Extremadura Birding Tour ‘The raptor paradise’

In our Extremadura birding tour, we will visit the National Park of Monfragüe. It is home to the biggest colony of Black Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle in the entire world.

We will also visit different habitats and a church that has been designated as a Zone of Special Protection for Birds because of its importance for a colony of Lesser Kestrel. Furthermore, we look out for Egrets, Herons, and Black-shouldered kites in a Biosphere Reserve. For its richness, Extremadura is one of the most popular birding spots in Europe.

Day 1: Madrid airport-Extremadura birding tour

Welcome to Madrid airport before we head to Extremadura. Once in Extremadura and before going to the Hotel, we will stop in the reserve of Arrocampo where we will look out for Purple-swamp hen, Little Bittern, Squacco, and Purple Heron. The reeds are home to Savi’s Warbler, Bearded Tit, and Great Reed Warbler. We will also keep an eye on the nearby farmland where we hope to find Black-winged kites among other birds. In addition, we will visit a nearby Lesser Kestrel colony.

Day 2. Monfragüe National Park “Raptors day”

Today, we will start our Extremadura birding tour in the National Park of Monfragüe. During the morning, we will stop in some specific places to see top raptor species such as Spanish Imperial Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Black Vulture, and Bonelli’s Eagle, etc. Monfragüe is home to one of the largest colonies of Black Vultures and the largest density of Spanish Imperial Eagles (12 pairs) in the entire world. There are also more than 30 pairs of Black Storks and nearly 600 pairs of Griffon Vultures.

We will have our picnic just in the middle of the “dehesa”, a good time to see family groups of Iberian Magpie. In addition, we should see Crested Lark, Corn Bunting, Woodchat, and Iberian Grey Shrike and Rock Bunting.
Once we have had lunch, we will visit different points to see Black Stork, Subalpine Warbler, Red Kite, Blue Rock Thrush, etc. At dusk and after having dinner we will try to see one of the Eagle Owls pairs. After that, we will visit a pond where Stripless Tree Frogs and Marbled Newts can be found.

Day 3. Vegas Altas

The old “dehesas” here have been transformed into irrigated farmland (paddy fields) giving rise to the appearance of new species. Waders, wildfowl, and Cranes (thousands in winter) are probably the most representative species we will find. However, steppe and farmland species such as Bustards, Sandgrouses, Tree Sparrow, Rollers, or the exotic Red avadatar can also be found. Finally, we will visit a new reservoir surrounded by dehesa where we will see a good variety of wildlife.

Day 4. Los Llanos

We will head towards the steppes of “Los Llanos”, one of the best steppes in Europe. Around this magnificent place, we will look for some of the specialties: Great and Little Bustard, Montagu’s and Hen Harrier, Little Owl, Calandra and Short-Toed Lark, Spanish Sparrow and Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse.

Furthermore, we will keep an eye on the sky as the area is regularly used by Spanish, Golden and Bonelli’s Eagle as a hunting ground. In the rivers and ditches, we will look for Red-rumped Swallows and reptiles such as Spanish terrapin, Large Psammodromus, and Iberian Water frogs.

Day 5.Guadalupe-Extremadura birding tour

The day will be spent in the mountainous massif of Sierra de las Villuercas and the beautiful town of Guadalupe. We take a stroll along a beautiful stream looking out for forest birds: Short-toed Treecreeper, Short-toed Eagle, Goshawk, Honey Buzzards, the rare Dipper, and Iberian Green Woodpecker. The forest also holds an interesting variety of butterflies, being the beautiful Spanish Festoon, Large Wall Brown, and Clouded Yellow among them. After this, we plan to visit the old town of Guadalupe and the superb church.

Once we have lunch, we will reach altitude to look out for Crested Tit, Cirl Bunting, and raptors such as Golden Eagle.

Day 6.Extremadura-Madrid airport

Time to pack up our luggage and head back to Madrid airport after this memorable Extremadura birding tour through the best raptor and steppe spots in Europe.

Please find an Extremadura wildlife trip report. This birding tour in Extremadura could be combined with Doñana National Park. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us or/and visit the tour calendar for the next tour on April 2-8 2024.

Price Extremadura birding tour:

1150 €/people (4-6 people)

1 person/ 2 people, please ask for a private tour
Single supplement: 120 €

What is included:
– Travel from Madrid airport in a modern, fully seated belted, air-conditioned vehicle
– Four-night accommodation in rural hotels
– All meals included: breakfast, picnics, and evening meals
– Tours guided by a professional bird guide
– Basic travel insurance
– Fuel

What is not included:
– Air fare (Low cost companies operate daily flights to Málaga or Seville from several European airports)
– Drinks and other items of a personal nature