Spain

Our Spain birding tour begins in Málaga, on the Mediterranean coast of southern Spain. We meet in the evening for introductions and a welcome dinner, with an opportunity to get to know our fellow travellers and guides.

Depending on arrival times, there may be opportunities to see some common local birds, including Spotless Starling, Eurasian Collared Dove, Crested Lark and Monk Parakeet.

Night in Málaga.

We begin our birding adventure at the Guadalhorce River estuary, where freshwater lagoons, marshes and scrubland support an impressive variety of birds. We will search for Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Little Ringed Plover and Garganey, along with two particularly exciting targets: White-headed Duck and Marbled Duck. These threatened species are among the highlights of birding in southern Spain. Commont Kingfisher, Woodchat Shrike and a variety of warblers are also possible.

We then travel inland to Fuente de Piedra Lagoon, one of Spain's most important breeding sites for Greater Flamingos. The lagoon and surrounding wetlands offer excellent opportunities to observe these striking birds, along with other waterfowl, shorebirds and open-country species.

Continuing into the mountains, we arrive in the historic town of Ronda, dramatically situated above the deep El Tajo gorge. Here, Alpine Swifts and Red-billed Choughs may be seen around the cliffs and historic buildings. We will also have time to enjoy Ronda's remarkable architecture and atmosphere, including an evening flamenco performance.

Night in Ronda.

Today we explore the spectacular limestone landscapes of the Serranía de Ronda, where rocky slopes, oak woodlands and open countryside provide habitat for a remarkable diversity of birds. We will search for Black Wheatear, Western Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock-Thrush, Rock Sparrow, Sardinian Warbler and Melodious Warbler.

Overhead, we may encounter Short-toed Snake-Eagle and Booted Eagle, while other possibilities include Red-legged Partridge, Cirl Bunting and European Stonechat. The surrounding mountains are also home to Spanish Ibex.

Continuing south through picturesque white villages and rugged mountain scenery, we make our way toward Tarifa and the Strait of Gibraltar. Weather permitting, we will stop at a viewpoint to watch for raptors migrating between Europe and Africa. The number and variety of birds passing through can vary considerably depending on wind and weather conditions.

Night in Tarifa.

We spend the morning exploring the Atlantic coast around Tarifa, where sandy beaches, dunes and coastal wetlands attract a variety of resident and migrating birds. We will look for Greater Short-toed Lark, Kentish Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin and other shorebirds, while gulls and terns patrol the shoreline.

We also visit the historic town of Tarifa, where Lesser Kestrels nest among the old buildings and Pallid Swifts may be seen overhead.

A highlight of the day is our planned whale-watching excursion into the Strait of Gibraltar, weather permitting. These waters are an important passage for marine mammals, and we may encounter dolphins, pilot whales and other cetaceans. Seabirds are another attraction, with Northern Gannet, Scopoli's Shearwater and other offshore species possible.

If conditions are favourable, we may spend additional time watching for migrating raptors from one of the viewpoints overlooking the Strait.

Night in Tarifa.

Today we explore the Atlantic coast north of Tarifa, combining excellent birding with a visit to Baelo Claudia, the impressive remains of a Roman town overlooking the sea. The surrounding coastal landscape provides opportunities to look for Thekla's Lark and other birds of open, rocky country.

Nearby saltmarshes, tidal flats and wetlands support an impressive variety of waterbirds. Our main targets include Collared Pratincole and Eurasian Thick-knee, along with Sandwich Tern, Curlew Sandpiper and other migrating shorebirds.

One of today's most distinctive experiences is a visit to a breeding colony of Northern Bald Ibis. This remarkable species has been reintroduced to southern Spain through a conservation programme, providing an opportunity to observe one of Europe's most unusual and endangered birds.

Depending on access and local conditions, we may also search for Eurasian Eagle-Owl before returning to Tarifa.

Night in Tarifa.

Leaving Tarifa, we travel north along the Atlantic coast toward Doñana, with birding stops in coastal wetlands and estuaries. Mudflats and beaches can be particularly productive for migrating shorebirds, including Ruddy Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel and Red Knot. We will also watch for Slender-billed Gull, Little Tern and other coastal species.

Another exciting possibility is Little Swift, a primarily African species with a small breeding population in southwestern Spain.

We continue to El Rocío, a distinctive Andalusian village on the edge of the Doñana wetlands. Depending on water levels, the surrounding marshes can be alive with herons, egrets, ducks and terns. We will have time to explore the village and enjoy some birding along the water's edge.

Night in El Rocío.

We devote a full day to exploring the extraordinary wetlands and surrounding habitats of Doñana, one of Europe's most important areas for breeding and migratory birds.

Our route takes us through extensive marshes, lagoons and open grasslands, where we will search for a remarkable diversity of waterbirds. Highlights may include Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, Squacco Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Bittern and Western Swamphen.

The lagoons also support Whiskered Tern, Black Tern, Caspian Tern, Great Crested Grebe and, with luck, the scarce Red-knobbed Coot. Reedbeds and surrounding vegetation may produce Savi's Warbler, Common Reed Warbler, Western Olivaceous Warbler and Eurasian Penduline Tit.

This can be a particularly rewarding but long day of birding, with limited facilities and shade in some areas. Those wishing for a more relaxed day may choose to remain in El Rocío, where birding opportunities are available near the village.

Night in El Rocío.

We spend our final morning in Doñana exploring its woodlands and scrub habitats, which offer a different selection of birds from the open marshes. We will look for Short-toed Treecreeper, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Golden Oriole and other woodland species.

We then leave Andalusia and travel north into Extremadura, a region renowned for its extensive oak woodlands, open plains and outstanding birdlife. Much of the countryside is characterized by dehesas, traditional landscapes of scattered holm and cork oaks that support an exceptional diversity of wildlife.

We arrive near Monfragüe National Park, our base for exploring the region over the next three days.

Night near Monfragüe National Park.

Today we explore the extensive plains, agricultural landscapes and traditional oak woodlands of Extremadura, among the finest areas in Europe for steppe birds. Our main targets are Great Bustard and the increasingly scarce Little Bustard. Spring is an especially interesting time to observe these remarkable birds, as males may be engaged in their elaborate courtship displays.

The surrounding grasslands and farmland also support Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, with Black-bellied Sandgrouse a more difficult possibility. We will search for Calandra Lark, Corn Bunting, Iberian Gray Shrike, Woodchat Shrike and other open-country birds. We will also visit areas where European Rollers nest, often alongside Eurasian Hoopoes, European Bee-eaters and Little Owls. Raptors may be seen overhead as we explore the countryside. The region's wooded parklands provide further opportunities to look for Iberian Magpie, Eurasian Wryneck and other characteristic woodland birds.

If time allows we might visit to a traditional goat farm, where we can learn about local cheese production and sample regional specialties.

Night near Monfragüe National Park.

Monfragüe National Park is one of Europe's premier destinations for birds of prey, with spectacular cliffs rising above the Tagus and Tiétar rivers. The park is especially famous for its large populations of Eurasian Griffon, Cinereous Vulture and Egyptian Vulture.

We will visit several viewpoints to observe these impressive birds, as well as search for Spanish Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle and Black Stork. The rocky slopes and surrounding woodlands also support Western Subalpine Warbler, Dartford Warbler and Spanish Sparrow.

Beyond the dramatic cliffs of Monfragüe, we will explore the surrounding wetlands and agricultural landscapes, searching for Bearded Reedling, Western Marsh Harrier, Ferruginous Duck and Black-winged Kite. Reedbeds, lagoons and open fields provide a rewarding contrast to the rocky habitats of the national park.

Night near Monfragüe National Park.

Leaving Extremadura, we travel north toward the Sierra de Gredos, part of Spain's Central Mountain System. Along the way, we will make birding stops in oak woodlands and open countryside before ascending into a dramatic landscape of granite peaks, mountain meadows, streams and pine forests.

One of our main targets is Bluethroat, which breeds in suitable high-elevation habitats. Other mountain birds may include Black Redstart, Skylark and a variety of pipits and buntings.

Along mountain streams, we will look for White-throated Dipper, while the surrounding pine forests support Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Common Firecrest and other woodland birds. Iberian Green Woodpecker, a distinctive regional specialty, is another exciting possibility.

Night in the Sierra de Gredos.

We spend the morning exploring more of the Sierra de Gredos, with opportunities to search for species we may have missed the previous day. The mountain grasslands, rocky slopes and streams support Ortolan Bunting, Rock Bunting, Water Pipit, Northern Wheatear and Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush. We will also look for Spanish Ibex, an impressive wild goat that inhabits the rugged mountains of central Spain.

After enjoying some final birding in the surrounding forests, we travel south toward the Montes de Toledo, where Mediterranean woodlands and open pastures provide important habitat for Iberian Lynx, one of Europe's rarest and most remarkable mammals.

In the evening, we begin our search for this elusive feline on a private estate, exploring suitable areas with local expertise.

Night in the Toledo area.

We begin the day with an early morning wildlife excursion in the Montes de Toledo, focusing on the Iberian Lynx. Once pushed close to extinction, this extraordinary wild cat has made an impressive recovery through conservation efforts, and the region provides an opportunity to search for it in its natural habitat. Although sightings can never be guaranteed, we will spend time exploring the woodland and open pastures where lynx may be encountered.

Birding is also rewarding in this landscape. Spanish Eagle is a major target, while other possibilities include Cirl Bunting, Woodlark, Western Orphean Warbler and Hawfinch. We may also encounter other characteristic birds of the Mediterranean woodlands.

After lunch, we travel to Madrid for our final evening together, reflecting on the remarkable birds, mammals, landscapes and cultural experiences of our journey through Spain.

Night in Madrid.