I would like to thank KYShum and Eling for sharing their birding trips to Extremadura in this forum and introducing to us this good birding place and an experienced bird guide, Martin Kelsey. I also want to thank EricB who provided very useful birding information on this area.
I am grateful to my friend, Kayi who arranged this birding trip to Extremadura and joined this trip with me. Both of us enjoyed this trip because we saw many birds that were new to us. It’s a pity that I could not take decent photos for many of these birds mostly because they were very far from us and there were some rainy days during this trip. Of course, some photo opportunities were lost due to my slow responses!
We had 6 days and 1 short morning session for birding in Extremadura (3 –9 Apr, 2012). Here are some of the birds seen:
GREAT BUSTARDS
Female and male
Male
Male and female
Male
LITTLE BUSTARDS
Male displaying
Male (flying)
Male and female
Male
BLACK-BELLIED SANDGROUSES – male and female
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE
SHORT-TOED LARK
CALANDRA LARK
THEKLA LARK
CRESTED LARK
CORN BUNTING
WOODCHAT SHRIKE
SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKE
SPANISH SPARROWS
Male
Female
HOUSE SPARROWS
Male
Female
NORTHERN WHEATEAR
Male
Female
BLACK WHEATEAR
BLACK REDSTART - male
LITTLE OWL
COMMON CUCKOOO
MEADOW PIPIT
COMMON STONECHAT - male
LINNET
RED AVADAVAT
SPOTLESS STARLING
COLLARED DOVE
ROLLER
BEE-EATER
HOOPOE
WHITE STORK
BLACK STORK
GRIFFON VULTURE
BLACK VULTURE
EGYPTIAN VULTURE
MONTAGU’S HARRIERS
Female
Male
Dark morph
WESTERN MARSH HARRIERS
LESSER KESTRELS
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male and Female
COMMON KESTREL - female
COMMON BUZZARD
SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE
SHORT-TOED EAGLE
BOOTED EAGLE
RED KITE
BLACK KITE
SQUACCO HERON
LITTERN BITTERN
PURPLE SWAMPHEN
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW
PALLID SWIFT
ALPINE SWIFT
HOUSE MARTIN
CRAG MARTIN
CHIFFCHAFF
WILLOW WARBLER
SUBALPINE WARBLER
SARDINIAN WARBLER
WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER
SPECTACLED WARBLER
DARTFORD WARBLER
PIED FLYCATCHER
SERIN
CHAFFINCH
GREAT TIT
BLUE TIT
CRESTED TIT
SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER
JACKDAW
IBERIAN MAGPIE
NUTHATCH
GREENFINCH
GOLDFINCH
SCOPS OWL
Thanks for viewing!
[ Last edited by cywong at 22/06/2012 00:26 ] Author: kyshum Time: 10/06/2012 12:09
Thanks for sharing! The photos recall my memory of the enjoyable moments.
I especially like your Red-legged Partridge shots! Author: EricB Time: 10/06/2012 16:06
Thanks for sharing a nice collection of species, your guide clearly did well to find you a Scops Owl you could photograph.Many people never see this bird!The Orphean Warbler and Black Wheatear are also quite hit and miss.
If you are really keen to get great photos there is a guide who has some strategically placed hides.He's unlikely to get you as many species as Martin Kelsey, but it is always a trade off when time is limited.This is Steve Fletchers website for information. http://extremaduraphotos.webs.com/
Some people prefer to combine Extramadura with the Sierra Gredos, a nearby mountain range. The additional species include Rock Thrush,Citril Finch,Western Bonelli's Warbler,Melodious Warbler,Water Pipit,Honey Buzzard,Rock Sparrow,Iberian Green Woodpecker, Dipper, "Gredos' Bluethroat (Blue-spotted Bluethroat)& Ortolan Bunting.The main attraction here is the Spanish Ibex,which is very common. The mythical Pyrenean Desman occurs but is very difficult to find, this is probably the best view you'll ever get! - http://www.arkive.org/pyrenean-d ... aicus/video-00.html
With kind Regards,
Eric
A fantastic birding trip Author: mchristine Time: 11/06/2012 20:38
What a fruitful birding trip. The Red-Legged Partridge and Scops Owl were sooooooooooo cute!!! Author: brendank Time: 12/06/2012 20:31
Great trip! I like the Bustards. Author: cywong Time: 13/06/2012 21:43
Thanks for all your replies.Author: mbill Time: 16/06/2012 15:42
I like the WOODCHAT SHRIKE & Spanish sparrow too!
Thanks for sharing. Author: EricB Time: 17/06/2012 07:36
As you know Extremadura is a special place and can be regarded as 'Europe's Raptor Breeding Capital' with nearly 20 species in the area ; this plus the 2 available Sandgrouse and Bustards make it an attractive destination.
However, for European bird photography you might want to consider the Greek island of Lesvos during Spring migration.Many tricky European species like Ruppell's Warbler, Isabelline Wheatear, Kruper's Nuthatch,Cretzschmar's and Cinereous Bunting; in addition to a supporting cast of flocks of Red footed Falcons, Little Crakes and the likes.Click on some of these photos to whet your appetite. http://www.kitday-uk.com/lesvos_2008.html
Enjoy.
E Author: cywong Time: 17/06/2012 22:51
Hi Eric,
Thanks for introducing to us the Greek island of Lesvos and sharing your stunning bird photos from Lesvos.
It seems that a heavy lens (500mm or longer)is required for taking good bird photos in Lesvos, as in Extremadura.
For the trip to Extremadura, I brought a 400mm F4 lens and teleconverters and a DSLR camera and this set of equipment is quite heavy for me.
Is there any good birding place in Europe that the birds are more approachable and I can take reasonably good photos with just a 400mm F5.6 lens?
Cherry Author: EricB Time: 20/06/2012 06:22
An interesting question Cherry. Unfortunately , I don't know what the answer is!
You clearly get more value for money in Africa or Australia, where there are many more species and the lighting is better.
Here are a few random thoughts on European photographic opportunities.
GREECE
1.I still like Lesvos for the number of interesting species, photo opportunities and migration mayhem.
(2.NE Greece, including Lake Kerkini.)
UK
This is limited to a small number of select species.
2.Extremadura, but the lighting can be rubbish. Still , I could spend a lot of afternoons up the top of Monfrague castle trying to photograph Griffon Vultures at eye level.Go to the very top of the castle. Best to bring a torch to navigate the stairs.
With kind regards,
Eric Author: cywong Time: 22/06/2012 00:24
Hi Eric,
Many thanks for introducing all these European photographic opportunities. They are so attractive! I really hope to visit some of the places mentioned.
Sorry that I have mistaken you for Kit Day. I am very pleased to get to know an expert in ornithology - Dr. Eric Barnes.
Best regards.
Cherry
[ Last edited by cywong at 22/06/2012 07:26 ]
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