WILD SPAIN 5 16 MAY 2013

Transcription

1 Little Bustard WILD SPAIN 5 16 MAY BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

2 LEADER: SIMON HARRAP 2013 saw yet another great Birdquest to Spain. We were blessed with good weather right up until the last afternoon, which was cold and wet, but the tour itself was overshadowed by the deluge of rain that Spain had experienced in the late winter and early spring. In Extremadura the grass was long, long, long and in the Pyrenees there was still masses of snow at higher altitudes. Some of the stars of the show in Extremadura included Black Stork, a range of raptors including Spanish and Bonelli s Eagles, Black Vulture and Lesser Kestrel, and both Great and Little Bustards, which showed very well (the very low numbers of Little Bustards that we saw reflected not only the long grass, but a sudden decline in the region). We managed to find Pintailed Sandgrouse and seen it well, and similarly Great Spotted Cuckoo. Theckla Larks performed to perfection, we saw Western Orphean Warbler and Black Wheatears, while a Rufous Bush-Robin was a surprise write-in, as was Eurasian Penduline Tit. Finally, a little night birding produced a smart European Scops Owl and good views of Red-necked Nightjar. Moving up to the Gredos, Iberian Green Woodpeckers led us a dance for a while before showing reasonably well, but we had superb looks at Bluethroat and Ortolan Bunting. Near Zaragoza Dupont s Lark was elusive but seen by all. Finally, in the Pyrenees, we had magnificent views of Wallcreeper, as well as Lammergeier, Black Woodpecker and Citril Finch, while at higher altitudes Alpine Accentor, Rufoustailed Rock Thrush and Ring Ouzel were all bonuses. Leave the tangle of motorways encircling Madrid behind, we began our Spanish adventure at some reedfringed reservoirs on the edge of Extremadura. Black Kites and White Storks were everywhere, and herons were represented by dozens of Purple Herons, some flighty Little Bitterns, a Great White Egret and couple of Black-crowned Night Herons, the latter two both surprises. We spent some time trying to get views of skulkers, succeeding with Common Nightingale, partially succeeding with Savi s Warbler (very vocal, but keeping low down), and failing with Great Reed Warbler. We did have another surprise, however, in the form of two Eurasian Penduline Tits that were calling occasionally and flying around, only to dive into cover and disappear. We finished up with very vocal Gull-billed Terns, a large number of Black-headed Gulls (another surprise) and a single Purple Swamp-hen. Continuing on to our country hotel, we enjoyed a fine evening with Cuckoo and Nightingale calling before heading out for a pleasant dinner at a local bar-restaurant. We started our first full day in Extremadura with a pre-breakfast excursion to the plains near Trujillo. We started with a surprise Black Stork, and soon after we were watching a fine moustached male Great Bustard swaggering about, giving excellent views. There had been a lot of rain during the winter and the plains were exceptionally lush, with purple, blue, white and yellow flowers splashed amongst the grasses like an impressionist painting. As as result we could only find one Little Bustard, but what a view! He sat on a rock 50 yards away, unconcerned by our presence, every so often throwing his head back to give a full-bodied raspberry. Other birds of note included a lovely male Montagu s Harrier, Tawny Pipit, dozens of Calandra Larks and the soon-to-be-veryfamiliar Corn Bunting. Along the road back we had some views of Spanish Sparrows, but it was getting late and breakfast called. Suitably refreshed, we headed out again for a long circuit north and west of the town. A large reservoir was typically birdless, with Black-winged Stilt the only species of note, and a return to the plains was rather quieter now that the day had warmed up. We did enjoy two more Great Bustards, however, and great looks at a pair of Rollers, as well as our first squadron of Griffon Vultures with an accompanying Black. We then entered an area of dehesa, the park-like stands of Cork Oaks and sometimes Olives that are so characteristic of the region. At a deep gorge we had great looks at Alpine Swift and Crag Martin (looking down on then from the road) and, after a picnic lunch, a short walk produced good looks at Azure-winged Magpies and Turtle Dove (very poignant for me as this lovely dove has almost gone from my local area and is predicted to be extinct in Britain within a few years). In another area of dehesa we studied larks, getting convincing views of Thekla Larks and Thekla Lark 2 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

3 some brief views of a Woodlark too. The Cork Oaks also held Rock Sparrows, which were typically volatile, while overhead we had our first Egyptian Vulture. The day ended with a visit to the Plaza Major in Trujillo, where several Lesser Kestrels wheeled overhead and we had some convincing views of Pallid Swift. Day two, and after a brief and negative try for Red-necked Nightjar, we had an early breakfast and the drove Black Vulture and Spanish Eagle north to Monfragüe National Park. Almost as soon as we arrived at our first stop and superb adult Spanish Imperial Eagle was on view and we went on to have really good looks at this imperious raptor, both in good light at rest and in flight. Notably, it to exception to a passing Black Vulture and flew up to mob it, giving a low barking call. The same viewpoint provided really nice views of Black Stork, Red-legged Partridge, Blue Rock Thrush, Redrumped Swallow, Wren and Rock Bunting, as well as lots of Griffon Vultures. Moving on, we explored an area of Cork Oaks. Short-toed Treecreeper and Nuthatch showed well, and we had more views of Rock Sparrow and Woodlark and, just before we left, a smart Western Orphean Warbler. Picnic lunch followed, then a siesta (serenaded by Woodlarks), before a visit to Castile Monfragüe and Penafalcon, where there were masses of Griffons and three more Black Storks. After a final (and abortive) look for Eagle Owl, it was back to base for dinner. We were just onto the liquors when a Scops Owl was heard, and a mad dash out into the grounds produced a couple of flight views before it vanished, still calling but unresponsive, into thick cover. We started again before dawn to make another try for Red-necked Nightjar. The habitat looked perfect, but there was neither sight nor sound of the beast until it was getting quite light and we were about to give up and go. One then started calling and was quickly tracked down, giving two or three excellent flight views. Grins all round! We then moved onto the fields west of Belen, a wellknown spot for bustards. Things started well with a good look at a Little Owl, and then we scoped a calling Little Bustard, but the local council was in the process of resurfacing the road and there was a procession of heavy lorries spreading dust over the landscape. Perhaps because of this there was no sign of any Great Bustards, so we gave up early and headed back to a very welcome breakfast. We spent the rest of the morning travelling south of Trujillo to Alange Dam where, as hoped for, several Black Wheatears were on show, giving excellent views. There was also a variety of waterbirds on the rather desolate reservoir, with some noisy Gull-billed Terns, a Black-crowned Night Heron, several Purple Herons and a single Squacco Heron. During our picnic we were entertained by the numerous low-flying Alpine Swifts. Then, acting on a tip-off, we moved on a short Rufous Bush Robin 3 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

4 distance to some rather featureless vineyards where a Rufous Bush Robin put in a quick appearance and proceeded to hop around at our feet another write-in. It was quite a long drove back to town and after a quick bit of shopping we went back out to the plains to the west of Trujillo, with an Egyptian Mongoose that ran over the road being a mammal write-in. Some careful scanning turned up six Great Bustards and a couple of fine male Montagu s Harriers included one harrying a pair of Black Kites. Driving slowly back towards town produced decent views of Spanish Sparrows and then a Southern Grey Shrike. We jumped out to scope this a lucky move because after a few minutes Pin-tailed Sandgrouse began to fly over, calling. We had excellent views of several as they passed overhead and there must have been around 30 birds in all. The final stop of the day was at the bullring for good looks at Lesser Kestrel and some truly Spotless Starlings. After dinner we had another attempt at Scops Owl and, after waiting patiently as it called from a thicket, it moved and with just a little bit of ducking and diving we all enjoyed great views of a very grey bird sitting and calling for ten minutes or so. Sadly, all too soon it was time to leave the Finca behind and say farewell to our kind hosts. We started our last day s birding in Extremadura with a crawl along a very rough road through the plains west of Trujillo. This was very unproductive, with just a Short-toed Eagle and a few Montagu s Harrier and Red-legged Partridges to speak of. Back on the tarmac things brightened up (literally) with three Rollers, and a stop at a bushy canyon was even better, with really good views of Sardinian Warbler, scope views of Spanish Sparrow and three Bonelli s Eagles in the air together. Thing got even better a little further along the road when we tracked down a furtive Great Spotted Cuckoo (and nearly ran into a second shortly after). Time was pressing, however, and we moved on to the lakes at Almaraz, where there were now a hundred noisy Gull-billed Terns, Great White Egret (again), a pair of Marsh Harriers and, with some hard work, glimpses of Savi s and Cetti s Warblers. It was then a scenic drive north and east into the mountains and the imposing Parador Gredos, our home for the next two nights. In the cool, clear air a pre-breakfast walk at the Parador produced our first really good looks at Cuckoo, as well as Crested Tits, Firecrests, Western Bonelli s Warbler and Great Spotted Woodpecker. After breakfast we wound our way up to some high altitude broom scrub. Ortolan Bunting was on show almost immediately, as well as Common Whitethroat, Skylark, Spanish Wagtail and Northern Wheatear. It took some time to tease our Bluethroat but, when it did appear, it showed brilliantly. We then dropped down to a forest road where we had two encounters with Iberian Green Woodpecker. The first was very brief, but the second, although brief, allowed a little time to take in the birds appearance as it swept by. Pied Flycatcher was more co-operative, and there were Goldcrests as well as more Firecrests. Along the road to La Plataforma we picked up some very tame Rock Buntings, Water Pipits and Spanish Wagtails, a distant flock of Choughs, two brief Dippers, some lovely Dartford Warblers and, of course, some impressive Spanish Ibex. Before leaving the Gredos we had a final pre-breakfast walk and were rewarded with several better (albeit brief) views of Iberian Green Woodpecker. We then sat back for the long drive north and east to Zaragoza. After checking into the hotel we headed out for a late afternoon session on the steppes near Belen. We were rewarded with good views of both Greater and Lesser Short-toed Larks and a pair of Black-eared Wheatears. We then heard the characteristic nasal song of a Dupont s lark. It was rather windy, but after a lot of hard work and careful scanning we all had a view as he stood on a mound, singing, before walking off again. 4 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

5 We persevered for another half hour but had no further sightings. Calandra Larks made it a five lark afternoon and we could return to the hotel for dinner and a good rest with an easy heart. We returned to the steppes again just after dawn. It was still windy, however, and despite a few brief lulls the wind only got worse as the morning progressed. We again spent a lot of time trying to get views of Dupont s Lark, but only a couple of the party got a brief look; the wind and the lush vegetation (not to mention a moronic birder wandering about in the steppes) made things difficult. Returning to the hotel for breakfast we then left Zaragoza behind and headed north to the Pyrenees. We had a picnic in the woods near Jaca, which were deathly quiet apart from our first good looks at Blackcap and Robin, and some lovely Hepatica and Early Purple and Provence Orchids. We then drove up to the Hecko Valley, our home for the next four nights, picking up Red Kite on the way. After checking in to the Rural Hotel we had a walk along the road which turned up a nice male Red-backed Shrike and distant Alpine Choughs and Lammergeiers. On our first full day in the Pyrenees we headed up towards the high peaks in search of Wallcreeper. We started off with a party of Common Crossbills feeding in the pines and then headed up the trail. Stopping for breath, a herd of Pyrenean Chamois were spotted on a distant high slope. As we approached the crags Provence Orchid Alpine Swifts wheeled overhead, a party of Redbilled Chough s sailed out and then a Lammergeier appeared close overhead and sailed away across the valley. Shortly, it was followed by a second bird and then, almost as soon as we were in position, a Wallcreeper flew along the top of the cliff, shortly to fly back and out of sight. It was on the list, but those were hardly the views that we wanted and we settled down to scan and wait. We enjoyed Red-billed Chough and Alpine Chough almost side-by-side, but it was almost an hour later when the cry went up again: a Wallcreeper appeared low down on the slopes and proceeded to give prolonged views, and we even got him in the scope. Hurrah! Well-pleased, we slowly made our way back down, enjoying a Golden Eagle soaring along the distant crags as we did so, Back at the bus we had our picnic and spent a long time getting decent views of Citril Finch they were almost always around, but hidden in the tall pines and only occasionally and briefly making forays onto open perches or the ground (quite atypical behaviour in my experience). In the late afternoon we meandered back down to the hotel. The forest is very beautiful, and the scenery stunning, but there were very few birds, although we did tease out a nice male Black Woodpecker. Wallcreeper We headed east from Hecho under the threat of a forecast for rain on the second full day in the Pyrenees. We need not have worried, for in the event it was dry all day. Our destination was Foz de Lumbier, where we were lucky enough to have great looks at a singing Iberian Chiffchaff, a much-wanted bird. Lots of Griffon 5 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

6 Vultures and Red-billed Choughs sailed overhead, joined by single Honey Buzzard and Booted Eagle, and the trees and bushes along the gorge were also productive, with Spotted Flycatcher, Melodious and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl Bunting and Nightingale (which was scoped). House Sparrow nesting in the rocky walls of the gorge were joined by a few Rock Sparrows (also scoped), and all too soon it was time to picnic and leave. We had quite a way to go as we drove up to a high pass and a short distance into France, passing large areas of snow spring had hardly come to the heights! Alpine Choughs were very obvious, and after a little searching we found an Alpine Accentor, which was on view for a couple of minutes before flying off far into the distance. We followed this bonus bird with a brief Ring Ouzel, which also flew off into the wild blue yonder; happily, we found a more sedate individual that gave scope views (another write-in ). On the way back down we found a pair of Citril Finches at a final stop, and then cut cross-country back to Hecho and the hotel in good time for drinks and dinner. Our last day in the Pyrenees saw wet, ragged clouds scudding across the sky. Hoping for the best we drove east to the pass at Portalet and the road crossing into France. There were drifts of snow ten feet high and there had been a dusting of fresh snow overnight; it was also misty with drizzle, and things did not look brilliant. Nevertheless, after a cup of coffee we went for a wander. Alpine Choughs played overhead and there were lots of Northern Wheatears as well as Water Pipits, White Wagtails and Black Redstarts. Then, on the side of the road, a Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush appeared, showing well before it flew off and vanished for ever. This had been our target bird so, after admiring the few alpine flowers poking their heads above the parapet, Black Stork 6 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

7 SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR Species that were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). Species that were only recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (LO). Species that were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (NL) Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Several at the lakes at Almaraz and Alange. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Two on the first afternoon en route to Trujillo. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo At least a dozen at the lake at Almaraz. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Three brief sightings at Almaraz. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax A couple at Almaraz and one at Alange. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides One seen briefly at Alange. Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Some large flocks in Extremadura. Little Egret Egretta garzetta A scatter in Extremadura. Great Egret Egretta alba One seen on both visits to Almaraz. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Small numbers in Extremadura. Black Stork Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Several at the lakes at Almaraz and Alange. Black Stork Ciconia nigra One on the plains at Trujillo and great views of several in Monfragüe. White Stork Ciconia ciconia Abundant in Extremadura, and seen throughout the tour. Gadwall Anas strepera A scatter in Extremadura. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Again, a scatter in Extremadura, and a large flock near Belen. European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus One high over Foz de Lumbier. Black Kite Milvus migrans Abundant. Red Kite Milvus milvus Not seen until the Pyrenees, where a good number of sightings. Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus Two on the first afternoon at Hecho, then good looks at the Wallcreeper site. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Four in Extremadura, also a few seen in the Pyrenees. Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Common in Extremadura and Pyrenees, with many great views. Eurasian Black Vulture (Cinereous V) Aegypius monachus Small numbers in Extremadura. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus Three seen in Extremadura. and recorded at Belen and in the Pyrenees. Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus A pair at the lake at Almaraz, and seen near Belen. Montagu s Harrier Circus pygargus Just a few on the plains near Trujillo and one at Belen, but showing well. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo A scatter. Spanish Eagle (S Imperial E) Aquila adalberti Magnificent views of an adult in Monfragüe. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos An adult at the Wallcreeper site. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Unusually common in Extremadura and a couple in the Pyrenees. Bonelli s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus Two adults and a juvenile soaring together near Trujillo. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Good looks in Trujillo. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus A scatter. Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa A handful in Extremadura. Common Quail Coturnix coturnix (H) Heard in Extremadura. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus A few in Extremadura. 7 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

8 Little Bustard Purple Swamp-hen (P Gallinule) Porphyrio porphyrio Seen on both visits to the lake at Almaraz. Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax Just a couple seen in Extremadura (the grass was very long), but great looks. Great Bustard Otis tarda At least ten in Extremadura, with some good looks. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus A few at the dam near Caceres. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Half a dozen on the last day in the Pyrenees. Black-headed Gull (Common B-h G) Larus ridibundus About 50 on he first visit to Almaraz a three star bird! Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis (NL) One seen by Bruce en route to Lumbier. Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica Seen on both visits to Almaraz, with at least 100 present, also a few at Alange. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata A scattered group of at least 30 west of Trujillo, showing well in flight. Black-belled Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis (NL) One seen by Carolyn near Trujillo. Rock Dove Columba livia Seen in both town and countryside. Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus Scattered throughout. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto A good scatter. European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Scope views of a couple in Extremadura. Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius Two on the last day in Extremadura. Hoopoe 8 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

9 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus A scatter heard and a few seen, with great looks at the Parador Gredos. European Scops Owl Otus scops Flight views at the first attempt and great perched views on the second attempt. Little Owl Athene noctua One showed well near Trujillo. Red-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis We draw a blank on day 1, but had really good flight views on day 2. Common Swift Apus apus Common. Pallid Swift Apus pallidus A few seen quite well in the centre of Trujllo. Alpine Swift Apus melba Magnificent views near Trujillo and at Alange Dam, and also seen in the Pyrenees. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (LO) Seen flashing down river by Simon on the last day in the Pyrenees. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster A stunning bird. European Roller Coracias garrulus Five showed well in Extremadura. Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops Fairly common in Extremadura. Iberian Green Woodpecker (Sharpe s G W) Picus sharpei Four in the gredos, with reasonable looks at two. Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius One in the Hecho valley. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major A few in the Gredos and Pyrenees. Dupont s Lark Chersophilus duponti We all saw one briefly, but relatively well, on the first evening near Belen. Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra Abundant around Trujillo and near Belen. Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Several near Belen. Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens Common near Belen. Crested Lark Galerida cristata Common. Thekla Lark Galerida theklae Some good (and convincing) looks near Trujillo. Wood Lark Lullula arborea Around three seen in Extremadura, and what a wonderful song. Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis Several in the Gredos. Eurasian Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris Good looks in Extremadura and the Pyrenees. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Common. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Fairly common in Extremadura. Common House Martin Delichon urbica Locally abundant around dams and bridges. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris One on the first morning near Trujillo. Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Good looks at a couple in the Gredos and plenty higher in the Pyrenees. Spanish Wagtail Motacilla [flava] iberiae Fairly common in the Gredos. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Several in the Gredos and Pyrenees. White Wagtail Motacilla [alba] alba A few in Extremadura and the Gredos, but quite common in the Pyrenees. White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus Two seen briefly in the Gredos. 9 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

10 Rufous Bush Robin Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Seen very well in Extremadura, also seen in the Gredos and heard in the Pyrenees. Dunnock Prunella modularis Common in the Gredos and the Pyrenees. Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris What luck! One showed well, albeit at a distance, at high altitude in the Pyrenees. European Robin Erithacus rubecula A few in the Pyrenees. Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Seen on the first afternoon at Almaraz and scoped at Foz de Lumbier. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Great views of one in the Gredos. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Seen by some in Monfragüe, then good looks in the Gredos and lots in the Pyrenees. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra A fine male near Belen. European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola Small numbers in Extremadura. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Several in the Gredos and lots higher up in the Pyrenees. Western Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica A pair near Belen. Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura Two pairs showed well at Alange. Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis One in the snow at Portalet in the Pyrenees. Iberian Chiffchaff 10 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

11 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Several in Monfragüe and at Alange. Common Blackbird Turdus merula Common. Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus Two at Col de la Pierre St Martin in the Pyrenees; a write-in. Firecrest Rufous Bush Robin Cercotrichas glactotes One near Alange: a write-in. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Seen in the hotel garden in the Pyrenees. Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus One on the last day near Trujillo, and a few in the Pyrenees. Cetti s Warbler Cettia cetti Seen briefly at Almaraz and a few heard elsewhere. Zitting Cisticola (Fan-tailed Warbler) Cisticola juncidis Especially good looks on the second visit to Almaraz. Savi s Warbler Locustella luscinioides Glimpsed on both visits to Almaraz. European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Several at Almaraz. Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus (H) Heard only at Almaraz. Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta Great views of one at Foz de Lumbier. Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata Three showed well in the Gredos. Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans Seen by Simon in Monfragüe and good views of two at Foz de Lumbier. Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala Eventually, really good views near Trujillo. Western Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis One showed quite well in Monfragüe. Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis Common in the Gredos. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Several in the Gredos and Pyrenees. Bonelli s Warbler (Western B W) Phylloscopus bonelli A couple showed well in the Gredos and heard near Jaca. Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus brehmii Great looks at Foz de Lumbier. Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (H) Heard near Jaca. Goldcrest Regulus regulus Two in the Gredos. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus Great views of several in the Gredos and heard in the Pyrenees. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata One showed well at Foz de Lumbier. European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca A fine male in the Gredos, and seen by Simon in the snow at Portalet. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus A party in Monfragüe. Crested Tit Parus cristatus A couple in the Gredos and good looks in the Pyrenees. Coal Tit Parus ater Common in the Gredos and Pyrenees. European Blue Tit Parus caeruleus Fairly common. Great Tit Parus major Again, fairly common. Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea One showed well in Monfragüe, then a couple in the Gredos. Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria Stunning views of a male in the Hecho valley. Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla Several seen well in Monfragüe and the Pyrenees. Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus Two at Almaraz were a surprise. See note. Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Seen in flight in Monfragüe. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio A nice male near Hecho. Southern Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor Excellent views of one near Trujillo. 11 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

12 Above: Ortolan Buntings; below: Rock Bunting Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Common in Extremadura, and also seen near Zaragoza. Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius A few seen briefly in Extremadura and the Pyrenees. Iberian Magpie (I Azure-winged M) Cyanopica cooki Common but often a little elusive in Extremadura. Eurasian Magpie Pica pica Common. Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus Common in the Pyrenees, with some really good views. Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Seen by Kathy at Monfragüe, then by all in the Pyrenees. Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula Common in Extremadura. Carrion Crow Corvus corone Fairly common in the Gredos and Pyrenees. Common Raven Corvus corax Fairly common on the plains around Trujillo, and also seen in the Pyrenees. Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor Very smart, and really spotless. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Common. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis Some big flocks near Trujillo, but hard to see well and very few adult males. Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia Several parties in Extremadura and also seen at Foz de Lumbier. Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Common. 12 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain

13 European Serin Serinus serinus Fairly common. Citril Finch Serinus citrinella Seen by Carolyn in the Gredos, and several seen in the Hecho Valley. European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris One at Alange and one at Foz de Lumbier: a poor show! European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Common, but never commonplace. Common Linnet Carduelis cannabina Seen well at Alange, the Gredos and the Pyrenees. Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra Seen briefly in the Gredos and well in the Pyrenees. Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes (LO) One seen at the Finca by Simon. Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus Seen by Simon near Trujillo and then good looks at Foz de Lumbier. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia Good views in Monfragüe and the Gredos. Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana Great looks in the Gredos. Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra Abundant in Extremadura. MAMMALS Eurasian Red Squirrel (Red Squirrel) Sciurus vulgaris A couple seen briefly in the Pyrenees. Egyptian Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon One in the late afternoon as we drove out to the plains west of Trujillo. Red Fox Vulpes vulpes (NL) Seen by Carolyn in the Pyrenees. Spanish Ibex Capra pyrenaica Really good looks at lots at La Plataforma de Gredos. Pyrenean Chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica Around a dozen in the Hecho Valley. NOTES Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus Sometimes lumped (in various combinations) with White-crowned Penduline Tit R. coronatus, Black-headed Penduline Tit R. consorbrinus and Black-headed Penduline Tit R. macronyx. BIRD OF THE TRIP 1 st Wallcrepper 2 nd = Dartford Warbler Scops Owl Rufous Bush-Robin Spanish Eagle 21 species received at least one vote. Spanish Eagle 13 BirdQuest Tour Report: Wild Spain