Birding in and around Madrid

BOOK AT: booking@birdwatchingmadrid.com

2009-10-17T23:40:00.016+02:00

ABOUT US - SURFBIRDS REPORT of Ed ÓHara. He booked a full birding trip with us 9 August 2009. He was looking for 4 lifers: Citril finch, Eagle Owl, Red avadavat and Spanish Imperial Eagle (only around 150 pairs worldwide) as target species. We had a fantastic day.

Ed: "I spent a week in Madrid with my family and booked a one day trip with Birding in and around Madrid as the highlight of my visit. The city and it's surrounding area holds a fantastic variety of habitat and birds to match. I read with great interest the article on Madrid by an American birder, Howard Youth of Bethsheda, Maryland and used this as a backdrop for birding around the city limits. I met Aitor accompanied by Juan Rivero (Research Biologist) at my hotel. They had singled out four areas to try for my lifers.

Group of Great Bustards (Otis tarda)

[1] Guadarrama Range Mountains: This area proved very productive and we quickly found my first target bird Citril Finch drinking at a stream. Overhead were Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, Common Raven, Alpine Swift, Kestrel, Black Kite, Peregrine Falcon brookeri, Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, and a flock of 30+ Chough. We then took a walk along the stream and found Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Chaffinch, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Bluethroat, Wheatear. Moving a slight distance away by car we stopped at a car park where we observed Common Stonechat, Blackbird, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit and Crested Tit. Further along the road we came across Woodchat Shrike, CommonMagpie, Eurasian Jay, Jackdaw and Rock Bunting near a stream. After two hours of intense birding we stopped for lunch before beginning phase two of our plan.
[2] El Pardo Reserve: It's hard to believe that this site is only a few Km from the center of Madrid but because a large part of it is protected, it enjoys a wealth of birdlife. However in 37 degrees celsius in August birds can be hard to find even my guides felt the heat uncomfortable and they are locals! After a wait of 10 min a Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) landed on a electricity stanchion about 150mt away and we were able to get superb views of this bird, using the scope, a second lifer for me. Once again it proved productive picking up Cattle Egret, European Bee-eater, Pallid Swift, Common Swift, Black-eared Wheatear, Azure-winged Magpie, Spotless Starling, Serin, Black and Griffon Vulture.

[3] Madrid north-east plains: This is an area of agricultural plain with a small stream which adds to the habitat diversity. Once again the heat was intense and the possibility of seeing anything looked small but again I was amazed at what we found. Local knowledge is everything as they say and this was soon apparent. We turned off into a rough track and picked up several species, Rock Sparrow, Tawny Pipit, Montagu's Harrier, Common Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crested Lark, Reed Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Southern Grey Shrike meridionalis, Common Linnet, Tree Sparrow and for me the highlight of this location was seeing a female and juvenile Great Bustard at very close quarters before they flew off. Goldfinches and House Sparrows were everywhere and as we were leaving we got a quick glimpse of a Lesser Kestrel. Before moving on to our final destination we stopped for some well earned refreshment and as we were pulling into a café area two Red-legged Partridges flew across the road. A Turtle Dove was on a telephone wire nearby.

[4] South-east lagoon: Evening was drawing in as we approached this area of natural marshland in south-east Madrid and the heat was diminishing, which was very welcome. There is a view point at the southern end of the marsh, from where you get excellent views over the marsh and the area surrounding it. Here we saw Purple Swamp-hen, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Common Coot, Moorhen, White Stork, Green Sandpiper, Sand Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Alpine Swift, Peregrine Falcon, Black Wheatear, Cetti's Warbler,Shoveler and Mallard.Several Marsh Harriers were in the vicinity and one flushed a Hoopoe from it’s roost. We scanned the reeds for Red Avadavats but in vain, however just before nightfall my last target species did appear. Aitor heard the call of an Eagle Owl and wthin a minute had located the bird sitting on the edge of the escarpment. A brilliant ending to a fantastic day's birding especially when you consider the time of year.

TESTIMONIAL : I would like to thank Aitor and Juan for being such good company, friendly, witty and knowledgeable. I have no hesitation in recomending them to anyone visiting Madrid and who wishes to see all the key species around the city and beyond. In all we saw 71 species in a single day in and around the city, in August, remarkable. Madrid certainly lived up to it’s reputation as possibly the best city in Europe to go birding in. I can only imagine what it would be like if you visited the area in Spring."

BIRDWATCHING EL PARDO - SPANISH EAGLE

2009-03-24T19:08:00.015+01:00

El Pardo reserve is located 13Km northern Madrid city, close to the Manzanares river. The reserve is named El Monte de el Pardo, and its mostly covered by mediterranean forest. It's a wildlife area so close to the city but remains wild for centuries. It's considered national patrimony, where unfortunatelly, the entrance is forbidden to public people (because it´s a royal property), but, hopefully birds don´t know about royal walls and privilegies...

Incredible, few pairrs of Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti, are listed in El Pardo reserve. This large bird of prey is located only in Spain, and it is one of the worldwide most birds of prey at risk, with about 180 pairs worldwide, 24-29 listed in Madrid Province.

Spanish Eagle online website: click here

El Pardo forest is considered the most important "Mediterranean forest ans scrub" of Madrid's province, and one of the best of all Europe. There are 120 birds catalogated, many of them located only in Spain. Depending on the season, it's possible to observe raptors such as: Eurasian Black vulture, Griffon vulture, Egyptian vulture, Golden eagle, Bonelli's eagle, Short-toed eagle or Spanish imperial eagle.

Reed deer, fellow deer and wild boar are often seen

Also, it is possible to observe mammals as: deer, wild boar or faloow deer, among other birds like rock bunting, azure-winged magpie, bee-eater, golden oriole, roller, kingfisher, treecreaper, iberian shrike or stone curlew.

Rock bunting

PURPLE SWAMPHEN IN MADRID

2007-12-28T19:54:00.010+01:00

PURPLE SWAMPHEN FOR BOXING DAY

Last December, it was a "hotty" (8ºC), sunny and brightly day in Madrid Province. A group of amateur birdwatchers including Juan Rivero, Loreto, Ignacio and I decided to visit some of the madrilean south eastern marshes.

Our first target was the PURPLE SWAMPHEN, and very luckely we found 4 of them, for a long time view.

Here it´s possible to see our sightseeing spot, on the top of a hill near the lagoon.

Birds that can be seen here: purple swamphen, black wheatear, eagle owl, peregrine, white stork, western marsh harrier, kingfisher, shoveler, hoopoe, little bittern, merlin, red-crested grebe, little grebe and others...

BIRDWATCHING FIELD TRIPS

2007-09-26T09:54:00.026+02:00

Madrid, Hot birding?

Madrid is Spain's capital, and it is also a capital place to find birds in Europe. Besides, Spain holds Europe's largest populations of many species, including Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti), Great (Otis tarda) and Little (Tetrax tetrax) bustards, Eurasian Black vulture (Aegypius monachus), Purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) or Black wheatear (Oenanthe leucura), all of them can be seen within Madrid Province.

Other birds such as Citril finch (Carduelis citrinella), Red-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis), Eagle owl (Bubo bubo), Black-bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), Scops owl, Stone curlew, Bee-eaters, Roller, Griffon vulture...can be seen too.

general terms

duration of trips:

half day trip (5 h)
full day trip (8-10 h)
more days/ time previous arrangement.

guides: local English-speaking Spanish guides. Biologist, birds lovers.
food / transport: food provided (picnic-lunch and water/soft). Full transport from/ to Hotel, checklist, guiding services...
prices: depending on duration, number of persons or special requirements, different prices. Usually based on 2 persons.

travel insurance: please note that travel insurance is NOT INCLUDED in the prices so it´s strongly suggested that you arrange your own insurance.
recommendations: confortable and casual clothes from april - october; winter clothes in winter. Mountain boots. Information about birding sites, accomodation and local food will be provided if required, after booking.

OTHER TRIP OPTIONS:

Red-necked nightjar trip: (from 5/6/7pm to 11-11:30pm mid May, June, July, mid August)
Citril finch trip: all year round
Owls trip extension: all year round, better in spring-summer
Iberian Lynx trip (best january)
Bustards & Spanish Imperial Eagle: all year round

e - mail: booking@birdwatchingmadrid.com

mobile phone : (+34) 620.15.18.14

Some testimonials

John Swales, University of Michigan, USA, May: I have been out birding twice on day trips around Madrid with Aitor. Both were excellent, transport, company, picnic lunch, birds found, all excellent. Indeed...I found a grand total of 14 raptor species in a single day, a total that I have never approached before, nor would hope to equal again (except with Aitor!) If anybody wants further information, I can be most easily reached at jmswales@umich.edu. Professor Emeritus of Linguistics.

Sean & Kim Ashton, UK, November: "...Thanks very much for a wonderful day". Aitor was very charming, thoughtful and knowedeagle, and worked hard to make sure that we had a great day and saw so much. We stopped fo lunch...there were Black and Griffon vultures sat in the field...too heavy after feeding to get off the ground...we heard an unfamiliar noise behind us,..a Spanish Imperial Eagle!...a small flock of azure-winged magpies then cross the lane just in front of the car...Great Bustards in flight across flat dry fields, Blue-rock thrushes...melodious warblers and zitting cisticola...Aitor was a superb guide..and I recommend him to everyone!!

David Broughton, Canada: My wife and I went on a full day. We had a great time, as Aitor knows the best areas to see lots of raptors like Golden Eagle, and such local specialities as Great Bustard. He was very helpful in assisting us to identify local birds and in making effort to find the species of interest to us. I would recommend Aitor's services for anyone who is looking to do some birding in and around Madrid.

Rose Robert, London: We had a wonderful day with Aitor. Aitor was very knowledgable indeed about the birds and you took us to three (or was it four?) different places where we saw lots of birds - very impressive. It was very interesting and informative.

Dr. Hank Webster, Pennylvania: The birding trip that Aitor arranged met our expectations and provided us an excellent introduction to the birds in the Madrid region. An added bonus was the oportunity to explore the surrounding landscapes and land uses which are quite different from northwestern pennylvania. the timing of our trip permitted us observe a number of raptors, with views of the Spanish Eagles being exceptional. our day was well organised and efficiently conducted. My students and myself added signicantly to our life lists. Thank you!!

Barbara Kelley, Bishop, California: On a hot July afternoon Aitor took me birding to two sites near Madrid. With my brief visit to the area it was the only time we could go. despite the heat and time of day. I would say it was a very "birdly" afternoon and evening! We saw 50 especies, almost all of them new for me. Aitor was an excellent guide. He is careful with his identification, to me an important aspect of birding. He was focused and we waste no time. Also,he is very friendly and considerable! I would not hesitate to go with him again, and highly recommend him! Feel free to contact me at: bikelleynoise@gmail.com if you like.

Mario Dávalos, Puerto Rico, December: Excelente el viaje..el tour muy bueno y Mario muy profesional (Mario is one of the colleagues which also run birding trips)

Margaret, Anchorage, Alaska: On January, In only eight hours, I saw 38 new species of birds, even though I have birded in Europe before. He knew just where it was best to see certain species of birds and was very good at stalking and listening for birds so that we could get close enough to see them well and observe their behavior. We saw about 50 species of birds, including everything from small forest birds to huge soaring raptors. One highlight for me was when we saw about seventy great bustards in two different flocks and even watched them soar into view from up and over a hill to settle in a plowed field to feed. Another highlight was watching Spanish Imperial eagles, then seeing them joined by handsome griffon vultures and an enormous black vulture, all soaring right around us and over us! Amazing! This was one of the happiest birding trips I have ever been on. Thank you, Aitor!

James & Gill, UK: Having read the good reports on birding with Aitor, i decided to do a full day tour of various sites around Madrid. This not disappoint me, we had a fantastic time with him, and we got to see most of the birds described on his webpage as he will go that little bit further to make sure your trip exceeds expectations no matter the weather. At the end of the day, if you are staying in central Madrid what better way unwinding after a great day birding than a great meal over a glass of wine and recap of what you have just experienced.

Sean Grace, USA: We booked a day's birdwatching with Aitor when we visited Madrid for a long weekend last year. My mate has been 'twitching' in the UK before and we wanted to see something of the countryside around Madrid and I was a birdwatching novice. We spotted lots of different species, including Raptors, Buzzards, amazing flocks of goldfinches turning gold and brown as they went one way then the other in flight, azure-winged magpies, and then the bird everyone wants to see - the Spanish Imperial Eagle. Incredible! Aitor was very informative and really knows his birds. He speaks English, is a really friendly and even bought us a beer to round the day off! (though I can't promise that's part of the tour!). A great day and really good value for money and we would definitely do it again. I'd recommend it to anyone - whether you are a twicher or a novice, and it was so great to get a feel for the wildlife and countryside around Madrid on a citybreak.

Rebecca Buck, NJ: I was in Madrid, Spain for a brief courier trip, and I contacted Aitor to see if he could accompany me on a birding trip on October. He agreed, and despite the bad weather of a rainy day. It was a wonderful day, with Azure Magpies, Great Bustards, raptors and the beautiful Blue Rockthrush. We stayed fairly near the city and yet saw a good variety of habitats and birds. He knows his stuff, and can find the good birds!

Debra Oberbeck, Montana, US: Our experience with Aitor was terrific. It was our first trip to Spain and we only dared to hope for the big 3, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Eurasian Black Vulture and the Griffon Vulture, but Aitor had all three in our sights in one afternoon! In addition, Aitor reported an uncommon for the area Lesser Spotted Woodpecker had been seen at El Pardo and again, we were fortunate enough to see that as well.

We were impressed with Aitor's English skills which included knowing the birds by their English names as well. We spent a delightful afternoon with him.

M. Mottesheard, Houston, Texas: In March, Aitor is equal to the best bird guides I have had during my travels throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. He birds not only by sight but also by ear, thus ensuring that you won’t miss any birds that are around. We birded in the areas surrounding Madrid, and in the three short hours we were together we saw 40 species of birds. I have been birding for 15 years and am an avid birder. My native language is English and Aitor’s English was more than adequate. If you are looking for a highly trained, engaging bird guide, I can’t recommend Aitor highly enough!

BIRDING IN MONFRAGÜE (EXTREMADURA)

2007-03-06T18:57:00.003+01:00

During the FIO (Extremadura Birdwatching Fair) which took place in Monfrague National Park (Extremadura) last weekend (2-4 March), Mario and I (Aitor), apart being interviewed on the radio program Gente Viajera (listen the interview), we had the oportunity of going birdwatching during two fantastic ornithological field trips.

Route Villareal San Carlos - Monfrague castle

There is an exceptionally walk of about 11 km from Villareal to the castle, but at midday it is a long and hot experience. So we chose to go by car to the Salto del Gitano (see picture below) to start closer to the castle (4 km).

Sigth from Monfragüe castle

Black and Griffon Vultures

Route Villarreal San Carlos - Mirador del Tíetar

On Sunday we did another field trip, by car and on foot, going first to the Embalse Torrejón-Tietar, finishing in the Mirador del Tietar. After lunch we continued around the National Park. It was then that we saw the unexpectedly Purple Swamphen, Great white Egret and 10 Black-shouldered kites in a row. Other birds seen: Black Stork, Bonelli´s Eagle, Black Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Eagle Owl, Red kite, Griffon vulture, Common Crane, Black Kite, Garceta Grande, purple swamphen, Black-shouldered kite, Hoopoe, Buzzard

Black Stork nest

BIRDING PLAINS AROUND MADRID

2007-01-07T19:02:00.006+01:00

Spain holds Europe's largest populations of some grassland birds like Great and Little bustards, sandgrouses and others.

Great Bustard Otis tarda is a fantastic bird, very well represented in Madrid Province (hosting 3% of the Worldwide population (Spain 60%)). It is a fantastic bird and a typical resident in Madrid. It is considered a vulnerable species but is common in some areas of cereal cultivation, steppes and semi-desert scrub of some parts of Madrid.

It is the biggest bird (in weigth) that can fly in Europe and worldwide and can be seen just 30-40 km out of Madrid City, e.g. ZEPA: N-E plains.

A good time to observe large flocks is during the sexual display, earlier spring, when males show and displey the roullette, to atract the females.

Sexual display of male Great bustard

The Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax is also present in Madrid province, with about 800-1,000 pairs during the winter season, and fewer during reproductive season. It is very difficult to see, but with a bit of luck can be seen around the ZEPA area of the Southeastern Regional Park, specially during spring time.

Also, flocks of Stone curlew Burhinus aedicnemus Black-bellied sandgrouse Pterocles orientales Calandra lark Melanocorypha calandra are present in this plains, and, can be observed.

Stone Curlew is possible to be observed too

Northern harrier in winter and Montagu's harrier in spring and summer are around. Also, the east plains of Madrid could be productive for Lesser kestrel Falco naumanni and White storks Ciconia ciconia nesting on churches or raptors searching for food such as black vulture or griffon vulture.

Others: Red Kite, Western Marsh Harrier, red-legged Partridge - Perdiz Roja, Northern Lapwing (W), Spottles Starling, Cattle Egret, Common Kestrel, Skylark , Black kite (S) or

Raven, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse , Southern Grey Shrike, Common Buzzard, Crested Lark

ONE - DAY TRIP IN NAVAS DEL REY

2006-12-13T17:37:00.003+01:00

Last 03.12.06, Sandra Persson, Sergio Ramos, Carlos Diaz, Mario Ramos and Aitor, had the opportunity to visit the Wildlife and Predatory bird Rehabilitation Center of Navas del Rey, a small village situated 50 km from Madrid City)

Apart from a fascinating guided visit, with a small group of 11 people, we went to an area closeby with some marshes and a small lake where we saw interesting birds...

Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) near Navas del Rey, with unknown procedence, not domestic. There were 3 around this lake this cold winter.

MULTI-COLOURED BIRDS IN MADRID

2006-11-08T16:37:00.001+01:00

LET'S SEE: BEE-EATERS, HOOPOE & GOLDEN ORIOLE.

Why do not try to see them all together in the same field trip? Well, this is not always possible, it depends on the selected route many other conditions. It can be easier than you think, in the proper season (late spring and summer)

These fantastic birds would be in Spain mainly during the summer season. This summer, we have localized Eurasian Roller as well.

One good place to observe them is near Valdemorillo (territory of spanish Eagle and vultures too). We watched these fantastic birds very close to each other. They are the favourites of more than one amateur.

Another good place to see them is in El monte de El Pardo, place situated in a wooded parland, by road 14 km from Madrid City center (amazing). This area of some 16,000 hectaries, situated to the north of Madrid, is also a royal Palace. It is a very important natyre reserve as it is one of the last aras of the original mediterranean forest in Spain. Even today it contains considarable ecological treasures.

See beautiful pictures of these colourful birds

(by Panos Oikonomou)

ONE-TRIP TO WATCH LESSER KESTREL

2006-11-07T17:29:00.001+01:00

Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is rare as compared to the locally common and widespread Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). It can only be seen in the province of Madrid during summer season (march - september) as it is a migrant bird from Africa.

Actually there are some places in southeastern Madrid, such as Southeast Regional Park, where there are programmes to promote its reproduction. One fantastic one-day trip would be to watch our fantastic field trip to observe Great Bustard, Lesser Kestrel, and maybe Little Bustard and Black vulture.

ONE TRIP TO SEE BLACK & GRIFFON VULTURES

2006-11-02T19:41:00.002+01:00

Both vulture species are well represented in Madrid and Central Spain.

The most common large vulture is the Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), widespread over the spanish mountains. On the contrary the Black vulture (Aegypius monachus) is rare (although Spain has 70% worldwide), but can be seen in the southwestern part of the Madrid province. e.g. Encinares del Rio Cofio, El Pardo or northern mountains.

Usually it´s possible to observe both vultures in a row, or together in groups, which make more difficult to recoznice them depending of the number and distance.

Last 01.11.06 Carlos Diaz and I took this wonderfull picture (see above) where one can compare the difference in flight of both vultures.

In Spain, there are also other vultures such are Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), also represented in Madrid Province during the breeding season; and Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) only presented in Pirinees

AZURE-WINGED MAGPIE

2006-11-01T18:22:00.001+01:00

Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus) is a common resident of Iberian Peninsula in dehesas, fruit-trees, always close to pines.
El Rabilargo (Cyanopica cyanus) es un ave común en la mitad sur de España, sobre todo en dehesas, arboles frutales y pinares.

The world distribution of this corvid is so strange, which includes Spain as the unique European country with this bird. Is a common bird in southwester Madrid.
La distribución mundial de éste singular corvido es muy estraña, la cual incluye a España como el único país europeo dónde reside. Es común en el suroeste y noroeste de Madrid.

This status could make a good inducement for some birdwatchers to try to see it.
Este peculiar estatus hace un buen reclamo para muchos aficionados a las aves que quieran ver una nueve especie.

back to birding madrid

GREAT & LITTLE BUSTARDS IN MADRID

2006-10-30T18:11:00.002+01:00

The Great Bustard (Otis tarda) is a fantastic bird and a typical resident in Madrid. It is considered a vulnerable species but is common in some areas of cereal cultivation, steppes and semi-desert scrub of some parts of Madrid.

La Avutarda Común (Otis tarda) es una ave fantástica residente típica en Madrid y el Sistema Central, donde aunque se considera una especie vulnerable, es común en algunas zonas cerealistas, de arbustos y semi-desérticas de Madrid.

It is the biggest bird (in weigth) that can fly in Europe and worldwide and can be seen just 25 km out of Madrid City, e.g. ZEPA: Pinto or Jarama plains.
El mayor ave (en peso) de Europa, y mundialmente (capaz de volar) se puede ver a sólo 25 Km del Centro de Madrid.

The Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) is also present in Madrid province, with about 800-1,000 pairs during the winter season, and fewer during reproductive season. It is very difficult to see, but with luck can be seen around the ZEPA area of the Southeastern Regional Park.
El Sisón (Tetrax tetrax) también está presente en buen número en la comunidad de Madrid (800-1.000 parejas) durante la época de invernada, y algo menos durante la época reproductiva. Sin embargo, es bastante esquivo y difícil de observar. Si tenemos suerte, quizá podamos verlo en alguna ZEPA dentro del Parque Regional de Sureste de Madrid.

Proposed trip / Excursión Propuesta: One nice trip will be by car close Madrid, north east. Then, there is a nice (and short) field trip by foot where it is usual to observe:
Time: between 5 to 10 hours.

Great Bustard - Avutarda
Hen Harrier - Aguilucho Pálido
Little Bustard - Sisón Común
Lesser Kestrel (S)- Cernícalo Primilla
Red Kite - Milano Real
Black-bellied Sandgrouse - Ganga Ortega
Montagu´s Harrier (S) - Aguilucho Cenizo
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse - Ganga Ibérica
Southern Grey Shrike - Alcaudón Real
Common Buzzard - Busardo Ratonero
Spottless Starling - Estornino Negro
Crested Lark - Cogujada Común
Black Kite (S) - Milano Negro
Cattle Egret - Garcilla Bueyera
White Stork - Cigüeña Blanca

back

BLACK STORK & WHITE STORKS IN MADRID

2006-10-25T21:25:00.002+02:00

The Black Stork Ciconia nigra has a population at risk, with 12 breeding pairs (SEO/Birdlife 2001) in Madrid, which represents around 4% of the whole Spanish population (the biggest in Europe).

Outside the breading nest at Alberche river

The importance of the Black stork in Madrid is tremendous as it is considered a colonisation hotspot as well as increasing the area of the distribution. This fantastic bird can be found mostly in pine forest areas and smal rivers areas. Also, can be seen in El Pardo reserve during migration.

Our beloved White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a familiar sight in the Province of Madrid. In summer season the rarer and less known Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) can be fould despite its preference for uninhabited areas.

La Comunidad de Madrid presenta una buena población de nuestra querida y familiar Cigüeña Blanca, a la vez que alberga a su vez a la más misteriosa y también menos conocida Cigüeña Negra, de comportamiento mas reservado y solitario, presente en áreas aisladas y alejada de la presencia humana.

On the other hand, the White Stork Ciconia ciconia population in the Province of Madrid is much bigger (1,000 breeding couples, SEO/Birdlife 2001) distributed thougthout different habitats of Madrid, including inhabitated areas (see picture below, Juan Rivero-Aguilar), marshes, cultivated areas, open fields, etc. Nowadays, the White Stork population is increasing due to better weather conditions during the winter season.

PURPLE SWAMPHEN IN SOUTH MADRID

2006-10-25T19:31:00.003+02:00

The Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) es a curious south-iberian gallinulebird which lives in some places in Madrid province, mainly around wetlands of south-east, where we could see also juveniles.

Is more easy to see than many people may think, if you´d like to watch this majestic bird, it´s possible to see during sunrise or nigthfall (with a really nice blue colour).

MADRILEAN LARGE BIRDS OF PREY

2006-10-25T19:06:00.004+02:00

SPANISH IMPERIAL EAGLE

Aquila adalberti

The Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) is probably the most typical Spanish bimbo., Within the website it hashas been voted as the favourite bird to be observed from people's from abroad and twitchers. It's only possible to be seen in Iberian peninsula.

This stunning eagle was at high risk of extinction only a short time ago (70's). Nowadays is increasing and has a range/status of about only 180 adult pairs in the whole world, mainly in Spain.

Approximately 24-28 have been listed within Madrid province, mainly in southwest and El Pardo Reserve, which represents the 16% of the worldwide population.

Incredible, around 9 pairs of Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti, live around Monte de El Pardo.

Live nest online

Spanish Eagle online website: click here

See the Spanish eagle distribution (Area distribución del aguila imperial ibérica)

The best area to try to observe this big eagle is southwestern Madrid and El Pardo Reserve, around the IBA named "Encinares del Rio Cofio-Alberche", southwest the province, where there are 10-16 reproductive pairs. More information could be given in the Interpretation Center about Spanish Eagle called "El Aguila".

The mediterranean forest of Madrid is one of the most representatives habitats for this eagle, as can be seen in the distribution map above.

The Spanish Imperial Eagle does not like motorways, cars and people, but it can be seen on rare occasiones, just 14 km from Madrid City Center. In winter, autumn and spring is easier to observe in some parts of the region and around Central spain , because there are less people around. For a twitcher could be a nice lifer.

GOLDEN EAGLE

Aquila chrysaetus

The map distribution is widespread, in mountain areas as well as extended forests. In Madrid province, it easier to observe it in the Guadarrama National Park, northern Madrid.

Also, by now, a good site to see them hunting rabbits is north-east plains, where is frequent to observe them.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetus) is resident in mountain areas of Madrid and Central Spain

In fligth is a bit bigger than Spanish Eagle, and someplaces they share territory and also prey (rabbits).

BONELLI´S EAGLE

Hieraatus fasciatus

Bonelli´s Eagle is another medium-large eagle, typical Spanish referred in European population. It lives in Madrid and Central Spain, but is more common in Extremadura and Southern Spain. This year (2011) it´s know the presence of a breeding pair in El Pardo Reserve.

That fantastic eagle is mostly a mediterranean eagle, and it´s population is mainly iberian, with about 2,000 eagles in Spain. It lives in mountains and mediterranean forest, and is resident in southwest Madrid.

It´s fligth figure is more stylized than Imperial and Golden eagles. and actually Bonelli´s eagle have to compete for the same preys with Golden eagle.

Since mixomathosis spread in rabbits population, it´s main preys are pigeons, lizards and red legged partridges; and have to compete for them with Golden eagle, and also is under risk because there are a poisoning increase due to poisoning by re-legged partrige hunters.