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Southern Spain: the Europe Introtour April 2018

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Tropical Birding Trip Report Southern Spain: The Europe Introtour April 2018 A Tropical Birding set departure tour SOUTHERN SPAIN: The Europe Introtour 2nd – 9th April 2018 Tour Leader: Emma Juxon All photographs in this report were taken by Emma Juxon, species depicted in photographs are named in BOLD RED White-headed Duck is one of our main targets of the tour www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Tropical Birding Trip Report Southern Spain: The Europe Introtour April 2018 Introduction For European birders, there is nowhere better to take a birding trip than the Iberian Peninsula. A region that has appeared to have been largely overlooked by North American birders in the past, well not anymore. Boasting some of THE best birding on the continent, it’s certainly not to be missed. We visit the outstanding regions of Extremadura and Andalucia on this tour, making our way through breathtaking mountainous landscapes, through rolling steppes and spectacular marismas. With many participants visiting the Old World for the first time, it promises a wealth of lifers, great food, fantastic people and an easy-going introduction to the Mediterranean way of life. One of the many beauties of this tour is that we only have two bases. Starting in Madrid and making our way through the beautiful Spanish countryside, passing vineyards and castillos to get to our glorious rural hotel in wildflower-carpeted Extremadura. Here we enjoy the Belen Steppe, Caceres Plains and the exceptional Monfragüe National Park, encountering incredible birds such as Eurasian Griffon, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Great Bustard and Iberian Magpie. From here we head south to our next base in the picturesque pilgrimage town of El Rocío; I love this charming place, with it’s sandy roads, wonderful bird- filled marshes and fantastic people. We use this as our base for visiting the renowned Doñana National Park and its surrounds. This area produces some fantastic views of specialties such as Montagu’s Harrier, Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gull and White-headed Duck. We accrued a list of 159 species during our tour with highlights including Spanish Imperial Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, Great Bustard, Squacco Heron, Sardinian Warbler and of course our cover-boy and bird of the trip, White-headed Duck. If Europe is on your list, this has to be the tour to get you there. www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Tropical Birding Trip Report Southern Spain: The Europe Introtour April 2018 April 2 – Madrid We started our tour in the vivacious capital city of Madrid at a great hotel, perfectly located near the airport. With participants arriving at various times today we met for an early dinner, by Spanish standards, and enjoyed getting to know each other over a good meal and a few drinks. We hit the hay fairly soon after dinner to give those who needed it a chance to get over their jetlag and of course in anticipation of our Iberian jaunt. April 3 – Madrid to Trujillo We left the hustle and bustle of Madrid behind us and headed straight for big sky country. As eager as can be expected for our participants’ first Iberian birding experience, we were picking up our first species left, right and center from the main highway. Almost immediately we were seeing the abundant Black Kite, Eurasian Magpie, Common Wood Pigeon, Short-toed Eagle, our first Eurasian Griffon riding the thermals and White Stork nesting on almost every telegraph pole. Our first lifer for the whole group though, a stunning Red-legged Partridge. We were on our way to the picturesque town of Trujillo, from here we took a short drive deeper into the beautiful countryside where we would find our charming residence for the next few nights. We were greeted by the hotel’s wonderful hosts and dropped off our bags, keen to see what this scenic area had in store for us. Taking a drive to a couple of pools we added Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Little Grebe, Little Egret and the delicate-looking Black-winged Stilt. Another pool included a large flock of Black- headed Gull, Eurasian Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Common Sandpiper and Barn and Red-rumped Swallow flying overhead. We headed back towards the hotel and took a stroll down the lane to acquaint everyone with the local birds. Before we had www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Tropical Birding Trip Report Southern Spain: The Europe Introtour April 2018 even left the grounds of the hotel we had scored Hawfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Blackbird and the characteristic call of the Common Cuckoo. A little walk down the narrow lane and we had bagged one of our most spectacular targets, Iberian Magpie, they were everywhere! Gem-like Eurasian Blue Tit and their larger counterparts, Great Tit, were easily seen flicking through the trees. The distinctive song of the Sardinian Warbler sounded from a bush right beside us, catching sight of its contrasting bold eye, dark head and white throat before it sulked off into the thicket. Further down the lane our list was building, European Stonechat, Eurasian Linnet, Corn Bunting, striking European Serin, beautifully glossy Spotless Starling, sweet Spanish Sparrow, Southern Gray Shrike and the rightful star of the show, Eurasian Hoopoe. After what had been a fantastic afternoon introducing our participants to some iconic Old World species, we headed back to the hotel for an incredible feast of local food and wine. The food here is so local that most of the fruit and vegetables are grown in the garden of the hotel; the meals here really do add to the whole experience, especially that delicious acorn liqueur. April 4 – Balen Steppe & Monfragüe National Park Life in Spain is laid back to say the least, with breakfast being served at 8 o’clock a few of us were up for sunrise to take a stroll in the early morning mist. After breakfast we hit the road ready to explore Extremadura, first up, the Balen Steppe. We slowly drove the farm track to get to the main road, picking www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Tropical Birding Trip Report Southern Spain: The Europe Introtour April 2018 up a stonking Great Spotted Cuckoo, lots more Iberian Magpie, Southern Gray and Woodchat Shrike and some very leggy Iberian Hare. As we made our way through the open steppe we stopped to scan and stroll at vantage points, scanning for our target species. Before long we were watching Calandra Lark display, Crested and Thekla Lark sing, and Eurasian Skylark ascend to great heights. Northern Wheatear stood glowing in the morning light and Eurasian Hoopoe graced us with their presence at every turn. Despite all of the activity, we had something much larger on our minds. Pulling up to a well-known lekking site of our target, we jumped out of the car to find a male Little Bustard flying straight across the road and down out of sight as it followed the rolling steppe. What a sight, albeit brief! I scanned the grassland, then grabbed my scope in excitement, nine Great Bustard in the scope! What a result, we had found the beasts and they were spectacular! After having our fill in the Belen Steppe, we headed to Monfragüe National Park and one of my favorite picnic spots, the stunning Peña Falcón. This rockface is said to be home to some 600 pairs of Eurasian www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Tropical Birding Trip Report Southern Spain: The Europe Introtour April 2018 Griffon (next page – spot the chick) and boy were they everywhere. As you scan the rockface from across the gorge every crevice is occupied by a nest, but you don’t need to scan here, they come to you. Flying directly overhead and some at eye level this is one of THE best places to truly take in the majesty of these incredible birds. During the time it had taken us to have lunch we had Black Stork, Egyptian Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle and one of the absolute highlights of the trip, let alone day, Spanish Imperial Eagle, all added to our list! There was one more species I wanted in the bag, so as the participants continued to enjoy the spectacle in front of them I scanned every inch of the rock. Yes! Sat high on the mountainside further down the gorge, Cinereous Vulture! Luckily for us this guy wasn’t going anywhere so everyone could enjoy the scope views of it. This place isn’t just great for the big guys, we were surrounded by Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart and Common Chaffinch, soring Eurasian Crag Martin, the ever striking Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting and a songful Eurasian Wren working its way along the branches of a tree below. www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Tropical Birding Trip Report Southern Spain: The Europe Introtour April 2018 After what was an outstanding start to the afternoon we continued on our way through the national park. The landscape is spectacular as you pass through the mountains, evergreen forests and heathland. We made several stops through the national park, scoring us Short-toed Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, European Goldfinch and my personal favorite, Red Kite. A couple of impressive Red Deer were also seen at the roadside as we headed for our final lookout of the evening. Our target was Eurasian Eagle Owl which unfortunately didn’t show, but we had more great views of Spanish Imperial Eagle and added Gray Heron, Great Cormorant and a delightful Common Chiffchaff to our list.
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