ROUTE 6

Badlands of La Perera – Madruédano

Location and access: In southern Soria, access from the capital should be done by the SO-100 to Berlanga de Duero, after taking the SO-132 to Lumias and height of La Lastra, on the road between Atienza with Burgo de Osma. Towards this village, we find the detour to Madruédano in Sauquillo de Paredes and Nograles, the detour to La Perera. From Madrid approach would be for the N-110 to Ayllón and the SO-135 to Retortillo.

Status: Any. The SPAs Altos Barahona extends to encompass all western moors of Retortillo, one of the best areas for Dupont's lark in Soria. They were however out and these wastelands would be the natural continuity of the same. It was proposed by the importance of population Dupont's lark and other birds, as Egyptian vulture, propose this area as an integral part of other SPAs called Tiermes-Caracena but the idea did not work out.

Terrain: Large continuous surfaces with small patches fells cultures, scattered oaks and small limestone gorges, as the Fuente Arenaza, without the development of large rock walls as happens downstream.

Means of access: Own vehicle.

Difficulty: Any. Public roads and absence of fences. Not many years ago the land consolidation of this area was, creating a network of absurd and unconscionable walking paths throughout the country. Are asked not to leave them.

Visit duration: An extensive tour, walking, can you take us 4-5 hours, but the approach can be less time.

Time of visit: There is no doubt that spring will be the ideal time to approach this space. May and June would be the best months. Summer heat, but especially the winter because of the hardness of it and the absence of many birds, recently recommended approach to this corner.

Proposed itineraries

where to see birds

If the route dedicated to juniper woods the Fuente Arenaza talked about the unknown and removed from this area, they are no less this particular space and its villages: La Perera, Madruédano, Modamio, Nograles…, almost abandoned, recovering only some vigor in summer with the arrival of some descendants of the people.

This moor 500-600 hectares is one of the most beautiful in the province, then the great wasteland of Alto de la Lastra in Retortillo. Along with this large area of moorland which is closed to the west by the canyon of Caracena- small clumps appear in some feedback, primarily oak.

The only more or less large areas of gorges are between Pozuelo depopulated and La Perera. There are also some areas of gorge-between La Perera and Modamio- and in this valley a small grove of aspens truly delicious.

1 The approach to moor we propose will take place from Madruédano. A track that runs along the west the hill on which the village sits, we climb the slope to the moor. This track runs for three kilometers to the limit of the municipality of Caracena where we have to stop because reparcelling not happen to that town. Without leaving the road we can make a stop with the car, especially if we detect the Dupont's lark.

2 If we want to go and steer the vehicle the best is that, very shortly after arriving to observe a road moor, northward, It is directed towards a modern sheep ship. The moor is full of sheep ship and old pens, but unfortunately, almost all in ruins. Walk this way we can look to the Dupont's lark and other species of steppe birds. It's funny because the place name by which this place is known is "La Pesadilla". No doubt that is so in some windy and cold winter days, also the moor is full of small parapets designed for the protection of this uncomfortable weather phenomenon- but we can ensure that fond of birds will be here very beautiful moments.

3 Before or after touring this space, we can stop at Modamio and walk down the road towards the north down the right bank of the stream of Fuente Arenaza to La Perera. There are five kilometers that allow us to see birds virtually all environments. Just for the feeling of loneliness that we will experience, worth.

Downloads of tracks and routes

Family tours

where to see birds

A Pozuelo. Through a road in good condition coming out of La Perera, also we could get here from Mosarejos- we reach one kilometer before Pozuelo. A walk down the road there will allow us to reach some ruins where people can not believe that inhabit until 50 years. The very bleak view of the village and worth, at least from a sociological point of view and cultural.

The House sparrows they leave the villages where people are going. Not so the Rock sparrow and the Black redstart who still live around here. To the north there is a large area of crops typical birds and south but, especially, westward, in the stream of Valhondo, will meet birds of the moor, with Dupont's lark, Greater short-toed lark, Tawny pipit, Black-eared wheatear, Ortolan bunting…

B La Perera. The stream of Fuente Arenaza going dry almost all the way, except, in its beginning near the village in the immediate stretch and soon introduced into the small gorge by the road allows access to the people. The copse of poplars and aspens there adjacent to it deserves careful walk, unhurried and is ideal to start seeing the most common birds in this medium.

Common or not so common because in these forests is a good example of density Spotted flycatcher as a breeder, a rare species in the rest of Soria. Nuthatches, Great spotted woodpecker, Robins, Red-backed shrike, Song thrush... amid the arid environment surrounding, this is the best counterpoint

Seasons of the year

to see the birds

Toward end of April, it is assumed that all species of birds have already arrived summer, especially if we hear the beautiful singing Ortolan bunting.

The good thing is how well steppe wildlife observed, except the Dupont's lark. You hear her singing, but you hit to see where you can find that male.

Luckily for us, not all species are as elusive as Dupont's lark. The Eurasian skylark they sing nonstop, the Thekla lark perch on the walls of closed or shed for sheep, where we can also see plentiful Black-eared wheatear. In our step will Greater short-toed lark and Tawny pipit, linnets and , if there are areas with scrub, any Spectacled warbler.

But perhaps here we can enjoy two of the rarest species in the whole of the steppes as are the Stone-curlew and the Black-bellied sandgrouse. The latter barely survive 2-3 couples.

But the moor is not only a good place to see steppe birds because throughout spring this area is used regularly by a pair of Golden Eagle nearby, by Booted eagles and by Short-toed eagle, without the abundant vultures and some Egyptian vulture upcoming couples approaching ships farmers left in Madruédano.

At summer you can wake up early and enjoy the various family groups of birds that occasionally show themselves and some interesting birds in step.

The Eurasian dotterel, although few, they are safe here. Near the peak of San Cristobal in Madruédano could see the passage of dozens of European Honey buzzard, any Black stork, Osprey, Black kites, Booted eagles and Short-toed eagle.

The fall will bring little new, but a walk in the woods around La Perera, Madruédano or Nograles will bring good observations of forest birds.

Black-bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis)

Species

most representative

Breeders: Golden Eagle, Griffon vulture, Montagu's harrier, Common kestrel, Red-legged partridge, Stone-curlew, Black-bellied sandgrouse, Stock dove, Eurasian eagle owl, Little owl, European bee-eater, Hoopoe, European green woodpecker, Crag martin, Greater short-toed lark, Dupont's lark, Calandra lark, Thekla Lark, Wood lark, Tawny Pipit, Black redstart, Black-eared wheatear, Rufous-tailed rock thrush, Blue rock thrush, Subalpine warbler, Spectacled warbler, Western orphean warbler, Sardinian warbler, Spotted flycatcher, Woodchat shrike, Red-backed shrike, Red-billed chough, Common raven, Rock sparrow.

Winterers: Hen harrier, Merlin.

Migrants: Eurasian dotterel, Meadow pipit, Ring ouzel, Common redstart, Whinchat.

Bird watching Soria, It is coordinated by the Department of Development and Tourism of the project Excma. Diputación. Provincial de Soria.

Ricotí Skylark conservation and habitat in Soria (Spain). LIFE15 NAT / ES / 000802

Project funded by the European Union.

With elprincipiokiss