I've not long returned from a guided birding trip to Extremadura in Spain. I last went there about 8 years ago and it's even better than I remembered.
Extremadura is situated in west/central Spain adjoining Portugal. It's one of the semi-autonomous Regions and is relatively undeveloped and well off the usual tourist trails.
Our small group were based in a very rural location a few miles from Trujillo which is just about bang in the middle. For five nights we were based at this very nice hotel overlooking open countryside. It's one of Spain's Hoteles Rurales network. It was family run and all the food was home cooked. We were treated as though we were members of the family. All the other guests were birders so word is getting about.
When you arrive to the sound of Nightingales singing in the garden you know you've come to a good place. Every morning before we set off for our day's birding you could hear Golden Oriole, Hoopoe, and Cuckoo singing and there were always the elusive Azure-winged Magpies flitting about the garden.
As you can imagine I took loads of photos but in truth many of the birds were rather distant so the results are not that good. Some of them are really rather good birds which I hope you might like to see even if the quality isn't up to scratch.
Trujillo
Trujillo is a rather nice town with a bit of history. It was the birthplace of Pizarro who was the conqueror of Peru and of course there is the inevitable statue.
And a castle overlooking the town.
The skies were filled with birds including Barn and Red-rumped Swallows, Black Kites (which I'll show later) and screaming Swifts.
White Storks were nesting everywhere including the bell tower of the church. Hope they don't ring the bell when they were in residence otherwise it would have given them a bit of a headache.
One of the highlights for me of the visit to Trujillo were the Lesser Kestrels. These are cousins of our well known Common Kestrel but unlike them they like to nest communally. The local bullring is a favourite hang out for them. Here's a few shots.
Male on the roof. Time to go hunting?
I've only shown this one to give a sense of scale.
Has it caught something?
Oh yes, very succulent looking. Marjus will identify it for you. LOL
Another rather heavily cropped shot of one hovering.
That's all for now. I'll add to the thread later with more photos from other sites.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Great shots Teejay. Just to join in here with you and SueC, looks like you both stayed in the same hotel near Trujillio as I did when I visited Extremadura in February! It was a lovely place, the food was superb. I want to go back in the spring, maybe next neat year.
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That's interesting, Kevin. I know the owner, Juan-Pedro, went to the Birdfair last August and seems to have picked up business from birding companies or even perhaps from DIY birders. He's obviously made a great effort and along with his wife we were made to feel most welcome and as you say the food was excellent. He even told us where we could see Red-necked Nightjars and one evening we did just that.
Thank you for such a wonderful report and even better photos.........beats Benidorm LOL
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
You saved the best till last TJ. Stunning birds and stunning photos. That Ortolan Bunting is beautiful - never actually heard of it before.
Fancy seeing dunnocks up there!!!
Thank you TJ for doing this report. I have thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.
Cheers, Linda.
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Vultures, eagles, golden oriole and all
what beauties you displayed
we've loved the scenery and just need to know
where next pray :)
Lot to learn
Hi- you didnt mention which tour Co you went with
:)
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
seymouraves said:Hi- you didnt mention which tour Co you went with
I thought it might be a breach of Terms and Conditions to name the company. I'll just say the leader was Gary Elton who guides for a company based in your home county.
Super update T J. Cracking photos and interesting to read.
Take care all, Stich.
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