Birding in the Tajo Internacional
A Sky Full of Surprises
A Sky Full of Surprises
There are places where all you have to do is look up for the adventure to begin. Tajo Internacional is one of them.
Amid the river’s towering cliffs, pastures, mountain ranges, plains, and wetlands lies an exceptional area for birdwatching. More than 200 species have been recorded here, ranging from large birds of prey that dominate the sky to small birds that hide among the Mediterranean vegetation. It’s a destination for those who enjoy having binoculars slung around their neck, a camera at the ready, or simply the curiosity to discover nature at a different pace.
The Great Stars of the Sky
If any birds epitomize the natural wealth of Tajo Internacional, they are the black stork, the Iberian imperial eagle, the black vulture, the Egyptian vulture, and the Bonelli's eagle. These iconic species find refuge in the riverbanks, rocky outcrops, and Mediterranean forests of the Reserve.Seeing a black stork by the river, watching a black vulture soar over the mountains, or recognizing the silhouette of an imperial eagle is an experience that stays with you forever. There’s no guarantee of a sighting, but there are plenty of landscapes where you can pause, look up, and let nature surprise you. The area also offers opportunities to observe birds in open habitats. The plains of Alcántara and Brozas are home to such unique species as the great bustard, the little bustard, the Iberian sandgrouse, the Ortega’s sandgrouse, and the stone curlew. And in the villages, historic buildings can serve as observation points for the lesser kestrel, a small falcon that finds refuge on rooftops and in the nooks and crannies of traditional structures.
Every landscape, a world of birds
One of the great advantages of this destination is the variety of landscapes you can explore during a single getaway.
The banks of the Tagus and its tributaries: with their rocky cliffs and slopes covered in Mediterranean vegetation, they’re a great place to spot black storks, Egyptian vultures, Bonelli’s eagles, and vultures.
The Sierra de San Pedro: This area is notable for its breeding populations of the Iberian imperial eagle and the black vulture, two of the greatest treasures of the Iberian Peninsula’s avifauna.
The plains of Alcántara and Brozas: These offer an open landscape where you can spot great bustards, little bustards, sandgrouse, and other steppe birds.
The ponds and reservoirs: these allow you to discover a whole other world of waterfowl, particularly interesting during migration periods and the winter months, when cranes visit various sites throughout the region.
And it’s not all about the large species. Along the trails, in the hillside olive groves, the riverside forests, and the pastures, small birds also await, rewarding those who walk slowly and learn to listen.
A place to enjoy any time of year
Birdwatching isn’t limited to a single season. Spring brings a flurry of activity in breeding grounds and the arrival of summer species; fall allows you to track migratory movements; winter brings wintering birds and large flocks of cranes in certain areas; and throughout the year, you can look for the resident species that inhabit these landscapes.
Every outing is different. Sometimes the reward will be a species that’s hard to spot; other times, it might be a group of vultures gliding over the cliffs or the sound of birds at dawn.
Follow in the footsteps of the great naturalists
The richness of these landscapes is also linked to the history of nature outreach. In the area around Carbajo, people recall the region’s connection to the documentaries by Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente and his work on the imperial eagle in the series “El hombre y la Tierra.” It is a story that links birdwatching to the importance of understanding and protecting our wildlife.
Let those who know the area guide you
If you want to go beyond observing on your own, there are companies and professionals specializing in birding tourism who can accompany you, help you identify species, and guide you to the best spots depending on the time of year. Some options include nature photography experiences and birdwatching from specific vantage points.
You can also visit the tourist offices, interpretation centers, and the reserve’s information centers. If you’re interested in birdwatching in a specific location, ask there: they can guide you to the best spots, available routes, and recommendations for enjoying the experience responsibly.
And remember that birdwatching also means taking care of the birds: keeping your distance, avoiding disturbances near nests, respecting access restrictions, and following the guidance of professionals all help preserve what you’ve come to discover. Grab your binoculars, choose your setting, and come look up. In Tajo-Tejo Internacional, every trip into the countryside can turn into a great discovery.