Great bustards, small larks, Extremadura, Spain

This video says about itself:

Birds of Spain – with Wingspan Bird Tours – Great bustard, Extremadura, Spain Oct 2010

A small flock of Great bustards feeding on the plains near Santa Marta, Extremadura, Spain.

After 16 April 2016 in Extremadura came 17 April 2016 for us.

At a filling station, an azure-winged magpie sitting on a trashcan. And a spotless starling on a lamppost; and a white wagtail on the ground.

A bit further, a white stork flies with nesting material in its bill.

We stop. A black kite flying.

This is ‘dehesa’ countryside: typical for Extremadura, with mostly holly oak trees at some distance from each other.

A short-toed snake eagle flying.

A cuckoo calls. A hoopoe calls. A corn bunting sings.

We continue to a different type of countryside. Between Trujillo and Cáceres towns, with less trees. Steppe scenery.

What kind of birds live here? We hear a quail; but, as usually with this elusive species, we don’t see it. We do see another elusive species, a special bird for this region: a little bustard. However, this lone male is far away.

We go a little further, to another part of the steppe.

Will be see another elusive species, special birds for this region, here: great bustards?

Yes, there is one male!

A bit later it turns out he is not alone. In this mating season, we see three males and two females.

A calandra lark sings.

A big griffon vulture flying. So do much smaller swifts.

A woodchat shrike.

A crested lark sings on a fence.

A booted eagle flying.

We are a bit further. A female kestrel resting.

In another part of the steppe, again a male great bustard walking.

While another great bustard flies overhead.

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