1-3 May - a successful short trip to central Spain, with a night at Finca Santa Marta(2,3). A very impressive tally of birds for 1.5 days birding - a plethora of raptors including Montagu's(14) and Marsh Harriers, Spanish Imperial, Booted(13)and Short-toed(1) Eagles, Black(8) and Red(9) Kites, Black(7) and Griffon Vultures, 3 Black-shouldered Kites and a couple of migrant Honey Buzzards. The dehesa and steppes produced 4 Rollers(11), many Bee-Eaters(4) and Hoopoes, Great(12) and Little Bustards and Calandra and Thekla Larks. Monfrague gave good views of Alpine Swift(10), Crag Martin and Red-rumped Swallow(5), as well as Black Stork(6) at the usual nest site at Penafalcon. An evening visit to Almaraz wetlands gave good views of 6 Purple Herons(15), a Night Heron and several Gull-billed Terns, as well as Collared Pratincoles and Black-winged Stilts. The reedbed held singing Savi's and Great Reed Warblers, and a calling Purple Gallinule - a flyover Grest Spotted Cuckoo was a real bonus.
Finally, a detour through the Sierra de Gredos en route back to Madrid produced amazing views of Rock Thrush(16) and Bluthroat(17) near the Plataforma car park! Returned home early hours of 3rd, tired but satisfied. All photos JM.
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