Day 3 No rain on the plains in spain... a search for some specials

Two Great Bustards!

It was Sunday in Spain and Mothers’ Day in Australia and that, dear readers, was part of my undoing.

Road side Poppies

Bustard photographers

Allow me to explain.

We were going birding to the plains of Extremadura to seek the avian specialities therein. However I was thinking of Mother’s Day when we saw beautiful rows of bright red Poppies lining the roadsides I decided, no insisted, that we stop and pick some flowers for all of the Mothers that were with us. Nice idea. Nice guys finish last.

Steve West, as is right and proper, was in the lead vehicle and I was driving the second vehicle. He and his car were ahead getting great views of one of the main target species – Little Bustards while we were picking flowers. By the time we got there the bird had flown and was a small spot on a distant hill side. Now I would like to say we got great views of the bird as time went on but that would be an exaggeration. We did see the bird later but again the views were distant; spotting the head and neck, distinct as they were, rising out of the grass on a distant hill side.

Another target species had a happier story – the aptly named Great Bustards. The first bird we saw was a female playing now you see me now you don’t in the long grasses of the Spanish Steppes. Again the views were brief but clear and the bird was identifiable, so a lifer to all Aussies assembled. I counted the bird for the first time however a little later when we came upon a distant flock[?] of male Great Bustards assembled on a small ridge. Despite the distance and the heat haze we appreciated quite good views of these well coloured birds.

Sadly no Sandgrouse were seen – only one bird heard by Steve. We did get great views of some other classic birds of the Plains; Montagu’s Harrier, Calandra Larks, Little Owl, the amazing Hoopoe, European Roller [many taking advantage of the huge numbers of nest boxes that adorned many, many power poles that crossed the grasslands].

Calandra LArk

Male Montague's Harrier

Little Owl

We had our picnic lunch at a little cafe as we negotiated to buy some drinks there. The birding highlight was a lifer for all; Spanish Sparrow.

Spanish Sparrow

As per the itinerary we visited the ‘picturesque Trujillo with its large breeding colony of Lesser Kestrels and perhaps a Pallid Swift or two.’ Trujillo is best described by stealing a chunk of text from Wikipedia; 'The old town contains many medieval and renaissance buildings. Many of these were built or enriched by the conquistadors born in the city. These include, the conquerors of Peru, Francisco Pizarro and his brothers, Francisco de Orellana and Hernando de Alarcón. Pizarro's equestrian statue stands in the main square, the Plaza Mayor. The most important monuments are the castle (old Arab fortress), the church of Santa María (thirteenth century), and the church of San Francisco'.

The square of Trujillo

The statue of the Conquistador - Francisco Pizarro

It was a fascinating place for its history and the architecture which reflects its history. Steve pointed out the statue of the town’s most famous historical figure, complete with funny hat. On one of the buildings lay his or his family’s coat of arms, proudly complete with images of South American natives chained and obviously enslaved and one is reminded of how this town and its buildings were paid for – the exploitation of Peru and its original inhabitants.

Trujillo view - nesting White Storks in centre

Still the town and its buildings were impressive and we were not the only things to think so. Beautiful White Cranes were nesting on many of the taller buildings and both Common and Pallid Swifts streaked around the square. Lesser Kestrels, too, were floating over the centre of town although we saw them better when we visited the Trujillo Bull fighting Ring where they were nesting.

White Stork Nests

The afternoon yielded more Bee-eaters, a couple more Rollers, another Iberian Shrike [recently split from Great Grey Shrike], a variety of raptors, more Corn Buntings than you could eat plus the ubiquitous Crested Larks.

European Roller

Another Great Day!

Crested Lark 

Iberian Shrike

The evening meal? I went for grilled vegetables for an entrée, Rabbit and potatoes for a main plus fresh cheese cake and berries and, of course local Red wine.