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Extremadura's Dragonflies
Tour Code: ESP55An 8-day holiday in search of the dragonflies and special birds of the rolling steppe, Cork Oak forests and rice paddies of Extremadura in central Spain.
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
On this tour we will visit a varied selection of habitats to maximise our chances of seeing as wide a range of dragonfly species as possible, concentrating on those species that are special to this part of Europe, such as Black Percher, Black Pennant, Banded Groundling, Long and Epaulet Skimmer, Violet and Orange Winged Dropwings, and Small and Large Pincertail. We will make a special effort to see Faded Pincertail, which will be at the end of its season, and Western Spectre.
Around the dragonfly-watching, we will of course expect to see some of Extremadura’s special birds, and at night we will look for Natterjack Toads and Southern Marbled Newts.
Our base for the holiday is the comfortable Casa las Canteras, just outside Trujillo.
- Look for recently arrived African Odonata in the rice fields of Madrigalejo and at Moheda Alta
- Banded Groundings and Long Skimmer at Arrocampo
- Trips to the Guadiana and Tiétar rivers to search for Goblet-marked Damsel and Green Hooktail, with a chance of Faded Pincertail
- Large & Small Pincertails & Western Spectre in the Ibor Valley
- Day trip to Monfrague National Park for its rich wildlife and Epaulet and Southern Skimmers
- Raptors include vultures, Spanish eagles and Black-winged Kites and a chance of bustards
Grading
Easy day walks.
This latest addition to our portfolio of dragonfly-watching holidays takes us to an area we know exceptionally well. The vast steppes and Cork Oak forests of Extremadura play host to a number of Naturetrek groups each year, but we have yet to tap the exciting Odonata potential that the region offers. Extremadura is one of Spain’s major producers of rice, and the farming process of this crop sees man-made wetlands maintained during the drought of the Mediterranean summer. These wetlands provide a crucial habitat for the local dragonfly population and are largely managed with wildlife conservation in mind. This has resulted in an Extremadura dragonfly list of about 55 species, of which 10 or so have arrived in recent decades, mainly from Africa.
This new tour will run in the early autumn when temperatures are slightly lower and species diversity is at its highest. We will visit a varied selection of habitats to maximise our chances of seeing as wide a range of species as possible. We will, however, concentrate on those species that are special to this part of Europe, such as Black Percher, Black Pennant, Banded Groundling, Long and Epaulet Skimmers, Violet and Orange-winged Dropwings, and Small and Large Pincertails. We will make a particular effort to see Faded Pincertail, which will be at the end of its flight season, and Western Spectre.
As well as the region's dragonflies, we will also enjoy a wide variety of Extremadura’s iconic birds, amongst them Cinereous Vultures, Booted, Bonelli’s and Spanish Imperial Eagles, Great and Little Bustards, Iberian Magpies, Black-bellied Sandgrouse and a variety of larks, wheatears, shrikes and other passerines. Migration will be in full swing, with the pockets of wetland often acting as migrant traps. The hotel grounds, too, act as a magnet for birds, whilst at night we will explore their vicinity in search of Natterjack Toads, Southern Marbled Newts and bats, including Schreiber’s Bent-winged Bat. We will be based in a single location throughout the holiday – the exceptionally comfortable and homely Casa Rural Viña las Torres, just outside the historic town of Trujillo.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
Single based in comfortable family run hotel. All rooms have en suite facilities.
- Food:
All included in the price. Picnic lunches.
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
