Our region
Our region is the Biosphere Reserve of Sierras de Bejar and Francia and the surrounding areas of Salamanca province
between Madrid and Portugal.
Habitat
Our region includes mountains, cereal plains, wetlands, Atlantic and Mediterranean forests, canyons and Holm oak woodland Dehesas offer amazing birding.
Mountain
The Gredos National Park and Sierra de Bejar mountains provide habitat to birds like Bluethroat, Rock thrush and Golden eagle.
Cereal plain
Whereas the cereal steppe-lands SPA are habitat to birds including Great Bustard, Montague’s Harrier and Black-bellied Sandgrouse.
Wetlands
Wintering cranes graze amongst Holm oak and roost on the shores of the Santa Teresa reservoir. Egrets, herons and Spoonbills breed in our reservoirs and many ducks, waders and aquatic birds winter here.
Atlantic and Mediterranean forest
The Batuecas Sierra de Francia Natural Park is home to forest birds such as Iberian green and Lesser spotted woodpeckers. Black stork, Rock thrush and Egyptian vulture breed here, with Alpine accentor in the winter, and Spanish Ibex all year.
Canyons
Along the steep canyons of the Arribes Natural Park colonies of Griffon vulture nest alongside Bonelli’s eagle. This natural park is a geographical surprise with its steep Mediterranean river valleys and terraced olive and orange groves.
Dehesa
In between are ‘Dehesas’ of ancient Holm Oaks, granite tors, and river valleys, with Iberian Magpies, Bee-eaters and Black vulture. Field rose and thickets provide the perfect habitat for Nightingale and birds such as Western orphean, Melodious and Sardinian warblers.
The enormous variety of flowers and butterflies found in these different habitats, many endemic to the region, is endless. Overall, this area has an incredible variety of birdlife throughout the year, and abundance of flora and fauna species.