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This was my first organised nature based holiday and I was impressed with the pre departure information pack that included a list of what to pack and not pack (old clothes!), luggage labels, insurance information and who would be joining us in our group. Our arrival at Madrid airport went smoothly and the guides immediately made us feel comfortable, giving us clear information about how long we would be travelling to our destination and where a midway stop would be. The rural farmhouse we stayed in all week was comfortable with opportunities to sample the local food and speak to people in the area. I was most impressed with the itinerary that exposed us to a wide variety of ecosystems, bird life, flora and landscapes within an hour's drive each day. We ticked off an impressive number of birds as well as some mammals, insects and reptiles. It never felt rushed yet we fitted a lot into our day. A favourite part of the day was half an hour before dinner going through the checklist of what we had seen that day - with lots of laughter! Our guides complemented each other very well giving us expertise in the local culture, language and birds as well as butterflies and dragonflies. It was a wonderful learning experience with a group of likeminded people. I have come away from the experience wanting to stay in touch with the group and who knows maybe even travel again together? The Naturetrek team was friendly and professional throughout the booking process and went out of their way to accommodate my friend and my flight arrangements. This friendly efficiency gave us peace of mind and continued throughout the week in Spain. Our guides had been well selected. They had expertise in the local culture, language and birds as well as butterflies and dragonflies. They were extremely attentive to our needs without encroaching too much - just the right balance.
K.W. Lincolnshire, Apr 24
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Extremadura in Spring - A Beginner Birdwatching Tour
Tour Code: ESP35The wide open steppes of Extremadura provide the scene for some of the most exciting birding that Europe has to offer. Warm April sunshine, Bee-eaters, Hoopoes, Rollers, Great and Little Bustards and Great Spotted Cuckoos, together with skies full of raptors, make this a springtime destination that's hard to beat!
£1,795
£1,595
Highlights
- Delicious food and wine in a country house in Extremadura!
- Witness the 'foam bath' display of Great Bustards
- Sandgrouse, Rollers, Hoopoes, Golden Orioles & Iberian Magpies
- Egyptian, Black & Griffon Vultures, Spanish Imperial & Golden Eagles
- Explore medieval Trujillo, birthplace of Francisco Pizarro (conqueror of Peru)
- Expertly guided by a Naturetrek ornithologist
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
This birdwatching and natural history tour focuses solely on the wonderfully bird rich region of Extremadura. We will cover a range of habitats from the undulating, sun-drenched steppes and shimmering plains to the oak-forested hills of Monfragüe National Park. We will also dedicate a full day to visit the region's primary wetland site with an altogether different range of birds. As we set out to encounter a large range of species, we will take time to obtain excellent views and learn about their identification as we go.
Grading
AThis tour focuses solely on undoubtedly one of Europe’s finest and most exciting birding regions: Extremadura. During our time here we shall cover various habitats from the sun-drenched steppes and vast open plains, to the rugged oak-forested hills of Monfragüe National Park. During this single centre tour we will explore these habitats from a country house ideally located in a position that gives us many star birds from our doorstep! With breeding in full flow we can hope to encounter a huge range of birds with iconic species such as Roller, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole and Hoopoe firmly on our radar!
We begin the holiday with a flight to Madrid, from where we head south-west through rolling hills, olive groves and Cork Oak woodland to the central plateau of Extremadura, where we find extensive sheep-grazed grasslands and Cork Oak forests known locally as 'dehesa'. For the next six nights we will be based near the beautiful medieval town of Trujillo, an ideal spot from which to explore the adjacent steppes and magnificent Monfragüe National Park.
One of the main targets of our time out on the Extremaduran Steppe will be bustards. Both Great and Little Bustards are here in good numbers and with luck we shall witness them displaying. Here the male Great Bustard — the world’s heaviest flying bird — convert themselves into huge white balls of feathers that revolve slowly in an almost military step. While they look stately and dignified, the Little Bustards perform an awkward, head-throwing action accompanied by a comical buzzing sound.
These two species are certainly star attractions of this region but it offers far more besides, including many other grassland specialties such as Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Quail, Stone Curlew and both Calandra and Short-toed Larks, whilst Bee-eaters, Rollers and Hoopoes bring colour to the scene and Griffon and Black Vultures are often overhead. We also hope to find the impressive Great Spotted Cuckoo at an excellent local site.
On another day a journey north for around an hour leads to Monfragüe National Park. Here we will focus in particular on birds of prey as Egyptian, Black and Griffon Vultures rise on the thermals and Golden, Bonelli’s, Booted and Short-toed Eagle all breed while the sought after Spanish Imperial Eagle can often be viewed near a regular nest site.
Amongst other specialties are Black Stork and Eagle Owl, whilst the smaller occupants of the hills include Alpine Swift, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting and Subalpine Warbler.
In complete contrast to these habitats we will also dedicate time to a nearby wetland where such species as Night, Squacco and Purple Heron can be seen along with Little Bittern and all three egrets. Gull-billed Terns are often flying overhead, Great Reed Warblers croak from the reed beds while the reeling call of the Savi’s Warbler is distinct. Raptors are never far away here either and this area holds our best chance of Black-shouldered Kite and an Osprey is always a possibility. This relatively small wetland habitat brings another dynamic to the holiday and allows us to study a whole host of new and exciting species.
Following each days birding we shall return to enjoy the warm atmosphere of our family run guesthouse while we discuss the day’s events and future plans. It mustn’t be forgotten that just stepping out of the front gate here often reveals Azure-winged Magpies, Woodchat Shrike and Hoopoe while the liquid call of Golden Oriole is a joy from the adjacent olive groves. Nightingales a wonderfully abundant as they blast away from the garden while Booted Eagles often drift overhead. Each wander along these quiet tracks seems to reveal something new.
Leaving this stunning region without visiting the medieval town of Trujillo would be a real shame so we make an effort to explore the town, walking the cobbled streets and enjoying a coffee in the square whilst White Storks bill clap from their elevated nests and Pallid Swifts scream past us.
This tour, one of only three we offer purely focusing on Extremadura, is not only for beginners but for those maybe having not experienced a great deal of European birding before or simply those who would like a slightly steadier pace. We will still be aiming to see all the star species that any other “non beginners” tour would do, but with more time here we can really set out to obtain excellent views of each bird with more instruction on how to go about identifying species whilst really soaking up this special region of Europe.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: A lovingly converted, family run, stately home deep in the heart of Extremadura with wonderful views towards Trujillo and superb birds on the doorstep. Exceptional home cooked cuisine, plus en suite facilities with an outdoor swimming pool.
- Food: ...and wine all included in the price.
Reviews
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This was a one-week holiday for those wanting to improve their bird-watching. The hotel in Extremadura - Hotel Rural Vina Las Torres, near Trujillo - was one of the most enjoyable hotels I have stayed in anywhere in the world. The food and wine - all included - were excellent, the hosts were as welcoming as is possible, and for those who wanted it there was even after-dinner classical music, some of a professional standard. The main purpose of the holiday was bird-watching, which the two Naturetrek leaders organised very well, with outings early morning and through the day to see the wealth of bird-life in this area of Spain, and one night outing to see owls. They used two minibuses, to give us plenty of room. Excellent picnic lunches kept us going through the day, augmented by occasional coffee stops in local cafes. We also visited Trujillo. It was all well organised and most enjoyable.
D.R. Buckinghamshire -
This was my [first] trip with Naturetrek and it was a very pleasant surprise. As small group of 10, we stayed in a small family run hotel in near Trujillo. The husband and wife, who ran the hotel provided excellent meals with unlimited quantities of wine. The evening meal typical had a musical accompaniment from their 2 teenage children. Rooms were clean and spacious whilst the building itself was of an interesting design. In the gardens there were nightingales, magpie and if you were really lucky golden oriels. We had two guides, a local naturalist (Laura) as well as a UK based expert (Martin). They had encyclopaedic knowledge of the wildlife, especially with birds and butterflies. They took us to different locations each day so that in the 5 days most of us saw around 100 different bird species. So overall a very pleasant trip and totally recommended.
J.R. Hampshire -
Trip leader Tom Mabbett was first rate. Very professional and took the time to ensure good sightings of birds and to cover as many as possible without rushing. Looked after the group well and explained how to identify similar species. Worked hard and made it a relaxed trip. Expert knowledge of birds in the region.
P.C. Edinburgh -
Tom is a very good tour leader who went out of his way to make sure each member of the party got maximum benefit from the tour. He is enthusiastic, very knowledgeable, and able to gauge the needs of his clients. I came away knowing a lot more about birds than when I started.
S.T. Cambridgeshire -
The main hotel was an idiosyncratic delight. Beautiful grounds, comfortable bedrooms, excellent food matched by delicious wines - both presented with pride and flair by the owners.
A.A. Suffolk -
The hotel gave us wonderful, interesting meals and wine every evening. The hosts were charming and their children gave us interesting mini-recitals every evening after dinner. This was my first birdwatching tour and was a great experience so many thanks to Tom and Greg in particular and Naturetrek in general.
P.F. Surrey -
Guides/leaders worked very well together and were very good at spotting birds and knew the area very well. Each day seemed to get better and better. Our 3 night extension in Madrid was also excellent - The Hotel Opera is incredibly well located - A very good choice.
E.S. Dorset -
Tom and Greg were first class, well informed, knowledgeable, tolerant (of ignorance) and clearly determined that everyone should have a good time. Their own enthusiasm for the birds was also an attractive aspect of the tour. Hotel Rural Vina Las Torres was first class. Food very good, rooms excellent, staff delightful.
T.B. Suffolk -
The accommodation, our hosts, the "culinary + wine" experience and the brilliant music-making couldn't have been bettered an added an excellent, unexpected dimension to the trip! Tom and Greg were extremely helpful (and incredibly patient), not only in locating the birds for everyone and watching out for us, but also in capturing scoped shots for many of us. They were experts with picnics, too!
R.B. Nottinghamshire -
What made this trip very enjoyable was the level of expertise and supportive manner of our two guides, Niki and Lara. The hospitality at the hotel and the quality of the home-made meals provided were excellent. It was wonderful to see such a great number of bird species in Extremadura. This region is beautiful and so unspoilt. It was good to be able to see such a range of bird habitats. The trip was ideal for both beginners and experienced birdwatchers alike. It proved vital that the leaders and another group member had scopes to extend the range of binoculars at times. The leaders provided excellent picnic lunches and worked extremely hard organising each day's programme to give everyone a good experience.
A. & H.S. Essex -
Extremadura is a lovely green, quiet part of Spain with varied habitat and a spectacular national park. Both guides were extremely helpful and I was particularly impressed by the fact that they took great care to make sure everyone in the party saw each bird before moving on.
J.S. Nottinghamshire
Dates & Prices
2025
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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