Extremadura Spain April 2026
- Bob Croxton
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Monday 13 April (Alcorcon)
Fifth visit to Extremadura following on from 2007, 2010, 2012 & 2014.
The first few days were mild to warm, thereafter very hot with temperatures up to 29c. Monfrague and the Trujillo Plains were busy with birders with a high number of of guided tours in mini busses, away from these areas fairly quiet. Although I found and took good photos of many of the area's typical species, some of the specialities, I hoped for never apreared, such as Little Bustard the two sandgrouses, Citril Finch and Bonelli's/Imperial Eagles. This may have been because many birds would have been sat on eggs. I was also reluctant to go far off road on dusty tracks, as I had a nearly new car with no spare tyre.
Arrived at Madrid at 6.00 pm. Sailed through immigration, one of the quickest ever. Baggage waiting when I got to the collection point. Got a smart nearly new VW - T Cross.
Driving around the Madrid outer ring road to my hotel in the town of Alcocón to the SE of Madrid. Only identified bird on route Spotless Starling. A walk into town for a few beers found Blackbirds. Woodpigeon and a noisy racket from some conifers, turned out to be Monk Parakeets. Ended up in a heavy metal craft beer bar! Some really good craft beers, none of the fake Spanish rubbish they sell back home.
Tuesday 14 April (El Barco de Ávila)
On the road out to the mountains. Magpies in the urban areas then passing by woodlands Azure-winged Magpies, first raptor a Red Kite, followed by endless Black Kites, House Martins, Swallows and Cuckoo.
Sierra De Gredos
Chaffinch, Robin, Coal Tit, Buzzard, Jay, Tawny Owl calling, Crag Martin, Rock Bunting, House Sparrow, Hoopoe, Roe Deer.
Parador de Gredos Area
Black Redstart, Great Tit, Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Raven, Carrion Crow, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, White Stork on nest, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Serin, Mistle Thrush, Blackcap, Goldcrest,
Platforma de Gredos
Water Pipit, Yellow Wagtail Crag Martins, Griffon Vulture, Stonechat, Kestrel, Red Fox, Skylark.
El Barco de Ávila
Went into the old town looking for an evening meal. No bins with me, when I came across many high-flying swifts. Not sure which ones, so tried the Merlin App which constantly came up with Pallid Swift and they looked right for Pallid.
Wednesday 15 April (Torrejón el Rubio)
El Barco de Ávila
No Pallid Swifts out at sunrise. Greenfich, Sparrowhawk, Collared Dove.
Piornal Area
Western Bonelli's Warbler and Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Whitethroat, Woodlark, more Pallid Swifts in the village.
On the road
Black Vulture.
Parque Natural de Monfrague Salto del Gitano viewpoint
Red-rumped Swallow.
Near to Torrejón el Rubio
Crested Lark, Zitting whatsit (Fan-tailed Warbler), Bee-eater, Moorhen, Iberian Hare, Corn Bunting, Western Clubtail Dragonfly.
Torrejón el Rubio Campsite
Goldfinch, Mallard.
Torrejón el Rubio town
Bats
Common Pipistrelle, Common Bent-winged Bat, Soprano
Thursday 16 April (Torrejón el Rubio)
Torrejón el Rubio
Woodchat Shrike, Black Vulture,
Parque Natural de Monfrague Salto del Gitano viewpoint
Blue Tit, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Stork, Grey Heron, very tame Rock Buntings.
Parque Natural de Monfrague - Mirador de la portilla del Tiétar
Egyptian Vulture, Cetti's Warbler, Kingfisher, Cormorant. An Otter gave prolonged views and on one occasion catching and eating a crayfish.
Saucedilla Area
Little Egret, Black-winged Stilt, Little Bittern, Savi's Warbler, Purple Heron, Gull-billed Tern, Reed Warbler, Marsh Harrier,
Trujilo Plains
Montague's Harrier ring-tailed, Red-legged Partridge, Iberian Great Grey Shrike,
Belén Plains
Cattle Egret, Little Grebe.
Friday 17 April (Torrejón el Rubio)
Trujilo to Caceres Plains
Great Bustards three distant ones with the sun typically behind them. Sad to see that many of the boxes put up on pylons for Rollers had been taken over by Jackdaws, no Rollers seen. At a field pond, a pair of Shoveler and Gadwall. Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark,
Area of gorse near Talavan
First and only Black-eared Wheatear. This site is alleged to have Spectacled Warbler which I have no experience of, so I put the Merlin app on. No warblers, but confusing pings for Crested and Thekla’s Lark. It kept pinging for both species alternatively, when all I could see was a single perched singing Crested Lark near to me!
Parque Natural de Monfrague Castle
Fairy quiet evening trip up here, no new birds and no nesting Choughs inside the castle! Moorish Cecko on the Castle roof.
Saturday 18 April (Torrejón el Rubio)
Las Villuercas
Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, one and only Alpine Swift.
Pico Villuercas Mountain
Woodlark
Trujillo town
Common Swifts with the Pallid's.
Trujillo Plains
Revisited yesterday's site for the Great Bustards, after a while I found a distant male, then a closer female.
Sunday 19 April
Very hot and quiet day. Only new trip species Spanish Sparrow at a White Stork nest and a Turtle Dove heard.
Monday 20 April (Torrejón el Rubio)
Trujilo Plains
Montague's Harrier
Belén Plains
Black Vulture, Marsh Harrier
By a small roadside pond two Egyptian Geese
Near Torrejón el Rubio
Little Ringed Plover
Torrejón el Rubio Campsite pond
Serins
Embalse de Torrejón el Rubio
Great Reed Warbler
Tuesday 21 April (Toledo)
Parque Natural de Monfrague
A last stop at the main viewpoints found nothing new. Two Red Deer.
Saucedilla Area
No new birds, spent some time near a singing Savi's Warbler, hoping it would show, but it was not to be.
Embalse de Castrejón
Greylag Goose pair with young.
Toledo bridge over R. Tagus
Bent-winged Bat, Soprano Pipistrelle Bat.
Wednesday 22 April
Golden Oriole singing outside my hotel at dawn. Quiet and quick drive towards Madrid, until I went onto the Madrid outer ring road and then progress was slow round to the airport. Did not have much time to get to luggage check in, then went through security and border control faily quick, only for a 30 minute plus wait at the gate. Plane was an hour late leaving. Bus/train/bus home all on time.
Butterflies
Orange Tip, Queen of Spain Fritillary, Green Hairsteak, Clouded Yellow, Small Heath, Large White, Common Blue, Small Copper, Spanish Festoon.
Dragonflies
Western Clubtail, Azure Blue Damselfly the only ones identified.
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