![]() ![]() And with luck, a stop or two en route might turn up one of the local Iberian Red Kite Milvus milvus © John Muddemanrace of Green Woodpecker, or perhaps a Cirl Bunting. The short trip up into the high mountains of the Guadarrama range, weather-permitting, takes to us easily accessed sites for the star bird here, Citril Finch, but a good range of passerines is usually present in the scrub and pinewood habitats, including Crested Tit, Common Crossbill and Rock Bunting, amongst others. Large mixed flocks of Calandra and Eurasian Sky- Larks, plus mobile groups of European Golden Plover further characterise the assemblage of birds, but are by no means the only ones, with Iberian Grey Shrike, Corn Bunting, Crested and Thekla Larks and Rock Sparrows all also being typical birds of these areas. Indeed, one of the features of the region is the unique occurrence of large mixed flocks of Little Bustard and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, which are easiest to find at this time in the winter fallow and stubble fields. In a handful of locations, these agglomerate into large flocks, sometimes numbering into the hundreds of individuals. Great Bustard in winter Otis tarda © John MuddemanThe resident steppic birds, such as Great and Little Bustards, Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse also form wintering groups in the vast open agri-steppe areas. ![]() ![]() In addition to the more numerous Griffon Vultures, young eagles wander these plains, and include Golden and rare Bonelli's Eagles, while the delightful Black-shouldered Kite is often more visible at this time as well. The range of resident raptors, including the iconic Spanish Imperial Eagle and Eurasia's largest bird of prey, the huge Eurasian Black Vulture, is boosted by increased numbers of wintering Red Kites, Hen and Western Marsh Harriers and Peregrine Falcons, as well as wintering Merlins. The tour ends with a full day for travellers to enjoy the museums, monuments and culture of Madrid.Ĭentral Spain is widely overlooked as an autumn and winter destination for birdwatchers, but is home to a remarkable selection of resident and wintering species. this is a unique opportunity to enjoy an unusual and impressive natural phenomenon when large numbers of Little Bustards and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse join to mixed feeding flocks! We also won't forget to explore one of the most unspoilt corners of central Spain, the Cabañeros National Park. Grus grus © John Muddemanresident and wintering raptors, including the rare Spanish Imperial Eagle, are the focus of this tour. The migrant and wintering Common Cranes, large flocks of steppic birds including Great and Little Bustards and Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, plus good numbers of Common Cranes feeding under W Holm Oaks Please enquire for an obligation-free quote. John Muddeman for Spainbirds Nature Tours ![]()
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