Spain: Spanish Steppes in Autumn. 14th-20th November Limosa Tour Report. report compiled by tour leader: David Cottridge

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Limosa Tour Report Spain: Spanish Steppes in Autumn 14th-20th November 2009 Clockwise, from top left:

woodlands; the elusive Black-winged Kite; and the exotic Azure-winged Magpie David Cottridge For a more

1 Limosa Tour Report Spain: Spanish Steppes in Autumn 14th-20th November 2009 Clockwise, from top left: Highlights from our November 2009 tour to the Spanish Steppes: Common Cranes over Extremadura s dehesa oak woodlands; the elusive Black-winged Kite; and the exotic Azure-winged Magpie David Cottridge For a more extensive selection of photos taken on our tours to Spain, see our online Gallery feature at report compiled by tour leader: David Cottridge 1 Limosa Holidays, Suffield House, Northrepps, Norfolk NR27 0LZ, England tel: +44 (0) fax: +44 (0) info@limosaholidays.co.uk website:

2 Trip Diary Early on the Saturday morning (14th November), our group arrived at Heathrow and, having introduced ourselves to one another, passed through the check-in procedure and security area fairly quickly and smoothly. After early morning rain in London, we took off under a clearing sky and headed south for Madrid. We landed in Madrid under an overcast sky and generally throughout the week experienced similar weather, although there were sufficient sunny spells to generate a pleasant temperature in which to watch Extremadura s birds. We arrived at Las Canteras during the early evening, and this being our first visit to this Casa Rural, were pleasantly surprised by the authentic Spanish décor and a wonderful view across the plains to the ancient citadel of Trujillo. We met our hosts, Francisco and his mother, and later in the evening enjoyed some traditional Extremaduran home-cooking, washed down with local wine. As we retired for the night, we felt that we had truly arrived in the wild heart of Spain. When we awoke the following morning there was a glorious sunrise above Trujillo. During the week, the surrounding steppe grasslands, interlaced with the region s open oak woodlands or dehesas, were the habitats in which we would spend much of our time, looking particularly for those birds special to the region. Larks were prominent, the fields around Las Canteras being home to several Thekla Larks; Crested Larks were also common in the surrounding countryside, with Calandra Larks specific to the wide open plains and lesser numbers of Woodlarks preferring the more enclosed dehesas. On the Magasca Plain, we enjoyed good views of Little Bustards, with Great Bustards seemingly a little more widespread, as they were encountered at several locations - including a flock of fifteen not far from our guest house as we returned home in the late afternoon. They were close to the road and we enjoyed wonderful views of this magnificent bird. Sandgrouse are another much sought after speciality in this region and we were pleased to come across two sizeable gatherings of Pintailed Sandgrouse, with flocks of 49 and 30 respectively on the Magasca and Caceres Plains; both flocks were feeding fairly close to the road, affording excellent views of this remarkably patterned species. Black-bellied Sandgrouse proved to be a little more elusive this time, a single flock of ten birds giving only flight views. The region s rivers - among them the Almonte, Tajo, Magasca and the Tozo - have, over time, cut delightful valleys into the plains, their sides decked with an assortment of trees and bushes that are home to many birds. During the week we explored several of these valleys, where Kingfishers were often seen darting up and down the rivers, or perching on rocks along the river beds, and Grey Wagtails flitted from stone to stone. On the bushclad valley slopes, the rattle of Sardinian Warblers was often heard, and the birds occasionally seen. One or two Cirl Buntings were also noted here, giving their distinctive trilling calls from atop the scrub, while a sudden flash of yellow betrayed the presence of lively European Serins. Two days were spent in the Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, with the impressive rock outcrop of Peñafalcon, below the Castillo de Monfrague, demanding much of our attention. Large numbers of Griffon Vultures wheeled over the peak, at times in formation, as groups of birds sought the same air current. Black Vultures, although fewer in number, were still well represented, and a single Peregrine drifted over, dwarfed by the massive wingspan of the vultures. Further into the National Park, we enjoyed close encounters with an inquisitive Crested Tit, a diminutive Firecrest (more than making up for its lack of size by its stunning plumage), and at our lunch stop, we were visited by a Hawfinch. We shared our lunch with a bold flock of Azure-winged Magpies. At the farthest point we travelled into the National Park, the Portillo del Tietar, we were treated to good views of a male Blue Rock Thrush, and Robert, whilst training his telescope onto a tree to look at a Jay he had seen, found that the Jay had gone... and an adult Eagle Owl was in full view! We all enjoyed excellent views of this the largest and most powerful of European owls. As we travelled around Extremadura, we regularly encountered small flocks of wintering Common Cranes - but our day spent in the Madrigalejo area provided us with a gathering in excess of a thousand birds, creating a spectacular show of this elegant species. We enjoyed great views of them feeding in the fields, but it was when a large flock took to the air that it truly became a visual and aural experience not to be missed. Also here, we caught up with an elusive species that, in Europe, is confined to select regions of Iberia: the Black-winged Kite. Our first encounter was brief, as we passed one perched on a roadside telegraph. It had flown off by the time we had stopped to look at it, and could not be relocated. Fortunately, just a short while later, we had excellent views of a pair, both in flight and perched in nearby trees. They stayed around long enough for us to view them through our telescopes - one of the bird highlights of the week. 2 Limosa Holidays

3 All in all, this was a most delightful and enjoyable week of birding, in a beautiful - and at times spectacular - part of Spain. The company was most enjoyable too, and I hope to have the pleasure of travelling with you all again sometime. David Cottridge SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES (Total number of species recorded by the group: 108) Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa Seen fairly regularly during the week in fairly good numbers on the plains, hills and river valleys. Greylag Goose Anser anser About 50 recorded on the 17th, with 15 on the Embalse de Sierra Brava and at least 35 on the fields near Madrigalejo. Gadwall Anas strepera Large numbers on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope About 100 on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Several thousand on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th, and elsewhere small numbers recorded on pools and river beds. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Ten on Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th, probably more. Red-crested Pochard Two Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th. Northern Pintail Anas acuta Hundreds Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis One in a pool near to Torrejón el Rubio on the 16th, two in a pool near to Trujillo on the 17th and six at the Embalse de Arrocampo on the 18th. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus One at Portillo de Tietar on the 16th and good numbers on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th. European White Stork Ciconia ciconia Good numbers were seen as we travelled to Trujillo on the 14th, and about 30 birds seen during the rest of the week. Western Cattle Egret Bulbulcus ibis Good numbers were seen as we travelled to Trujillo on the 14th, and subsequently quite good numbers seen during the first half of the week on the plains. Grey Heron Ardeola cinerea A total of a dozen birds seen over four separate dates. Little Egret Egretta garzetta A total of a ten birds seen over four separate dates. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Quite good numbers seen in the flooded valleys of the Parque Nacional de Monfrague and on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th and the Embalse Arrocampo on the 18th. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Recorded regularly throughout the week. Peregrine Falco peregrinus One over Peñafalcon in the Parque Nacional de Monfrague on the 19th. Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus Three birds recorded on the 17th with one seen briefly on wires at Vegas Altas and a pair seen well in fields near Madrigalejo. Red Kite Milvus milvus Recorded regularly throughout the week. Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus Very common, recorded in good numbers everyday. The most impressive was of course the colony Peñafalcon where several hundred birds were seen during both visits. 3 Limosa Holidays

4 Eurasian Black Vulture Aegyptus monachus Over 30 birds recorded during the week that included excellent views of one that landed in a field on the Magasca Plain on the 15th and over 20 birds during our second visit to Monfrague on the 19th. Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Three in the Madrigalejo area on the 17th and about ten at the Embalse de Arrocampo18th. Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus One as we travelled to Trujillo on the 14th. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus One at the Rio Magasca on the 15th and one at Portillo de Tietar on the 19th. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Common, recorded regularly everyday of the tour. Great Bustard Otis tarda A total of 38 birds on the plains around Trujillo, the bulk of which was seen on the 15th, with 15 on the Magasca Plain and 14 close to the road as we neared Las Canteras in the late afternoon. Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax A total of 15 on the Magasca Plain on the 15th. European Water Rail Rallus aquaticus One heard calling at the Rio Gargalligas on the 17th. Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio An adult with a juvenile was seen at the Embalse de Arrocampo on the 18th. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Six at the Rio Gargalligas on the 17th. Common Coot Fulica atra Large numbers on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th and good numbers at the Embalse de Arrocampo on the 18th. Common Crane Grus grus Recorded in tens during the first three days, with the big day on the 17th when about one and half thousand were seen. 151 were recorded on the 18th and a few the following day. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Common on the plains around Trujillo. Eurasian Dotterel Charadrius morinellus A flock of 25 on Zorita Plain on the 17th was a nice surprise. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Two along the Rio Magasca on the 15th, one at Madrigalejo on the 17th, one near to Cabanas del Castillo and one seen regularly outside Las Canteras. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos One at Portillo de Tietar on the 16th. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus A couple of birds seen in pools on the plains, and four on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 16th. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Ten on the Embalse de Sierra Brava on the 17th and a few others recorded on the drowned valleys in Monfrague. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata 49 seen well feeding in a field on the Magasca Plains on the 15th, and 30 on the Caceres Plains on 17th. Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis Ten seen briefly in flight on the Magasca Plain on 15th and some heard calling on the Caceres Plains on the 17th. Rock/Feral Pigeon Columba livia Common in its feral form, but in the rocky landscapes of Monfrague some birds had the appearance of being genuine Rock Doves, but always difficult to be sure. Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus Common as we drove from Madrid becoming less so as we neared Trujillo. In Extremadura small numbers recorded daily. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Generally common but not very evident on some days in certain localities. Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus Four in flight as we left the outskirts of Madrid. 4 Limosa Holidays

5 Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo Good views of an adult sitting in a tree at Portillo del Tietar on the 19th. Little Owl Athene noctua One seen at dusk at Las Canteras on the 16thand one on the Caceres Plains on the 17th. Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba One at Cabañas del Castillo on the 19th. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis A total of 13 sightings during the week with some along the rivers that cut down from the plains around Trujillo, some in the flooded valleys of Monfrague, one at Rio Gargalligas on the 17th and three at Embalse de Arrocampo on the 18th. Common Hoopoe Upupa epops Common, seen in good numbers throughout the week. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major One heard calling at the Embalse de Torrejon on the 16th and one seen on a telegraph pole near Torrejon el Rubio on the 19th. Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis `Fairly common recorded regularly each day. Eurasian Jay Garrulous glandarius General recorded in the dehesa and woodland areas with a total of eight seen as we travelled around and others heard only. Azure-winged Magpie Cyanotic cyan Very common, recorded in good numbers each day of the week. Common Magpie Pica pica Very common, recorded in good numbers each day of the week. Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula A flock of around 30 seen most days at Las Canteras and small numbers seen as we travelled around. Common Raven Corvus corax At least ten birds on three separate days and less on others. Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus One seen well in the Parque Nacional de Monfrague on the 19th. Great Tit Parus major About 20 birds recorded during the week. Eurasian Blue Tit Parus caeruleus About 25 birds recorded during the week. Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris A few birds seen along river valleys, common at Peñafalcon and Portillo de Tietar and at least 20 at Cabañas del Castillo. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Heard on a couple of occasions but one seen at the Rio Almonte south of Aldeacentenera on the 18th. Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra Fairly common on the Magasca, Caceres and Zorita Plains. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla A flock of at least 30 birds on the Caceres Plain during our pre-breakfast visit. Crested Lark Galerida cristata Common, recorded regularly throughout the tour. Thekla Lark Galerida theklae Half a dozen birds identified on the Magasca Plain on the 15th and fairly common around Las Canteras. Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis Six on the Zorita Plain on the 17th. Woodlark Lullula arborea Three in dehesa just before the Magasca Plain on the 15th and one at Las Canteras on the 18th. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis About a dozen birds in the Madigalejo area on the 17th. Cetti s Warbler Cettia cetti A couple heard calling at the Rio Gargalligas on the 17th and one seen and others heard at the Embalse de Arrocampo on the 18th. 5 Limosa Holidays

6 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Very common throughout the week Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Six at Cabaňas del Castillo on the 18th. Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata One north of Monroy on the 15th, one heard at the Rio Almonte on the road to Monfrague on the 16th and one in the Parque de Monfrague on the 19th. Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala Ones and twos seen and others heard everyday of the tour. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus One seen well in the Parque Nacional de Monfrague on the 19th. Northern Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Three individuals recorded on three separate days. Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla Two at Jaraceijo on the 19th. Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europea One at Jaraceijo on the 19th. European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Small numbers seen as we approached Madrid on the 20th. Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor Very common, recorded in good numbers everyday of the tour. Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula Recorded regularly in smallish numbers. Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Four near to Torrejon el Rubio on the 16th and one in The Parque Nacional de Monfrague on the 18th. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Seven north of Monroy on the 15th, 12 near to Torrejon el Rubio on the 16th and three in the Parque Nacional de Monfrague on the 19th. Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus A total of four seen on separate days as we travelled around. European Robin Erithacus rubecula Quite good numbers recorded throughout the week. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochuros Fairly common throughout the week. European Stonechat Saxicola torquata Recorded in quite good numbers throughout the week. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe One along the Rio Almonte near Monroy on the 17th. Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura One along the Rio Almonte near Monroy on the 17th and two at Cabanas del Castillo on the 18th. Blue Rock-thrush Monticola solitarius One at Peñafalcon on the 16th and again on the 19th, one at Portillo del Tietar on the 16th and again on the 19th, and a nice male at Cabañas del Castillo on the 18th. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Very common throughout the week. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis Quite large flocks seen in specific locations. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus One at Vegas Altas on the 19th. Rock Sparrow Petronia petronioa One seen at Jaraceijo on the 19th. Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild A total of at least twenty seen at Vegas Altas and the Rio Gargalligas on the 17th. Red Avadavat Amandava amandava Two seen (leader only) at the Rio Gargalligas on the 17th, Dunnock Prunella modularis Two at Cabañas del Castillo on the 18th and one at the Rio Almonte (three bridges) on the 19th. 6 Limosa Holidays

7 Grey Wagtail Moticilla cinerea A total of nine seen in the valleys that cut down into the plains around Trujillo. White Wagtail Moticilla alba Fairly common, recorded in quite good numbers throughout the week. Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Fairly common on the plains as we travelled around. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Good numbers recorded during the week. European Serin Serinus serinus Fairly common throughout the week. European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Two birds recorded during the week. European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Fairly common, encountered regularly as we travelled around. Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina Encountered fairly regularly as we travelled around. Hawfinch Cocothraustes coccothraustes One at the dam of the Embalse de Torrejon on the 16th and a nice male at the three bridges over the Rio Almonte near Jaraceijo. Corn Bunting Milaria calandra Quite common as we travelled around. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia One seen briefly at Cabañas del Castillo on the 18th. Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus Three near to Cabañas del Castillo on the 18th and one at the Rio Almonte (three bridges) on the 19th. MAMMALS Red Deer Cervus elaphus Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Iberian Hare Lepus granatensis BUTTERFLIES Clouded Yellow Colias crocea Red Admiral Vanessa atlanta Painted Lady Vanessa cardui Southern Comma Polygonia egea MISCELLANEOUS European Tree Frog Hyla arborea 7 Limosa Holidays

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