Limosa Holidays

Suffield House, Northrepps, Norfolk  NR27 0LZ

01263 578143

Leaders: Stephen Daly and David Cottridge 

Day 1 Saturday 15th November 2008

Stephen had travelled up from his home in Andalucia by train, to meet David and the group arrive at Madrid’s Barajas airport. With no major hitches we collected the two rental mini-buses and headed off on the motorway for the drive to Trujillo. We stopped off en route at a lovely restaurant and ordered drinks and some delicious ‘tapas’  before continuing our drive into Extremadura.

En route numerous birds were seen and these included Red Kites, Common Kestrels, Common Buzzards, Red-legged Partridges, Great Cormorants, Mallards, European White Storks, Grey Herons, one Little Egret, Western Cattle Egrets, Northern Lapwings, Rock Doves, Wood pigeons, Collared Doves, Common Hoopoe, Azure-winged and Common Magpies, Common Ravens, Great Tits, Crested Larks, European and Spotless Starlings, Eurasian Blackbirds, Redwing, Song Thrushes, European Robins, European Stonechats, House Sparrows, Chaffinches and Common Cranes.

We arrived safely at the finca just as the sun was setting and later took welcoming aperitifs and dinner in the old olive-mill restaurant.

Day 2 Sunday 16th November 2008

We took an 8am pre-breakfast walk around the gardens of the Finca. Dawn had just come as we set off through the stunning acres of vines, almond and cherry lined groves to the rear of the buildings. It was an absolutely perfect late autumn morning with the most unbelievable sunrise with a clear rose-pink sky changing quickly in colour, to a rich blue and all the time the ascending sunlight kissing pine and Holm oaks on the higher hillside.

Hawfinches bounded past as we walked up the gentle hill as Woodlarks sang and Fieldfares crossed the cloudless morning sky.

There seemed to be lots of birds about; Azure-winged Magpies, Crag Martins, Eurasian Blackbirds, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, House Sparrows, European Robins, Black Redstarts, a single Northern Wren, Western Cattle Egrets leaving their roosts in the distance, a pair of Greenfinches calling as they flew – everything seemed to be coming alive and we had the special pleasure to witness such a special southern European dawn chorus.

As we walked on we found Sardinian Warblers in the scrub and Short-toed Treecreepers flitting around the taller, more mature oaks. Linnets also made their presence known with soft in-flight twittering and in the distance the harsh call of the Raven rang out across the countryside.

After breakfast we drove out west to the Santa Magasca plains quickly picking up and identifying the subtle differences between Crested and Thekla Larks – not always an easy task for most! En route we saw Hoopoe, Blue Rock Thrush, Common Buzzards and a group of twenty-eight Red-legged Partridge

By mid-morning the sun had warmed up the Extremaduran countryside to a pleasant 17oC.

A group of Little Bustards, a lovely steppe species, were spotted by Gwyneth and the birds flew in to the open landscape flushing some Black-bellied Sandgrouse as they rose, that had hidden themselves close by amongst the taller grasses and thistles. After the Sandgrouse had risen, they then re-settled at the same spot, but their nervous quick flight attracted another small group from close by and they also joined the group as the Little Bustards walked over a small rise.

Calandra Larks were looked at both in flight and on the ground and Southern Grey Shrikes stood up on bushes and posts. Common Linnets, Black Redstarts more Greenfinches and some Goldfinches were also viewed, mostly in flight.

Continuing along dry-stone walled country roads Little Owl was seen as were Green Sandpipers and Short-toed Larks.

Golden Eagle was another exciting sight in the clear blue afternoon sky. A juvenile bird appeared and gave us brief but fairly good views as it continued it’s hunting over the steppe.

We took some time to bird-watch and take lunch by the Rio Magascar. Here we saw House Martin, Common Kingfisher speeding downstream and watched European Terrapins stretch out on rocks on the riverside, sunning themselves.

A Northern Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush were two more birds seen en route and Goldfinches and Serins fed along the verges as White Wagtails were seen on the roadway.

Some butterflies were seen along the way and these included Large Whites, Painted Lady’s and a Speckled Wood.

Back at the finca that evening we had a splendid meal after writing up our daily log.

Retiring for the night after dinner we all agreed that we’d had a great day’s birding complimented by superb November weather in one of the richest and most unique birding areas in Europe.

Day 3 Monday 17th November 2008

This morning’s pre–breakfast walk was particularly special for Helen to see Spanish Sparrow at close hand. Sardinian Warblers were seen and heard constantly ‘scolding’, Hawfinches feeding on cherry stones and Great Tits calling loudly all made up another bright mornings walk before breakfast. Redwings flew over our heads and we had really special views of one bird and Fieldfares sang around us. Blackcaps, Stonechats, Sardinian Warblers, Short-toed Treecreepers and European Robins sang as we walked through the lower lanes of the grounds and a Hoopoe flitted through an olive grove. One or two Chiffchaffs were also seen and Linnets, Goldfinches, Chaffinches and some Greenfinches flew in large and small flocks across the morning sky.

Our resident Northern Wren was still singing when we arrived back from our walk and Blue Tits and Great Tits were also present. A Dunnock was also heard then seen around the grounds. The Azure-winged Magpies ‘chattered and wheezed’ around the pomegranate trees, flying off quickly as we approached.

With breakfasts and our picnic lunches completed, we set off on the road to Monfrague National Park. Common Buzzards and Red Kites either sat around on posts or were seen flying over the wide ‘Dehesa’. A couple of Common Cranes families were seen en route as was a single Little Grebe and another Blue Rock Thrush and a single Dartford Warbler.

We later tried unsuccessfully for Spanish Imperial Eagle and continued on through Torrejon del Rubio to the Monfrague National Park. It was another beautiful clear morning without a cloud in the sky as we climbed the staircase to the Castillo, overlooking Peña Falcon. Here, Crag Martins were in abundance and over one hundred Griffon Vultures wheeled in the sky or sat around in groups across at their colony on Peña Falcon. An Eurasian Jay was seen flitting through the oaks and three Black Storks were also seen by Shirley flying overhead. There were a few Black Vultures around, flying just on the outside spirals of the more common and very abundant Griffon Vultures.

A pair of adult Bonelli’s Eagles circled and displayed, then drifted off over the ridges and valleys only to re-appear several times, as we took lunch.

John found a female Ring Ousel when watching a Hawfinch taking a drink from a rock pool. Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstarts, Long-tailed Tits, one Common Redstart, Short-toed Treecreepers and a Northern Wheatear were other birds seen and we had one sighting of a Red-billed Chough which called loudly across the valley of Peña Falcon. We had brief views of a single Rock Bunting that was seen by a few people in the Group. Most were fascinated by the constantly changing scene directly in front of us, at the magnificent Griffon Vulture colony.

There were a few butterflies around and these included Speckled Woods a single Wall Brown and Red Admirals.

After lunch at Peña Falcon we drove up into the valley of the River Tietar, past the main dam and to the narrow part of the reservoir. We stopped opposite another Griffon Vulture colony and watched and listened as the Griffons sat around on granite ledges squabbling, mating and leaving and returning. One Black Vulture also came and landed in the group, then flew off again. Blue Rock Thrushes were also present here and below in the water we watched an Otter fishing. Another mammal we saw was a Field Vole on the grassy bank below the observation point.

Great Crested Grebes, Kingfishers and Greater Cormorants were also seen as well as several parties of Long-tailed Tits that flew past the group at one of the observation points.

On our return journey we came across a lone adult Common Gull close to the Tietar dam. A very unusual sight to see in Central Spain!

Day 4 Tuesday 18th November 2008

We started the day with a pre-breakfast feast of Little Bustards. Wait, I should explain! Belen Plain is renowned for good numbers of this, an often elusive species and November is a great time to find larger flocks. Our run out to the open steppe didn’t disappoint and we found over two hundred in one single flock. What a wonderful sight to behold on such a clear autumn morning. Close to the bustard flock were around twelve Black-bellied Sandgrouse feeding. One Black Vulture was also watched flying westwards towards the nearby town of Trujillo.

Back at the finca and with breakfast under our belts, we headed off once more in search of birds. Travelling south to the Zorita area we stopped on more open steppe to watch masses of Calandra Larks, where some of them were displaying.

Red Kites came and went and we watched a pair of Great Bustards walk off in the far distance. Northern Lapwings, danced in the sky, Meadow Pipits and a flock of around fifty Short-toed Larks flew right past us and a flight of six Greylag Geese also flew past overhead. The tiny Zitting Cisticolas were plentiful in the road verges and we had good opportunities to watch and photograph them. Eurasian Jackdaws never seemed to be far away from other birds and could be heard, like the Ravens, calling in the distance.

Moving further through the Madrigalejo area we took coffee, then watched European White Storks, Common Cranes and two spectacular Black-shouldered Kites hunt, perch and mate along the banks of the local rice fields.

All around us came the wonderful sound of Common Cranes calling in the lower fields, where they were feeding. Suddenly a massive flock of over six hundred and fifty cranes rose into the air, passing close by and landed in nearby rice-fields where around one hundred Greylag geese were also feeding. A short time later something caused more Cranes to rise and again and hundreds of birds were watched flying across the flat landscape landing beside the first large group. An extraordinary and most memorable sight to witness as we took our picnic lunches in the warm sunlight.

On a small pond a single Common Moorhen was seen as passed small flocks of Spanish Sparrows at the roadside. An impressive hunting display by four Hen Harriers came next as many juvenile and sub-adult Western Marsh Harriers also quartered the area. Two small flocks of Common Waxbills, Corn Buntings and a Common kingfisher rose from a small ditch and Common Hoopoes and Southern Grey shrikes quietly watched from a distance. There were around fifty Greylag Geese visible in the distance with more European White Storks a few Grey Herons some Cattle and Little Egrets. A surprise bird found by Gwyneth was a Yellow Wagtail sub species flava.

After out lunch at the rice-fields we drove to the huge expanse of water by the dam of the Sierra Brava. This essentially provides the water for the paddy-fields, and other agricultural areas.

Scanning the  distant shore and a small island, we found numerous duck species feeding or resting that included Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeons, Mallards, Northern Shovellers, Red Crested Pochards, Common Pochards, Tufted Ducks and a pair of Shellducks. Great Crested Grebes dived and fed all the time and hundreds of Common Coots added to the thousands of birds on the water. Gulls on the Sierra Brava reservoir included Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Day 5 Wednesday 19th November 2008

This morning’s pre-breakfast drive was to the Santa Marta de Magasca plains in search of our elusive Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. A brisk walk to the top of a rise gave us a good vantage point to watch, wait and listen as the sun came over the hills. It was another glorious sunny morning with cloudless skies and slightly warmer than previous mornings. The flocks of displaying Calandra Larks also appreciated the good weather as they flew around us singing all the time.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse were seen almost straight away as were Little and Great Bustards across the plain, but no sign of the ‘elusive ones’!  A Common Sandpiper was the only new bird seen and also heard.

Well, not without trying we all agreed, and set off back to the finca for breakfast.

Feeling better after food we took the road north towards Monfrague looking for Spanish Imperial Eagle. Our first encounter with this very special bird came when we were checking out a site where a large mixed flock of Griffon and Black Vultures were circling. As if from nowhere, an adult Spanish Imperial Eagle came over quite high, wings pulled back and travelling across the clear blue sky at considerable speed. Sadly this was only a brief view for most.

We stopped off at various locations to check through hundreds of flying Griffon Vultures whose flocks always seemed to have a few of the rarer Black Vultures on the outside of the thermal. Looking around each meadow-woodland or “dehesa’ area we found other species such as Common Buzzards and many Red Kites circling in the warming air. Hoopoes and Southern Grey Shrikes were present and we watched a family of three Common Cranes fly into a clearing in the dehesa. Another flock of twelve birds passed over us at higher altitude.

We continued on to another location and again after checking out more vultures we saw a Eurasian Sparrowhawk hunting along a nearby ridge. A short time later, two Spanish Imperial Eagles come into view. What a fantastic sight as the two adult birds turned across the sky coming fairly close to where we had set up our scopes. They wheeled and shot passed one another, gliding and circling with the backdrop of a half moon peering out in the vivid blue Spanish sky. What an experience on such a perfect birding day.

Taking our time at another ‘dehesa’ location we strolled along a small lane where we came across Meadow Pipits, Woodlarks, Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Firecrest, Grey, White and Pied Wagtails, Blue and Great Tits and Crested Larks.

We lunched at the bridges on the river Tietar and watched three Northern House Martins above the river. Another Grey Wagtail was seen there too with Robins and Stonechats.

Driving down the old N5 road we came to Almaraz and the warm waters around the town. Cetti’s Warbler was not only heard but seen as well! Chiffchaffs were very numerous and a Black-necked Grebe swam on one of the lagoons. Purple Swamphen showed beautifully and Kingfishers ‘buzzed’ past at speed or sat preening on the reeds in the sunlight. Hen and Western Marsh Harriers, Red Kites and yet more vultures were present with Grey Herons, Great Cormorants, Little Egrets a single juvenile Black-necked Grebe and a few Little Grebes.

Happy and excited with the days birding we drove back to the finca for coffees before writing our daily list of birds seen and taking dinner.

Day 5 Thursday 20th November 2008

We started off the day with a quick look around the finca before breakfast and took time to look through the long list of wonderful birds that are around this part of Extremadura in November. The sun rose on a clear sky and the temperature was quite mild with no ground frost.

Leaving after breakfast we drove through picturesque Modereña and ascended onto a high plateau on the way to the village of Cabañas de Castillo. En route Woodlarks, Azure-winged and Common Magpies, Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Blue and Great tits and Chaffinches flitted across the road or in the mile after mile of  ‘dehesa’. At another clearing we found a Mistle Thrush.

We stopped at a small farm pond to watch six Little Grebes and a Common Kingfisher diving and catching small A short time later pulled over at a bridge over the Rio Almonte to find a Green Sandpiper fly off as well as more Kingfishers and Grey Wagtails. On checking a party of Griffon Vultures, a juvenile Golden Eagle appeared and began circling with the group. Another adult Golden Eagle overshot and flew on past, then another adult bird joined and began displaying. This was such a wonderful sight to watch. The birds stayed for about ten minutes before drifting off out of sight.

A Weasel was also seen running at top-speed across the road.

A little further on a White-throated Dipper was seen on the Rio Bertocana by John and Rupert and more Grey Wagtails were also seen. Blue Rock Thrushes were seen at the top of a massive granite canyon and two more Golden Eagles glided gracefully back and forward from one side of the valley to another. These impressive birds were different from the ones previously seen and loitered in the area for around fifteen minutes.

Climbing higher to Cabañas we watched a Hoopoe pose nicely for us on a dead tree at the side of the road and when we reached the outskirts of the village three Black Wheatears were seen, with one bird watching his territory from on top of a telegraph pole. Crag Martins flew around the dramatic rock-face above the houses feeding on flying insects in the warm mountain air. The weather couldn’t have been better and the clean, clear air gave us the most spectacular of views looking towards Portugal. We walked to the other side of the village to see yet another spectacular vista with a stunning mountain valley. We took lunch beside the grassy crags and as we ate admired the sights of this very special place.

After lunch we had a slow walk back to the vehicles that had been parked near the entrance to the village. Again we watched more Black Wheatears on the edge of the village, this time flying around or perched on large boulders.

It seemed a perfect day to end a perfect week as we drove back towards Trujillo and the Finca Santa Marta.

After completing the log we took a lovely meal in the old olive mill restaurant where we talked about another day in the field and all the sights we had seen.

Day 6 Friday 21st November 2008

After breakfast we said our goodbyes to the finca staff and took the motorway back to Madrid and to Barajas airport.

During our journey back we saw numerous Red Kites wheeling over the motorway and lots of Griffon Vultures in various locations and two Black Vultures were also seen and a party of White Storks were also seen feeding on some rough farmland.

The weather during the tour certainly was outstanding, with clear blue skies on all but one day. We had clean, clear skies and at times could see for over one hundred miles! The bird species we saw were excellent, with superb numbers and some stunning views.

It was an absolute pleasure leading this tour and everyone got on well together. A big thank to you all for being such an appreciative and happy group and of course sharing the Extremaduran experience with David and I.

Stephen Daly and David Cottridge, November 2008

Systematic list of species

(Total no. Species  109)

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Occasionally encountered in small parties as we drove around, but 28 seen on the Magasca Plain on the 16th and 20 in the Monfragűe National Park on the 17th perhaps revealed a commoner status.

Greylag Goose  Anser anser

Only recorded on the 18th with six overhead on Zorita Plain and about 100 at the Embalse de Sierra Brava.

Gadwall  Anas strepera

Good numbers on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th.

Eurasian Wigeon  Anas Penelope

Good numbers on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th.

Mallard Anas  platyrhynchos

Encountered in small numbers most days but the very large numbers on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th was a spectacular exception.

Northern Shoveler  Anas clypeata

20 on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th was the only record.

Red-crested Pochard

Six birds that included a nice adult male on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th.

Common Pochard  Aythya farina

Good numbers on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th.

Tufted Duck  Aythya fuligula

Ten on Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th.

Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis

One near Torrejon el Rubio 17th, two at Arroyo Campo on the 19th and six in a pool along the road to Aldeacentenera on the 20th.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Eight above the Rio Tajo Dam on the 17th and good numbers on the Sierra Brava on the 18th.

Black-necked Grebe  Podiceps nigricollis

One juvenile bird at Arroyo Campo on the 19th.

Black Stork  Ciconia nigra

Three in flight at Peņafalcon on the 17th during our visit to the Monfragüe National Park.

European White Stork Ciconia ciconia

Four as we travelled to Truijillo on the 15th, 30 at Madrigalejo area on the 18th and one at Arroyo Campo on the 19th.

Western Cattle Egret Bulbulcus ibis

Common, recorded everyday of the tour, and although generally fairly numerous on a couple of days only a few birds recorded.

Grey Heron Ardeola cinerea

Recorded in ones and twos on most days at suitable wetland habitat.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

One as we travelled to Truijillo on the 15th, two in the Madrigalejo area on the 18th, on the 19th one at the three bridges and one at Arroyo Campo and one on the 20th.

Great Cormorant  Phalacrocorax carbo

Two at our coffee stop on the 15th as we travelled to Truijillo and during the rest of the week a total of 60 birds recorded.

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Recorded daily in numbers up to ten, except for the 18th when we visited the Zorita Plain and the Madrigalejo area when it proved to be quite common.

Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus

A pair entertained us in the Madrigalejo area on the 18th, with a flying display and a brief spell of mating on top of a telegraph pole.  It was a delight to see these beautiful birds so well.

Red Kite  Milvus Milvus

Fairly common, recorded everyday of the tour, often seen as we travelled around the area.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus

Recorded in good numbers daily and as expected proved to be the commonest raptor.  The focal point of our observation of this species was of course Peņafalcon in the Monfragüe National Park, of which we enjoyed spectacular views both from the lofty Castillo and from the roadside down below.

Eurasian Black Vulture  Aegyptus monachus

About 40 birds recorded during the week at various locations often in association with griffons when a good comparison could be made between the two species.

Western Marsh Harrier  Circus aeruginosus

A total of 12 in the Madrigalejo area on the 18th and six at Arroyo Campo on the 19th.

Hen Harrier  Circus cyaneus

A total of four in the Madrigalejo area, that included an adult male, and another adult male sitting in a field on the Magasca Plain during the early morning of the 19th.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk  Accipiter nisus

One at the Rio Almonte near Aldeacentenera on the 20th.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo

Common, encountered regularly as we travelled around, often sitting on telegraph poles.

Golden Eagle  Aquilla chryseatos

An immature on the Magasca Plain on the 16th and five near to Aldeacentenera on the 20th that included a couple of adult birds.

Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti

One seen briefly at Peņafalcon on the 17th, as was another at the Rio Almonte on the road to Torrejon el Rubio on the 19th.  A short while after our sighting on the 19th we were rewarded with spectacular views of a pair that gave a wonderful flying display above our heads.  Everything comes to he (or she) who waits.

Bonelli’s Eagle  Aquila fasciata

A pair seen well flying above Peņafalcon on the 17th and one on the road to Jaraceijo on the 19th.

Great Bustard  Otis tarda

Twelve on the Magasca Plain on the 16th, on the 18th two on the Zorita Plain and ten near to Madrigalejo, and on the 19th four on the Magasca Plain.

Little Bustard  Tetrax tetrax

A total of 38 on the Magasca Plain on the 16th, over 200 birds feeding in a flock on the Belen Plain on the 18th, and a single bird on the Magasca Plain on the 19th.

Purple Swamphen  Porphyrio porphyrio

A single bird seen sitting majestically on top of some reeds in the sunshine at Arroyo Campo on the 19th.

Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus

One on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th and one at Arroyo Campo on the following day.

Common Coot  Fulica atra

Numerous on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th and about 15 at Arroyo Campo on the 19th.

Common Crane  Grus grus

Seen surprisingly in small flocks with the exception being during our visit to the Madrigalejo area on the 18th when we experience the wonderful sight and sound of over a 1,000 birds flying nearby.

Northern Lapwing   Vanellus vanellus

Very common on the plains and agricultural fields throughout the week.

Green Sandpiper  Tringa ochropus

One at a pool on the Magasca Plain on the 16th and two on the Rio Magasca near to the town of Santa Marta de Magasca later the same day, and one on the Rio Almonte on the 20th.

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos

One seen in flight on the Magasca Plain on the 19th.

Lesser Black-backed Gull  Larus fuscus

Ten on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th.

Common Gull  Larus canus

One at the Tietar Dam on the 17th during our visit to the Monfragűe National Park.

Black-headed Gull  Larus ridibundus

A total of 30 birds on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 18th.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse  Pterocles orientalis

Twelve on the Magasca Plain on the 16th, 12 plus others heard calling on the Belen plain on the 18th and one heard calling at the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 19th.

Rock/Feral Pigeon  Columba livia

Recorded everyday of the tour in its feral form.

Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus

Very common as we travelled to Truijillo from Madrid on the 15th and subsequently only small numbers were recorded daily in Extremadura.

Eurasian Collared Dove  Streptopelia decaocto

Recorded in small numbers most days except in the Madrigalejo area on the 18th where it proved to be common.

Little Owl  Athene noctua

Two on the Magasca Plain on the 16th.

Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis

A total of 13 birds recorded

Common Hoopoe Upupa epops

Over 30 birds recorded during the week with ten birds or more recorded in the Madrigalejo area on the 18th and throughout the day of the 19th when we travelled to Jaraceijo and onto Arroyo Campo.

Great Spotted Woodpecker  Dendrocopos major

One in the Monfragűe National Park on the 17th, one heard by Mandy & Rupert at the Finca Santa Marta on the 18th and one near to Cabanas del Castillo on the 20th.

Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis

Recorded in good numbers throughout the week, particularly on fence post, and telegraph poles and wires, as we travelled to locations, and on the plains.

Eurasian Jay Garrulous glandarius

Recorded in small numbers on most days often flying across the road as we travelled.

Azure-winged Magpie  Cyanotic cyan

Extremely common throughout the week and seemingly everywhere.

Common Magpie Pica

Very common throughout the week but not recorded in numbers as high as the previous species.

Red-billed Chough  Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

A single bird at Penafalcon on the 17th was the only record.

Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula

Common, recorded in good numbers throughout the week with concentrations at some locations.

Common Raven Corvus corax

Recorded in small numbers on each day of the tour with over 30 on the 16th as we travelled across the Magasca Plain being the exception.

Great Tit Parus major

Recorded each day of the tour but always in smallish numbers.

Eurasian Blue Tit  Parus caeruleus

Seemed to be more numerous than the previous species but never numerous.

Eurasian Crag Martin  Ptyonoprogne rupestris

A few at the Rio Magasca on the 16th, about 30 in Truijillo later the same day and common in Monfrague on the 17th and at Cabanas del Castillo on the 20th.

Northern House Martin Delichon urbica

Two at the Rio Magasca on the 16th and three at the three bridges over the Rio Almonte on the 19th.

Long-tailed Tit  Aegithalos caudatus

A total of about birds 30 recorded in the  Monfrague National Park on the 17th.

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra

Good numbers seen at specific areas particularly the Magasca and Zorita Plains.

Short-toed Lark  Calandrella brachydactyla

Twelve on the Magasca Plain on the 16th, and on the 18th, several on the Zorita Plain and and a flock of about 40 in the Madrigalejo area.

Crested Lark  Galerida cristata

Very common and widespread throughout the week.

Thekla Lark  Galerida theklae

Eight on the Magasca Plain on the 18th and three at the Rio Almonte near to Aldeacentenera on the 20th.

Woodlark  Lullula arborea

Six seen in flight at the Finca Santa Marta on the 16th, three scoped well feeding in the dehesa near to Jaraceijo on the 19th and a total of nine as we travelled to Aldeacentenera on the 20th

Zitting Cisticola  Cisticola juncidis

Ones and twos recorded as we travelled around with 15 or so in the Madrigalejo area being by far the highest daily total.

Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti

Three seen and others heard at Arroyo Campo on the 19th.

Common Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus collybita

Fairly common during the first half of the week but seemingly an increase in numbers during the second half.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

Common at the Finca Santa Marta, the valleys that cut down into the plains and similarly vegetated areas.

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata

Ones and twos seen in roadside bushes on most days.

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala

Fairly common at the Finca Santa Marta, scrubby areas and occasionally in trees on the dehesa.

Firecrest  Regulus ignicapillus

Two seen well near to Jaraceijo on the 19th.

Northern Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

One recorded daily at the Finca Santa Marta, possibly the same bird.

Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla

One or two birds seen on several occasions at the Finca Santa Marta and in addition several recorded in the Monfragűe National park on the 17th. 

European Starling  Sturnus vulgaris

Fairly common as we travelled to and back to Madrid.  Also recorded in Extremadura but flocks of starlings were not always scrutinised to distinguishes between this species and the next.

Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor

Very common, recorded everyday of the tour in good numbers.

Ring Ouzel  Turdus torquatus

One seen  below the Castillo de Monfragűe on the 17th.

Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula

Common throughout the week.

Fieldfare  Turdus Pilaris

Recorded in small numbers on most days with some birds seen at the Finca Santa Marta.

Redwing  Turdus illacus

Two at Hotel David on the 15th as we travelled to Truijillo, and in Extremadura slightly more common than the previous species. 

Song Thrush  Turdus philomelos

Recorded in quite good numbers throughout the week which came mostly in the form of movements of thrushes that included this species.

Mistle Thrush  Turdus viscivorus

A single bird recorded on the road to Aldeacentenera on the 20th.

European Robin  Erithacus rubecula

Very common recorded in good numbers throughout the week.

Black Redstart  Phoenicurus ochuros

Common, recorded in good numbers throughout the week that included some birds at the Finca Santa Marta.

Common Redstart  Phoenicurus phoenicurus

A single bird seen just below the Castillo de Monfragűe on the 17th.

European Stonechat  Saxicola torquata

Fairly common, recorded in good numbers as travelled around Extremadura.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

One seen along the road to Torrejon el Rubio on the 16th was the only record.

Black Wheatear  Oenanthe leucura

A total of five birds recorded at Cabanas del Castillo on the 20th that began with one in a field as we drove up to the village.

Blue Rock-thrush  Monticola solitarius

A female near Truijillo on the 16th, ten in the Monfrague national Park on the 17th, one at the Rio Almonte on the 19th and two at Cabanas on the 20th. 

White-throated Dipper  Cinclus cinclus

A single bird seen at the Rio Bertocana as we travelled to Cabanas on the 20th.

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus

Common, recorded everyday of the tour.

Spanish Sparrow  Passer hispaniolensis

50 at the petrol station near to the Finca Santa Marta on the 17th, large numbers near to Madrigalejo on the 18th, six on the 19th and good numbers as we travelled on the 20th.

Common Waxbill  Estrilda astrild

Ten on fields near to  Madrigalejo on the 18th.

Dunnock  Prunella modularis

One at FSM on the 16th,one at Penafalcon on the 17th, one on the Magasca Plain on the 19th and one at Cabanas on the 20th.

Yellow Wagtail  Moticlla flava

One near to Madrigalejo on the 18th was the only record.

Grey Wagtail  Moticilla cinerea

A total of 20 birds recorded throughout the week with nine seen on the 18th that included a trip to Madrigalejo and six on the 20th at Arroyo Campo.

White Wagtail  Moticilla alba

Fairly common throughout the week particularly near to wetland areas.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

Encountered in quite good numbers throughout the week feeding in meadows.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Common, recorded everyday of the tour.

European Serin Serinus serinus

A total of about a dozen birds recorded throughout the week at various locations.

European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Ten birds recorded in the Monfragüe National Park and a handful of birds recorded at a few other locations.

European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Encountered regularly as we travelled around, sometimes in quite big flocks.

Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Common, encountered regularly as we travelled around sometimes with the previous species.

Hawfinch  Cocothraustes cocothraustes

Several birds seen around the FSM on a few occasions and a dozen or so birds seen throughout the weekelsewhere.

Corn Bunting  Milaria calandra

Common on the plains and on arable fields.

Rock Bunting Emberiza cia

A single bird seen at Peňafalcon in the Monfragüe National Park on the 17th.

MAMMALS:

Red Deer  Cervus elaphus

Otter  Lutra lutra

Rabbit  Oryctolagus cuniculus

Weasel  Mustela rivalis

Brown Rat  Ratus Norvegicus

BUTTERFLIES:

Large White  Pieris brassicae

Small White  Artogeia rapae

Clouded Yellow  Colias crocea

Red Admiral  Vanessa atlanta

Painted Lady  Vanessa cardui

Speckled Wood  Parage aegeria

Wall Brown  Lasiommegera mata

MISCELLANEOUS

European Tree frog  Hyla arborea

European Terrapin  Emys orbicularis

Red-veined Darter  Sympetrum fonscolombii

Common Darter  Sympetrum striolatum

Cardinal  Pyrochroa serraticornis