Birds of Extremadura Photography Holiday

Extremadura's diverse landscapes & abundant prey species create ideal conditions for photographing Europe's most iconic raptors. The private estate provides excellent vantage points for capturing Golden Eagles, Booted Eagles, Black & Griffon Vultures soaring overhead, plus Red Kites, Common Buzzards & Lesser Kestrels in their natural hunting grounds.

Golden Eagles are regularly seen soaring over the Extremaduran dehesa with wings fully spread, hunting from perches above river valleys, & displaying territorial behaviour. The estate's elevated positions provide opportunities to photograph these majestic raptors at eye level as they glide through thermals & patrol their territory.

Species regularly photographed include Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Red Kite, Griffon Vulture, Lesser Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Azure-winged Magpie & Red Fox. Additional species may visit the estate's varied habitats throughout the week. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed.

This is a dedicated hide-based photography holiday, with 4 full days (days 2-5) photographing from various hides positioned across the estate. An additional 2 days (days 6-7) focus on hydrohide sessions for low-level aquatic photography opportunities.

The hydrohides are positioned for low-level aquatic photography, allowing photographers to capture intimate images of birds & other wildlife visiting water sources. These specialist hides are designed to provide comfortable working conditions while enabling close-up photography of aquatic species behaviour.

The 4-photographer limit ensures everyone has sufficient space in the hides, receives personalised guidance from Ian Roberts & enjoys a relaxed photographic experience. The small group size allows for individual attention & optimal positioning for each photographer.

You'll stay in a beautifully restored property within the estate, blending rustic charm with modern comfort. Single occupancy accommodation is included as standard. The property's location within the estate provides immediate access to photography locations & maintains the peaceful atmosphere essential for wildlife photography.

Bring a camera suitable for wildlife photography, telephoto lenses for raptor photography, spare batteries & memory cards. The varied photography opportunities from hides to hydrohide sessions benefit from flexible lens options. Detailed equipment recommendations will be provided before departure.

Trip cost includes 7 nights at the estate property, full board with local drinks, guiding by Ian Roberts, all photography sessions from the estate's hides & hydrohides, & airport transfers. Single occupancy accommodation is included as standard.

No advanced skills are required. Ian Roberts & the local guides provide experienced guidance suitable for photographers of all levels during the hide sessions. The stable hide photography environment makes this trip accessible for developing wildlife photography techniques.

Late May coincides with peak breeding activity for many raptor species, providing excellent opportunities to photograph territorial displays & hunting behaviour. The Mediterranean climate ensures comfortable photography conditions with long daylight hours & active wildlife throughout the day.

The private estate offers exclusive access to carefully positioned hides overlooking key wildlife areas without disturbance from other visitors. The diverse habitats within the estate attract a wide variety of species, from soaring raptors to woodland birds, all within a pristine Extremaduran landscape.