Sierra de Gredos

Spain

Overview

This mountain range, part of the Sistema Central, lies in central Spain within easy reach of Madrid and much of it has Regional Park status. It is heavily visited during the summer months and there is the threat of more development for skiing but a good range of mountain birds can be seen close to Spain's capital. This large limestone massif reaches its highest point at the Pico de Almanzor at 2,920m and there are many other peaks over 2,000m.

There are still some extensive stands of Maritime Pine Pinus pinaster forest and Pyrenean Oak Quercus pyrenaicus woodland, particularly on the southern slopes but centuries of deforestation has greatly reduced these habitats and this range and much of the area is now scrub dominated by broom with large areas of alpine grassland in the higher regions.

The northern slopes are rather gentle and often snow-covered for 5-6 months per year. In contrast, the south is much more rugged with sheer drops, high cliffs and deep gorges.

Birds

Notable Species

The Sierra de Gredos is well known to ornithologists as one of the major strongholds of Eurasian Black Vulture in Spain but the area is excellent raptor country with important numbers of Griffon Vulture and eagles including Golden Eagle, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle and Booted Eagle. Other raptors present include both kites, Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and European Honey Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon and Northern Hobby.

As well as raptors both storks breed, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Red-necked Nightjar and European Bee-eater. Passerines include such mountain species as Red-billed Chough, Northern Raven, Alpine Accentor, White-throated Dipper, Water Pipit, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting.

The pine and oak woods have breeding Citril Finch, Common Crossbill, Hawfinch, Crested Tit, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Iberian Magpie and Ortolan Bunting can be found in more open country and scrub. White-spotted Bluethroat nests in the broom scrub on these slopes in higher numbers than anywhere else in Spain.

Checklist

Birds you can see here include:

Black Stork, White Stork, European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Eurasian Black Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Booted Eagle, Common Kestrel, Northern Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Common Quail, Rock Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Long-eared Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, European Bee-eater, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Water Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Common Dipper, Dunnock, Alpine Accentor, White-spotted Bluethroat, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Firecrest, European Pied Flycatcher, Crested Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Woodchat Shrike, Southern Grey Shrike, Common Jay, Iberian Magpie, Red-billed Chough, Northern Raven, Rock Sparrow, Citril Finch, Common Crossbill, Hawfinch, Rock Bunting, Ortolan Bunting

Other Wildlife

The scrubland is primarily made of two species of broom, Cytisus multiflorus and C. striatus as well as various Cistus species and Genista florida. Many localised plant species occur in the Gredos including Echium lusitanicum polycaulon, Spanish Lupin Lupinus hispanicus, a Spanish endemic of the Pink family, Dianthus laricifolius and the white-flowered Reseda gredensis, known only from here and a small part of central Portugal. A true endemic of the Gredos is a pale yellow member of the Sanpdragon family, Antirrhinum grosii.

The Sierra de Gredos has one of the largest remaining populations of Spanish Ibex Capra pyrenaica and these magnificent wild goats can often be seen in the higher parts of the range. Other mammals include Wild Boar Sus scrofa, Wild Cat Felis silvestris and a few surviving Grey Wolf Canis lupus.

Site Information

Areas of Interest

The north of the region is best explored from Avila. Take the N110 from Avila towards Plasencia and after a few km turn left onto the C502 continuing until it meets the C500. From the junction turn right to Hoyos del Espino and a minor road leads from there to La Plataforma where cars can be teft.

A track leads from here across meadows and scrubland to a rocky outcrop known as Los Barrerones which gives good views of raptors and other montane species over a nearby gorge.

Further on is a small glacial lake, Laguna Grande de Gredos, where there is a mountain refuge. Another trail leads from La Plataforma to Candeleda which also offers superb mountain scenery and excellent birds.

As well as the mountain refuge at the lake there are several campsites and hostels in local villages.

Access and Facilities

The southern region of the Sierra de Gredos is easily reached by road from Madrid on the NV, turning off at Talavera de la Reina on the C502 to Arenas de San Pedro. From here any of the minor roads to the north and west will lead into productive areas.

The pinewoods between Cuevas del Valle and El Arenal are particularly good and the nearby Puerto del Pico pass offers a good range of upland species.

Arenas de San Pedro and nearby Candelada have hotel and hostel accommodation.

Contact Details

• Casa del Parque, “Pinos Cimeros”, Hoyos del Espino. (0034) 920 349204
• Casa del Parque, “El Risquillo”, Guisando. (0034) 920 374162 ^[1]

References

1. Go Gredos, Sierra de Gredos Regional Park

External Links

• Go Gredos (Tourist Information)

Content and images originally posted by Steve