BIRDING
Extremadura is considered by ornithologists to be one of their favorite European destinations. The predominant dehesa in these regions is the reason why there are 377 species, of which 194 are both sedentary breeders, which live all year round in this place, as well as those that nest and migrate elsewhere to spend the winter. Protected species such as the imperial eagle, the black vulture, the Bonelli’s eagle, the Egyptian vulture, the harrier, the great bustard or the kestrel stand out in this habitat.
BIRDING ROUTES
Puerto Peña - Puebla de Alcocer
Crossing the wall of the García de Sola dam, we will take a detour to the right along the BA-138 road towards Talarrubias. Without entering the town, we will continue until we join the EX103 in the direction of Puebla de Alcocer. On the outskirts of Puebla de Alcocer and to the left of the road are the ruins of the Convento de la Visitación, which houses a spectacular colony of Lesser Kestrels. White Storks, Little Owls, Common Swifts and Pallid Swifts also nest in the building.
The route through the Canal de las Dehesas towards Puerto Peña crosses mainly areas of dehesas and grasslands, observing representative species such as blue kites, common buzzards, Bonelli’s eagles, booted eagles, black kites, common winged cranes, hoopoes, common shrikes, mountain larks, etc. About 5 km before reaching the campsite there is a huge heron colony that is home to more than 2,000 pairs. Various species nest here, such as cattle egrets, egrets, martinetes, gray herons, squacco herons (only confirmed in some years) and white storks. The colony is located on a large island covered with atarfes where you can also see Little Plovers, Black-headed Gulls or Black-headed Gulls.
Casa de Don Pedro-Puerto Peña
To get there we will take the BA-137 road towards Talarrubias. Barely 1 km after having passed the last houses of the town, we will find a crossroads with a paved road that runs parallel to the Canal de las Dehesas. After passing 2,250m we will find a dirt road on the left (in front of one of the regulation gates). Then we will return again to the intersection with the BA-137 and continue along the canal service road for more than 15 km, until we reach a crossroads that allows us to return to the N-430 or to the “Puerto Peña” campsite. . Next to the campsite is the Rock Fauna Interpretation Center of Puerto Peña.
The route through the Canal de las Dehesas towards Puerto Peña crosses mainly areas of dehesas and grasslands, observing representative species such as blue kites, common buzzards, Bonelli’s eagles, booted eagles, black kites, common winged cranes, hoopoes, common shrikes, mountain larks, etc. About 5 km before reaching the campsite there is a huge heron colony that is home to more than 2,000 pairs. Various species nest here, such as cattle egrets, egrets, martinetes, gray herons, squacco herons (only confirmed in some years) and white storks. The colony is located on a large island covered with atarfes where you can also see Little Plovers, Black-headed Gulls or Black-headed Gulls.
Puebla de Alcocer - Cogolludo - Orellana la Vieja
Once located at the Mirador de Puerto Peña, we will continue towards Peloche-Herrera del Duque. Crossing the wall of the Garcia Sola dam and 200m further on, we will take a detour to the right along the BA-138 road towards Talarrubias. Without entering the town, we will continue until we join the EX-103 in the direction of Puebla de Alcocer. On the outskirts of Puebla de Alcocer and to the left of the road (800 m after the gas station) are the ruins of the Visitation Convent, which houses a spectacular colony of Lesser Kestrels. White Storks, Little Owls, Barn Owls, Common Swifts and Pallid Swifts also nest in the building.
Orellana la Vieja - Puebla de Alcocer
After finishing Route 3, from Orellana la Vieja we will take the EX115 towards Campanario and La Coronada passing through the wall of the Embalse de Orellana dam and after traveling about 5 km we will arrive at the intersection of the EX103, which takes us directly to Puebla de Cook. This section of the total route is the best for observing steppe birds, since most of the route along the EX103 runs through areas of natural grasslands and cereal crops. During the reproductive period we can easily observe great bustards, little bustard, lesser kestrel or Montagu’s harrier.
It is also easy to observe rollers, hoopoes, little owls, stone curlews, ortegas and baskets. In the grasslands, the common lark, the mountain lark, the wild vulture and the Spanish sparrow are very abundant. In winter, the presence of golden plover, lapwing, pipit and white wagtail stands out
