Southern Turkey

In May a fortnight was spent in Southern Turkey, where we had an incredible time seeing in excess of 200 bird species plus other mammals, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies. Our two weeks were spent at many of the excellent coastal wetlands finding Great Sandplover, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Grey-headed (Purple) Swamp-hen, Moustached Warbler and Black Francolin. We visited the hills of Durnalik for Upcher's Warbler, Kurdish Wheatear, Cinereous Bunting, White-throated Robin, Bimaculated Lark and even watched a Smooth Snake being harassed by an Eastern Rock Nuthatch. Further east around Biricik we visited the Northern Bald Ibis colony, found a day-roosting Striated Scop's Owl, Iraq Babbler and Chestnut-shouldered Petronia and on the plains saw 2 Cream-coloured Coursers, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Trumpeter Finch, Pale Rock Sparrow, See-see Partridge and the rare Goitered Gazelle. Although for most the highlight of the holiday was our visit to the Ala Daglar Mountains where we got brilliant views of Caspian Snowcock, Radde's and Alpine Accentors, Wallcreeper, Red-fronted Serins, White-winged Snowfinch, Alpine Chough and 2 Lammergeiers. However it wasn't just about the wildlife as we even managed a couple of nights in Cappadocia, where we marvelled at the incredible scenery created by the famous 'fairy chimneys' of volcanic tuff and basalt. Waking up in our cave hotel to a still calm morning with the many hot-air balloons floating over the bizarre landscape was quite breath-taking.

Rose Valley, Cappadocia

Kruper's Nuthatch

Ala Daglar Mountains

Love Valley, Cappadocia

Caspian Snowcock

Punk Chaffinch!

Starred Agamas

Souslik

Long-legged Buzzard 

Oertzami's Rock Lizard

White breasted Kingfisher

Showers of Iberian Lynx and Wolf in April

In April, as well as some survey work and freelance guiding I had a 'tailor-made' Lynx trip and Iberian Wolf in N/W Spain short break. Although not the best time for Lynx we were eventually successful with this rare cat, amongst other fabulous wildlife and the wolf trip was one of the best with a fabulous sighting just below where we were standing.

Next year sees us combining these two short breaks to try and see both of these rare Iberian mammals along with many more in our Ultimate Spanish Mammals holiday. This has certainly generated a lot of interest as we only have 2 spaces left!

Searching for Lynx!

Jandula Dam

Natterjack Toad near Los Escoriales

Iberian Magpie at Encinarejos

Whiskered Bat near La Lancha

Laguna de Fuente de Piedras

Great Bustards at Villafafila

Montagu's Harrier at Villafafila

Iberian Rock Lizard near Sanabria

Sierra de Culebra

Fallow Deer near Los Escoriales

Hoopoe near Los Escoriales

Some serious updating!!!

This is the start of a series of updates from the holidays and short breaks over the last few months. At the end of March, Julian was in Extremadura & Castilla La Mancha with two couples having a fabulous time in these two superb regions. Comments included -

"Once again many, many thanks for such a wonderful week seeing so many different species, you asked for highlights :

The place - Parc National de Cabeneros at dawn. Such a wonderful place with such a wide variety of wildlife, birds, mammals and plants etc. Your contact the guide was also very good with as you said eyes like a hawk seeing things even when I knew where they were, were still not straight forward to see. I would say that it would be a good thing to continue doing what you do by having the first couple of days in Castilla etc. It does widen the range of ecosystems and hence the range of wildlife available to see.

The species - it is not always the large birds BUT this time there were some very impressive large birds - all the vultures, Spanish Imperial Eagle and the Eagle Owl as well as Great & Little Bustard. However I was just as captivated by the Dartford & Sub-alpine Warblers their markings and colouration being wonderful, and of course the Great Spotted Cuckoos.

Generally your care and concern about how you look after us all. The hotel in Extremadura - you could not have found a better place to stay. Juan Pedro & Belen are such wonderful hosts (not hotel owners) but just sharing their magnificent home with guests. We were really REALLY impressed with the hotel. Once again the whole holiday was wonderful, very many thanks for such a great tme and ALL your care and consideration over the whole time we were with you" M & J Neal

"Firstly we would like to thank you for guiding us through an excellent birding and wildlife experience. It's brilliant how Spain has managed to avoid the tragic human intervention that has devastated the wildlife of other parts of Europe over the last century or so, especially the UK.

Highlights are difficult to pick out as it was all so good. However Anne just loved the Barn Owl lit up by the torches. For me the Golden Eagles with all the other raptors were pretty special and the Daimiel National Park was an amazing place especially so when we saw the Marbled Duck. The fact that we got 11 lifers is incredible and that will take some beating in Europe!" S & A Poole

Black Vulture at Monfrague NP

European Bee-eater near the accommodation

Black Wheatear at Cabanas de Castillo

Eagle Owl and chick at Monfrague NP

Superb Accommodation

Thekla Lark by Mr S. Poole

Spanish Imperial Eagle at Monfrague NP

View over to Trujillo

Little Owl

Spanish Festoon

Scop's Owl near accommodation

Short-toed Treecreeper