Description
Parque Nacional de Monfragüe in Extremadura attracts birders from around the world to search for the elusive Spanish Imperial Eagle and the three species of vultures that breed in the area. The national park consists of several small, parallel mountain ranges, between which flows the River Tajo. The River Tiétar and other lesser watercourses carve out deep gorges as they flow towards the Tajo, creating a spectacular system of rocky cliffs which are home to a huge number of birds of prey. Here you can see large colonies of Griffon Vulture and Black Vulture. But also birds such as Spanish Imperial Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Egyptian Vulture and Eagle Owl. Monfragüe is also one of the best places in Europe to see Black Stork breeding.
The national park has a lot of variety in habitats. A very well preserved Mediterranean forest which is surrounded by hills covered with oak forests and Mediterranean thicket and dotted with rocks and streams. Large dehesa areas extend to the north and south of the National Park. All these different habitats attract many different species of birds. From wintering Common Crane to Brambling to breeding Blue Rock Thrush, Western Orphean Warbler, Azure-winged Magpie or Black-eared Wheatear. The best time for seeing the greatest variety of birds is spring. But winter and autumn are also good. In the summer it is scorching hot and there are far fewer birds to observe.
On Birdingplaces.eu all the best birding sites are described in detail. With map, species list, how to get there, where to park and how and where you can find the birds. On the map below you can see the most interesting birding areas in Monfragüe. Zoom in on the map and click on a red dot for a detailed area description.