Rio Jerte Valley

Rio Jerte Valley Spain

This mountainous area with high peaks and deep valleys is excellent for raptors, and other upland birds as well as species more characteristic of the Mediterranean. This valley separates the Sierra de Bejar from the main southern arm of the Sierra de Gredos and lies within easy reach of Monfrague National Park. The valley bottom is heavily cultivated with extensive groves and orchards but there are patches of Holm Oak and Cork-Oak woodland with Pyrenean Oak and Chestnut on the slopes. Higher up there is extensive scrub and upland pasture.

Resident raptors include Red Kite and Black-shouldered Kite, Griffon Vulture, Northern Goshawk and Peregrine Falcon and these are joined in summer by Western Honey-Buzzard, Egyptian Vulture and Booted Eagle and Short-toed Eagle. Black Stork is another summer visitor as are Great Spotted Cuckoo and Red-necked Nightjar. Eurasian Eagle Owl occurs here and other upland species include Eurasian Crag Martin, Alpine Accentor, Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush. The lower woodlands and large areas of broom scrub are home to warblers such as Dartford Warbler, Sardinian Warbler and Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler and Melodious Warbler. Winter visitors include Woodcock, Siskin and Common Bullfinch.

The area can be explored from the N-110 from Plasencia which runs the length of the valley to the mountain pass at Tornavacas. The gorge known as Garganta del Infernio is worth walking and can be found to the right of the main road between the villages of Cabazuela del Valle and Jerte. From the village of Jerte it is possible for those experienced in mountain walking to walk to a mountain refuge hut at the pass at Collado de las Yeguas. This is one of the best areas for mountain birds. Just before the Garganta del Infernio gorge is a minor road to the left, the N-630, which crosses the Honduras pass and leads to the village of Hervas. There are numerous good walks from this road including the 1845m Cerro Valdeamor.

Birds

Birds you can see here include:

Black Stork, Western Honey-Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Red Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Common Kestrel, Northern Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Red-legged Partridge, Woodcock, Common Sandpiper, Common Cuckoo, Great Eagle Owl, Tawny Owl, European Nightjar, Red-necked Nightjar, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Hoopoe, Alpine Swift, Common Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Thekla Lark, Wood Lark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Water Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Common Dipper, Common Wren, Dunnock, Alpine Accentor, Eurasian Robin, Bluethroat, Nightingale, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Crested Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Golden Oriole, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Common Jay, Azure-winged Magpie, Red-billed Chough, Northern Raven, House Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, European Serin, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Common Bullfinch, Hawfinch, Rock Bunting, Ortolan Bunting, Corn Bunting

Content and images originally posted by Steve