After a night’s sleep and a lot of reflection we were able to understand where we had been and what we had seen. We travelled many kilometres and were on good roads and some that definitely needed a 4X4 - with off-road tyres fitted. That is not to say that some of our journey could not have been undertaken in a normal vehicle.
We left at 7.30am and still in darkness and went east out of Toledo towards La Puebla Del Montalbán, the Rio Tajo and Las Barancas where we saw the sun appear. Here the river has been dammed and the Embalse de Castrejón is the result. It is large and is viewed from high cliffs on the west side. Our friends knew that this was an Eagle Owl - Búho Real - daytime roost. It was not easy to see, but we viewed it through my scope.
We observed the following:- Cormorants - Cormorán Grande, Coot - Focha, Mallard - Ánade Azulón, Little Grebe - Zampullin, many Jackdaws - Grajilla, Stock/Rock Doves - Paloma Bravia/Zurita before we moved on to another vantage point. A disadvantage here is the distance, not just down to the water but across it too. Not a complaint but an observation.
At the next observation point were two Spanish birders waiting to record an American bird, but here our translations let us down. We will enquire! Then a raucous call alerted me to a surprise as a Gull-billed Tern - Pagaza Piconegra flew over. Here, also a good number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls - Gaviota Sombría. In the fields a tractor was working and there were a number of Lapwings - Avefria Europea flying and on the ground. They are always good to watch.
We could have stayed longer because it is a good observation point and once winter has set in there must be more waterfowl to arrive and in the spring both migrants and summer visitors should be on view. And just to prove a point an Osprey - Águilla Pescadora flew over the water. They are not that common here and so a good bird for the day.
The CM4050 runs through here and on the bridge over the river below the dam a large area of reedbed can be viewed. It is noted for Purple Gallinule - Calamón Común, but not today. Little Grebes were here too, a Water Rail - Rascón Europea called and Kingfishers - Martin Pescador were seen several times. The big surprise for me was to hear not one, but two Nightingales - Ruiseñor Común and apparently they do not leave until about now. But calling did seem odd! Over our heads there was evidence of the migration with Barn Swallows - Golondrina Común flying over. A place like this should hold many small birds. By that time we had watched a dozen Marsh Harriers - Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental fly past us. By the end of the day we had seen three Red Kite - Milano Real and we did expect to see more of them and also Black Kites - Milano Negro too.
We moved on into large fields where corn had been harvested. These lie in a large area between the river and Sierra de Toledo. Two Imperial Eagle - Águila Imperial Ibérica nesting sites were known and we found, viewed and photographed these great birds. They were aware of us and cautious, but with stealth and care we viewed them through the scope. They had to be our birds of the day.
This is also Bustard country too. ( Avetarda Común and Sisón Común) But not today although they can be seen in good numbers.
By this time the morning had gone and we went into the Sierra. I would have liked to spend more time listening and watching woodland birds, but it was very quiet. Jays - Arrendajo flew, Magpies - Urraca were frequently seen but we had to wait until evening before we saw Azure-Winged Magpies - Rabilargo feeding under the trees with the deer. Apart from some Crested Larks - Cogujada Común, the occasional Iberian Grey Shrike - Alcaudon Real Meridional and two Stonechats- Tarabilla our small bird count was small, but we made up for that with excellent sightings of others.
We had expected to see Vultures but the total was a mere three of Griffin - Buitres Leonardo.
We had never been to the area before and so it was a journey to discover what we could see. This time of year is quieter and spring is both beautiful and great for birds. Juan and Jose use two routes and hopefully we will have two morning trips out with them. We enjoyed their company and we had fun with good experiences.
They still had enough energy to make a detour to see Toledo from a vantage point across the river. It was a spectacle, but better at the weekend when everything is lit up.
Thanks for a very interesting day
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