Honeyguide Extremadura
10 – 17 March 2007

Holiday participants

Mick and Dorothy Best                                                       Royston

David Nind and Shevaun Mendelsohn                             Wirral

Colin Taylor                                                                          Norfolk

Andrew Camps                                                                   Cambridge

Margaret Palmer                                                                 Twickenham                        

Norman Sheppard                                                              Norwich

John and Sarah Barney                                                      Norwich

David and Steph Bennett                                                   Liverpool

Leaders

Martin Kelsey                                                                       Extremadura
Chris Durdin                                                                        Norwich

Extremadura
10 – 17 March 2006

Itinerary
Saturday 10th March: Arrival in Madrid and travel to Trujillo via A5 motorway, with a stop before Ventas de Retamosa for snacks. Arrived at Finca Santa Marta late afternoon. Tea followed by a walk through the property to the clump of stone pines above the Finca.

Sunday 11th March: Morning visit to Belén Plains with lunch, afternoon coffee stop at Aldeacentenera. Return to Finca Santa Marta across country to Madroñera with stop on heath on hill above the village. Dinner in La Troya, Trujillo.

Monday 12th March: From Trujillo to Torrejón El Rubío, then to Monfragüe National Park. Stop at Castle and then at car park opposite the crags of Peña Falcón. Brief stop at Puente de Cardenal. Lunch at Mirador de Tajadilla, then to the Portilla del Tietár.

Tuesday 13th March: South to Zorita with a visit to part of the Zorita Plains and then towards Madrigalejo. Stop at Sierra Brava reservoir and coffee stop just outside Madrigalejo and then exploring area of Casas del Hito, including visit to Charca del Hito (a large pool), where lunch taken. Then visit to Vegas Altas. Drive to rice fields near Palazuelo with a walk beside Rio Ruercas.

Wednesday 14th March: Free morning in Trujillo, then east towards Villuercas mountains, with lunch on Almonte river near village of Cabañas del Castillo. Visit to village after lunch, with walk along base of cliffs.

Thursday 15th March: Exploring plains around Santa Marta de Magasca, coffee at the village of Santa Marta de Magasca, with lunch on Tamuja river south of the village.

Friday 16th March: Visit to Arrocampo reservoir, between Almaraz and Saucedilla (with coffee stop at latter village). Afternoon walk at Finca Santa Marta.

Saturday 17th March: Early morning departure to Madrid to check-in at airport shortly after 10.15 am for flight back to UK.

Daily Diary

10th March: Madrid to Finca Santa Marta
The party met up at Madrid, with John and Sarah Barney arriving by train earlier in the morning, most of the group, along with Chris, coming in on the Easyjet flight from Gatwick, landing just a few minutes late. Once car hire papers had been sorted, there was just enough time for us to get across to the new Terminal 4, to meet with David and Steph Bennett, who had flown in from Manchester. All present and correct, we set off just after 13.00 hrs. It was a lovely sunny day as we made our way around the M40 ring-road, exiting on the A5 motorway for Extremadura. The Gredos mountains formed a spectacular backdrop to the north, with snow on their peaks, but very little on their southern slopes compared to other springs. However good autumn and late winter rains had made the landscape beautifully green. We stopped for lunch snacks about 50 kms out of Madrid. The lively bar was packed and the atmosphere happy. Our request for ten orange juices initially met with a negative response…there was no juice, until the barman remembered a crate of oranges out at the back. Within minutes he and his colleague were tossing the oranges into the juice press, some missing their target to great amusement! Following lunch, we spent a few minutes outside, looking across a patch of building rubble, on which were sunbathing rabbits, onto the fields beyond. A pair of Black Redstart were quickly found, as were Crested Lark and a very smart male Serin. Spotless Starling, Goldfinches, Linnets, Swallows, Red-legged Partridge and Common Buzzard were soon added to the list. As we continued along the motorway, we started to see White Storks, as well as a fleeting glimpse by a few of us of a Black-winged Kite, as well as Black Kite and Black-winged Stilt. As we crossed the border into Extremadura, we also see distant wheeling groups of Griffon Vultures. We headed off the motorway onto the road that heads south-east from Trujillo and passed through some landscape dominated by huge blocks of granite. We arrived at Finca Santa Marta at 17.15 hrs. Henri, our host welcomed us and introduced us to some of the staff, who helped to get the group settled into their rooms. After tea, we took a wonderful late afternoon walk up through the Finca, through the almond orchard in full blossom, to the stand of stone pines. We heard Short-toed Treecreepers singing and the call of a Green Woodpecker, quite unlike the familiar yaffle call in Britain. There were also Song Thrushes and Blackcaps, and a fine Black Vulture loomed across our field of view, as did a couple of Ravens.  We found Sage-leaved Cistus in flower as well as Amethyst Toadflax amongst others. On our return to the finca, Henri welcomed us with cocktails followed by dinner.

11th March: Belén Plains and Madroñera
A fine clear and calm morning for what proved to be a warm spring day with just a light fresh breeze. A pre-breakfast walk produced Hawfinches for some, Green Woodpecker as well as the almost ubiquitous Hoopoes. We spent most of the day slowly exploring the open plains north-east of the small village of Belén. At our first stop just outside the village, affording us a superb panorama of the habitat, a party of five Short-toed Eagles drifted slowly over, clearly on migration, with a Red Kite. Shortly afterwards we stopped again in a gateway and took in the sight of the hundreds of Hoop Petticoat Narcissus in bloom. We saw our first Calandra Larks of the day, as well as wintering parties of Skylark and Meadow Pipit, Corn Buntings sang from roadside fences. At subsequent stops we watched more and more Calandra Larks starting to sing, circling at great height with their highly mimetic song, and then descending with their characteristic slow-motion heavy flapping. On higher ground, we stopped for a good scan and David remarked on three birds sitting on the ground nearby: they were Great Bustards! They sat, seemingly unperturbed, the whole time. Behind them, momentarily appeared two or three others over a ridge. On distant thermals a group of about 70 Griffon Vultures rose, whilst we saw another Short-toed Eagle and a faraway single Common Crane. A distant Lesser Kestrel hunted close to the road.

We stopped for lunch to view a multi-layered White Storks colony on some dead trees, next to a pool which hosted Shoveler, Mallard, Teal, Gadwall and a Moorhen. A Spanish Festoon butterfly provided close views for us all, along with a Clouded Yellow. Close to a small group of Griffon and Black Vultures, Colin spotted another raptor rising with them and it was quickly joined by another: Golden Eagles, a fine juvenile and a individual almost in full adult plumage. We all had an excellent opportunity to study them at length. We continued after lunch, stopping to watch a mixed flock of Spanish and House Sparrows and a much better view of Little Owl than the distant ones we had seen on stone walls earlier. A roadside pool had three Stripe-necked Terrapins, as well as a Green Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover.

After a stop at Bar Martín in Aldeacentera, where we admired the seven White Storks’ nests on the church tower, some rather precariously placed, we drove through the undulating dehesa to Madroñera, We reached a patch of broom and lavender heath. Here the density of the Hoop Petticoat Narcissus was even greater than that of the plains. We got excellent views of a male Dartford Warblers, perched in good light at the top of a bush, its deep pink underparts showing excellently. A singing Sardinian Warbler also was obliging and we got several, rather distant views of Thekla Lark, including one performing a song flight above us.

Back at Finca Santa Marta, we went through the checklists before heading for Trujillo for dinner at the La Troya. Situated on the fine medieval town square, the restaurant provided an excellent series of local dishes.

12th March: Monfragüe National Park
Another fine day. Pre-breakfast walks yielded Great Spotted Cuckoo and Hawfinch again for some. As we left after breakfast, some of the party had brief views of Rock Sparrow on wires over the vineyard opposite the entrance of the Finca. We headed north from Trujillo to Monfragüe National Park (designated as such only a few weeks earlier). The route took us first through the rocky granite terrain around Trujillo, and then through dehesa as far as the eye could see, with the only changes being when we dropped down to cross three river valleys: the Tozo, the Almonte and finally the narrow Arroyo de la Vid. After the last crossing we followed the road winding up to the edge of the Monfragüe Park, heralded by a rocky ridge, capped by a small castle and a spectacular gorge through which passed the Tajo river. Our first stop was the castle itself which we reached by climbing up stone steps through groves of wild olive and cork oak. The view from the top was stunning: a vast dehesa panorama to the south, whilst to the north the hills of the park, the man-made lakes along the river valley and behind the snow-capped Gredos. We were very pleased to have close views of a Red-billed Chough around the castle, Blue Rock Thrush, as well as fly-bys of many Griffon Vultures, a pair of Egyptian Vulture and a Black Vultures.  Hawfinches flew across the road as we drove to our next port of call, the famous Peña Falcón and Salto de Gitano (the Gypsy’s leap). Here close to the base of the gorge, we enjoyed more spectacular views of Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, a Sparrowhawk as well as four Black Stork. Smaller birds were not outdone: a delightfully tame Rock Bunting, Crag Martins and a superb Blue Rock Thrush, as well as a singing Black Redstart.  By the car park, on the tips of twigs of a bare-tree we found a fine Nettle-tree Butterfly, the first of several that we saw during the day and a recently emerged Large Tortoiseshell. We also found a clump of Spanish Bluebell.

We stopped briefly opposite the Cardenal bridge just as three Alpine Swifts flew over. Hundreds of House Martins were flying around the road bridge. After a stop at Villareal de San Carlos, we found a Short-toed Eagle perched on a pylon close-by. We continued through to Tajadilla, a lovely picnic spot just downstream from one of the dams along the course of the river. It overlooked another rock face with nesting Griffon Vultures, with Black Kites and Egyptian Vulture present as well. A Hawfinch was briefly seen, attracted by the elms in seed. A pair of Golden Eagles passed high overhead. Another Short-toed Eagle was seen on a post as we headed after lunch to the Portilla del Tietár.

At the Portilla, the viewpoint directed our gaze onto the wonderful strata of the cliffs opposite, supporting another colony of Griffon Vulture. We found one of the pair of resident Eagle Owls, sitting on her nest on the cliff opposite under an Adenocarpus bush. Over the course of our stay there, everyone got, eventually, sufficiently good views to convince themselves that the sitting bird was indeed animate! Lucky ones saw her deep orange eye, or saw her move a little. The barking call of Spanish Imperial Eagle draw our attention to the arrival of one of the local pair, which perched on the skyline of the cliffs opposite, preening initially and then gazing majestically across its domain. Just at the same time, a Golden Eagle was soaring distantly to the right.

Angel Tears and Hoop Petticoat Narcissus grew side-by-side on the bank beside the road.

13 March: Rice fields and plains near Madrigalejo
A pre-breakfast walk yielded a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker for Colin and Andrew, as well as more Hawfinches. With another fine day ahead, we drove south after breakfast. A stop at a filling station at Zorita produced Lesser Kestrel and Crag Martin and we then drove across the Zorita Plains towards Madrigalejo. Next to the turning for Campo Lugar, a flock of at least 100 Little Bustards were present. This encouraged us to make a detour along that road to see if we could locate the flock from the quieter minor road. Only a few of the birds were visible, but they nevertheless provided good views. As we watched them, seven Great Bustards flew over the main road, landing in a rather rocky field. Calandra Larks started to climb, one after the other until small groups of singing males seemed to fill the skies. A group of Lesser kestrels also appeared, hunting over the plains. We continued a little further, finding a further group of Great Bustards (including some fine males) on one side of the road and a group of Little Bustard on the other!

After coffee just outside Madrigalejo, we then entered an area of mixed habitat, leading to rice fields, known as Casas del Hito. Several Southern Grey Shrike were seen, Zitting Cisticolas provided excellent views, as well as flocks of Spanish Sparrows. Approaching a patch of woodland, we glimpsed a Black-shouldered Kite flying from a tree in front of us. A second bird was soon located and we were treated to superb views of these beautiful small raptors, gliding past with wings held in a steep V as well as hovering. We then drove up to a pool (Charca el Hito) sited behind embankments and climbed up to peer over the edge. A few Mallard were present and, very distantly at the back of the pool, about a dozen Garganey and some Pintail. We ate our lunch on the embankment, which provided an excellent view of the extensive rice stubble. A flock of Black-tailed Godwits flew over, just as two Black-belied Sandgrouse flew in the opposite direction. Seconds later three Avocet flew in.  A very distant flock of over 20 Common Cranes were found: our only sighting of the day. Cetti’s Warblers and Zitting Cisticolas sang, whilst Water Rails called from the ditch below. From the ditch, Shevaun saw a spotted bird emerge, a few minutes later it briefly reappeared: a Spotted Crake, but unfortunately only three of the group saw it. Returning to the main road, we spotted to watch a group of Red Avadavats.

We then travelled onto another rice field area, south of Madrigalejo, around the village of Vegas Altas. Many of us had good views of a Water Pipit feeding at the edge of one field and the area seemed to hold a lot of Common Snipe. As we left the area, having found no cranes, we saw 7 male Great Bustards, beautiful in the early afternoon sun, with Iberian Hare running in the same field.

We then headed to a third irrigated zone, near the village of Palazuelo. We stopped beside the Rover Ruercas to check out a good area of riverine habitat. We saw another flock of Red Avadavat, as well as Kingfisher, but the highlight was a group of five Large Psammodromus lizards, basking in the afternoon sun. Before dinner, adventurous members of the group hiked the path up the hill to where Sarah had found orchids the previous day. Both Champagne and Milky Orchids were in flower.

14 March: Trujillo and Cabañas del Castillo
More of the group saw the female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the vineyard at the entrance of the Finca before breakfast. With another warm and cloudless day forecast we headed off to spend the morning visiting Trujillo. The beautiful medieval town square and the narrow cobbled streets leading up to the castle are dominated by the old granite-built palaces and large churches built, testimony to the wealth brought back from South America by the conquistadores born in Trujillo. The same buildings with their old tiled roofs, support one of Spain’s most important colonies of Lesser Kestrel as well as many pairs of Pallid Swift. We enjoyed watching both species, both in the Main Square, as well as from the castle, where we had excellent views of Lesser Kestrels from above. Near the castle we watched basking Spanish Wall Lizards and Large Psammodromus, whilst a Violet Carpenter bee and Hummingbird Hawk Moth were also present.

At 12.30, after coffee in the Plaza Mayor, we left Trujillo and headed ten kilometres up the motorway, then taking a road to Torrecillas and thence to Aldeacentenera. We continued to the Villuercas mountains, a lovely series of ridges to the east of the dehesa and plains that we had been exploring over the last few days. We stopped for lunch at a crossing of the Rio Almonte, where the river passes through a narrow gorge. As well as Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, we had superb views of a two-year old Golden Eagle: our sixth of this species in four days! A Grey Wagtail frequented the fast-flowing river’s boulders, a Rock Bunting perched on a riverside tree, whilst House Martins flew up to their nests, under an overhang in the cliff above.  Nearby is the tiny village of Cabañas del Castillo, perched at the base of one of a pair of crags, on the top of which sits an ancient castle. We walked through the village and then along a path leading to the small village cemetery and a gap between the crags, to afford one a magnificent view of the valley to the east. Quickly we found first one and then another Black Wheatear, superb views of this lovely bird. The rocks above the village also held Black Redstarts and Blue Rock Thrushes. From the vantage point overlooking the valley behind the village, we could watch passing Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, a few Alpine Swifts, Crag Martins and two Short-toed Eagles. Botanically the area was productive with Dwarf Sheep’s Bit, Hoop Petticoat Narcissus and a fine yellow toadflax.

15th March: Santa Marta de Magasca
The settled warm and sunny weather continued. After breakfast, we drove west of Trujillo, seeing two Little Bustards from the main road and then we took the road to Santa Marta de Magasca. Stopping at the edge of the plains, we heard some distant Pin-tailed Sandgrouse and then saw a flock of about 40 birds flying along a ridge at the top of field, before then descending out of view on the other side of the ridge. Dorothy, who had been carefully scanning a field, found two Stone Curlew and everyone was able to get good views of them. A party of Little Bustard were then found in the adjoining field, and then a Great Spotted Cuckoo, searching the ground for caterpillars.  Continuing along the road, we stopped at the brow of the hill and were rewarded by views of the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse on the ground. A little further on we were able to walk along a wide track, enjoying the wonderfully mimetic song of Calandra Lark. Black and Griffon Vultures passed overhead. Dozens of Barbary Nut Iris were poised to open into flower.

We set off and after coffee in the village of Santa Marta de Magasca, we headed south to the Rio Tamuja, set in a deep wooded valley. Here we had lunch in this wonderful spot. A procession of raptors passed overhead. We saw no fewer than eight species there: Bonelli’s Eagle, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Black and Griffon  Vulture, Black and Red Kite and Common Buzzard. Several Cleopatra butterflies were on the wing, as were Swallowtail, Brown Argus and Clouded Yellow. We ate lunch to the background chorus of dozens of Iberian Water Frogs.  A clump of Common Jonquil was also found. We then drove  towards the Cáceres road. Corn Buntings were becoming more and more common and we saw an impressive flock of over 100 Raven. Taking a small country lane for a few hundred metres, we stopped at a pool which hosted a Greenshank, two Green Sandpipers, two Snipe and a Little Grebe. Whilst we were watching these, Dorothy’s careful scanning in the opposite direction produced a flock of about 40 Great Bustard. Careful scrutiny of the flock produced sightings of four Little Bustard and it was good to see both bustard species side-by-side. Several Barbary Nut Iris were in flower in this area.  

Returning to Finca Santa Marta late afternoon, we met Sarah who had had a wonderful day exploring the hill above the finca. Later that evening, Marcelino Cardalliaguet (Extremadura representative of the Spanish Ornithological Society) gave an illustrated talk on bird conservation in Extremadura and received a cheque from Chris, as a contribution from the group to continue SEO’s work.

16th March: Arrocampo and Jaraicejo
An overflying Hobby put in an appearance for a lucky few just before breakfast. After breakfast we headed up to motorway to Almaraz and the reservoir of Arrocampo, with Colin counting Black Kites all the way! The reservoir lies between the town of Almarez and the village of Saucedilla and provides cooling water for the power station. The water circulating around is slightly warmer than the average, probably accounting for the luxuriant growth of littoral vegetation. We parked beyond a bridge and scanned the vegetation on both sides. Quickly we found our first Purple Swamphen, and soon were watching others clambering through the vegetation. A Purple Heron was spotted flying into the reeds, closely followed by a Grey Heron. A Savi’s Warbler reeled in the distance and eventually we tracked it down: a rather plain warbler perched high on a clump of vegetation. A brief snatch of Sedge Warbler song was also heard. A fine male Marsh Harrier quartered the reeds and rushes, later seen with a female, with another male behind. A small group of Common Waxbills frequented a patch of brambles. We then went to another viewpoint, having good views of Spanish Sparrows feeding and seeing two Great White Egrets in the distance. A coffee stop in the village of Saucedilla beckoned and we found a bar close to the old church. The latter has a colony of Lesser Kestrel and we had magnificent views of birds wheeling overhead and a fine male perched beside its nest hole.  We then found an excellent lunch stop beside the pool at Cerro Alto, where the lowered water level had exposed mud. Small numbers of waders such as Black-winged Stilts and Ruff were present, but pride of place were a pair of Spoonbill which flew in to feed energetically amongst the waders. They were in superb plumage. Eventually they lifted off, circled and departed, a signal perhaps for us to start our return to the Finca.

Just after leaving Almarez, we stopped to admire a stand of Naked Man Orchid and then returned by the motorway to Trujillo, with a grey shower cloud hanging over our destination: the first we had seen for the whole week.

Back at the Finca we had our final afternoon tea and checklist call-over, followed by a group photo as a few drops of rain fell. The shower was soon over and most of the party took the opportunity to walk up the track to the top of the property and beyond to see the orchids and Iberian Fritillaries. It was a beautiful evening walk, with good views of Hawfinch being an extra bonus.

17th March: Finca Santa Marta to Madrid
As we set off just before dawn for the airport, the clear sky heralded yet again a another sunny, clear day in store. We had indeed been lucky with the weather throughout the holiday. Swallows and wrens joined the dawn chorus and as we drove along the motorway, the first birds seen were the early-rising Black Kites, languidly flapping alongside the road. Apart from a short delay at the entrance of Madrid caused by a police roadblock, we had an easy run to the airport, arriving in good time for the check-in and farewells.

Systematic list – Birds

A summary of sightings contributed by the whole group at the daily “call-over”

Little Grebe              One on a pool near Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March and one near Trujillo on 16th March.

Great Crested Grebe Pairs on Sierra Brava reservoir and Charca del Hito on 13th March and at Arrocampo on 16th March.

Cormorant               Seen almost daily along rivers and on water bodies, over 100 flying over the plains near Santa Marta de Magasca northwards in a long line on 15th March.  

Cattle Egret             Seen daily.

Little Egret               Small numbers seen most days around large pools. A flock of 20 on the ricefields at Vegas Altas on 13th March

Great White Egret  One present on roadside pool near Madrigalejo on 13th March and two at Arrocampo on 16th March. This species is now being recorded more frequently in Extremadura.

Grey Heron              Seen in small numbers almost every day.

Purple Heron          Four seen at Arrocampo on 16th March.

Black Stork              At least six in Monfragüe on 12th March.

White Stork              Common throughout the week, around towns and villages, as well as in the fields.

Spoonbill                 Excellent views of two feeding at the pool of Cerro Alto, near Arrocampo on 16th March.

Gadwall                    Two on pool in Belén Plains on 11th March.        

Mallard                      Pairs seen almost daily on roadside pools with small numbers present at Belén Plains, Sierra Brava and Casas del Hito.

Pintail                        Three at Charca del Hito on 13th March.

Garganey                 Ten, seen distantly,  at Charca del Hito on 13th March. 

Shoveler                   Four present on pool on Belén Plains on 11th March.

Black-shouldered Kite One hunting beside motorway on 10th March and a pair at Casas del Hito on 13th March.

Black Kite                Double figures seen everyday.

Red Kite                   Single figures seen everyday, especially over dehesa and the plains.

Egyptian Vulture    Seen, generally in pairs, at Monfragüe and the Villuercas mountains, with one birds also seen near Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March.

Griffon Vulture        Good numbers seen everyday, especially at Monfragúe on 12th March when at least 200 seen, and over 100 on Belén Plains the previous day. The views from the castle there were especially memorable.

Black Vulture          Seen most days, often totalling double figures, especially on Belén Plains and near Santa Marta de Magasca.

Short-toed Eagle    Seen almost daily, often in pairs, with some superb close views obtained on occasions. A party of five together, almost certainly on migration, over Belén Plains on 11th March.

Marsh Harrier          Recorded on Belén Plains (single bird) with six on the ricefields on 13th March and a similar number at Arrocampo on 16th March.

Hen Harrier              A male seen near Aldeacentenera on 11th and 14th March, and another male near Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March.

Sparrowhawk         Four different individuals seen at Monfragüe on 12th March.

Common Buzzard Seen daily.

Spanish Imperial Eagle One bird perched on the top of the cliff at Portilla del Tiétar in Monfragüe on 12th March.

Golden Eagle          A very good week for this species: two birds together over Belén Plains on 11th March, two birds at Mirador de Tajadilla and a third at Portilla del Tiétar in Monfragüe on 12th March and the sixth sighting, a two-year old bird over the Rio Almonte near Cabañas del Castillo on 14th March.

Bonelli’s Eagle       One bird over the Rio Tamuja on 15th March.

Booted Eagle          One bird (pale phase) passing high overhead at Rio Tamuja on 15th March.

Lesser Kestrel        Seen daily in double figures. Excellent views obtained in Trujillo and Saucedilla of this exquisite little falcon.

Common Kestrel    Seen almost daily in single figures.

Hobby                       One bird overhead with swallows early morning on 16th March at Finca Santa Marta.

Red-legged Partridge Seen most days, especially common around Santa Marta de Magasca.

Quail                          One heard on ricefields on 13th March.

Water Rail                Heard at Charca del Hito on 13th March and Arrocampo on 16th March.

Spotted Crake        One seen briefly but well by a few members of the party at Charca del Hito on 13th March.

Moorhen                   Small numbers on ricefields and Arrocampo.

Purple Swamphen Excellent views of at least ten birds at Arrocampo on 16th March.

Coot                          Present at the reservoirs of Sierra Brava and Arrocampo.

Common Crane      One birds flying high over Belén Plains on 11th March and 24 circling at distance over Casas del Hito on 13th March.

Little Bustard          Winter flocks totalling 130 present on Zorita Plains on 13th March, and 30 in small groups near Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March.

Great Bustard         Five or six birds on Belén Plains on 11th March, a total of over 30 birds seen on 13th March (seven near Sierra Brava, over 16 on Zorita Plains and seven at Vegas Altas) and over 50 west of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March.

Stone Curlew          Two birds seen well east of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March.

Black-winged Stilt Two seen from motorway on 10th March and about four at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Avocet                      Three at Charca del Hito on 13th March.

Ringed Plover         One with the following species at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Little Ringed Plover          One beside pool on Belén Plains on 11th March and two at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Golden Plover         Three on plains east of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March were the only records.

Lapwing                   Very few of this winter visitor still present: two on Belén Plains on 11th March, 12 west of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March and 4 at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Little Stint                 Two seen distantly at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Ruff                            About six at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Snipe                         At least 50 seen during the day in the rice fields on 13th March, two on pool west of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March and at least three at Arrocampo and Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Black-tailed Godwit          Over 100 flying over Charca del Hito on 13th March.

Redshank                Two at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Greenshank            One on a pool on plains near Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March and at least four at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Green Sandpiper   One on Belén Plains on 11th March, two west of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March and about four at Cerro Alto on 16th March. One bird also seen near Trujillo.

Common Sandpiper         Two at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Black-headed Gull Small flocks seen almost daily.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Small numbers seen from motorway, on pool near Trujillo and over ricefields.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse Two in flight over Charca del Hito on 13th March.

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Over 40 seen in flight and several of the flock seen well on the ground on plains east of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March.

Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon Seen daily

Woodpigeon           Small numbers seen almost daily.

Collared Dove         Seen daily.

Great Spotted Cuckoo One on Belén Plains on 11th March, one at Finca Santa Marta and one seen whilst driving to Monfragüe on 12th March, one east of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th march and one at Cerro Alto on 16th March.

Scops Owl               Heard in the evening at the Finca from 15th March.

Eagle Owl                 Incubating bird at Monfragüe on 12th March.

Little Owl                  Five seen at Belén Plains on 11th March, one west of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March and heard at the Finca on 16th March.

Pallid Swift               Excellent views at Trujillo on 14th March. Distant swifts seen during the week elsewhere were probably of this species.

Alpine Swift             Three seen at Monfragüe on 12th March and four or five at Cabañas del Castillo on 14th March.

Kingfisher                One seen on Rio Ruercas on 13th March, otherwise heard at Rio Tamuja on 15th March and Arrocampo on 17th March.

Hoopoe                    Commonly seen everyday.

Green Woodpecker          Seen and heard at Finca Santa Marta most mornings.

Great Spotted Woodpecker One seen (and two drumming) at Monfragüe castle on 12th March and one at Finca Santa Marta on 16th March.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Female drumming at entrance of Finca Santa Marta on 13th and 14th March.

Calandra Lark         Seen on each visit to open plains (probably over 30 seen on Belén Plains on 11th March), a characteristic and evocative song of this habitat.

Crested Lark           Common and seen daily.

Thekla Lark             Present in suitable habitat, two seen especially on hills above Madroñera.

Skylark                     Small flocks of this winter visitor seen on Belén Plains on 11th March and on ricefields on 13th March.

Sand Martin             Two at Casas del Hito on 13th March and about 10 at Arrocampo on 16th March.

Crag Martin              Common near bridges crossing Almonte river and in rocky areas in Monfragüe and in the Villuercus mountains, also present in Trujillo

Swallow                    Common every day.

Red-rumped Swallow Seen daily.

House Martin          Common every day.

Meadow Pipit          Small numbers seen almost daily.

Water Pipit               Individuals coming into breeding plumage on rice fields at Vegas Altas 13th March.

Grey Wagtail            One at Rio Almonte near Cabañas del Castillo on 14th March.

White Wagtail          Small numbers seen daily.

Wren                          Recorded daily.

Robin                        Small numbers seen daily.

Black Redstart        Present around the Finca and also seen at Monfragüe on 12th March and Cabañas del Castillo on 14th March, where at least six present.

Stonechat                Common and seen every day.

Black Wheatear      Excellent views of two birds at Cabañas del Castillo on 14th March.

Blue Rock Thrush Seen in Monfragüe on 12th March and Cabañas del Castillo on 14th March.

Blackbird                 Seen daily.

Song Thrush           Seen daily.

Mistle Thrush          Seen in deshesa near Aldeacentenera on 14th March.

Cetti’s Warbler        Heard on the rice fields on 13th March and at Arrocampo on 16th  March, including one bird seen.

Zitting Cisticola      Recorded on Belén Plains on 11th March, the rice fields on 13th March and Arrocampo on 16th March.

Savi’s Warbler        One singing at Arrocampo on 16th March.

Sedge Warbler        One burst of song heard at Arrocampo on 16th March.

Dartford Warbler    One singing above Madroñera on 11th March.

Sardinian Warbler  Seen daily.

Blackcap                  Seen daily and in good numbers around Finca.

Chiffchaff                 Seen daily and especially numerous in waterside vegetation.

Long-tailed Tit        Small numbers seen most days.

Blue Tit                     Seen daily.

Great Tit                    Seen daily.

Short-toed Treecreeper Seen and heard almost daily, especially around the Finca.

Southern Grey Shrike Seen almost daily.

Jay                             One near Madroñera on 11th March, two seen at Monfragüe on 12th March and one near Cabañas del Castillo on 14th March

Azure-winged Magpie Commonly seen everyday.

Magpie                      Commonly seen every day.

Red-billed Chough           One at the castle at Monfragüe on 12th March.

Jackdaw                   Commonly seen everyday.

Raven                       Seen daily, a flock of about 100 west of Santa Marta de Magasca on 15th March.

Spotless Starling   Common every day.

House Sparrow      Common every day.

Spanish Sparrow   Seen commonly most days, often in large flocks.

Tree Sparrow          Two at Vegas Altas on 13th March.

Rock Sparrow        Seen on two mornings at entrance of Finca.

Common Waxbill   Small flocks at Arrocampo on 16th March.

Red Avadavat         Small flocks on the rice fields on 13th March.

Chaffinch                 Small numbers seen every day.

Serin                          Seen very day, often in song-flight.

Greenfinch               Seen almost daily near the Finca.

Goldfinch                 Small flocks seen daily: over 40 on Belén Plains.

Linnet                        Seen daily.

Hawfinch                  Recorded almost every morning at the Finca, as well as around the castle at Monfragüe on 12th March.

Rock Bunting         Seen at Monfragüe on 12th March and Cabañas del Castillo on 14th March.

Corn Bunting          Seen daily. One of the commonest birds of the plains.

Wildlife sightings of the week, as nominated by group members

MAMMALS

Red Deer Cervus elephus
Iberian Hare Lepus granatensis
Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

Spanish (stripe-necked) terrapin Mauremys caspica
Ladder snake Elaphe scalaris
Large psammodromus Psammodromus algirus
Iberian wall lizard Podarcis hispanica
Natterjack toad Bufo calamita
Iberian pool frog Rana perezi

BUTTERFLIES

Swallowtail
Spanish Festoon
Large White
Western Dappled White
Clouded Yellow
Cleopatra
Nettle-tree Butterfly
Large Tortoiseshell
Red Admiral
Painted Lady
Small Heath
Wall Brown
Provence Hairstreak
Small Copper
Holly Blue
Brown Argus

OTHER INVERTEBRATES

Egyptian grasshopper/locust Anacridium aegyptium
Hummingbird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum
A tiger moth Ocnognyna boetica
Violet carpenter bee Xylocopa violacea
A bee-fly sp (Bombyliidae)