Spring / summer


BIRDWATCHING TOURS IN EXTREMADURA,
DOÑANA & STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR

The best birding of central and southern Spain

SPRING / SUMMER

DAYS
HOURS
MINUTES
SECONDS

7 days

TOUR DATES
7-13 Apr
21-17 Apr
12-18 May
26-1st Jun

Spain

Max 6 persons

Single supp £300

BOOKINGS

Choose your preferred dates from the tour options displayed. Dates are available on an upon-request basis and will get taken up quite quickly. Please contact me asap to request your preferred dates. Alternatively, you can arrange a private tour for your own dates. Birdwatching tours in Extremadura, Doñana and the Strait of Gibraltar are highly recommended at any time of the year!

Short-toed eagle
Short-toed eagle ©Andrew Fortuna

OVERVIEW – Birdwatching tours in Extremadura, Doñana and the Strait of Gibraltar

This tour is one of our most popular and requested birdwatching holidays, designed to enjoy the best birds, nature scenery (and cusine!) of central and southern Spain. We will start our journey in Gibraltar or Sevilla collecting our clients at their respective airports, or any other agreed collection point. We transfer immediately to Extremadura for two nights.

Extremadura is arguably one of the most important bird regions in the whole of Spain with the beautiful Mongrague National park where five species of eagles can be observed, including the iconic Spanish Imperial and Bonelli’s Eagles, as well as three of vultures. The famous ‘dehesa’ open forrest and grassy plain habitat is home to spcies on the red data list such as the Great and Little bustards. Other key species include: Black-bellied and Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Eurasian roller and many other open habitat species.

Extremadura is considered one of the prime birding locations in the Iberian peninsula, where huge rolling expanses of steppe grasslands meet vast extensions of cork oak woodland and rugged mountain landscapes, brought to line by some of the most spectacular birdlife in the whole of Europe. The area is notorious for it’s traditional agricultural techniques allowing the, birdlife to thrives in this beautiful environment. We generally use our base from Trujillo (can vary), where you shall see why this area is so impressive. Flocks of the two species of Bustards, as well as the Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse fly over and roam the plains with their characteristics calls, large kettles of migrating raptors is often a feature of the Extremadura skies. The diversity here has something for everyone, as we enjoy spring in the Spanish Steppes. 

Black-shouldered Kites are one of Europe’s rarest breeding raptors, and Extremadura holds a very healthy population. The majestic Spanish Imperial eagle is a frequent sight during our tours, as are the declining Bonelli’s Eagle, Lesser Kestrels, Black, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Black and Red Kites amongst others affording stunning views for observing and photography. Other large landcbirds include both Black and White Storks. Other typical and interesting species include Western Swamp-hen, Alpine Swift, Calandra Lark, Thekla’s Lark, Woodchat Shrike and Sardinian Warbler, together with the ubiquitous Hoopoes, Iberian Magpies and Great Spotted Cuckoos. Various species of heron, egrets and a variety of migrant shorebirds can also be expected. We have been successfully running tours to Extremadura for many years and we are confident you will enjoy the bird-filled tranquility of its wild and varied landscapes. You can expect well around 100-130 species. 

TARGET SPECIES
Black-shouldered Kite, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Eurasian Black (Cinereous) Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Audouin’s gull, Scopoli’s shearwater, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Stork, White Stork, Purple Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Purple (Western) Swamp Hen, Savi’s Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Black-eared Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Subalpine Warbler, Hawfinch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Crested (Red-knobbed) Coot, White-headed Duck, Marbled Duck, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Stone Curlew (Eurasian Thick-knee), European Bee-eater, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Little Owl, Scops Owl, Whiskered Tern, Collared Pratincole and more!

AVAILABLE TOUR DATES
Dates do not suit you? Contact us for a private tour
31st Mar – 6th April ’25
21st Apr – 27th May ’25
12th – 18th May ’25
26th – 1st Jun ’25

DAY 1
ARRIVAL (GIBRALTAR / MALAGA / SEVILLE)

Pick-up from Gibraltar or Seville airports only
We head towards Extremadura stopping on various birding sites along the way. a lot of open area species can be pickup here. Based at Trujillo 3 nights.

DAY 2
MONFRAGUE & TRUJILLO

Monfragüe is an impressive mountain region full of raptors & Black stork breeding. We will also have opportunities for watching Griffon, Black & Egyptian vultures, Spanish Imperial Eagles both Black and Red Kites, Short-toed and Booted Eagles. Blackcap, Dartford and Sardinian Warblers. On the cliffs possible species include Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Red-rumped Swallow, Crag Martin, Black Stork, Eurasian Eagle Owl.

DAY 3
CÁCERES PLAINS & EASTERN WETLANDS

An immense steppe region with rocky hills Trujillo and Cáceres towns seperated with isolated woodland patches. A great opportunity to see some of the specialities of the steppe habitats such as Stone Curlew, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Montagu’s Harrier, Great and Little Bustards, Lesser Kestrel, Corn Buntings, Calandra Lark, Black-eared Wheatears. Eurasian Spoonbill, Cattle Egret, Spanish Sparrow, Crested Lark and Zitting Cisticola

DAY 4
DOÑANA NATIONAL PARK, EL ROCIO

After breakfast we and depart Trujillo for head to Doñana National Park. In the surrounding fields and wetlands, it is possible to watch a large array of wetland species such as Purple Swamphen, Hen Harrier, Glossy Ibis, Squacco, Purple Herons, Whiskered tern, Savi’s warbler and many more arriving from their winter quarters. Open fields have short-toed and Lesser Short-toed Larks, Stone Curlew, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse etc. Overnight at El Rocio.

DAY 5 & 6
STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR

We leave Doñana after midday and head to the Strait of Gibraltar. We exploring the northern shore of the famous Strait owith magnificent views of the African continent and the famous Rock of Gibraltar nearby. We will experience the amazing close views of bird of prey & stork migration, as well as visiting nearby Northern bald ibis breeding colonies and many other species. Overnight La Linea.

DAY 7
DEPARTURE (GIBRALTAR / MALAGA / SEVILLE)

Drop-off at Malaga airport £25 p/p
After breakfast we make a couple of more stop for some last minute birding before heading to Malaga / Gibraltar airport for your return trip back home

Weather: Warm temperatures is expected at most times of the year, especially May – September, but can be quite nippy in the early morning during Spring. Light trousers and thin long sleeved shirt can help avoid insect bites and recommended. A jacket and a sweater is recommended for the evenings even in late Spring. A light rain jacket may be required.

Difficulty: Generally easy, short walks and gentle pace suitable for all fitness levels. For the most part the tour will involve short drives with walking near the vehicle. A few of the of days may involve drives over 1.5h.

Email us to register your interest in the tour. Do not book any flights until we have agreed pick-up / drop-off points / flight times etc. 50 % deposit is required to book your place, with the remaining fees to be paid 2 months before arrival. Payments can be completed via bank transfer (add bank transfer charges), Revolut (free if you have it) or Paypal (+7% surcharge)

CONTACT US FOR A TOUR ENQUIRY

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