Bird Watching Week

A week of walking for bird lovers

We shall have our base in Piedrahita, on the north side of th Gredos, which is renowned for its 13th century church with its numerous Storks' nests. From there we will explore the various habitats, birds and wildlife of the area of the gently rolling slopes of the northern side of the mountains where the climate is globally continental, and characterised by small Pyrenean oak woods, Scots pine forests, mountain streams, mountain pastures, heaths and scrubland with a huge variety of birds.

On 2 days of the week the route will be guided by British ornithologist and local resident Claire Graham. Our first day with Claire will start with a gentle walk near the Tormes river and its valley where we can expect to see Golden Oriole, Red-rumped Swallow, Cirl Bunting, Melodious Warbler, Red-backed Shrike and the Dipper. In the afternoon we visit a nearby pine forest where we shall look for the Pied Flycatcher, Crossbills, the shy Citril Finch, and other forest dwelling species.

The second day with Claire is spent exploring the higher grounds of the mountains where we will be enchanted by the harsh landscape of huge granitic slabs, boulders and screes covered in fluorescent green lichen, witnesses of the past glacial era. This is the home of an interesting variety of amphibians and reptiles and flora.

Healthy populations of Bluethroat and Ortolan Bunting breed here in the low-growing broom scrub, and Yellow Wagtail, Water Pipit, Northern Wheatear, Skylark may be seen in the surrounding subalpine meadows. We will aim to see Dartford Warbler too. We can expect to see Vultures and other raptors fly overhead. The Spanish Ibex lives in these mountains in very large numbers so we shall have a good chance to admire these beautiful animals. The terrain on these upper grounds is a little bit rugged and can be steep. However, the pace will be slow and there will be plenty of time to stop and rest as we go.

On one of the days we will have the choice to visit the National Park of Monfragüe. This reserve is a magnificent remnant of the scarce genuine Mediterranean forest and scrubland where evergreen oaks, strawberry and turpentine trees, and wild olive trees thrive.

This thick vegetation provides an ideal breeding habitat for the Spanish Imperial Eagle, one of the most endangered raptors in the world, and for the Black Vulture which is abundant in the area. On and around impressive rocky outcrops scattered through the park, Griffon and Egyptian vultures, Bonelli's Eagles, Eagle Owl and many other raptors are found as well as Choughs, Alpine Swifts, Blue Rock Thrush and the shy and scarce Black Stork. Monfragüe is one of the best sites in Europe to observe raptors. This whole day is spent in this raptor paradise stopping at a series of strategic viewing points of the park.

On the remaining days we will visit other habitats that offer different kinds of birds:

On the Piedrahita hills we will have chances of seeing various raptors such as Booted Eagle, Red and black kites, Kestrel and Griffon and Black vultures.

We shall explore the nearby hills and open forests of Holm oaks where we may see Rock Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Bee-eaters, Hoopooes, Thekla Lark and Woodchat Shrike. Photo “hoopoo” We will also travel to the edge of the Meseta where we will walk down to the Extremadura cork tree dehesas, 800m height difference and a large variety of landscapes. Azure-winged Magpies, Bee-eaters, Red-rumped Swallows, Spanish Sparrow, Southern Grey Shrike, Spanish Imperial Eagle may be seen.