Spain - Extremadura in Winter

Naturetrek Tour Report 11 -17 November 2018

Griffon Vulture Great Bustard

Common Crane Blue Rockthrush

Report compiled by Simon Tonkin Images courtesy of David Hastings

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Spain - Extremadura in Winter

Tour participants: Simon Tonkin (leader) and Martin Pitt (co-leader) with a group of 13 Naturetrek clients

Summary

Extremadura is one of the gems in Spain´s birding crown, and this early winter visit certainly showed the group its majesty! Together we experienced skies full of lark song, with five different species competing for the airwaves, as masses of both Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse circled overhead. The plains were filled with huge Great Bustards and we had several encounters with Little Bustards. The rock monoliths of Monfragüe provided superb views of Griffon and Cinereous Vultures whilst Crag Martins and Blue Rock Thrushes vied for attention. The group also had outstanding views of raptor stars such as Spanish Imperial, Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles while the more diminutive but no less stunning Black-winged Kite gave a fitting end to this wonderful trip.

Day 1 Sunday 11th November

Upon arrival Simon and Martin met the group and we readied ourselves for the journey ahead. We loaded up the minibuses and off we went, stopping briefly halfway into our journey to grab a coffee and observe the first Black Redstarts and Red Kites of our trip – birds which we soon realised would be constant companions throughout the days.

Upon arrival at Viña las Torres, our lovely host Belén was on hand to meet us and settle the group into their rooms whilst the `Bag Fairies´ took care of the luggage. After time to relax and unpack we met up for welcome drinks and nibbles before being served the first of Belén´s delicious home-cooked three-course meals.

Day 2 Monday 12th November

Unfortunately, today the weather wasn’t the best, and rain greeted our first full day in Extremadura. We made our first stop at a small pool where we found Common Snipe and Little Ringed Plover. After this we headed out to Alcollarín Reservoir, and as the weather broke, we were in place on the dam to observe and scan through rafts of Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Great-crested Grebes and Little Grebes. Among them were Black- necked Grebes which enabled us to go through the salient ID points.

We could hear groups of Serin and Thekla Larks, and Crag Martins were hawking insects around the dam, joined by three, rather unseasonal, Red-rumped Swallows!

Moving on we found more Great Egrets, some alongside Little Egrets which provided amusement in the sheer absurdity of the size difference! We found a Dartford Warbler which allowed us a fleeting view. At the far end of the reservoir we took our lunch and viewed the area, finding more Little Ringed Plovers and a small group of Eurasian Hoopoes.

After lunch we took a small walk, discovering the birds of the area and enjoying the clearing weather. We weren’t the only ones, as a gorgeous adult Bonelli’s Eagle drifted right over us! It enabled us to get some great pictures and views.

Spain - Extremadura in Winter Tour Report

We enjoyed scanning the reservoir from different sides and we were able to add more species to our increasing wildfowl list before heading back to Viña de las Torres and a splendid evening meal.

Day 3 Tuesday 13th November

A glorious day awaited us as we met up in the morning, and we headed out to the Plains of Santa Marta de Magasca. Here we encountered a big bank of fog, so we waited patiently for it to dissipate. It soon did, and as it cleared, the song and call of Thekla Larks filled the air and we had great views of Spanish Sparrows. We could hear Iberian Grey Shrikes calling, which we soon located. As the mist lifted further, we found Common Cranes on the plain and a single Little Bustard which freaked out, having now seen us through the mist, and promptly flew off!

As the fog cleared sufficiently, we moved out further onto the plain as Calandra Larks’ buzzing songs filled our ears. With a little scanning we found a single male Great Bustard. We could hear Pin-tailed Sandgrouse calling and, after a little sky-scanning, we realised the air was filled with groups of them, and then we heard and saw Black-bellied Sandgrouse too! An amazing Sandgrouse spectacle! After locating some Pin-tailed Sandgrouse on the plain, we also found eight Little Bustards.

We encountered Cinereous and Griffon Vulture and compared and contrasted flight shape and size, with Europe´s biggest raptor, the Cinereous, bossing the skies. A distant raptor was picked up and it didn’t take long to see we had encountered a Golden Eagle which gave us tremendous views. Scanning still further we found a large group of over 20 Great Bustards.

It was time to leave the plains for now and head into Santa Marta de Magasca for refreshments and to digest our superb views of these special plains’ inhabitants.

We cruised down the valley and took our picnic alongside the Rio Tamuja where we encountered Woodlarks, Cirl Buntings and two more Bonelli’s Eagles!

After lunch we were again out on the plains and observed the numerous Little Owls that were perched on rocks and walls, as well as another group of Great Bustards. A Cinereous Vulture came into land behind a nearby ridge, flipping its tail to lose speed, and betraying the fact that it must be coming into feed. We rapidly moved up the road and found the feeding group of mostly Griffon Vultures and the single Cinereous Vulture which were tucking into a dead sheep.

A fitting end to a fabulous day. We headed back to our base and were soon tucking into our own evening meal!

Day 4 Wednesday 14th November

Today we headed for Monfragüe National Park and, upon arrival, we were blown away by the volumes of Griffon and Cinereous Vultures overhead - a true delight! We observed their parallel flying as Peregrine Falcons cruised among them. A Rock Bunting called and gave us brief views. A male Blue Rock Thrush sat in the sun seemingly observing us but also giving fabulous close up views.

2 © Naturetrek March 19

Spain - Extremadura in Winter Tour Report

After a lovely morning´s birding we stopped in the village of Villareal, where we took a refreshment break and then headed for our picnic lunch amongst Red Deer. A European Otter was briefly observed in the waters of the nearby reservoir.

We headed to the Portilla del Tietar area, where we waited patiently watching the comings and goings of the Griffon and Cinereous Vultures. After a while, royalty arrived, and we had the most amazing views of Spanish Imperial Eagle!... Stunning!

Taking another warming refreshment stop, we celebrated our Imperial viewing and picked up Great Egret, Common Crane and Cirl Bunting.

Day 5 Thursday 15th November

Today we took in a little section of plain at Campo Lugar and delighted at the buzzing sound of Calandra Larks all around us. Four Black-bellied Sandgrouse whizzed by. We headed down lower to the rice fields at Fernando V and partook in masses of Common Cranes and intermingling White Storks as tiny Common Waxbills and Red Avadavats whizzed by us. The sheer volume of Common Cranes was spellbinding as we took a 360-degree view of Crane-filled optics!

Eventually it was time to move on to Moheda Alta and here, yet again, we found more groups of Common Cranes as we took our picnic lunch of various local cheeses, serrano ham and freshly prepared salads with freshly baked bread among the Autumn Buttercups.

Among the rice fields of Madrigalejo we were in position at the perfect time to see the amassing of huge groups of Common Cranes, literally thousands, before they noisily headed over us en route to their night-time roosts. Here we were also fortunate enough to find Brambling among the remnant sunflowers, as well as a small group of Little Bustard crossing overhead.

Day 6 Friday 16th November

Today we drove the short distance through Belen Village and out onto the plain there. We soon found the first of our targets: a single Stone-curlew, followed by a small group of them, obtaining good scope views. We moved out further into the wilderness and found a group of Rock Sparrows. We enjoyed scope views of this stripy- headed taxonomic anomaly, being the only member of its own genus (Petronia)!

We headed for a high point on the plains and after scanning we came across a large group of Black-bellied Sandgrouse again obtaining really good views.

However, the best was yet to come! As we headed off the plain and on the outskirts of Torrecillas village, we stopped abruptly and carefully disembarked as we found a young Spanish Imperial Eagle just metres from us! Being careful not to disturb this beautiful bird we respectfully viewed and photographed it until finally it decided it had had enough admiration for the day and took its own decision to head off away from us.

Spain - Extremadura in Winter Tour Report

We took our picnic lunch among the trees in the park there and then headed back for a siesta before venturing out into Trujillo.

In Trujillo we wandered the streets and discussed the history and affairs of this conquistador town. We ascended the castillo to view out over the town and witness a natural marvel of thousands of Spotless Starlings coming to roost on the buildings below, as well as amassing numbers of roosting Crag Martins.

Walking back to the minibus we visited Simon´s friend the maestro de quesos! He kindly offered us various cheese teasers as some of us ensured they had cheese supplies for the coming cold days in the UK!

Day 7 Saturday 17th November

Today we headed out for the last time, bidding farewell to Viña las Torres. We broke up our airport journey with a visit to Arrocampo reservoir. Here we added the last few species to our lists, with great views of Western Swamphen, as well as calling Penduline Tits and Common Waxbills going overhead.

However, the star of the show here had to be the Black-winged Kite that provided us with both roadside views and scope views on the reserve area – a fitting end to our Extremaduran adventure! We drove the remaining distance to Madrid airport in good time and Simon bid the group hasta luego!

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Spain - Extremadura in Winter Tour Report

Species Lists

Birds (✓=recorded but not counted)

November Common name Scientific name 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1 Greylag Goose Anser anser 8 2 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus 110 3 Gadwall Mareca strepera c.20 4 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos ✓ ✓ 2 ✓ ✓ 5 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata ✓ 1 6 Northern Pintail Anas acuta 8 7 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca 10+ 3 8 Common Pochard Aythya ferina 15 9 Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 1 10 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 4 11 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 2 1 3 12 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis ✓ 4 ✓ 13 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus ✓ 14 Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis c10 15 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 1 16 White Stork Ciconia ciconia 6 50+ ✓ 17 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 2 18 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis ✓ ✓ ✓ 19 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 20 Great Egret Ardea alba 5+ 2 3 21 Little Egret Egretta garzetta ✓ 3 10+ 22 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo ✓ 4 ✓ 5+ 4 ✓ 23 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1 24 Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 1 50+ 100+ 20+ 107 10 25 Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus 5+ 10 3 10 3 26 Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti 1 1 27 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 1 28 Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata 1 2 29 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 3 2 1 2 1 30 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 3+ ✓ 3 4 31 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 1 32 Red Kite Milvus milvus ✓ 5+ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 33 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 3 1 4 2 10+ 5 ✓ 34 Great Bustard Otis tarda 25+ 27 35 Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax 8 17 36 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 1 37 Western Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio 2 38 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 10+ 1 6 3 39 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ✓ 1 40 Common Crane Grus grus 10+ 30 50+ 30+ c.5,000 20+ 10+ 41 Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 11 42 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 1 1 43 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 44 European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 10+ ✓ ✓ ✓ 45 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 15+ 46 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 3 1 2 2 47 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 3 2 2 4 1

Spain - Extremadura in Winter Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 48 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 2 1 49 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 50 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis ✓ 51 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 2+ ✓ c.10 ✓ 52 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata c.150 53 Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis 8 4 23 54 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columba livia ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 55 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus ✓ 3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 56 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 57 Little Owl Athene noctua 1 6 1 1 58 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 1 2 59 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 5 5+ 4 10+ 10+ 3 60 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 1 1 61 Iberian Green Woodpecker Picus sharpei 1 62 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 3 2 2 3 2 2 4 63 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 3 64 Iberian Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis 1 4 20+ 5+ 10+ 4+ 3 65 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 1 2 1 66 Iberian Magpie Cyanopica cooki ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 67 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 68 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula ✓ ✓ ✓ 3 ✓ ✓ ✓ 69 Northern Raven Corvus corax 2 4 10+ 3 9 7 4 70 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 6+ 4 3+ ✓ 3 ✓ 71 Great Tit Parus major 2 1 2+ ✓ 2 ✓ 72 Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus 2 73 Woodlark Lullula arborea 2 74 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 1 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 75 Thekla Lark Galerida theklae 7+ ✓ 76 Crested Lark Galerida cristata ✓ 1 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 77 Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra 200+ ✓ ✓ 78 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 3 79 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris 10+ 4 50+ ✓ ✓ 80 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum 1 81 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 3 82 Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti 4+ ✓ 4 83 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 85 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 10+ 3 86 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 87 Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata 1 88 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 89 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla 2+ 5+ 90 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1 1 91 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea 1 1 92 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla 1 2 1 1 2 93 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 10+ 94 Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 95 Common Blackbird Turdus merula ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 96 Redwing Turdus iliacus ✓ 1 97 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1 2 10+ ✓ ✓ 2 98 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 1 1 1 1 1

Spain - Extremadura in Winter Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 99 European Robin Erithacus rubecula ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 100 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 101 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 1 102 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 103 House Sparrow Passer domesticus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 104 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 105 Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 4+ 106 Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia 10+ 107 Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild ✓ 10+ 108 Red Avadavat Amandava amandava ✓ 1 109 Dunnock Prunella modularis 1 110 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 2 1 2 1 111 White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 112 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 113 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 114 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 4 1 115 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 1 2 116 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris 3+ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 ✓ 117 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina 10+ ✓ ✓ ✓ 8 ✓ 118 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 119 European Serin Serinus serinus 50+ ✓ 3 ✓ ✓ ✓ 120 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 121 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia 1 122 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus 1 1 123 Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer 1

Mammals

1 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes ✓ 2 European Rabbit Orytolagus cuniculus ✓ ✓ ✓ 3 Red Deer Cervus elaphus ✓ 4 European Otter Lutra lutra ✓

Reptiles & Amphibians

1 Iberian Pond Tortoise Mauremys leprosa ✓ 2 Moorish Gecko Tarentola mauritanica ✓ ✓ 3 Iberian Pond Frog Rana iberica ✓ ✓ 4 Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita ✓ 5 Marbled Newt Triturus marmoratus ✓

Butterflies & Moths

1 Small White Pieris rapae ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 Large White Pieris brassicae ✓ ✓ ✓ 3 Clouded Yellow Colias crocea ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 4 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 5 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus ✓ ✓ 6 Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra ✓ ✓ 7 Brown Argus Aricia agestis ✓ 8 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas ✓ ✓ 9 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria ✓ ✓ ✓ 10 Lang’s Short-tailed Blue Leptotes pirithous ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Spain - Extremadura in Winter Tour Report

November Common name Scientific name 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum ✓ ✓ ✓ 12 Feathered Thorn Colotois pennaria ✓ 13 The Streak Chesias legatella ✓ ✓ ✓ 14 a moth Eriogaster rimicola ✓ ✓

Dragonflies

1 Southern Migrant Hawker Aeshna affinis ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta ✓ ✓ 3 Broad Scarlet Crocothemis erythraea ✓ 4 Black Percher Diplacodes lefebvrii ✓ 5 Epaulet Skimmer Orthetrum chrysostigma ✓ 6 Robust Spreadwing Lestes dryas ✓ 7 Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 8 Western Willow Spreadwing Chalcolestes viridis ✓

Other Inverts

1 Stick Mantis spp ✓

Notable Plants

1 Autumn Snowflake Acis autumnalis ✓ ✓ 2 Autumn Crocus Colchicum autumnale ✓ 3 Paper-white Narcissus Narcissus papyraceus ✓ 4 Autumn Squill Prospero autumnale ✓ ✓ 5 Autumn Buttercup Ranunculus aestivalis ✓ ✓ ✓ 6 Autumn-flowering Narcissus Narcissus serotinus ✓

Spanish Imperial Eagle