Extremadura, with its strategic geographical situation within the migratory routes of birds, and many areas full of natural resources, it would delight any birdwatcher spending a few days in this area.
This trip is aimed at both birdwatchers from other parts of Spain or from other countries who may visit this region, as well as Wildlife lovers. And without losing any detail we have tailored every day route to discover areas unnoticed until now.
Recommended visiting period: January, February. March, April, May, September, October, November
Others: Comfortable shoes, Camera, Notebook, Prismatic.
Madrid Barajas Airport(Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Kilometres on the everyday itinerary are one way to the location point.
Once trip has been booked, clients will receive:
Pick up your booked card from the rental car office, at the arranged time, and start driving along the A-5 toward Extremadura, and your first destination on your way is Arrocampo reservoir, its function is to cool Almaraz nuclear power station, so the water level is constant, thanks to the constant pumping from the Tajo. As a result a lot of the bank is covered by masses of marsh vegetation and Arrocampo has become a unique site within Extremadura, with unusual birds that are difficult to see inland.
Night in Cáceres.
To start this route, take the access to Santa Marta from A58, once you have reached your stop point, a gentle walk through plains and steppe landscape around to see great and little bustards, Montagu’s harriers, and calandra larks.
Back in town, walking around this old city we find medieval walls, palaces, churches, squares and streets, which are all in the best conditions. As well as huge colonies of swifts, storks and lesser kestrels. Cáceres also shows spectacular defensive towers of the middle ages.
In the Afternoon Barruecos, area with the highest concentration of white storks and huge granite boulder and incredibly beautiful and bizarre nature reserve. Some groups of pond which make it a very interesting wetland. Tickets to access the museum included.
Night in Cáceres.
We take the N521 toward Brozas; these plains are the natural continuation of the plains of Caceres and Sierra de Fuentes, toward the East. We come across to an open and uninhabited territory of huge natural value. Villages of Alcantara, Brozas, Villa Del Rey and Mata de Alcantara are within this protected area of 51,200 ha. The biggest in the district.
From the main road, we take access to our first stop, Brozas plains, with a great ecological value, mainly due to traditional activities such as grazing and dry land farming, from this point; we drive to Sierra de San Pedro.
Night in Alcantara.
Our Route for today goes along on the border with Portugal marked out by the River Tajo, a section of river known as Tajo International and declared a Natural Park in 2006.
This suggested route takes you across plains, with pastureland and vast areas of broom scrubland, rich in minor hunting and so highly frequented by birds of prey that come from the nearby mountain ranges and riverbanks. As it is a livestock farming area, you can see various species of scavengers, such as Griffon Vulture, Eurasian Black Vulture and Egyptian Vulture patrolling the land in search of food.
Night in Alcantara.
Depart Alcantara to Monfragüe, it was declared National Park in 2007 and labelled as a Biosphere Reserve in 2003 by UNESCO, and is undoubtedly one of the largest and best conserved Mediterranean forest areas in the world. Surrounded by hills populated with oak forests and dotted with rocks and streams, rivers and reservoirs irrigate the riverside areas of Monfragüe National Park, resulting in a rich and varied plant and animal life.
Due to the restrictions the best way of enjoying a birding day in Monfragüe Park is to go round the main viewpoints, all along the road, well sign-posted and equipped with car parks.
Night at Torrejon el Rubio.
This route runs between town Trujillo and Santa Marta de Magasca. Just after you enter the town, take the road on the left that goes around the town. The route goes through an area of dehesa first and then, crossing a vast area of pastures and farmland, goes down to the banks of the River Magasca.8 km from Santa Marta de Magasca you will reach a junction, turn towards Trujillo, to end up in this historical town, where you can see interesting birds.
Night in Torrejón el Rubio.
It is highly recommended a second visit to Monfragüe National today.
The species you can see in various places can vary slightly from the day before. We also recommended doing one of the established walking routes in the park or the surrounding area; you can find them at the Park visitor centre in Villarreal de San Carlos.
Other attractions of Monfragüe are the scenery, spectacular in places, and the cave, which entrance are included.
There are also two special trees: the European Hackberry of Lugar and the Cork oak Abuelo de Toril.
Night at Torrejón el Rubio.
This morning, driving back to Madrid Barajas airport. Go to the rental office to return the car, at the arranged time. Please do not forget to take all your belongings with you, before heading to airport for your check in.
