Birders often ask “If I take one trip in Europe where should that be?” The answer is simple: Spain. This Iberian country is steeped in fascinating history, with ancient Roman, Gothic and Islamic pre-hispanic cultures and a unified Spain dating back to the early 1500s. On this tour we visit the region of Extremadura, frequently referred to as one of Europe’s finest birding areas, offering an eclectic combination of plains birding on Spain’s Llanos de Cácares, along with the exciting raptor watching in the mountains of Monfragüe. The timing of our visit to Extremadura is strategic; this is when hulking male Great Bustards perform their extraordinary displays on the plains, while we also have a good shot at an enigmatic Iberian endemic, the Spanish Imperial Eagle, which headlines a varied cast of raptors at Monfragüe, like including Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures, and Bonelli’s and Booted Eagles. After Extremadura, we explore Doñana, one of Spain’s most famous parks, where a mosaic of habitats provides some of Andalucía’s longest bird lists; we’ll search for the endangered White-headed Duck, and host of other species like flocks of Greater Flamingoes, Red-knobbed Coot, the rare Marbled Duck, Audouin’s Gull, Iberian Magpie (formerly Azure-winged), and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse.
7 май 2024
