Birdwatching and wildlife tours in Spain
Where to watch bustard in Spain?
In this article, we hope to give you some ideas about where to watch bustards in Spain. The country holds the largest density of bustards in Europe. Both Great and Little can be found in different areas, being La Mancha (Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Albacete provinces) and Extremadura the best places. However, bustards are suffering a huge decline, specially Little Bustards. Farming practises and intensification seems to be the main factor.
Where to find bustards in Spain?
Apart from the popular steppes of Extremadura or Villafáfila, there are other superb birding places unknown by most. For instance, the steppes of Albacete and La Mancha in East Spain offer a great opportunity to watch Great and Little Bustards. Futhermore, other specialities such as sandgrouses, larks and Rollers can be found in the steppes. Finally, the temporary pools are packed with Black-necked Grebes, Greater Flamingos, Red Crested Pochars, White headed-ducks and many more.
Please find the short trip report below:
Albacete Steppes, 22 nd May
I am spending three days with Hervé watching birds and looking for mammals (Genet). Today we are going to pick Linda and Mike from a camp site in Oliva and we are heading to the steppes of Albacete.
After half and hour drive and a quick coffee we are watching our first birds: Corn bunting, Rock sparrow, Hoopoe and Crested lark. Pau drives straight to the breeding ground of the elusive Little bustard. The wheat is high, so it is going to be a bit of a challenge to see them. As we walk, a cracking Roller flies over us! Marsh harriers soar in the fields behind us and a solitary Great bustard remains in a green patch in the middle of ploughed field. After that, Pau hears a Little bustard so we move along the track. Finally, Hervé spots a silhouette who turns to be a gorgeous male of Little Bustard, well done!
We drive up to visit different pools finding: Black-winged Stilts, Red-crested Pochards, Whiskered, Gull-billed, Black tern and other common birds. Linda particularly enjoys a pair of Black-necked Grebe. It’s 1:20 pm. and our bellies are asking for lunch. After having some tapas and coffee in Pétrola we visit the largest lagoon where the Greater Flamingos breed. There, we also add a Black kite, Yellow Wagtail, Kentish Plovers, Ringed Plover, Collared Pratincole and a superb Great Reed Warbler singing from the reeds. Birds are very close allowing nice views. Later we undo the way following tracks and we get a Little Owl, Calandra Larks, Great Bustards and a Northern Wheatear.
Finally, we stop in one last area to add a White-headed Duck and a Lizard Orchid! Please, do not hesitate to contact us for a tailor-made trip to find this sadly scarce birds. You can also visit our tour calendar for schedule trips.