Among all the places where you can enjoy birdwatching in Spain, Castilla-La Mancha is one of the preferred by ornithologists.

 

Undoubtedly, something has to see that in this Autonomous Community there are 38 zones classified as ZEPA (Special Protection Area for Birds), which provide shelter for more than 200 nesting species and many other migratory birds during their routes.

 

The truth is that, to make birding in Castilla-La Mancha, there is much to choose from.

 

First, the provinces of Cuenca, Toledo and Ciudad Real, host a large Biosphere Reserve known as "the Wet Spot". Although perhaps they sound more the names of some of the places that compose it; such as the Tablas de Daimiel, the Lagunas de Ruidera or the lagoon complexes of Pedro Muñoz, Villafranca de los Caballeros and Alcázar de San Juan.

 

All of them are representations of wetlands and fluvial ecosystems; something very characteristic of this community. These are very important natural spaces for the survival of different species of waterfowl; so the importance of this area is recognized throughout the world.

 

On the other hand, the Montes de Toledo and the Cabañeros National Park, in Ciudad Real, are great examples of Mediterranean forest where you can see a multitude of interesting birds, especially raptors.

 

The same happens with the foothills of the Alcaraz or Relumbrar mountain ranges, in Albacete, places where you can also enjoy birding in Castilla-La Mancha. In them and in the Natural Park of Tejera Negra, in Guadalajara, you can see hawks, finches or blue tits.

 

Many other spaces in Castilla-La Mancha are suitable for bird watching. Each one has different characteristics, different landscapes and different opportunities to spot your favorite species.

 

It is perhaps the most recognized wetland of Castilla-La Mancha. It is formed by the waters of two rivers, the Guadiana and the Cigüela, which come together creating a peculiar ecosystem. Walking through some of the itineraries that cross the Park you can see many aquatic species, such as herons, red ducks, crabeater or loons.

 

 

Between Ciudad Real and Albacete is this peculiar place composed of waterfalls, water courses and backwaters. There are many possibilities to visit it, on foot or bicycle routes. Among the birds that can be seen there are several raptors, ducks, teals, porrones or coots, among others.

 

 

We change the lagoons through the Mediterranean forest to devote ourselves to the observation of the great birds of prey in this National Park. The black vulture or the golden eagle are some examples. There are also other equally interesting species, some threatened, such as the black stork. Birds, all of them, that can also be seen in the Montes de Toledo or Sierra Morena.

 

 

In the spectacular landscape of the Serranía de Cuenca the landscape is formed by ravines, canyons and rocks that shelter a multitude of birds. As in Cabañeros, what abounds are raptors. The most common to observe are the golden eagles, the Egyptian vultures, the griffon vultures or the peregrine falcons.

 

 

This Park is another of those landscapes of impossible shapes and great waterfalls. A place to be amazed by the beauty of the environment, as well as by its winged dwellers. There are many good points for observation, although one of the most outstanding is the Hueco de Tus, where you can spot Bonelli's eagles, golden eagles, griffon vultures and lammergeiers, among other species.

 

 

The beech woods have an aura of magic and mystery that makes them ideal for walking. This in particular, has many easy and well-marked trails for that purpose. If in addition, while you travel, you can spot species such as kites, hawks and eagles, the experience is already a luxury.