trip in sometimes great numbers like 200+ birds at Embalse Guadiloba

04.   Little Egret                                       Egretta garzetta
20/5  2 birds at Embalse Guadiloba
22/5  2 birds at Embalse De Arrocampo Almaraz

05.   Grey Heron                                      Ardea cinerea
Few birds seen during the trip

06.   Purple Heron                                   Ardea purpurea
22/5  few birds seen near Embalse De Arrocampo Almaraz

07.   White Stork                                     Ciconia ciconia
Very common throughout

08.   Black Stork                                      Ciconia nigra
20/5  One bird seen at the bridge on the road from St.Marta Da Magasca to Caceres
Few birds seen in NP Monfrague, also one nest with young near Mirador Portilla Tietar.

09.   Gadwall                                               Anas strepera
21/5  One bird on a pond in the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca

10.   Mallard                                            Anas plathyrynchos
Few birds seen mostly on ponds along the way

11.   Black-shouldered Kite                     Elanus caeruleus
21/5  One bird at the 'Black-shouldered Kite-spot' near Torrejon el Rubio

12.   Black Kite                                        Milvus migrans
Very common

13.   Red Kite                                          Milvus milvus
Few birds seen, especially near Trujillo

14.   Egyptian vulture                              Neophron percnopterus
19/5  2 birds seen at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton
21/5  1 bird at the Castle in NP Monfrague
22/5  Birn on nest at Mirador de Tajadilla

15.   Monk Vulture                                   Aegypius monachus
19/5  One bird over Trujillo
20/5  2 birds over the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca
2 birds on the ground along the 'Bustard-road' near St.Martha Da Magasca
21/5 1 bird near Torrejon el Rubio
1 bird over the Castle in NP Monfrague
22/5 1 bird seen from Mirador Portilla Tietar

16.   Griffon Vulture                                 Gyps fulvus
Common bird in NP Monfrague
18/5  few birds seen near Villaseca
20/5  few birds along the 'Bustard-road' near St.Martha Da Magasca

17.   Short-toed Eagle                             Circaetus gallicus
Only two birds seen! From mirrador La Bascula

18.   Marsh Harrier                                  Circus aeruginosus

19.   Montagu's Harrier                            Circus macrouros
Common bird in the plains around St.Marta Da Magasca

20.   Common Buzzard                            Buteo buteo
Few birds seen en route

21.   Spanish Imperial Eagle                        Aquila adalberti
21/5  1 adult and 2 young in nest at nestsite near Torrejon el Rubio

22.   Booted Eagle                                   Hieraaetus pennatus
20/5  One bird seen over the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca
21/5  One bird seen over the 'Bustard-road' near St.Martha Da Magasca

23.   Lesser Kestrel                                  Falco naumanni
10+ birds in center of Trujillo

24.   Common Kestrel                              Falco tinnunculus
Common bird en route

25.   Hobby                                              Falco subbuteo
One bird seen just out side NP Monfrague

26.   Red-legged Partridge                      Alectoris rufa
21/5  2 birds seen in the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca

27.   Quail                                               Coturnix coturnix
20/5  2 birds heard at the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca

28.   Moorhen                                          Gallinula chloropus
29.   Purple Gallinule                              Porphyrrio Porphyrrio
One bird seen near Embalse De Arrocampo Almaraz

30.   Great Bustard                                  Otis tarda
20/5  1 bird seen at the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca
21/5  3 birds seen at the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca

31.   Little Bustard                                   Tetrax tetrax
20/5  2 birds seen and few heard at the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca
21/5  10+ birds seen and more heard at the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca

32.   Black-winged Stilt                           Himantopus himantopus
20/5  few birds at Embalse de Guadiloba

33.   Stone Curlew                                  Burhinus oedicnemus
18/5  2 birds seen and heard at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton

34.   Collared Pratincole                         Glareola pratincola
20/5  5+ birds at Embalse de Guadiloba

35.   Little Ringed Plover                        Charadrius dubius
20/5  2 birds at the bridge on the road from St.Marta Da Magasca to Caceres

36.   Lesser Black-backed Gull                Larus fuscus
20/5  One bird over Embalse de Guadiloba

37.   Little Tern                                        Sterna albifrons
20/5  min. 2 birds at Embalse de Guadiloba

38.   Black Tern                                       Chlidonias nigra
20/5  1 bird at Embalse de Guadiloba

39.   Pin-tailed Sandgrouse                     Pterocles alchata
21/5  4 birds flying over the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca

40.   Woodpigeon                                    Columba palumbus
41.   Collared Dove                                 Streptopelia decaocto
Few birds seen around the Monfrague Campground

42.   Turtle Dove                                      Streptopelia turtur
20/5  One bird along the 'Bustard-road' near St.Martha Da Magasca

43.   Cuckoo                                            Cuculus canorus
19/5  One bird heard at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton
20/5  One bird at our camping spot near St. Martha Da Magasca
22/5  One bird near Estacion de la Bazagona

44.   Great Spotted Cuckoo                     Clamator glandarius
20/5  2 birds at our camping spot near St. Martha Da Magasca
21/5  1 bird at the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca

45.   Little Owl                                         Athene noctua
21/5  1 bird near St. Martha da Magasca

46.   Red-necked Nightjar                        Caprimulgus ruficollis
22/5  1 bird heard at the Monfrague Campground
24/5  1 bird heard in the morning at Estacion de la Bazagona

47.   Common Swift                                 Apus apus
19/5  Common bird in Trujillo
few birds seen near the Castillo in NO Monfrague

48.   Pallid Swift                                      Apus pallidus
19/5  20+ birds in Trujillo

49.   White-rumped Swift                        Apus caffer
22/5  2 birds seen in the evening around the 'Pena Falcon', NP Monfrague and the same birds also visible from the Castle.

50.   Apline Swift                                     Apus melba
21/5  1 bird past the Castle in NP Monfrague

51.   European Bee-eater                             Merops apiaster
Seen daily in small numbers

52.   Roller                                              Coracias garrulus
21/5  1 bird seen in the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca
3 birds seen 'en route' from St.Martha Da Magasca towards Caceres

53.   Hoopoe                                            Upupa epops
Few birds seen daily at most visited sites

54.   Great Spotted Woodpecker             Dendrocopus major
21/5  1 bird on the Castle in NP Monfrague

55.   Calandra Lark                                      Melanocorypha calandra
20/5  Common on the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca
few birds at our camping spot near St. Martha Da Magasca

56.   Short-toed Lark                               Calandrella brachydactyla
19/5  5+ birds seen at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton

57.   Crested Lark                                    Galerida cristata
Common throughout

58.   Thekla Lark                                     Galerida theklae
Just one bird possitively identified on the plains near Santa Marta Da Magasca

59.   Duponts Leeuwerik                         Chersophilus duponti
18/5  One bird seen very well and two more heard in Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton
19/5  More than 3 birds only heard this time, also in Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton

60.   Woodlark                                         Lullula arborea
19/5  One bird singing in Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton

61.   Skylark                                            Alauda arvensis
18/5  few birds seen at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton

62.   Sand Martin                                     Riparia riparia
63.   Crag Martin                                     Ptyoprogne rupestris
Common around the Castle in NP Monfrague

64.   Swallow                                          Hirundo rustica
Few birds seen at various sites

65.   Red-rumped Swallow                      Hirundo daurica
Apparantly a good year for this species as we saw them every day on most sites that we visited

66.   House Martin                                   Delichon urbica
Common bird in villages and near bridges

67.   Tawny Pipit                                     Anthus campestris
19/5  5+ birds at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton

68.   Grey Wagtail                                   Motacilla cinerea
The same bird seen three times on the road between Mirador Portilla Tietar and La Bascula

69.   White Wagtail                                      Motacilla alba
21/5  2 birds at Embalse de Guadiloba

70.   Wren                                               Troglodytes troglodytes
71.   Robin                                               Erithacus rubecula
22/5  few birds heard along the 'River track' in NP Monfrague

72.   Nightingale                                     Luscinia luscinia
Fairly common bird in NP Monfrague heard along the 'River track', at Estacion de la Bazagona, near Villareal.

73.   Stonechat                                        Saxicola torquata
Few birds seen at various sites

74.   Northern Wheatear                          Oenanthe oenanthe
18/5   2 birds seen along the road near Villaseca

75.   Western Black-eared Wheatear      Oenanthe hispanica hispanica
18/5  2 birds seen at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton
19/5  5+ birds seen at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton

76.   Blue Rock-trush                               Monticola solitarius
19/5  2 birds at the Castle of Trujillo
21/5  1 bird at the Castle inn NP Monfrague

77.   Blackbird                                         Turdus merula
Few birds heard at suitable habitat

78.   Mistle Thrush                                   Turdus viscivorus
Birds seen near Estacion de la Bazagona and near Villareal De San Carlos

79.   Cetti's Warbler                                Cettia cetti
Birds heard near Estacion de la Bazagona, Mirador La Bascula, near Villareal .

80.   Fan-tailed Warbler                          Cisticola juncidis
Few birds heard on the trip mostly in grassy areas near villages or just along the road

81.   Savi's Warbler                                 Locustella luscinioides
82.   Reed warbler                                  Acrocephalus scirpaceus
83.   Great reed Warbler                         Acrocephalus arundinacus
84.   Subalpine Warbler                          Sylvia cantillans
22/5  5 birds heard and seen along the 'River track' in NP Monfrague
few birds seen on a short walking track starting from Villareal De San Carlos

85.   Sardinian Warbler                           Sylvia melanocephala
19/5  One bird near the castle in Trujillo
20/5  One bird seen at the bridge on the road from St.Marta Da Magasca to Caceres
22/5  few birds heard along the 'River track' in NP Monfrague
few birds heard near Villareal De San Carlos

86.   Orphean Warbler                                 Sylvia hortensis
22/5  One bird seen along the 'River track' in NP Monfrague

87.   Blackcap                                         Sylvia atricapilla
22/5  Few birds heard and seen along the 'River track' in NP Monfrague

88.   Blue Tit                                            Parus caeruleus
19/5  One bird near the Castle in Trujillo
22/5  few birds seen along the 'River track' and near Villareal De San Carlos in NP Monfrague

89.   Great Tit                                          Parus major
21/5  One bird at the 'Black-shouldered Kite-spot' near Torrejon el Rubio
22/5  One bird seen along the 'River track' in NP Monfrague

90.   Long-tailed Tit                                 Aegithalos caudatus
22/5  few birds seen along the 'River track' in NP Monfrague

91.   Short-toed Treecreeper                        Certhia brachydactyla
22/5  One bird heard along the 'River track' in NP Monfrague
One bird heard near Estacion de la Bazagona

92.   Golden oriole                                  Oriolus oriolus
22/5  One male seen at Estacion de la Bazagona

93.   Southern Grey Shrike                      Lanius excubitor meridionalis
20/5  1 bird at our camping spot near St. Martha Da Magasca
various single birds along the road

94.   Woodchat Shrike                                 Lanius serrator
19/5  5+ at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton
few birds seen at most sites

95.   Jay                                                  Garullus glandarius
22/5  One bird seen along the 'River track' in NP Monfrague

96.   Azur-winged Magpie                            Cyanopica cyana
Common bird throughout especially at the Monfrague Campground

97.   Red-billed Chough                          Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
18/5  20+ birds seen at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton
19/5  20+ birds seen at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton
1 bird always around the 'Castillo' in NP Monfrague

98.   Magpie                                            Pica pica
Common throughout

99.   Jackdaw                                          Corvus modedula
Few birds seen near villages

100.       Carrion Crow                               Corvus corone
Just one bird seen when we were driving from NP Monfrague to Salamanca

101.       Raven                                          Corvus corax
20/5  One bird seen at the plains east of St.Marta Da Magasca

102.       Spotless Starling                          Sturnus unicolor
Common bird seen throughout

103.       House Sparrow                            Passer domesticus
Common in and near villages

104.       Spanish Sparrow                         Passer hispaniolensis
Few birds seen at various sites

105.       Rock Sparrow                              Petronia petronia
19/5  2 birds at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton

106.       Chaffinch                                     Fringilla coelebs
Few birds seen at various sites

107.       Serin                                            Serinus serinus
Few birds seen at various sites

108.       Greenfinch                                   Carduelis chloris
19/5  1 bird seen at Parc Naturel Hoces Del Rio Duraton

109.       Goldfinch                                     Carduelis carduelis
Common bird at all visited sites

110.       Linnet                                          Carduelis cannabina
Few birds seen at various sites

111.       Hawfinch                                      Coccothraustes coccothraustes
22/5   few birds seen and heard at Estacion de la Bazagona

112.       Rock Bunting                               Emberiza cia
22/5   One bird near 'Pena Falcon' in NP Monfrague

113.       Corn Bunting                                Miliaria calandra
Very common bird, heard everywhere