My better half and I have just spent the last 5 weeks birding in Spain. As my wife is disabled some of the top spots especially in the Donana National park had to be missed out due to the dodgy roads so we stuck to birding from the camper van and were amazed how many different species that we saw.
Our first stop as always was Monfrague in Extremadura. I won't bore you with the more common birds that were seen but the highlight for us were
2 (Bonelli's Eagles), (Blue Rock Thrush), (Rock Thrush), (Crag Martin), and a few (Red Rumped Swallows), plus too many to count Griffon Vultures all seen near the Salto del Gitano viewpoint by the Rio Tajo.
We also visited lakes at Arrowcampo near Almaraz. Its a great birding spot for the usual wetland birds. Some of the more unusual birds there were Great White Egret, (Purple Gallinule), Squacco Heron, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Great Grey Shrike, (Bluethroat), Hoopoe, (Spanish Sparrow) and (Zitting Cisticola), Blackwinged Kites plus a flyover Spanish Imperial Eagle.
From Extremadura it was onto the Donana in southern Spain. Plenty of Red Kites and a couple of Black kites and 2 Ospreys on a pylon while on the road. The Donana has got to be the best birding site I have seen. The area is vast but unfortunately most of the roads and tracks were not up to using a camper on so we only covered a fraction of it but still well worth the trip. Plenty of White Storks, 7 Black Storks, Marsh Harriers, 1 (Savi's Warbler) and 2 (Black Wheatear).
After the Donana down to Alcala in Cadiz Provence. The view of the village of Alcala perched on top of a hill is beautiful and another great place for birding but again we could not venture too far with the camper.
Next it was over the border to the Algarve with the first stop at Pedras del Rey on the Rio Formosa. This is a must for waders and Gulls, also Sardinian Warbler, Serin and Hoopoe. No new birds along the Algarve. We spent 3 days at the World Superbikes World Championships held just outside of Portimao. It was okay but not as good as bird watching.
Our last stop in Portugal was a reservoir called Pego do Altar. When we went there 2 years ago at the same time of the year the bird life was not good. This time for some reason the place was great for woodland birds. Saw my first (Common Waxbills) but not so good for water birds.
Had to go back to Extremadura and Arrowcampo before going on to the ferry at Bilboa. I had the best days birding I've ever had when we stopped to have a bite to eat alongside a solitary tree on the edge of a ploughed field. From that spot in and under the tree we saw Thelka Larks, 2 Pied Wagtails, Robin, Chaffinch, 1 Jay, (Rock Sparrow), Blue Tit, Black Redstart, Goldfinch, Siskin, Spanish Sparrows and a (Firecrest) then to top off a great lunch break a Blue Rock Thrush on a post and a Bonelli's Eagle flyover. 14 species without moving.
I've saved the best bit till last. Traveling along the Caceres to Trujillo road we came across 12 (Great Bustards) in a field. Needless to say I pulled up, (legal or not). At last, after 3 visits in 4 years I finally got a photo of a Great Bustard.
So that folks is my story of our trip to Spain. I hope I haven't bored you all too much. A total of 133 species in 5 weeks and 21 lifers can't be bad for late Oct and early Nov. Just think what it must be like in the spring. I can't wait for April. Anyone fancy a week or so next year.
HAPPY BIRDING>
Jim.
Thanks to all those on BF that sent me info on Spain.
[QUOTE=JimMorris;1338898]After the Donana down to Alcala in Cadiz Provence. The view of the village of Alcala perched on top of a hill is beautiful and another great place for birding but again we could not venture too far with the camper.[/QUOTE]
It was a truly dreadful and doleful experience reading your report Jim ;-) ..... I want to be down there now! Still, it's good to see a mention of my favourite village - Alcala de los Gazules - and recognition of what a great locality it is for birding. If you liked the view of the village then you'd have loved the view from the top of the 'town'. A great shame I couldn't have been down there to show you around. Although I certainly wouldn't want to do too much driving in a camper van along the moutain roads (or for that matter up to our house)! Did you stay in the campsite near Alcala (in the Molinos valley)? You can pick up some good birds by simply driving along the valley and associated tracks.
Regards,
John
A very enjoyable report and your open invitation for next April is very tempting! Thanks for sharing.