Birding in Extremadura (1 Viewer)

[Dutch Birder]

Extremadura: raining two weeks....

...bad for our guests, good for nature after some very dry years.
Hard times for Short-toed eagles and Bee-eaters f.e, good times for
vultures and other scavengers because many cattle die.

Photos: rain shower above Berzocana and flying Hoopoe near Retamosa,
both Geopark Villuercas.

sunny heart henk

 

[Dutch Birder]

Montagu´s Harrier

Stunning photo by our Peter van der Weiden of a female Montagu´s Harrier during our visit to La Serena, See also www.pvdweiden.com

La Serena, super place for all those Steppe birds.

See you, henk

 

[Dutch Birder]

steppe birds in june

temps are rising above 30 degr Celsius, so cattle have a hard time in steppe areas. Insectivorous birds take advantage of the insect explosion.
Birders have to be early and drink a lot.
Our Swiss guests Susi and Ueli Schlatter made some beautiful pictures on the steppes (planes) of Zorita and La Serena. See also www.schlatter-photography.ch

Here f.e.: Cattle egret, Little bustard, Roller, Little owl, Great spotted Cuckoo.

bye, henk

 

[Dutch Birder]

Invasion of Red Kites

Earlier than last years, this time of year we see a strong influx of Red Kites from northern territories, while Black Kites are forming groups heading South.
Photo: Red Kite in the Geopark Villuercas (from a mobile hide)

henk

 

[Dutch Birder]

no silent summer

It is said that most birds are very quiet this time of year (July and August).
But we still hear the singing of Nightingale, Blackcap, Blue Rock Thrush
for example, and high above us the contact calls of Short-toed Eagles.
Also good to be heard are Golden Orioles, on the photo a juvenile, looking
if the figs are eatable already - and they stay till the end of the fig-season, mid september.

have fun, henk

 

[Dutch Birder]

Redstart in Extremadura

Last week we said goodbye to many species, Bee-eaters, Golden Orioles, Swifts....but he good news is the arrival of northern migrants. Rare birds also, as is the Redstart, since a week in the Geopark region (photo Liesbeth van Vliet). Is a rare breeding species in Spain, and hardly be seen in our region.

Still present are Booted Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Red-rumped Swallow.
And incoming species are waders, as Lapwing, Ruff, Golden Plover etc.
Super season for birding!

henk

 

[Dutch Birder]

Red-footed Falcon

Yesterday, October 1st, we saw a pair of Red-footed Falcons hunting insects over the planes between Belén and Aldeacentenera.
Last yeasr their numbers tend to increase here in the migration season.
Also present, but for staying here in wintertime, Hen Harriers and thousands of Wheatears.

BTW, this summer is the dryest in 100 years....

bye,henk

 

[Charlie Gargrave]

Have any cranes arrived yet?

 

[Raul Birding]

Have any cranes arrived yet?

The cranes are coming to Extremadura. Around 18,000 cranes crossed the Lindus Port in Navarra on October 31th. There are already some 30,000 cranes in Extremadura. Also, it has been a lot of movements in Madrid, its passage is continuous.

 

[Dutch Birder]

Less space for Cranes

One of the main concerns here is the conversion of authentic landscape into
intensive olive and fruit groves in many parts of Extremadura.
Especially in one of the main wintering areas for Cranes, Moheda Alta, see
the photo that I took a few weeks ago.

henk

 

[Jon Turner]

One of the main concerns here is the conversion of authentic landscape into
intensive olive and fruit groves in many parts of Extremadura.
Especially in one of the main wintering areas for Cranes, Moheda Alta, see
the photo that I took a few weeks ago.

henk

Presumably the world needs more Olive Oil? The monoculture around Cordobá is a bit of a birding desert.

 

[Dutch Birder]

the local bird groups have expressed their concerns....maybe time for more international actions?

 

[Dutch Birder]

Peregrine catches Bat

During an excursion on the 8th of november, with the expats Graham Mills and his pal Dave, we saw this Peregrine. Using the telescope it turned out that she had catched a bat. Dehesa of Logrosán. Photo: Graham Mills.

More recordings?
cheers, henk

 

[Dutch Birder]

Cranes debating

Cranes debating
In front of our hide in Moheda Alta: "Tetterete, you may eat some of my acorns, but stay away from my wife and children, you ugly Crane, tetterete! "

 

[Dutch Birder]

Record-breaking numbers of wintering Common Crane this year in Extremadura

Message from: Grus Extremadura

87.734 cranes is the result of the census that took place last weekend in the central area of extremadura. We would like to thank tod@s l@s participants for their work!

see also:
https://www.facebook.com/grusextremadura/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

cheers! henk

 

[jimk24]

I am visiting Spain between January 12th and February 1st, arriving in Malaga and using a hire car to visit various sites. Staying at Mijas for 4 days, Tarifa for 2 then El Rocio and on to Trujillo from Jan 23rd to 27th. We are staying at Casa Rural Las Canteras, Trujillo3, Carretera de Trujillo a Monroy (CV-128), Trujillo, Caceres, 10200, Spain. My wife and I are looking for a bird guide on either January 24, 25th or 26th. We particularly wish to see large flocks of Cranes, plus Bustards and sandgrouse. Can anyone recommend a guide please.

Jim

 

[Cuckoo-shrike]

Jim, I can recommend Jose at [email protected]. Excellent local guide and a nice guy too.

 

[jimk24]

Thanks Andy

 

[Dutch Birder]

Hi Jim, for more reliable guides you can look at www.guidextremadura.com.
I am on that list too, but live in another region than where your accommodation is located.

But here "in my region" you can spot the birds of your wish list also,
so in case you need a guide and don´t mind to drive a bit, let me know.
Ciao, henk

 

[jimk24]

Henk, Thanks for the offer. One of the reasons for hiring a guide is to reduce the amount of driving and I know that the best places for large flocks of Cranes are not far from Caceras