This Regional Park follows the lower courses of the rivers Manzanares and Jarama, locally called the Parque Regional del Sureste, it is a protected area of 31,552 hectares in the southeast of Madrid. It is dominated by riverine plains and some hills, but the natural wealth of this area lies in the fertile cereal plains the cut through the cliffs of the hills, the groves and riverbanks flowing into the the many wetlands and lakes.
Félix Samuel Rodríguez de la Fuente (March 14, 1928 – March 14, 1980) was a Spanish naturalist and broadcaster. He is best known for the highly successful and influential TV series El Hombre y la Tierra (1975–1980). He was a multifaceted charismatic figure whose influence has endured despite the passing years.
Despite the existence of over five million people, Madrid still retains some remarkably unspoiled and diverse habitats and landscapes, nearly 45% of the region falls within an Important Bird Area (IBA) as designated by SEO/Birdlife.
The Madrid Birder is an online resource dedicated to the wildlife of Madrid. If you like what you have read you may want to subscribe to the RSS feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader.
The Peregrine Falcon is a species included in the list of endangered species of the Community of Madrid. Its population in 2008 was estimated at 28 pairs. There is a small population within the urban area of Madrid (six pairs), one pair breeding in the Museum of America, where they have been since early 2000 raising 4 chicks since 2007.
There are about 30 passage migrants recorded in Madrid every year, the first arrive early February with movement throughout the summer.
The are many books about birdwatching in Spain and Madrid is no exception, although the list of books available in English is short compared to other more popular Spanish birding sites.
After a promising start to 2012 in January, the second two months of the year were largely spent on non-birding activities such as work and recuperation. However I did find time to add to my year list with a couple of days birding towards the end of March.
Fantastic views of a radio collared Lynx nr. Andujar, Jaén, in Andalucia. on 14th February 2012. An old male nicknamed Cerrajero he was already a mature animal in 2002 when he was collared. He is one of the few very big and old males that exist in Sierra Morena (weighs about 19 kilos).
There have been about three hundred species recorded in the Comunidad de Madrid, about a third of these are not common in the region, many are extremely rare not only to Madrid, but to Spain and Europe too. Two hundred is a much more realistic number of species to find in the field.
The most recent Spanish sparrow sighting in Britain was in 2000 in Cornwall, where the bird was only seen for one day. Previously, a Spanish sparrow, also spotted in Cornwall in 1996 stayed around for two years.
A half-day trip to the the Casa de Campo. Two delightful Short-toed Treecreepers seen busily feeding in the large trees in the Parque de la Cuesta de la Vega (just past the Puente de Segovia)
A quick walk to the the Retiro stopping at the Real Jardín Botánico to renew my membership for 2012 kick started the year with eleven common species. It was lovely to see the Common Starling, it reminded me of winter in the north of Europe.
Paxton Pits Nature Reserve is a very special place indeed, the geology of the Ouse Valley makes it a very good area to quarry in and since the 1930s, quarrying has been the primary activity that has shaped the reserve, changing the landscape forever whilst creating a haven for wildlife.
Finch-like birds; four Spanish species but several others in Europe, Asia and Africa (American ‘sparrows’ are not closely related). They have stout bodies, rounded wings and broad heads, with deep, conical bills adapted for seed-eating.
Small birds with forked or notched tails, moderately pointed wings, rounded or elongated bodies and round heads, with more or less triangular bills. The bill shape varies according to the principal type of food, from short and rounded to rather long and sharp. Some species are agile and feed while perching on, or hanging from, [...]
The buntings of Europe, Asia and Africa are related to American sparrows. They are rather finch-like but have differently-structured bills, slightly flatter heads and longer bodies, and many have longer tails with white sides. Some are short-legged and heavy-bodied and strictly terrestrial, others are lighter and live more in trees and bushes. Most have simple, [...]
A small family of large water birds, with three species seen in Madrid. All have long, slender bodies, moderately long necks and dagger-shaped bills, quite long but narrow wings and small legs (with long, lobed toes) set far back on the body. They are expert swimmers and divers but unable to stand or walk on land. All are migratory, breeding on freshwater lakes and pools but moving to the sea coast in winter.
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Live Webcam – Peregrine Falcons in the Museo de América in Madrid
The Peregrine Falcon is a species included in the list of endangered species of the Community of Madrid. Its population in 2008 was estimated at 28 pairs. There is a small population within the urban area of Madrid (six pairs), one pair breeding in the Museum of America, where they have been since early 2000 raising 4 chicks since 2007.
Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente (1928 – 1980)
Félix Samuel Rodríguez de la Fuente (March 14, 1928 – March 14, 1980) was a Spanish naturalist and broadcaster. He is best known for the highly successful and influential TV series El Hombre y la Tierra (1975–1980). He was a multifaceted charismatic figure whose influence has endured despite the passing years.
Video of Iberian Lynx: Cerrajero – Andujar (Jaén)
Fantastic views of a radio collared Lynx nr. Andujar, Jaén, in Andalucia. on 14th February 2012. An old male nicknamed Cerrajero he was already a mature animal in 2002 when he was collared. He is one of the few very big and old males that exist in Sierra Morena (weighs about 19 kilos).
Birdwatchers flock to Hampshire village to spot rare Spanish sparrow
The most recent Spanish sparrow sighting in Britain was in 2000 in Cornwall, where the bird was only seen for one day. Previously, a Spanish sparrow, also spotted in Cornwall in 1996 stayed around for two years.
Paxton Pits Nature Reserve is a very special place indeed, the geology of the Ouse Valley makes it a very good area to quarry in and since the 1930s, quarrying has been the primary activity that has shaped the reserve, changing the landscape forever whilst creating a haven for wildlife.
Spring Passage Migrants in Madrid
There are about 30 passage migrants recorded in Madrid every year, the first arrive early February with movement throughout the summer.
Best books for birdwatching in Madrid
The are many books about birdwatching in Spain and Madrid is no exception, although the list of books available in English is short compared to other more popular Spanish birding sites.
The complete checklist to the birds of Madrid
There have been about three hundred species recorded in the Comunidad de Madrid, about a third of these are not common in the region, many are extremely rare not only to Madrid, but to Spain and Europe too. Two hundred is a much more realistic number of species to find in the field.
Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) in Madrid
Despite the existence of over five million people, Madrid still retains some remarkably unspoiled and diverse habitats and landscapes, nearly 45% of the region falls within an Important Bird Area (IBA) as designated by SEO/Birdlife.
Madrid Year List 2012 – First quarter update
After a promising start to 2012 in January, the second two months of the year were largely spent on non-birding activities such as work and recuperation. However I did find time to add to my year list with a couple of days birding towards the end of March.
Madrid Year List 2012 – Second birding day of the year
A half-day trip to the the Casa de Campo. Two delightful Short-toed Treecreepers seen busily feeding in the large trees in the Parque de la Cuesta de la Vega (just past the Puente de Segovia)
Madrid Year List 2012 – First birding day of the year
A quick walk to the the Retiro stopping at the Real Jardín Botánico to renew my membership for 2012 kick started the year with eleven common species. It was lovely to see the Common Starling, it reminded me of winter in the north of Europe.
Bird News from El País
The Madrid Birder is an online resource for anyone interested in the wildlife and birds of central Spain, particularly Madrid. As people sometimes tell me there is more to life than birds I will feature the occasional off-topic post to add a bit of variety and interest for the non-birdwatcher.
