Extremadura, Spain. Trip Report. Day 1

In February, I was given the opportunity to represent Surfbirds on a four day famtrip (familiarisation trip) to southern Extremadura in Spain. This being the Province of Badajoz.

The trip was organised to promote this under-watched area for birdwatching and was led by the experienced and very knowledgeable Godfried Schreur

 The full trip report with an impressive 124 species list can be found at the Surfbirds site - Surfbirds Trip Report

It was a very intensive trip with photography being quite difficult, it was stop and go and the birds were often quite distant. Especially on the first day with the poor misty weather conditions. Still, I managed a few good shots of some species and I hope it will give birdwatchers an idea of what they can expect to see.

I flew into Lisbon airport in Portugal. The road journey to Badajoz province takes about two and a half hours.

Day 1. February 20th. Weather: Misty and grey with showers.

A visit to the plains and steppe of Valverde de Leganés was our first location. This habitat of large open fields, interspersed with olive groves and the occasional few big trees is the perfect landscape for our target birds here.  Great Bustard and Little Bustard were seen in good numbers, on the ground and in flight. A  few Black-bellied Sandgrouse were seen flying over, as a Merlin was spotted sitting on a post. Large groups of White Storks were perched up on nests in the large trees, as Hen Harriers and Red Kites patrolled the fields. Calandra and Crested Larks could be seen and heard calling.  Common Cranes were heard in the distance.

Great Bustard

Great Bustard

Great Bustard

Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Little Bustard

We then moved on to the lagoons at La Albuera. Two hides overlook the main lagoon which is home to waterfowl. Amongst the more common birds here such as Pochard and Gadwall, of interest  were Egyptian Goose, Red-crested Pochard and Black-necked Grebe.  A pair of White Storks had taken up residence on top of a tower hide nearby, with more in the trees beyond. A Singing, Southern Grey Shrike was seen in a nearby tree and both Hen and Marsh Harrier were spotted here.

White Stork

White Stork

Lunch and the afternoon were spent at a private estate in  Valverde de Leganes.  We would be shown how the Iberian Pig is farmed and the breeding of the Toro Bravo (fighting bulls).  Birds seen here of note were: Pallid Swift, Corn Bunting and Green Sandpiper. Serins and Crested Larks were calling in abundance.  A nesting colony of White Storks occupied a number of large trees here. The day was finished off watching Common Cranes coming in to roost, large numbers were gathering in the fields.

Common Crane