Group visit - October 2006

October 22nd - 29th 2006

This week focusses on the following areas:

• arrival of the Cranes. They feed in the dehesa and come together in huge numbers to roost in the irrigated fields. There are good numbers of Harriers - Marsh and Hen - and Black-shouldered Kite.
• the unique area of steppe called La Serena to see Great and Little Bustards, Sandgrouse etc.
• the RAMSAR area of the Orellana reservoir to see various ducks and waders.
• the great cliff at Puerto Peña to see the Griffon Vultures. Eagle Owl are present, though easier to hear than see.
• Mérida and Cornalvo. Mérida has the best Roman remains in Spain and a wealth of bird life along the banks of the Guadiana river. Cornalvo is a Natural Park centred round a Roman reservoir. It has large numbers of Azure-winged Magpie, raptors, acuatic species and waders. We will be given an introductory talk at the Reserve's Centro de Interpretación.
• Villuercas and Guadalupe. This is the mountainous area in the north of the area.
• Sierra de Pela - this is an area of Mediterranean woodland which has the status of a ZEPA (Area of Special Protection for Birds)