Birding In Spain's Wild West

30/08/2026

Yesterday evening on my local patch I had a lovely surprise: a couple of immature Spanish Imperial eagles spent a good five minutes circling above me. 😍
Oryx Opticron Global Birdfair Goyarcyl. Guias ornitológicos y alojamientos rurales de Castilla y León Soy Ecoturista

25/08/2026

Bathtime for a Melodious warbler.
Reserva de la Biosfera Sierras de Francia y Béjar, Salamanca.
Opticron Oryx Goyarcyl. Guias ornitológicos y alojamientos rurales de Castilla y León Global Birdfair

27/07/2026

Sad to hear about Bill Oddie's passing. He was a part of my childhood and adolescence in The Goodies and later as TV presenter, birder and defender of Nature. He also talked about depression and mental illness and the power of nature to heal us. Thanks for being there Bill, you will be remembered.

Comedian and former Goodie who became a noted ornithologist and TV presenter.

12/07/2026

Today in the talk about Castile and Leon, we showed slides and talked about Salamanca, our guiding and accommodation association Goyarcyl. Guias ornitológicos y alojamientos rurales de Castilla y León , and offered our services as Birding In Spain's Wild West

11/07/2026

At 8:35am there's already people queuing to get into Global Birdfair and enjoy all that's on offer: conservation, nature tourism, art, literature, food, clothes, optics, photography and loads more. We've been describing the wonders of Salamanca and Castile and León to visitors, many of whom have yet to discover our region.
Opticron Oryx Goyarcyl. Guias ornitológicos y alojamientos rurales de Castilla y León Soy Ecoturista

10/07/2026

A very successful first day at Global Birdfair with lots of visitors wanting to know more about Castile and Leon and Salamanca, and some old clients dropping by to say hello and reminisce about past tours, all in sweltering heat which didn't put people off as the atmosphere is so cool 😁. We finished the evening with a meal in the beer garden of the Admiral Hornblower and watched the Spain Belgium match with a happy outcome for the Spanish fans.
Diputación de Salamanca Goyarcyl. Guias ornitológicos y alojamientos rurales de Castilla y León Opticron Oryx Soy Ecoturista Adriss Sierras de Salamanca

06/07/2026

Bee-eaters don't just eat bees. Here are two, one with a red and black unidentified beetle, the other has a Painted lady butterfly in its beak. Sierras de Bejar and Francia Biosphere Reserve, Salamanca, Spain.
Opticron Oryx Global Birdfair Goyarcyl. Guias ornitológicos y alojamientos rurales de Castilla y León

06/07/2026

We're going to be at Global Birdfair again from this Friday until Sunday, so come and find us at the Castille and Leon stand in Robin marquee, nº 67, where we'll be talking about what makes Castille and León, and especially Salamanca so special that once you've visited you'll just want to go back and stay a bit longer!
Diputación de Salamanca Goyarcyl. Guias ornitológicos y alojamientos rurales de Castilla y León Opticron Oryx Adriss Sierras de Salamanca

08/06/2026

HIghlights from our Honeyguide Wildlife Holidays tour South of Salamanca in May which I co-guided with Chris Durdin. I took the group to some of my favourite spots in the Biosphere Reserve of Sierras de Bejar y Francia, and pointed out some of our wonderful endemic flora and butterflies. The holiday report will be available soon on our website.
Opticron Oryx Goyarcyl. Guias ornitológicos y alojamientos rurales de Castilla y León Soy Ecoturista

09/05/2026

Last week we had a three day birding and nature tour with Andie and Ged from the UK. Here are some of the highlights, though we were too busy observing to photograph much!
Opticron Oryx Goyarcyl. Guias ornitológicos y alojamientos rurales de Castilla y León Soy Ecoturista