Last month I was in Spain to re-visit the Extramadura region which is one of the best places for birding in Europe.  We had a very busy time and a lot of success. Birds are very numerous and the photo opportunities are massive. Here are a few pictures that I have enjoyed looking at over the last few days. The first is a lovely Woodchat Shrike, one of a pair that were nesting in a glorious wildflower meadow close to our base for the trip at Alcantara.  They are by no means a rare bird in that part of Spain but they are simply lovely to see. 

The next one is a Kite, photographed as a Black Kite but looking remarkably like a Red Kite to me!  Regardless of the species, it really is a beautiful bird and a thrill to see let alone photograph.

As we drove back home to our hotel on another day we arrived at a "T" junction in the road and in the field to our right, just after a heavy rain shower was a Black Kite stood in the paddock. Then the next night at the same time of day and in exactly the same spot, it was stood there again. Strange behaviour we thought.

I have rarely had the chance to photograph Chough, I have seen them in Anglesey, the Algarve in Portugal and on the Isle of Man but the best opportunity I have had was in the Monfrague National Park.  There was at least a pair and from time to time one kept landing on a the same spot on the ramparts of the castle there.