March 8th :- After breakfast we set off inland with our first stop around Petrola on the eastern edge of Castilla-la Mancha. This is an area of undulating plains largely given over to cereal and vine cultivation, but with patches of set-aside, and a few shallow seasonal lagoons. During the morning we should see our first Great Bustards, with a chance of Hen Harrier, Merlin, Black-bellied & Pin tailed Sandgrouse, Calandra & Thekla Larks. The lagoons can also be exceptional at this time of year, holding lots of ducks, herons, and especially waders, which are starting their northward journey. After lunch we continue west to another area of wetlands, including the excellent Pedro Munoz that hold good numbers of White-headed Duck, Black necked Grebes, Greater Flamingos and Marsh Harriers. Night in Miguel Estaban

March 9th :- After breakfast we go to Miguel Estaban another of this area's excellent wetlands, which can be very good for Pin tailed Sandgrouse and Great Spotted Cuckoos as well as White Stork, waders & wildfowl. Slowly we will head west stopping at more lagoons on-route, previous stops here have produced Glossy Ibis, Mute Swan, and Garganey. After lunch we will go to one of Castilla-la Mancha's most important wetlands 'Tablas de Daimiel', at this time of year birds could include Grey Lag Geese, Common Cranes,, Marsh Harrier, Purple Gallinule, Water Rail, Bearded Tit, Reed Bunting, Spanish Sparrows, Savi's, Cetti's & Moustached Warblers. Finally we head for Alcoba and if time allows we will call into the hide situated on the edge of 'Los Cabañeros Reserve', and we should see Black & Griffon Vultures, Common Buzzards, Azure winged Magpie, Great Spotted Cuckoo, and Spanish Sparrows.

March 10th :- An early start as we swap transport for a special 4 x 4 vehicle, which will take us on safari for the morning. Apart from the main road that runs through the reserve vehicular access to here is restricted to this type of transport (or walking) and strictly governed. The huge plains and rolling hills, with Red Deer, Fox & Wild Boar and a very high concentration of raptors with reputedly 120+ pairs of Black Vulture alone, plus Spanish Imperial & Golden Eagles, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Little Bustard, Southern Grey Shrike, Jay and Corn Bunting. After lunch our next destination will be Embalse de Garcia de Sola, hoping to see the resident pair of Bonelli’s Eagles, and possibly Griffon Vultures, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Raven, and Little Egrets. We now head for our accommodation for the next four nights, a beautiful 'casa rural' situated just outside Trujillo, surrounded by countryside with some excellent walks, which makes the perfect base

March 11th, 12th, 13th :- The next three full days will be spent visiting the very best of sites in Extremadura. We shall be going to Parque Natural de Monfrague, Santa Marta de Magasca, the Zorita Steppes, Vegas Altas, Embalse de Sierra Brava, and the Belen Plains. Winter birdwatching in Extremadura can be simply outstanding with certain difficult species gathering into large parties on the extensive plains. Target birds will be Great & Little Bustard, Black-bellied & Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, Great Spotted Cuckoo and Spanish Sparrow. Although most will have left Common Cranes may be seen in the fields and also migrating back north, located by their distinctive calls. The area holds vast numbers of raptors that may include Black & Griffon Vultures, Bonelli's, Golden, Booted, and Spanish Imperial Eagles, Common Buzzard, Red & Black Shouldered Kite, Marsh & Hen Harriers, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Merlin. With luck we could also find a few Egyptian Vultures, Black Kites and Lesser Kestrels as they arrive back on their breeding grounds. Amongst the hills and crags we could find Eagle Owl (on the nest), Black Storks, Rock & Cirl Buntings, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin, and Black Redstart. In the dehesa we will look for Hawfinch, Woodlark, Redwing, Lesser & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Short toed Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Firecrest, Crested & Long tailed Tits. Mid-March brings the vanguard of migrant passerines with a chance of finding a Northern Wheatear, Whinchat, Sub-alpine Warbler on passage. Some time will be spent in Trujillo's  main square where we will see some lovely architecture along with nesting White Storks, Jackdaws, with hopefully a few Pallid Swifts and Lesser Kestrels.

March 14th :- This morning we repack the minibus and start to make our journey west back into Castilla la Mancha where we will again stay for our penultimate night. We will make various stops en-route at Jaraicejo Heath,  Embalse de Arrocampo, and Oropresa looking for Black shouldered Kites, Dartford & Willow Warbler, Purple Gallinule, Purple Heron, Spoonbill, Cetti's & Savi's Warblers. Outside Toledo we will try and stop at the mirador for a photo opportunity of this magnificent city before making the journey back into the heart of  Castilla la Mancha. The afternoon will be spent looking around a few more of the excellent wetlands in this area before heading for the hotel.

March 15th :-  What we do the final morning will depend on whether we need to target any missed species that could occur between Quintanar and Oliva. Alternatively a direct return to Alicante might be beneficial in the hope of adding to our trip list with species such as Slender billed, Audouin's & Mediterranean Gulls, Osprey, or Wryneck.

Price includes:-

Price does not include:-

1. Flights to Alicante.
2. 8 nights accommodation with ensuite facilities.
3. All meals inc. drinks
4. All transport costs, inc. vehicle hire, fuel, tolls etc
5. Potential trip list with daily check list.
6. Use of field guides covering the area

1. Travel and contents insurance.
2. Extra food & drink to normal meal times.
3. Items of a personal nature.