Spain - Extremadura at Christmas

Tour Code: ESP28

A thorough 7-day winter exploration of the bird-rich steppes of Extremadura.

7 days from
£2,095

Land only price from
£1,895

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Highlights

A birding visit to Extremadura in the crystal-clear light and relatively mild temperatures of winter has its own particular, very special, charm. For all six nights we will be based in a country house a short distance from the beautiful medieval town of Trujillo. The location is perfect with easy access to the steppes and Monfrague, peace all around and an incredibly dark night sky. The welcome is warm and the cooking tasty and rustic Extremaduran fare. From an exquisite foraging Bluethroat or a large flock of Great Bustards, to a soaring Spanish Imperial Eagle or Black Vulture, this tour is likely to be full of highlights!

Enjoy winter flocks of both Great & Little Bustards
Superb raptor-viewing, with a day (or more!) at Monfragüe a highlight!
Watch roosting Common Cranes in flocks of 10,000-strong
Magnificent far-reaching winter vistas
Delightful accommodation, with first class hospitality
Expertly guided by a Naturetrek ornithologist
Special 'Noche Buena' Christmas Eve meal

Traditionally, most birders visit the magnificent rolling steppes, rugged sierras and Cork Oak woodland of Extremadura in April and May, when the countryside is besieged by migrants, and Great Bustards are in full display. A birding visit in the crystal-clear light and relatively mild temperatures of winter, though, has its own particular, very special, merit.

We begin this holiday with a flight to Madrid, from where we head south-west through rolling hills, olive groves and woodland to the central plateau of Extremadura, where we find extensive sheep-grazed grasslands and the Cork Oak forests known locally as ‘dehesa’. For all six nights we will be based in a delightful country house a short distance from the beautiful medieval town of Trujillo. With a warm Spanish welcome and an enviable garden bird list, this is an ideal locality from which to explore the adjacent steppes and Monfragüe National Park.

Due in part to the shorter grass at this time of year and the absence of any heat haze, Extremadura’s many attractive resident birds are much easier to see in winter than at any other season. Stately Great Bustards (the world’s heaviest flying bird) congregate in flocks in their winter quarters, the males busily exercising their wings in readiness for the annual springtime battle for a mate. Little Bustards, too, congregate and, as we scan the fallow steppes for bustards, we may find Blackbellied or Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, and flocks of larks. Great Spotted Cuckoos, too, may be seen, for they return from Africa as early as mid-January, while Stone Curlews, Calandra and Thekla Larks, Corn Buntings, Southern Grey Shrikes, Little Owls, Hoopoes, Spotless Starlings, Spanish Sparrows, Woodlarks, White Wagtails and magnificent far-reaching winter vistas complete the picture out on the plains.

We will also enjoy watching the unforgettable evening spectacle of Common Cranes, in flocks of 10,000- strong, as they fly in to their night-time roosts. The sight of these Cranes coming in at dusk as the winter light slips beneath the horizon will be a highlight of the tour. Elsewhere, the region’s lakes should hold large numbers of wildfowl, Purple Gallinule, Black-necked and other Grebes, plus Cattle, Little and a few Great White Egrets. Water Rails, Cetti’s Warblers and the occasional exquisite Bluethroat emerge to forage at the fringes of the wetlands and in damp channels, all so much easier to see than ever they are in Britain! Patches of woodland and scrub hold Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Iberian Magpies, Blackcaps, Sardinian and Dartford Warblers, Firecrests, Short-toed Treecreepers, Crested and Iberian Longtailed Tits, Serins, Siskins, Hawfinches and Cirl Buntings. In fact many of these species may be seen within a stone’s throw of our accommodation! On the higher ground Alpine Accentors overwinter, while Chough, Black Redstart, Raven, Rock Sparrow, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting and Black Wheatear are all on the cards along with the resident and omnipresent Crag Martins.

No mention of birding in Extremadura, however, can be made without reference to the magnificent raptor-watching opportunities. The onset of winter sees the Black Kite being replaced by the Red, and by January Spanish Imperial Eagles are displaying over their nest sites — a breathtaking sight. Although the Short-toed and Booted Eagles will not return from Africa until early March, there is still plenty of variety, with Golden Eagles starting to nest and airborne Griffon and Black Vultures drawing our attention to any carrion in the area. Bonelli’s Eagles soar in bonding pairs, with Buzzards having arrived for the winter by the thousand from elsewhere in Europe. Other residents include Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and, of course, the stunning and much sought-after Black-shouldered Kite, another species with a tendency to form winter groups. Eagle Owls have mated by late December, with the female usually incubating by January, calling for the male at dusk to bring her food. We hope that a late afternoon visit to a special site will provide a fitting climax to our holiday.

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Madrid, drive Extremadura.

Day 2/6

Daily programme of birding excursions from our base near Trujillo.

Day 7

Fly London

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation:
A beautifully restored and comfortable country house in delightful surroundings; all rooms with private facilities.
Food: All included in the price.

Reviews

Every effort was made to find different birds by our excellent guides and give us a real taste of the area, which was stunning even the times when the sun did not came out. Everyone was really happy to be there, several having returned often, the food was home made and the wine lovely. [Naturetrek are] Very helpful. We have been with them before and know that I have problems with food and also know that I am not the worlds best bird watcher. I always find the guides they employ helpful, the catering tailored to my needs and I my bird watching skills are improving.
H.A. Leicestershire, Dec 23
A small group tour of 11 with 2 expert bird guides who organised the days out. Not only did we see almost all of the birds likely to be there at the time of year but the picnic lunches were excellent - all helped by blue skies and warm days. Hotel Rural Vina La Torres was a beautiful, characterful family home with lovely rooms and public areas, good food and an excellent host. A lovely relaxing holiday.
L.H. Perth & Kinross, Dec 19
I was a solo traveller and had not been on a Naturetrek holiday previously and was made to feel totally relaxed. The enthusiasm of our guides, Simon & Niki, transferred to all group members and their knowledge and experience can only be described as excellent. Our accommodation was spacious and comfortable, with very good food, all homemade. And not to be forgotten, the office team were very well organised and informative. Overall an excellent holiday!
RM, Devon, Dec 19

Another excellent trip with Naturetrek offering a varied, interesting and relaxing Christmas break. The accommodation was very pleasant and the family so welcoming. The meals were delicious home cooking with each dish explained and presented beautifully.
E.R. Norfolk

We stayed in a very comfortable country hotel where we enjoyed excellent breakfasts and evening meals with wine. Ample picnic lunches were provided by our hard working guides. The holiday was well organised, varied and our two guides were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. It was altogether a very enjoyable experience.
D.J. Denbighshire

We had a wonderful visit to Extremadura at Christmas. The accommodation was in a rural hotel. It was very comfortable in an impressive building with a great atmosphere. The family made us very welcome and looked after us well. During our stay we saw great flocks of birds such as cranes, great & little bustards, pin-tailed sand grouse and stone curlews. We also saw many birds that are difficult to see at home such as firecrest, crested tit, little bittern, bearded tit, and hawfinch. On this trip our leaders were very expert and helpful. They were adept at adjusting to changing conditions. They had well organised picnics in well chosen places, and sensible coffee / loo stops during each day out.
L.L.B. Suffolk

When the group met at Madrid airport at the start of the trip to Extremadura it was clear we were in good hands; the leaders greeted us with humour and consideration and we were birding almost immediately. The hotel accommodation combined the feel of tradition together with the comfort and convenience of today - our meals were simply superb. Each day's birding was varied but full and I had better sightings of Great Bustards, Common Crane and Azure-winged magpie than I would have thought possible. These were the species I had particularly wanted to see but the vultures, eagles, waders and passerines were great extras, several being species I had not encountered before. The group contained members with very different birding interests but we definitely gelled, helped by the enthusiasm and expertise of our seemingly tireless leaders. This trip was a highly memorable experience and a marvellous alternative to tinsel at Christmas.
G.N. Berkshire

Our guides/leaders could not have been bettered both from a birding and social point of view.
M.L. Kent

I very much enjoyed being out in the country with extensive views and dark starry nights.
J.S. West Midlands

The varied habitats of mountains, lakes and rivers provide a wide range of birds. The guides were expert at finding species and took pains to ensure that everyone got a view. The accommodation was excellent - well situated, excellent food and very welcoming.
D.J. Denbighshire

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Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost

Tue 22nd Dec – Mon 28th Dec SPACES £2,095

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Flights:

Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.

Flights are included in the tour cost

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£1,895

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£195

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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Tour Reports

Tour report - December 2019

Tour report - December 2018

Tour report - December 2017

Tour report - December 2015

Tour report - December 2014

Tour report - December 2013

Tour report - December 2012

Tour report - December 2011

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