Birdwatching in the Orellana Reservoir (Extremadura)

The Orellana Reservoir, together with the Sierra de Pela, La Serena and its wetland tails, is one of the most spectacular destinations for ornithological tourism in the Iberian Peninsula. Declared SPA, Ramsar and part of the Natura 2000 Network, it offers more than 200 annual species in a mosaic of wetlands, dehesa, cereal plains and quartzite mountains. This guide incorporates all available information —species, routes, seasonality, regulations, interpretation centers and conservation projects— so you can make the most of your visit.

Key Figures and Ecosystem Diversity

The proximity of so many habitats creates very productive transitions: you can go from the song of the black-winged kite in a dehesa to the courtship of the great bustard in the plains and, in a 20-minute drive, observe black storks on a rocky outcrop.

Detailed Observation Calendar

Quick tip: if your goal is a specific species, plan your visit according to the table and detailed paragraphs.

Winter (Dec.–Feb.)

• Wetland: flocks of mallard, gadwall, wigeon, teal, common pochard and tufted duck.
• Cranes: up to 14,000 individuals entering the reservoir at dusk.
• Gulls: black-headed and lesser black-backed gull floating in large rafts.
• Birds of prey: red kite, wandering young Spanish imperial eagle, active eagle owl at dusk.

Spring (Mar.–may)

• Steppe: lek of great bustard and drumming of the lesser bustard.
• Artificial island colonies: little tern, gull-billed tern, black-winged stilt, common redshank.
• Mountain and rocky outcrop: return of the Egyptian vulture and breeding of Bonelli’s eagle; rock show of black wheatear and blue rock thrush.

Summer (Jun.–Aug.)

• Aquatic birds: broods of great crested grebe and black-necked grebe.
• Black stork: >100 individuals in August in shallow tails.
• Hours: sunrise or last hour essential; perfect side light for photography.

Autumn (Sep.–Nov.)

• Postnuptial wader passage: ruff, common sandpiper, green sandpiper.
• First geese towards Doñana; osprey on its way to Africa.
• Installation of crane roosts (mid-November).

List of Featured Species

Aquatic and Wetland Birds

• 🗹 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) – resident and massive wintering bird.
• 🗹 Red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) – breeds in tails and islands.
• 🗹 Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) – common in winter.
• 🗹 Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) – showy nuptial displays.
• 🗹 Common crane (Grus grus) – winter icon (Dec.–Feb.).
• 🗹 Black stork (Ciconia nigra) – up to 4 nests in Puerto Peña + post-nuptial concentration.
• 🗹 Cattle egret, little egret, black-crowned night heron – mixed colony >2,000 pairs.
• 🗹 Little tern (Sternula albifrons) and gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica).

Steppe and Plain Birds

• 🗹 Great bustard (Otis tarda) – males in wheel (Mar.–Apr.).
• 🗹 Lesser bustard (Tetrax tetrax) – spring drumming.
• 🗹 Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) – colonies visible from EX-103.
• 🗹 Pin-tailed sandgrouse and black-bellied sandgrouse – skimming flights at dawn.
• 🗹 Stone-curlew and common calandra – twilight song.

Birds of Prey and Rock Birds

• 🗹 Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) – stable pair.
• 🗹 Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) – hunting pigeons and rabbits.
• 🗹 Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) – >20 nests on Puerto Peña cliffs.
• 🗹 Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) – spring-summer.
• 🗹 Eagle owl (Bubo bubo), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).
• 🗹 Red-billed chough, crag martin and alpine swift.

Dehesa and Riverine Passerines

• 🗹 Iberian magpie, magpie, hoopoe.
• 🗹 Sardinian warbler and long-tailed warbler in rockrose thickets.
• 🗹 Golden oriole (summer), robin (winter).
• 🗹 Common nightingale, corn bunting, Thekla lark.

Routes and Viewpoints (with Coordinates and Advice)

Reservoir Tail – Canal De Las Dehesas

Starting point: 39.0921 N, –5.3469 W (Casas de Don Pedro)
Distance: 10 km (car + stops)
Best of: Crane roost; artificial islands with colonies; cormorants in Templar ruin.
Tip: use the car as a hide, window open and telescope.

Azud De Casas De Don Pedro – Nesting Islands

Start: 39.1063 N, –5.3350 W
Access: 500 m track on foot (absolute silence)
Spring: black-winged stilt, little tern, grebes; tamarisk trees with egrets.
Summer: migrant waders on muddy shore.

Puerto Peña Viewpoint

Start: 39.1984 N, –5.2268 W (N-430 road)
Services: rock art interpretation center + live cameras.
Star species: black stork in nest, Bonelli’s eagle, Egyptian vulture, vulture.
Accessibility: ramp and railing; suitable for reduced mobility.

Ruins of the Convent of the Visitation (Puebla De Alcocer)

Start: 38.9935 N, –5.4027 W
Best time: March-June (lesser kestrel colony).
Extras: views of the castle and La Serena plain.

Cogolludo Bridge – Integral SPA Route

Suggested track: 20 km track / 4 h in 4×4
Highlights: rock birds of prey, cormorant and gull roosts, grebes in backwaters.
Precautions: difficult mud after rains, poor mobile coverage.

Plains of La Serena (EX-103)

Modality: car birding 15 km
Spring: great bustard, lesser bustard, Montagu’s harrier, European roller.
Winter: European golden plover, northern lapwing, red kite.

Sierra De Pela – Hoyo De Pela

Start: 39.0178 N, –5.2842 W (Orellana de la Sierra)
Elevation gain: 250 m • 8 km circular
Fauna: warblers, tit, redstart, booted eagle, blue rock thrush.
Photography: skyline of the reservoir from the ridge of the mountain.

Sierra De Enmedio – Chorrero (Navalvillar De Pela)

Track start: 39.1160 N, –5.2620 W
Mixed car + trail: birds of prey, chough, deer at dusk.

Download GPX for free at the Centro Azul de Orellana or at birdingextremadura.com.

Interpretation Centers and Resources

Conservation and Regulations

• Protection figures: SPA ES0000068, SCI/SAC, Ramsar Wetland #579.
• Key rules: Drone flying, approaching nests and sailing in marked areas (colonies and islands) are prohibited.
• Active projects:
• Floating islands for ducks and waders (30% increase in >breeding success).
• SEO/BirdLife censuses of aquatic birds and cranes (January).
• Common bittern recovery plan – in preparation 2025.
• Crane Festival (Navalvillar de Pela, Dec 6, 2025).
• Volunteering and citizen science: Birds and Climate Program (eBird registration); shore cleanup in October.

Practical Advice and Equipment

1. Optics: 8×42 binoculars + 20–60× telescope essential.
2. Best lights: blue-gold (30 min before/sunrise) and twilight (1 h before sunset).
3. Clothing and behavior: earth tones, no intense perfumes, low voice.
4. Meteorology: wind >20 km/h moves the sheet and hides ducks; fine rain ideal for waders.
5. Paper checklist + eBird: write down and upload data, you contribute to science.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I access any island by kayak?
  No. The breeding islands are marked and access is restricted from March 1 to August 31. Respect the signs to protect chicks and eggs.
• Is professional photography permission required?
  Only for sessions that require a fixed hide or artificial lighting. For recreational use it is not necessary, but keep >100 m away from nests.
• Are there routes adapted for reduced mobility?
  Yes. The Puerto Peña Viewpoint and a section of the Canal de las Dehesas have accessible walkways and parking.

Plan your Ornithological Getaway

The Orellana Reservoir is not just a wetland: it is a crossroads for European and African birds, an open-air biodiversity classroom and a privileged setting for photographers and nature lovers. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced lister, you will find here an unparalleled catalog of species and landscapes. Prepare your binoculars, take care of the environment and let yourself be surprised by the winged beat that resonates in this unique corner of Extremadura.

Our rural house in Orellana is located a few minutes from the best routes described. Book now and secure the best migration dates.