Wildlife Extremadura & Trujillo - Ross Piper

The Extremadura is a paradise for anyone with an interest in nature. In many respects, this area of Spain is one of the finest places in Europe for wildlife watching.

Great bustard - Otis tarda

Common crane - Grus grus

Bee Eater - Merops apiaster

Hoopoe - Upupa epops

From charming town squares where lesser kestrels, white storks and swallows by day and bats by night flutter and soar above statues and towers to the unspoilt beauty of the various conservation areas in the region where you might be lucky enough to see animals that have long since disappeared from other European countries. The Extremadura and its wildlife is a tantalizing glimpse of what used to be.

Trujillo is an ideal base to explore this region from. A short walk to the castle and beyond takes you into a landscape that is largely unchanged from when the Romans had an outpost here. Tracks and paths stretch into the distance and even here, only a short distance from the town square, you can see a hoopoe calling from its perch, bizarre worm-lizards tunnelling into the soil beneath rocks, demonic horned mantises perfectly poised, waiting for their prey and a wealth of other life besides. This same extraordinary diversity of wildlife is largely true for any place in the Extremadura where you are free to wander.

Enquiries to enquiries@trujilloespana.com

The pristine habitats of Trujillo and its surroundings owe a great deal to the low population density in this part of Spain and the persistence of ancient agricultural practices that benefit flora and fauna. The lack of intensive agriculture enables insects and other small animals to thrive attracting bird species from all over Europe and Africa which come to this part of Spain to breed. In turn these birds attract bird watchers who come from all over Europe and beyond to see species that are very rare in other, more densely populated areas. If you come to the Extremadura make sure you spend some time to find some of the interesting animals.

Whatever your interest in nature, be it birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, plants or all of the above, the Extremadura will not disappoint.

Migratory species are especially attracted to this region because of the large fresh water reservoirs, low human population and abundant food supplies. Trujillo is populated by a number of celebrated birds which include cranes and the rare Great Bustard (Otis tarda) and the Lesser Bustard. (Tetrax tetrax) All of these birds can easily be seen in the Steppe or Llanos de Belen, 3 kms from the town. Extremadura holds about 15% of the earths' population of bustards and so with luck it is likely that the visitor will have some good sightings.

For an extensive list of birds in this area visit: http://www.pbase.com/cristianjensen birdwatching_extremadura&page=all

by courtsey of Cristian Jensen Marcet, Audouin Birding Tours

Accomodation

Both the Town House and The Studio are very well suited to birdwatchers needs. Both properties are fully equipped, please see attached link, and are fitted with oil fired central heating, important in the cooler months.
Bird watching equipment can be obtained locally from the shop called Conde C/Tiendas No 16 Trujillo 927 320178 and picnic lunches can be arranged on request.

Seasons

All the year round, but the most interesting and comfortable time of the year is probably the Spring, late February to Mid May. (temperature about 16 to 28oC ) At this time of year the countryside is filled with green vegetation and an abundance of wild flowers including French lavender and slipper orchids . July and August tend to be hot.

Organised bird watching tours can be arranged.

In order to maximise your viewing opportunities a hire car is the optimum choice.
Hire cars can be obtained on a daily basis from Citroen's local office (National) Av Miajadas 47 Trujillo 927 320 890 contact Manolo 686 970 474. A chauffeured mini bus or private car can be arranged. Quotes on request.

Extremadura Bird Watching Fair 26 -28 February 2011

Fifth edition of International Trade Fair of Ornithological Tourism - Extremadura Bird watching Fair is taking place in one Mecca of worldwide ornithology, Monfrague National Park. This is one of the areas with the biggest concentration of birds in the world where they can be spotted very easily. These reasons have encouraged us to create a forum of meeting, debate and entertainment, combining the presence of expert ornithologists and naturalists in general, with the business world and institutions involved in environment and also in tourism.
Extremadura Bird watching Fair has become one of the biggest European events in the sector in record time. The fair with the collaboration of environmental and tourism organisations, has the objective of increasing the value of a more friendly environment and sustainable tourism.

To find our more visit http://www.fioextremadura.es/