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Why Extremadura:
Extremadura, with its wide range of habitats and sparsely populated areas, is the region in Europe with the highest percentage of important Bird Areas in its territory. Its strategic geographical situation, the absence of industrial development means that much of its terrain has remained largely unspoilt and that there are some of the largest resources for birdwatching tourism in Europe. It is a stronghold for the Spanish Imperial Eagle and is the home of the largest colony of Black Vultures in the World.
How:
Tours are designed for small groups, normally with a maximum of 8 + leader. Not only because it's the ideal fit size for bird tours, but also because we are keen on avoiding any disturbance to the birdlife when we go on the field. Your tour leaders live in the area, are very knowledgeable of the species and habitats. Last but not least, they speak fluently English (some are bi nationals). We offer a guiding service in which there is no need for translators or other intermediaries.
Habitats:
Open woodland (dehesa)
This is a very representative landscape throughout the region, with cork oaks and holm oaks scattered in gently undulating pasture.
Irrigated plains and reservoirs (Ambroz valley, Guadiana valley and many more)
Many large dams built on the major rivers in the 50's provide irrigation to agricultural activities, bsesides, they have greatly modified the ecology of the region and contributed to a wide diversity of species. Reservoirs provide hundreds of miles of shoreline, which harbour diverse water bird species.
River valleys (Guadiana, Tagus river and more)
They natural routes for migrating birds. The riverside vegetation of alder, willow, eucalyptus, poplar and abundant scrub provide habitats for numerous birds.
Rolling grassland or steppe
The steppe is used for extensive grazing and also for growing cereals.
Mediterranean bush
This is mostly a scrub of the genera Cytisus or Genista covering hillsides. It includes low evergreen plants like rosemary scrub, Spanish broom.
Mountains
Extremadura is bordered by natural frontiers almost everywhere. In the North, with mountains reaching up to 2.400 m (Gredos). There are also many lower granitic ridges with extensive rocky outcrops of 500 to 750m, especially west of the region (Sierra de San Pedro, Hurdes, Gata). These outcrops cross the region, running from West to East. |
Ornithological interest:
Due to the diversity of the area and habitats, Extremadura harbours many birdwatching sites and offers a great variety of ornithological interests. See more for each tour proposed.
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When to visit?:
Extremadura can be visited at any time of the year. Best time to visit for the variety of resident and migratory species remains undoubtedly Spring (as early as mid March) for it is the breeding season.
Winter: you can enjoy the spectacle of the wintering birds, notably common cranes, drawn to the irrigated lands and the dehesas. There is an estimated population of about 9000 birds for Northen Extremadura only. In winter, the black-winged kite is common too in the same landscape. Winter is a generally mild season by European standard, with some rain in November - December and not so much onwards.
Spring:many of the summer bird are returning, such as Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle or Black Stork. The list is certainly not exhautive! See here for the Bird list
Summer: can be fine too for some visitors, although most of Extremadura is hardly hit by high temperatures, therefore it can be very hot and routes are less favourable for birdwatching during the hotest hours of the day, except in some rare mountaineous areas.
Autumn:
after the first rains around mid October, the landscape slowly recovers new colors, with a flush of green and new aromas, turning landscapes from dry mediterranean savanas to green meadows (dehesas), Although there are some variations from year to year, there is no substantial rain falling until much later in the year. |
Bird Tours:
Arrange the flight for yourself, we take care of all the rest once on the ground!
Our expert guides can lead your group all round the year.
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