Читать книгу The Sierras of Extremadura. 32 half and full-day walks in western Spain's hills онлайн

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The Sierra Morena, with peaks over 1000m, lies to the south and straddles the border between Extremadura and Andalucia. The sierra is made up of granite and quartzite, as well as softer materials such as slate and gneiss. While on average 1000m lower than the peaks in the Sistema Central, the Sierra Morena is nevertheless an important mountain range within the overall geography of Spain. It provides the watershed for two of the peninsula’s five major rivers: the Guadiana to the north of the sierra and the Guadalquivar to the south.

The Jaranda Valley near Guijo (Walk 14)

Animals and birds

The wildlife in Extremadura is still genuinely wild. Depending on the habitat and the time of the year that you visit, red deer, wild boar, rabbit, Iberian hare, fox, badger, wild cat, pine marten, genet, otter and mongoose may be seen. Lynx are much rarer.

Extremadura has long been known by birdwatchers as a very special place. It is on many migratory routes, with diverse species stopping off in summer or winter. Cranes feed in their thousands in wetlands. Storks make nests on every available high spot on churches and castles alike. The mountains provide habitats for many species of vulture, eagle, harrier, buzzard, kite and hawk. The forests house pigeons, doves and woodpeckers – very often heard but not seen. The river valleys are home to the heron, stork, lapwing, grebe, ducks and any number of smaller water-loving birds. The open expanses provide homes to great bustards, especially in La Serena in the south-east of Extremadura. The general countryside is full of azure-winged magpie, colourful bee-eater, flashy hoopoe, crested lark, shrike, golden oriole, dove, owl and many small songbirds.