We propose you to explore some of the best steppe lands in Catalonia. This is a land of contrasts with a long variety of landscapes where traditional wheat fields and almond orchards still guarantee a balance with birdlife. Along with this traditional farming we find aromatic scrublands and small oak forests fullfiled with the songs of Warblers and Buntings. An amazing spots where we spot an average of 9.7 (122 day trips so far) species of raptors per day trip!

We shall start our day in a corner hosting one of the best densities of Little Bustards in Europe. This is a species which is nowadays collapsing, and even well known population like the one living in the Spanish region of Extremadura has faced a 80% decrease in a few years!

Along the day we shall contact with resident Stone Curlew, Thekla Lark, Iberian Grey Shrike, Rock Sparrow, Dartford Warbler, Little Owl, Calandra Lark and Western Black-eared Wheathear.

In spring and summer the song of larks & warblers (see below) becomes a commonplace sound and our day list would easily include Subalpine, Western Orphean, Cetti’s, Sardinian, Great Reed, Dartford, Melodious & Western Bonelli’s Warblers. All the area also hosts good populations on Montagu’s Harrier, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Great Spotted Cuckoo, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Greater Short-toed Lark, Woodchat & Iberian Grey Shrikes, Rock Sparrow and Ortolan Bunting. Migratory birds include Red-footed Falcon and Dotterel.

The area is especially noted for raptors and our day list could easily include Short-toed Snake Eagle, Black Kite, Montagu’s Harrier, Honey Buzzard (in migration), Eurasian Griffon, Eurasian Hobby, Northern Goshawk or Booted Eagle. Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Black-winged Kite & Golden Eagle nest nearby while Cinereous Vulture is appearing some times.

We will also have time to visit a restored wetland in the middle of the plains. This lagoon has become a birding pole and a short visit should enhance us to enjoy White Stork, Purple Heron, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Great Reed Warbler, Western Swamphen or Black-winged Stilt. The migratory birds may include passerines, waders and herons.

In spring, an AVERAGE of 76 SPECIES OF BIRDS are seen in this birdwatching trip

KEY SPECIES______________
Purple Heron, Purple Swamphen, Montagu’s Harrier, Short-toed Eagle, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Hoopoe, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Tawny Pipit, Calandra Lark, Thekla Lark, Crested Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Black-eared Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Orphean Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, W Bonelli’s Warbler, Penduline Tit, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Spotless Starling.