Castilla la Mancha or Extremadura in late December? (1 Viewer)

[Gzoladz74]

Hello!

I am planning a couple of days birding in Castilla la Mancha in late December, starting from Madrid. Based on what I have researched:

1. Castilla has a couple of very nice lagoons and wetlands, but there are several reports in relation to not having much water anymore.
2. Weather...Castilla is wetter and colder than i.e. Extremadura (according to stats). I don't mind the cold but I would prefer to avoid the risk of ice and snow.

Does anybody have any experience with Castilla, ideally December?

Plan B is Extremadura. I went there last winter and would not mind going back at all, but I am keen to try something new.

 

[Gzoladz74]

I have settled with Castilla la Mancha...I am planning to visit Tablas de Daimiel and Navaseca area and the lagoons and plains around Alcazar de San Juan and Pedro Munoz, Manjavacas, etc.

Appreciate any advise/suggestion.

 

[fdokykcu]

December is a good time to go to the area of La Mancha and although it will depend a little on how much it has rained in autumn, usually most of the main wetlands will hold water.

In the area of Alcázar de San Juan I would visit La Veguilla next to the town and -if it has some water- the laguna del Camino de Villafranca, which is close-by and better for waders than La Veguilla. The steppe area of Los Anchos to the left of the road from Alcázar to Miguel Esteban is good for Great and Little Bustarde, sandgrouse and other steppe birds. Another good place to visit it is the dirt track that leads to the Junta de los Ríos from Alcázar. It is common here to find wintering groups of Dotterel (near the cross to Inazar) and you can also see some of the steppe birds already mentioned. The Junta itself is a good place for aquatic species (you will have to check first if there is water there). I would not waste too much time at Pedro Muñoz, but Manjavacas it really worthy if it does have water (as it should) In addition it holds a good crane roost (about 2500-3500) can be sleeping and it is a good area for aquatic birds. The Marsh Harrier roost is also nice to see (over a 100) So it is a good idea to be there at nightfall. The track that goes through the reed from the eastern side parking frequenty offer views of bearded tits.

Navaseca near Daimiel is also a good place if it has enough water and the advantage, in addition to being able to see the birds relatively close compared to the Manjavacas. Good numbers and views of White-Headed Ducks and some others as . The signposted paths through the National Park (Daimiel) can be done but it has lost a lot compared to what it was. Near the area, in the way from or to Madrid, the steppe areas around Tembleque also has important concentrations in winter of Little Bustard, Pin-Tailed Sandgrouse and Stone Curlew, among others.

That is enough for a couple of full-birding days. Don't worry to ask me at the start of december for the current water levels at the area, or if you are interested on any particular species

 

[Gzoladz74]

Thanks a lot Fernando, these details are super helpful to refine my itinerary! I may take you up on the offer and ask you in December about some specifics.

Thanks!

 

[Gzoladz74]

Hello @fdokykcu, I hope all is well and you and yours have not been badly impacted by the recent storms...I will be heading down in c.2 weeks so any additional suggestion or update on the water levels would be great.

Even though I typically don't chase specific species (but off course I do research in advance to know what to expect), I think you mentioned all of the ones I am keen to see...with probably Stone curlew at the top of the list.

I will go back to detailed planning over the next few days and may ask you again.

Thanks!

 

[fdokykcu]

I can tell you that Manjavacas has now enough water so it deserves a full visit, and the cranes are already around. On the contrary, Pedro Muñoz has very little water so you can skip it. This year, three temporal basins around Villacañas have been holding water since spring, and still have it. They are very little known outside local birders, but I think at least one of them (the central one) is worthy a visit (see here ). From (39.61656, -3.36897) follow the main dirt track leading to (39.60518, -3.41179). Only if it rains a lot before you go making dirt tracks a problem I would recommend you to check it. With Google Maps you can see the other two as they appear with water in the satellite map. I don't have right now recent information about water level at Junta de los Ríos, I suspect they are low, but anyway the possibility of seeing steppe birds makes the detour worthy

 

[Gzoladz74]

That's great Fernando, thanks a lot for your suggestions. Right now my plan is as follows:

Day 1 - Drive to the area from Madrid, not sure if I have time I will try to squeeze a bit of birding near Madrid while there is light.

Day 2 - Navaseca and Daimiel

Day 3 - Junta de los Rios, dirty track to Alcazar, La Veguilla, Laguna VIllafranca, dirty track to Miguel Estaban

Day 4 - Manjavacas (I may be able to add something else, is Campo de Montiel or Dehesa Santa Marta worth the trip from there?)

Day 5 - Drive back to Madrid, planning to stop at Laguna el Hito.

I am staying first near Daimiel / Navaseca and then near Pedro Munoz.

Thanks again!

 

[fdokykcu]

That's great Fernando, thanks a lot for your suggestions. Right now my plan is as follows:

Day 1 - Drive to the area from Madrid, not sure if I have time I will try to squeeze a bit of birding near Madrid while there is light.

Day 2 - Navaseca and Daimiel

Day 3 - Junta de los Rios, dirty track to Alcazar, La Veguilla, Laguna VIllafranca, dirty track to Miguel Estaban

Day 4 - Manjavacas (I may be able to add something else, is Campo de Montiel or Dehesa Santa Marta worth the trip from there?)

Day 5 - Drive back to Madrid, planning to stop at Laguna el Hito.

I am staying first near Daimiel / Navaseca and then near Pedro Munoz.

Thanks again!

El Hito is still without water, so there is very little to see there now. I suggest you to plan to be at Manjavacas at sunset until dark (let´s say 17:30 to 18:30) to see/hear the cranes entering at the roost, you'll see several around during the day but the main group will come from far too roost there (if you sleep at Pedro Muñoz is easy) There are around 2000 now. Of course birding Manjavacas during the day is a must. If you haven't seen at that time any Spanish Imperial then return back from Manjavacas to Madrid via Belmonte and La Almarcha: the badlands area between river Záncara and Villalgordo del Marquesado are quite good both for Spanish Imperial and Golden eagles (lot of rabbits!)

 

[Gzoladz74]

El Hito is still without water, so there is very little to see there now. I suggest you to plan to be at Manjavacas at sunset until dark (let´s say 17:30 to 18:30) to see/hear the cranes entering at the roost, you'll see several around during the day but the main group will come from far too roost there (if you sleep at Pedro Muñoz is easy) There are around 2000 now. Of course birding Manjavacas during the day is a must. If you haven't seen at that time any Spanish Imperial then return back from Manjavacas to Madrid via Belmonte and La Almarcha: the badlands area between river Záncara and Villalgordo del Marquesado are quite good both for Spanish Imperial and Golden eagles (lot of rabbits!)

Fantastic! Yes I am planning to spend one full day at Manjavacas (full day means dawn to dusk to me and thanks for letting me know re El Hito!

One last question, is there a possibility that the dirty roads are unpassable? I noticed many do not have asphalt, I will be driving a medium rental car.

 

[fdokykcu]

Right now most of them are ok. It depends on rain, however. The ones surrounding Manjavacas, around Navaseca and the track to Camino Guerra are good enough and should not be a problem anyway.

 

[Gzoladz74]

Right now most of them are ok. It depends on rain, however. The ones surrounding Manjavacas, around Navaseca and the track to Camino Guerra are good enough and should not be a problem anyway.

Great thanks again.

BTW I am dropping el Hito and replacing it with Belmonte area and/or Tembleque, depending on what I have yet to see on the last day. Stone curlew is my main target.

Day 1 - Drive to the area from Madrid, not sure if I have time I will try to squeeze a bit of birding near Madrid while there is light.

Day 2 - Navaseca and Daimiel

Day 3 - Junta de los Rios, dirty track to Alcazar, La Veguilla, Laguna VIllafranca, dirty track to Miguel Esteban

Day 4 - Manjavacas.

Day 5 - Drive back to Madrid. Belmonte / Tembleque.