Birdwatching

Introduction

The Sierra de Lagunilla is an exceptional destination for bird lovers.
Its variety of landscapes: crags, oak and chestnut woodland, riverbanks and reservoirs.
It is home to an extraordinary diversity of species all year round.
Whether it’s your first time raising the binoculars or you’re an experienced birder, you’ll always find something to surprise you here.

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    The Hide

    Our hide is the ideal starting point for getting into birdwatching. From a fixed, perfectly camouflaged observation point, you can watch birds at very close range without disturbing them. A unique experience for both birdwatchers and nature photographers, allowing you to enjoy species that are hard to see in other settings.

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    Banks of the Cuerpo de Hombre river

    The quality of its waters and the dense riverside vegetation make this river one of the sierra's most special spots. You can see the kingfisher with its unmistakable low flight, the white-throated dipper literally walking underwater, and wagtails moving along the banks. In the calmer stretches it's not unusual to find a grey heron standing motionless, waiting for a fish.

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    Maside Reservoir

    The reservoir's expanse of water acts as a magnet for waterbirds all year round. During the spring and autumn migration you can see ducks and other water-associated birds passing through on their way to their destinations. In winter activity becomes concentrated, and sightings can be especially rewarding.

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    Oak and chestnut woodland

    The oak and chestnut woodlands are a hive of activity during spring and summer. Among their branches you'll find the hoopoe with its striking crest and undulating flight, the jay with its surprising colours, and the great spotted woodpecker hammering trunks in search of insects. The nuthatch, capable of climbing down trunks head-first, completes this lively woodland scene.

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    Crags and open areas

    The sierra's rocky cliffs are the natural territory of birds of prey. The common kestrel, with its characteristic hovering as it locates its prey, is one of the easiest birds to see. In the more remote, quiet areas you can watch the griffon vulture gliding on the warm air currents over the ridges.

The birds' wellbeing comes first.
Whenever in doubt, always choose the option that causes no disturbance. If a bird changes its behaviour because of your presence, you're too close.
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Protect the habitat.
Stay on marked trails, don't pick anything up, and leave the surroundings exactly as you found them. Your mere presence already has an impact.
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Don't disturb the birds' behaviour.
Take extra care during breeding, migration and winter seasons. Avoid using calls or recordings to attract them.
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Be careful with sensitive information.
If you locate nests, roosts or protected species, don't share their exact location on social media. If you spot a risky situation, report it to the environmental authorities or SEPRONA.
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Don't crowd rare or vagrant birds.
A large influx of birdwatchers can cause them irreversible harm. If you spot a rarity, share the sighting with discretion.
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Respect the regulations.
The Lagunilla area is part of the Sierras de Béjar y Francia Biosphere Reserve and includes sites within the Natura 2000 network, among them the Cuerpo de Hombre river valley, declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI). Before entering sensitive areas, check the current regulations through the Junta de Castilla y León or the Ayuntamiento de Lagunilla.
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Respect landowners and rural workers.
Don't enter private land without permission. Don't block paths or leave gates open in livestock areas.
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Respect other people.
Other visitors have the same rights as you. Be discreet when arriving and leaving, keep your voice down, and don't scare off birds that others are watching.
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Share your sightings responsibly.
Your records contribute to knowledge and conservation. Platforms like eBird make it easy and useful to contribute data for science.
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Be part of sustainable tourism.
Spend locally, support local businesses, and act as an ambassador for conservation. Birdwatching can be a driver of development for rural areas.
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Birdwatching is an activity that grows every year in Spain and around the world. Enjoying the birdlife of the Sierra de Lagunilla also comes with a responsibility: our presence in the natural environment has an impact, even when we don't always notice it. To guide this behaviour, SEO/BirdLife has developed a Code of Ethics for Birdwatching, setting out ten basic principles applicable to any birdwatcher, expert or beginner, local or visiting. In Lagunilla we've adopted these principles as a guide to good practice for everyone who visits our natural spaces. Below you'll find the code's ten points, summarised and adapted to our surroundings. If you'd like to see the full document, you can download it directly from the SEO/BirdLife website.

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Recommended equipment

Birdwatching and bird photography don’t require a large initial investment, but having the right gear makes the difference between a frustrating outing and a memorable experience. Whether you’re a birdwatcher or a photographer, the key is to come well prepared, stay unobtrusive and, above all, respect your surroundings.

For birdwatching
  • Binoculars: the essential item. An 8×42 pair offers the best balance of magnification, field of view and brightness. 10×42 is a good alternative if you prefer more reach.
  • Telescope and tripod: recommended for open areas, reservoirs or the feeding station, where birds are further away.
  • Field guide: a good guide to Iberian birds will help you identify species. Those by Lars Svensson or Killian Mullarney are common references among birdwatchers.
  • Clothing: neutral or earth tones that don’t stand out against the surroundings. Avoid bright colours and fabrics that rustle when you move.
  • Footwear: comfortable, waterproof boots, especially for the riverbank or the rainy months.
  • Field notebook: noting the date, location and species is worth more than it seems and enriches the experience.
  • Camera and telephoto lens: from 400mm you’ll get good results without disturbing the birds. In the hide, the short distance allows you to work with shorter focal lengths.
  • Tripod or monopod: essential for sharp images with long focal lengths, especially in low light.
  • Camouflage clothing: outside the hide, minimising your visible outline makes a real difference.
  • Spare battery and memory cards: a long session can drain a lot of battery, especially in winter.
  • Patience: the most important piece of equipment. The best photographs go to those who know how to wait.

Birds live along the paths you walk

Many of the species that inhabit the sierra can be seen along the hiking trails themselves. Nature and landscape, on the same route.