SHORT SPRING TOUR FOR LARRY HAUGH

30^th April 2009 – 3^rd May 2009 (return to Madrid 4^th May)

Itinerary

30^th April: Early morning pick-up from Madrid . Birding at Arrocampo and Valdecañas, with late afternoon arrival at Casa Rural El Recuerdo

1^st May: Morning at heath land near Jaraicejo and rest of day in Monfragüe National Park .

2^nd May: Plains and wooded valleys around Santa Marta de Magasca. Evening walk at Pago de San Clemente .

3^rd May: Sierra Brava reservoir, the rice fields near Madrigalejo and the Villuercas mountains. Late afternoon visit to Trujillo .

4^th May: Early morning departure for Madrid .

30^th April 2009

Larry arrived on time off the flight from New York and soon we had left the airport and headed on the ring road south of Madrid to join the A5 motorway to Extremadura. We stopped for refreshments en route, and then continued to the reservoir of Arrocampo, lying between the towns of Almaraz and Saucedilla. We first of all explored the open country to the west of Saucedilla, having an excellent view of Black-winged Kite, as well as Tree Sparrow and male Spanish Sparrow adjacent on a nearby tree. We visited two of the observation hides overlooking the fringing vegetation of the reservoir. We were rewarded with several sightings of Little Bittern, an obliging Squacco Heron and several Savi’s Warblers. Purple Heron were in good number and overhead passed Black and Griffon Vulture, Booted and Short-toed Eagles. Mid-afternoon saw us along a wooded valley at Valdecañas obtaining views of Golden Oriole, a fine male Cirl Bunting and Hawfinch. One of the highlights was an adult Spanish Imperial Eagle being mobbed by a Raven on several occasions. We set off late afternoon for the final forty minutes drive to reach Casa Rural El Recuerdo.

1^st May 2009

After an early breakfast, we set off for a nearby area of lavender heath land and cork oak woodland. The still conditions were ideal and the clear skies promised a warm sunny day ahead. Reaching the heath, we soon had the opportunity of studying at close range a Thekla Lark and also had views of several Dartford Warblers. After some searching we found a singing Spectacled Warbler, which although distant, obligingly was perched for several minutes. We then walked across the heath and located singing Subalpine and Western Orphean Warblers. In the woodland, Short-toed Treecreepers were singing and we also saw Booted and Short-toed Eagles. Mid-morning we headed to the Monfragüe National Park . Although it was a busy holiday weekend and the place was thronging with visitors, we found places to park and enjoyed some excellent birding from the various viewpoints. At the first (Peña Falcón), a pair of Black Stork were present at their nest. Three species of vultures wheeled over the gorge whilst smaller birds were not outdone, with fine views of Blue Rock Thrush, Wren and Red-rumped Swallow.  However the real gems were at the final viewpoint where we were rewarded with incredible views of a pair of Spanish Imperial Eagle, flying together and perched side-by-side on a bare tree. We were also lucky enough to get a view of an adult Eagle Owl, positioned between rocks in a way that one had to be in exactly the right point to see the bird. In the cork oak woodland nearby, we found a Rock Sparrow, feeding amongst House Sparrows and Chaffinches on the ground.

2^nd May 2009

We arrived early on the plains between Trujillo and Santa Marta de Magasca, aiming to beat the sun shimmer that would be bound to start by mid-morning. Male Little Bustards called from fields around us and performed their short upward hops as well as chases. A fine male Great Bustard fed in an adjacent field, a close-by Little Bustard giving us a good opportunity to compare size. A Pin-tailed Sandgrouse flew over calling. We drove along a dirt road, seeing a Great Spotted Cuckoo and a Common Cuckoo fly past within a minute of so of each other. Short-toed Larks foraged in the verges, whilst Calandra Larks performed their mimetic songs, often appearing to fly in slow-motion. A Black-bellied Sandgrouse flew in to land on bare ground. Egyptian Vulture, Griffon and Black Vultures stood on the ground, and an individual of the latter species flew in to chase off three Black Kites from what appeared to be a dead hare. Two Red Kite were also perched nearby. Radiating out from the village of Santa Marta de Magasca, we found Roller to the south, as well as a fine party of about 40 male Great Bustards. At the Tamuja river, Crag Martins haunted the bridge. North of the village, Montagu’s Harriers quartered a cereal field and along the River Almonte, where we had lunch, a White Wagtail and Common Sandpiper foraging at the water’s edge. After lunch we returned to Monfragüe and over the Visitors’ Centre, saw a fine Bonelli’s Eagle gliding over. Then, in an area of pines, we located a Turtle Dove.  Back at Casa Rural El Recuerdo, we went out at dusk to listen to Red-necked Nightjars and we were lucky enough to see one fly over the lane. A Little Owl was also seen and we heard Long-eared Owl and Scops Owl.

3^rd May 2009

Today we spent the morning to the south near Madrigalejo and then headed east to spend the afternoon in the wooded mountain range of the Villuercas. Our first stop was the Sierra Brava reservoir. The water was a bit choppy and apart from a few Great-crested Grebes, Mallard and Shoveller, there was not much to see. A highlight however, was a fine pair of Black-eared Wheatear. We had close views of a female Marsh Harrier. Descending to the rice-growing area, we stopped at a small dam and explored the bushes on its banks. A good selection of migrants were present: several Pied Flycatchers, a Common Redstart, Willow Warblers and a Garden Warbler. Collared Pratincoles flew over the dry fields and a party of Black-bellied Sandgrouse landed. A small flooded area had Little Ringed Plover and Ringed Plover and along the road Bee-eaters and Southern Grey Shrikes perched on the fence. We stopped to check the riverine gallery woodland beside the River Ruercas but did not tarry long as a fire had broken out. However, we did get excellent views there of Great Reed Warbler. Flocks of Red Avadavat and Common Waxbill were present in the roadside ditches. We crossed an area where most of the rice fields had standing water and found one with a party of Gull-billed Terns. Amongst there were three summer-plumaged White-winged Black Terns, a local rarity and their diagnostic features (white rumps and tails, white forewings – forming bold white shoulders at rest – were easily visible). A Whimbrel, Common Redshank and Greenshank were also present.  

We then drove east to the Villuercas, visiting first a belt of deciduous Pyrenean Oak where we had good views of a Western Bonelli’s Warbler singing and then cork oak, where we found Nuthatch. Beside the village of Cabañas del Castillo we found a pair of Black Wheatear, a Melodious Warbler and Black Redstart. A stop at the River Almonte yielded a male Grey Wagtail.

We completed the afternoon with a brief visit to the medieval centre of Trujillo where we saw Pallid and Common Swift and had excellent views of Lesser Kestrel.

4^th May 2009

We set off before dawn to make the return journey to Madrid .

Species list

Despite a short duration, we managed to record a very impressive 145 species of birds, including all of the Extremadura specialities and all within an hour from base.

1.  Little Grebe             Seen at Arrocampo.
2. Great Crested Grebe        Seen at Arrocampo and Sierra Brava reservoir.
3. Great Cormorant   One at Monfragüe.
4. Little Bittern            About four at Arrocampo.
5. Squacco Heron     One at Arrocampo.
6. Cattle Egret             Seen almost daily.
7. Little Egret               Seen almost daily.
8. Grey Heron              Seen at Arrocampo and on the rice fields.   
9. Purple Heron          About six seen at Arrocampo.
10.  Black Stork                        Up to six birds seen on both visits to Monfragüe.
11.  White Stork                        Common
12.  Spoonbill                One in flight at Arrocampo.
13.  Gadwall                   Several pairs at Arrocampo.
14.  Shoveller                Two males at Sierra Brava.
15.  Mallard                    Seen daily.
16.  Black-winged Kite           One at Arrocampo.
17.  Black Kite               Common.
18.  Red Kite                  About six seen near Santa Marta de Magasca.
19.  Egyptian Vulture  Seen at Valdecañas, Monfragüe and Santa Marta de Magasca.
20.  Griffon Vulture      Seen daily.
21.  Black Vulture         Seen almost daily.
22.  Short-toed Eagle  Seen daily.
23.  Marsh Harrier        One at Arrocampo and one near Sierra Brava.
24.  Montagu’s Harrier            Several near Santa Marta de Magasca.
25.  Sparrowhawk        One at Valdecañas.
26.  Common Buzzard                       Seen daily.
27.  Spanish Imperial Eagle  One at Valdecañas and two at Monfragüe.
28.  Booted Eagle        Seen almost daily.
29.  Bonelli’s Eagle      One at Monfragüe.
30.  Lesser Kestrel       Seen almost daily.
31.  Common Kestrel  Seen daily.
32.  Peregrine Falcon  One heard in Villuercas mountains.
33.  Red-legged Partridge     Seen near Santa Marta de Magasca and near Sierra Brava.
34.  Quail             Heard at Arrocampo and on rice fields.
35.  Moorhen     Seen at Arrocampo.
36.  Purple Swamphen           Seen at Arrocampo.
37.  Common Coot      Seen at Arrocampo and Sierra Brava.
38. Little Bustard          Seen near Santa Marta de Magasca and near Sierra Brava.
39. Great Bustard         About 40 seen near Santa Marta de Magasca and two near Sierra Brava.
40.  Black-winged Stilt            Seen at Arrocampo and on the rice fields.
41.  Collared Pratincole          Seen on the rice fields.
42.  Little Ringed Plover         Three seen on the rice fields.
43.  Ringed Plover       Eight seen on the rice fields.
44.  Whimbrel    One on the rice fields.
45.  Common Redshank        Six on the rice fields.
46.  Greenshank           One on the rice fields.
47.  Common Sandpiper        One on River Almonte and one on the rice fields.
48.  Black-headed Gull           About 30 on the rice fields.
49.  Lesser Black-backed Gull         One immature on rice fields.
50.  Gull-billed Tern     About six at Arrocampo and about ten on rice fields.
51.  White-winged Black Tern          Three near Palazuelo on rice fields.
52.  Black-bellied Sandgrouse         One near Santa Marta de Magasca and about six on rice fields.
53.  Pin-tailed Sandgrouse    One near Santa Marta de Magasca
54. Rock Dove  Seen daily.
55. Wood Pigeon         Singles seen almost daily.
56. Collared Dove        Seen daily.
57. Turtle Dove             Good views at Monfragüe.
58. Great Spotted Cuckoo     One seen in flight near Santa Marta de Magasca.
59. Common Cuckoo  Seen or heard almost daily.
60. Scops Owl   Heard on evening of 2^nd May at Pago de San Clemente .
61. Eagle Owl    Adult seen at Monfragüe on 1^st May.
62. Little Owl      One seen on evening of 2^nd May at Pago de San Clemente .
63. Long-eared Owl     Adult and juvenile heard on evening of 2^nd May at Pago de San Clemente .
64. Red-necked Nightjar        One seen on evening of 2^nd May at Pago de San Clemente .
65. Alpine Swift             Seen at Monfragüe and the Villuercas mountains.
66. Common Swift       Seen daily.
67. Pallid Swift  Small numbers seen over Trujillo .
68. Kingfisher    Seen at Arrocampo and the Rio Tamuja near Santa Marta de Magasca.
69. Bee-eater     Common.
70. Roller                        Seen near Santa Marta de Magasca and Madrigalejo.
71. Hoopoe        Common.
72. Great Spotted Woodpecker       Heard at Monfragüe and in the Villuercas mountains.
73. Wryneck       One calling near the castle Monfragüe.
74. Calandra Lark        Common on plains near Santa Marta de Magasca.
75. Short-toed Lark     Seen on plains near Santa Marta de Magasca.
76. Crested Lark           Common
77. Thekla Lark Common on heath land near Jaraicejo and seen on plains.
78. Woodlark     Seen at Monfragüe and near Santa Marta de Magasca.
79. Sand Martin Seen at Arrocampo and near Madrigalejo.
80. Crag Martin Seen daily.
81. Barn Swallow         Seen daily.
82. Red-rumped Swallow      Seen daily.
83. House Martin          Seen daily.
84. Yellow Wagtail        A female near Santa Marta de Magasca.
85. Grey Wagtail           A male on Rio Almonte in the Villuercas.
86. White Wagtail         Seen almost daily.
87. Wren              Seen or heard daily.
88. Robin                        Heard in Monfragüe and in the Villuercas.
89. Nightingale  Seen or heard almost daily.
90. Black Redstart       Seen in Monfragüe and in the Villuercas.
91. Common Redstart                        One on passage near Madrigalejo.
92. Stonechat    Seen almost daily.
93. Northern Wheatear           Seen near Santa Marta de Magasca.
94. Black-eared Wheatear     Seen near Sierra Brava reservoir.
95. Black Wheatear     Seen in the Villuercas.
96. Blue Rock Thrush             Seen in Monfragüe and the Villuercas.
97. Blackbird     Seen daily.
98. Mistle Thrush         Seen in Monfragüe.
99. Cetti’s Warbler       Seen at Arrocampo and near Madrigalejo.

100.   Zitting Cisticola   Seen at Arrocampo and near Madrigalejo.

101.   Savi’s Warbler     Seen at Arrocampo.

102.   Reed Warbler      Heard at Arrocampo.

103.   Great Reed Warbler       Seen at Arrocampo and near Madrigalejo.

104.   Melodious Warbler        Seen in the Villuercas.

105.   Dartford Warbler             Seen near Jaraicejo.

106.   Spectacled Warbler       Seen near Jaraicejo.

107.   Subalpine Warbler         Seen near Jaraicejo and Monfragüe.

108.    Sardinian Warbler         Seen or heard almost daily.

109.   Western Orphean Warbler       One seen near Jaraicejo.

110.   Garden Warbler Seen on passage near Madrigalejo.

111.   Blackcap   Heard in Monfragüe and seen in the Villuercas.

112.   Western Bonelli ’s Warbler       One seen in the Villuercas.

113.   Willow Warbler    Seen on passage near Madrigalejo.

114.   Pied Flycatcher   Seen on passage near Madrigalejo.

115.   Long-tailed Tit     Seen almost daily.

116.   Crested Tit           Seen in the Villuceras.

117.   Blue Tit      Seen almost daily.

118.   Great Tit    Seen daily.

119.   Nuthatch   Seen in the Villuercas.

120.   Short-toed Treecreeper           Seen almost daily.

121.   Golden Oriole      Seen almost daily.

122.   Southern Grey Shrike   Seen almost daily.

123.   Woodchat Shrike           Seen daily.

124.   Jay  Seen at Monfragüe and in the Villuercas.

125.   Azure-winged Magpie   Seen daily.

126.   Magpie       Seen daily.

127.   Red-billed Chough        Seen at Valdecañas and in the Villuercas.

128.   Jackdaw   Seen almost daily.

129.   Raven        Seen daily.

130.   Spotless Starling           Seen daily.

131.   House Sparrow  Seen daily.

132.   Spanish Sparrow           Seen almost daily.

133.   Tree Sparrow      Seen at Arrocampo and near Madrigalejo.

134.   Rock Sparrow     Seen at Monfragüe.

135.   Common Waxbill            Seen briefly near Madrigalejo.

136.   Red Avadavat      Seen near Madrigalejo.

137.   Chaffinch  Seen daily.

138.   Serin          Seen daily.

139.   Greenfinch           Seen almost daily.

140.   Goldfinch  Seen daily.

141.   Linnet        Seen near Jaraicejo.

142.   Hawfinch  Seen at Valdecañas and Monfragüe.

143.   Cirl Bunting         Seen at Valdecañas and Monfragüe.

144.   Rock Bunting      Seen at Monfragüe.

145.   Corn Bunting      Abundant, seen daily.