Trip Report: Extremadura (Spain), April 25 - May 2, 1998

Yves Baptiste; yves.baptiste@online.be

Participants

Itinerary

-> = route
( ) = direction
X = crossing

25 April Madrid - Sierra de Gredos Barajas/Madrid -> M 40 ð N VI -> Villacartin X N 110 -> Avila -> (Plasencia) X N 502 (Arenas) X C 500 Navarredonda -> Hoyos del Espino 199 km
26 April Sierra de Gredos - Monfragüe Hoyos del Espino -> AV 931 -> La Plataforma -> Hoyos del Espino -> C 500 -> St. Martin de Pimpollar X N 502 -> Mombeltran X C 501 -> Arenas de San Pedro -> Candeleda X AV 910 -> Oropesa X N V -> Navalmoral de la Mata, exit 185 X C 511 (Plasencia) -> X CC 911 La Bazagona -> Portilla del Tietar X C524 -> Villareal de San Carlos -> Salto del Gitano -> Torrejón El Rubio 241 km
27 April Belén - Sta. Marta de Magasca Torrejón El Rubio -> C 524 ð Trujillo -> NV (Madrid) -> Belén -> Torrecillas de la Tiesa -> Sta. Marta de Magasca X N 521 (Cáceres) X -> Sierra de Fuentes -> C 520 -> Torreorgaz -> Valdesalor -> X E 803 -> Cáceres -> N 630 (Plasencia) -> X Casar de Cáceres -> direction CC 912 (Talaván) -> Torrejón El Rubio 257 km
28 April Monfragüe Torrejón El Rubio -> C 524 -> Salto del Gitano -> Villareal de San Carlos X CC 911 -> Mirador de la Tajadilla -> Mirador de la Bascula -> Portilla del Tietar -> Villareal de San Carlos -> Castillo de Monfragüe -> Torrejón 151 km
29 April Talaván - Sierra de San Pedro Torrejón El Rubio -> CC 912 -> Talaván -> Hinojal X N 630 (Cáceres) -> X C 522 -> Garrovillas -> Navas del Madroño X C 523 -> Brozas X C 522 (Herreruela) -> Aliseda -> C 521 (Alburquerque) X N 523 -> N 53 -> Cáceres -> N 521 (Trujillo) X -> Sta. Marta de Magasca -> Monroy -> CC 912 -> Torrejón El Rubio 267 km
30 April Monfragüe Torrejón El Rubio -> C 524 -> Salto del Gitano -> Fuente del Frances -> Villareal de San Carlos X CC 911 -> Portilla del Tietar -> Villareal de San Carlos -> C 524 ð Torrejón El Rubio -> CC 912 X -> Serradilla -> Torrejón 102 km
1 May Arrocampo-Almaraz - Sierra de Guadaloupe Torrejón El Rubio -> C 524 (Trujillo) X -> Jaraicejo -> N V -> Casas de Miravete -> Almaraz -> X Saucedilla -> Almaraz -> N V -> Casas de Miravete X -> Deleitosa -> Betamosa -> Molino -> Cabañas del Castillo -> Solana -> Berzocana -> Aldeacentenera -> Belén -> Huertas de Animas -> C 524 X -> Monroy -> CC 912 -> Torrejón 279 km
2 May Monfragüe - Madrid Torrejón El Rubio -> C 524 -> Salto del Gitano -> Villareal de San Carlos X CC 911 -> Portilla del Tietar -> La Bazagona -> C 511 -> Navalmoral de la Mata -> NV E90 -> Talavera de la Reina -> Madrid -> M 30 -> Barajas Madrid Airport 284 km

Residence

Observed Species

  1. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) -- only observed at some embalses
  2. Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) -- some breeding birds at larger embalses as Talaván, Arrocampo-Almaraz
  3. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) -- 1 juvenile bird at the Embalse de Arrocampo
  4. Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) -- 2 males at the Embalse de Arrocampo-Almaraz
  5. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) -- frequently seen, a great sighting were the +380 birds in breeding plumage at a small embalse at Brozas
  6. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) -- 1 ex. at the Embalse de Navalcan; 6 ex. at the Embalse on the right before Brozas along the C523
  7. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) -- mainly observed near greater embalses as the Embalse del Salor
  8. Purple Heron (Ardea purperea) -- ca. 10 breeding couples in the Embalse de Arrocampo-Almaraz
  9. Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) -- some nesting, others with downy young, at the well-known places: Peñafalcon, Portilla del Tietar
  10. White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) -- everywhere, even on signposts along the highway to/from Madrid
  11. Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) -- 1 ex. at the Embalse de Arrocampo-Almaraz
  12. Gadwall (Anas strepera) -- mainly couples on the larger embalses
  13. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) -- cf. Gadwall
  14. European Honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus) -- 1 bird on migration near Torrejón El Rubio C524)
  15. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caerulus) -- 2 ex. near km33 from CC 912 (Torrejón-Talaván); 1 ex. along the road from Trujillo to Monroy; 1 ex. between Maqueda en Quismondo on the highway to Madrid
  16. Black Kite (Milvus migrans) -- the most abundant bird of prey in Extremadura...
  17. Red Kite (Milvus milvus) -- daily seen, but in less numbers, higher numbers in the Sierra de Gredos, Guadaloupe en San Pedro
  18. Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) -- breeding at Peñafalcon, Mirador de la Tajadilla, Mirador de la Bascula; 5 immature birds at the Embalse van Torrejón; high numbers in the Sierra de Guadaloupe
  19. Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) -- breeding at the Salto del Gitano, Mirador de la Tajadilla, Portilla del Tietar; +40 ex. on a dead calf, before the Portilla del ietar; +20 ex. on a dead lamb; near Cáceres
  20. Monk Vulture (Aegypius monachus) -- breeding observed at Fuente del Frances, Mirador de la Bascula and Cerro Gimio; several birds with Griffons feeding
  21. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus) -- breeding near Mirador de la Bascula; frequently seen in the Sierra de San Pedro
  22. Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) -- breeding at the Embalse de Arrocampo-Almaraz
  23. Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) -- numerous in the steppes from Belén, Sta. Marta, Brozas
  24. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) -- daily observed in small numbers, mainly between steppe and dehesa
  25. Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca adalberti) -- breeding at the Mirador de la Bascula (ad + 2 pulli); 1 subadult bird along the CC912
  26. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) -- 2 birds on the cliffs along the road from Deleitosa to Betamosa; 1 displaying couple before the bridge over the Rio Garciaz on the road from Berzocana to Aldeacentenera
  27. Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) -- daily seen, 1 couple displaying Peñafalcon; 1 "rufous" bird in the Sierra de San Pedro
  28. Bonelli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) -- 1 couple displaying in the Sierra de Guadaloupe, near Cabañas del Castillo
  29. Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) -- frequently seen, especially near the CC 912; nice colony (+ 20 couples) on the C522 from Brozas to Herreruela
  30. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) -- frequently seen, in limited numbers
  31. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) -- 1 couple at the Salto del Gitano
  32. Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) -- some observations in dehesa
  33. Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) -- calling birds in the plains of Belén, Brozas, ...
  34. Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) -- displaying birds at the Embalse de Arrocampo
  35. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) -- seen at the same spots as Little grebe, Gadwall, ...
  36. Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) -- an unexpected couple displaying and foraging at the Embalse de Arrocampo-Almaraz
  37. Common Coot (Fulica atra) -- cf. Common Moorhen
  38. Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) -- high numbers in the steppes of Belén, Sta. Marta de Magasca and Brozas
  39. Great Bustard (Otis tarda) -- only seen in the plain between Belén en Torrecillas de la Tiesa, groups of max. 20 birds
  40. Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) -- several birds at the Embalse de Cáceres
  41. Stone-Curlew (Burhinus Oedicnemus) -- twice 2 birds in the steppes van Belén en Sta. Marta
  42. Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) -- 4 ex. at the Embalse de Cáceres
  43. Little Plover (Charadrius dubius) -- 3 ex. at the Embalse de Cáceres
  44. Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) -- 1 ex. in flight over Belén
  45. Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) -- 1 ex. at a small embalse near Belén
  46. Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) -- 3 observations of 2 birds (couples ?) along the Rio Tajo and Rio Almonte
  47. Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) -- 2 immatures at the Embalse de Arrocampo-Almaraz
  48. Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) -- 2 birds fishing on the Rio Almonte, seen from the bridge on the road from Monroy to Sta. Marta de Magasca
  49. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) -- a flock of 16 ex. near Sta. Marta de Magasca
  50. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) -- several birds in Monfragüe, Guadaloupe, ...
  51. Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) -- few observations of solitary birds
  52. Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) -- only twice seen near farms
  53. European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) -- first two birds on 27/4, later more frequently
  54. Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) -- adults + young near Belén, also seen in the Sierra de San Pedro
  55. Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) -- frequently seen and heard in small numbers
  56. Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops) -- 3 singing males near Torrejón El Rubio
  57. Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) -- 1 adult at the Portilla del Tietar
  58. Little Owl (Athena noctua) -- 4 ex. in the steppe at Belén
  59. Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) -- calling male and female near the dam on the Tajo
  60. Red-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis) -- several singing birds near the Embalse de Torrejón
  61. Common Swift (Apus apus) -- daily seen, abundant
  62. Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus) -- several birds, in Casar de Cáceres, Brozas, ...
  63. Alpine Swift (Apus melba) -- several birds at the metal bridge over the Rio Tajo in Monfragüe
  64. Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) -- observed near small and greater embalses, also displaying couples
  65. European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) -- daily seen, lots of birds on migration
  66. European Roller (Coracias garrulus) -- especially along the road from Cáceres to the Rio Almonte (CC912)
  67. Hoopoe (Upupa epops) -- daily seen, high numbers
  68. Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) -- 1 ex. south from Arenas (Gredos)
  69. Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) -- frequent in the plains near Belén and Brozas
  70. Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) -- locally high numbers especially near Belén
  71. Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) -- abundant
  72. Wood Lark (Lullula arborea) -- a lot of singing birds in Monfragüe, San Pedro, Guadaloupe
  73. Sky Lark (Alauda arvensis) -- only heard in the Sierra de San Pedro
  74. Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) -- some birds near the Embalse del Salor
  75. Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) -- daily and frequently observed
  76. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) -- very common
  77. Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica) -- unexpected high numbers in all visited spots
  78. House Martin (Delichon urbica) -- very common
  79. Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) -- one singing bird near Arenas
  80. Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) -- singing birds in Brozas and the Sierra de San Pedro
  81. Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) -- displaying birds near La Plataforma (Gredos)
  82. Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) -- irregularly observed in Gredos, Monfragüe and Guadaloupe, some already with fledged young
  83. White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) -- regularly observed in very small numbers
  84. White-throated Dipper (Cinclus cinclus) -- only observed near La Plataforma and Rio Almonte
  85. Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) -- regularly observed
  86. Hedge Accentor (Prunella modularis) -- seen and heard in Sierra de Gredos and Monfragüe
  87. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) -- heard in Sierra de Gredos and at Cerro Gimio
  88. Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) -- very numerous
  89. Bluethroat (Luscinia svevica) -- two singing males in Gredos, probably unspotted subspec.
  90. Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) -- frequently seen or heard in different Sierras
  91. Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) -- very common, some with fledged young
  92. Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) -- two observations near Hoyos del Espino (Gredos)
  93. Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica) -- irregularly seen in Belén, Brozas and Sta. Marta
  94. Black Wheatear (Oenanthe leucura) -- only observed at the bridge over the Rio Tajo, on the road from Torrejón El Rubio to Serradilla
  95. Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) -- very common, certainly in Monfragüe
  96. Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) -- regularly seen
  97. Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) -- 1 observation near Candeleda (Gredos)
  98. Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) -- irregularly seen, most in the Sierra de San Pedro and Guadaloupe
  99. Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) -- very frequently heard, especialy along the Rio Tajo and at embalses
  100. Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) -- regularly heard and seen in the plains of Belén, Brozas, and along embalses
  101. Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinoides) -- several singing males at the Embalse de Arrocampo
  102. Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) -- only heard at the Embalse de Talaván and Arrocampo-Almaraz
  103. Melodious Warbler (Hippolais polyglotta) -- one singing bird at the Embalse near Torrejón
  104. Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) -- observed at the Mirador de la Tajadilla and singing in Sierra de San Pedro
  105. Subalpine Warbler (Sylvia cantillans) -- observed near the Portilla del Tietar
  106. Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) -- very regularly heard in different locations
  107. Orphean Warbler (Sylvia hortensis) -- 1 bird seen and heard near the bridge over the Arroyo de la Vid
  108. Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) -- 1 singing bird near Embalse of Torrejón El Rubio
  109. Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) -- seen and heard in Hoyos del Espino and Mirador de la Tajadilla
  110. Western Bonelli's Warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli) -- singing bird near Arenas
  111. Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) -- one singing bird near Mirador de la Tajadilla, probably a very late migrant ?
  112. Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus) -- a small flock near Arenas
  113. Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) -- birds with fledged young in Monfragüe and Sierra de San Pedro
  114. Crested Tit (Parus cristatus) -- one near Candeleda, the other during the climb to Cerro Gimio
  115. Coal Tit (Parus ater) -- observed in Hoyos del Espino, Monfragüe and Sierra de San Pedro
  116. Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) -- frequently observed
  117. Great Tit (Parus major) -- frequently observed
  118. Wood Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) -- two displaying birds between Arenas and Candeleda
  119. Eurasian Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla) -- irregularly seen in very small numbers
  120. Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) -- only twice in Sierra de Gredos and San Pedro
  121. Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor meridionalis) -- very numerous
  122. Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator) -- very common in different habitats
  123. Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) -- irregularly observed in very small numbers
  124. Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana) -- very common, some with young
  125. Black-billed Magpie (Pica pica) -- regularly seen but in smaller numbers than the Azure-winged ones.
  126. Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) -- few birds around Peñafalcon and the Castillo de Monfragüe
  127. Eurasian Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) -- irregularly seen in very small numbers
  128. Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) -- irregularly seen in very small numbers
  129. Common Raven (Corvus corax) -- frequently seen in the visited areas
  130. Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor) -- very common
  131. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) -- very common
  132. Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) -- very numerous in the plains
  133. Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia) -- 1 bird near Cabañas del Castillo
  134. Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) -- very common
  135. European Serin (Serinus serinus) -- abundant
  136. European Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) -- some observations in Monfragüe
  137. European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) -- very frequently observed, some with fledged young
  138. Common Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) -- observed in Monfragüe, Sierra de San Pedro and Guadaloupe
  139. Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) -- one couple near the Santuario de Monfragüe
  140. Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) -- one singing bird (!) near Hoyos del Espino
  141. Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia) -- observed near La Plataforma and Salto del Gitano
  142. Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana) -- 2 males near La Plataforma; 3 males + 1 female between Solana and Berzocana (Guadaloupe)
  143. Corn Bunting (Miliaria calandra) -- abundant

We had a fantastic trip with great sightings. In total we observed 143 species, most of them in very good circumstances.

A full report in Dutch will be available on demand.

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This page served with permission of the author by Urs Geiser; ugeiser@xnet.com; May 21, 1998; updated February 11, 1999