Spring Birding in Extremadura & the Gredos Mountains, Spain
This 6-day Extremadura Birding and Gredos Mountains Tour is a relaxing set departure tour that runs in spring. It takes in some of the very best birdwatching spots in Europe: the Spanish region of Extremadura and the Gredos Mountains. Our base for the six days will be a comfortable lodge with fine local food and wine!
Extremadura is considered to be one of the birding jewels of Europe and you will soon understand why. This region, which forms a triangle with the Tietar Valley and the Gredos Mountains, has vast areas of almost untouched habitats. Traditional farming has favoured the preservation of large trees and grass meadows filled with wildflowers. The ancient oaks trees provide hundreds of hollows for nesting birds and other wildlife, so it's not surprising that you can find large numbers of Little Owls, Eurasian Rollers, Hoopoes and Iberian Green Woodpeckers.
"My husband and I (both seniors and enthusiastic beginners at birdwatching) enjoyed several bird tours with Carles Oliver over several years. We started with a half day tour near Barcelona and, on subsequent visits to Barcelona we went on a one day and then on two three day tours (Pyrenees and Ebro Delta). Carles is a knowledgeable and accommodating guide who made sure we had a great time every time." - Elizabeth Allen
In addition, these trees are a magnificent nesting place for some species of raptors, which means many Booted Eagles and Black Kites. Along with these can be found the endemic Spanish Imperial Eagle, a bird of prey that has been recovering from its previous status as critically endangered.
Birding in Extremadura and the Gredos Mountains offers even more delights as the area supports many more Spanish specialities. The grasslands host good populations of Great Bustards, larks and sandgrouse. Here, although their numbers have been decreasing, it's still possible to see Little Bustards. Great Spotted Cuckoos, Collared Pratincoles and Black-winged Kites are other goodies to enjoy in the open lands of this beautiful area.
Another major attraction of birding in Extremadura is the endemic Iberian Magpie, a lovely bird that lives in small flocks in the open oak forests, known as dehesas. All these areas are noted for the number of insectivores they contain - Pallid Swifts, Rollers, Bee-eaters, Woodchat Shrikes, Woodlarks, Iberian Grey Shrikes and Lesser Kestrels can be extremely common. And don't forget the recently split Iberian Flycatcher!
In Extremadura and the Gredos Mountains you can also find impressive wetlands for birding. During the tour we will visit some of the best marshes and lagoons in western Spain to look for Western Swamphens, Savi's Warblers, Greater Flamingoes, Little Bitterns, White-headed and Ferruginous Ducks. If we're lucky we may enjoy one of the extremely rare Marbled Teals, Greater Bittern or Spotted Crake.
In the Gredos Mountains we can find a fine selection of mountain birds along with the impressive Spanish Ibex. Common Rock Thrushes can be common here and share a starring role with Bluethroat, including the lesser-known blue-spotted form. In addition, the area hosts both Ortolan and Rock Buntings, Water Pipit and Citril Finch. The latter are more scarce here than in the Pyrenees, which makes them a fun challenge to find!
Extremadura Birding and Gredos Mountains Tour highlights include:
- Wildflower meadows and ancient oak forests filled with nesting birds
- Imperial Eagles and many other raptor species
- Flocks of endemic Iberian Magpies
- Wetland specialists - Greater Flamingos, bitterns and the rare Marbled Teal
- Mountain species, including the blue-spotted form of Bluethroat
If this tour isn't absolutely perfect for you, we will be happy to create the ideal Extremadura birdwatching tour to explore this area.
Like the look of this tour but keen to explore what else is on offer? Take a look at the North-East of Spain Birding Tour, Catalonia & Aragon.
Alternative Tour Name: Spain in Spring Birding Tour
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Tours
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