This report covers my short trip to Spain to do some easy birding with my girlfriend Susanne Jacops. I aimed to see 3 new birds - Western Olivaceous Warbler, Rufous-tailed Bushchat and Dupont's Lark. We succeeded in the last species but the 2 former are not so easy in 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).
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 no 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.
Maps
Michelin 442 Espagne Centre 1/400.000
Mapa Ilustrado Parque Natural de Monfrague
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
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-thrush, 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.
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.
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-thrush, 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.
When you are coming from Villarreal De San Carlos, take the first road to the right past the railroad and drive towards the railway station 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.
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
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. Dupont's Lark 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-thrush 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
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