SPAIN - The Tom Gullick Experience
SOUTH-CENTRAL SPAIN IN SPRING 2008

These short breaks are planned to show you the rarest birds of Spain in the wild and varied steppe, sierra and marshlands, based at Tom’s very comfortable home India Alta, just two hours south of Madrid. You will see such special birds as Spanish Imperial and four other species of eagle, Great and Little Bustard, White-headed Duck, Eagle Owl, Black Stork, two species of sandgrouse, Black-shouldered Kite and more. All bedrooms at India Alta have bathrooms en suite.  There is an extensive garden, from which more than eighty species of birds have been seen including nesting Scop’s Owl. Dinners are at India Alta and lunches in the field.  Wine and soft drinks are included in the price and served with all meals.

Itinerary

Day 1 Early morning flight from London Luton at approx. 06.45 arriving Madrid at. 10.15. Drive south through steppe country for Great and Little Bustards, Black-bellied and Pintail Sandgrouse. On to wetlands for waders, terns, ducks and more, including White-headed Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Black-necked Grebe, Gull-billed, Black and Whiskered Terns, Great Reed Warbler, Flamingo, Marsh and Montagu Harriers, White Storks and Black Kites. Continue south to Tom’s house and bird nearby for Great Spotted Cuckoo, Scop’s and Eagle Owls. Dinner at India Alta

Day 2 Morning visit to Cabaneras National Park to see breeding Imperial Eagle, Black Vultures, Black-shouldered Kite, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Roller, Bee-eater and Hawfinch.  Later visit the reed beds and lakes near the Tablas de Damiel for Great-white Egret, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Squacco and Night Herons, Penduline Tit, Savis and Spectacled Warblers, as well as many ducks, waders and terns; Red-necked Nightjar excursion at dusk.     

Day 3  A full day in the craggy sierras and lush valleys of the Sierra Morena. We will seek Orphean, Subalpine, Dartford and Sardinian Warblers, Golden Oriole, Azure winged Magpie and both Rock and Cirl Bunting.  We visit the nesting cliffs of Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles, Black Stork, Chough, Egyptian and Griffon Vultures. Roadside birds include Black and Black-eared Wheatears, Blue Rock Thrush, Southern Grey and Woodchat Shrikes, Calandra and Short-toed Larks. 

Day 4 In the morning we return to the breeding lagunas of Purple Galinule and White-headed Duck, terns, Bearded Tit and grebes. We will also check through migratory waders in their fine summer plumage. Finally drive through more steppe country for bustards and sandgrouse before returning to Madrid  airport for your flight back to London Luton, arriving at approx 2305.

Extra day  (5 Day departures )

We will drive east into the high pinewoods and towering cliffs of the Sierra Segura, at over 5000 feet.  We should see both Red-tailed and Blue Rock Thrush, Western Bonelli’s and other warblers, Tawny Pipit, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Black Redstart and Crossbill.  More eagles, sandgrouse and bustards can be seen en route.

Expected species: approx 160

* Dupont’s Lark Special

This combines Tom’s four day trip with an afternoon in the steppes north of Madrid (staying at a hotel nearby) and a full day’s birding in the Sierra de Guadarama. As well as Dupont’s Lark we should see Bluethroat, Citril Finch, Wryneck, Ortolan Bunting, Western Bonelli’e Warbler and more. Expect a list of 170 plus species.

Prices include: Economy class flights including prepaid taxes, all birding by Land Cruiser, accommodation in spacious rooms with private bath, shower, WC, all meals and ALL DRINKS. Bird checklist. Single rooms £40 for four days, £50 for five.

Price excludes: Travel insurance (available from £13.59), tip to Tom’s house staff and items of a personal nature. Deduct £60 per person if joining in Madrid.

NB. If there are three people booking together, you may elect to have a ‘private trip’ with Tom, a supplement of £200 per person will apply.

Deposit: £100

A sample trip report is on our website or available from us.