Passion for wildlife
My name is José Carlos Carrascal Hernández, I am 40 years old, and I graduated in Environmental Sciences from the University of Salamanca (USAL) in 2007. In 2008, I completed a Master’s degree in Protected Natural Areas at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM). After a period in which my professional career took a different turn, wildlife watching in Extremadura and enjoying my free time outdoors never ceased to be my hobbies and passions.
I set out to create this website during the pandemic: an informative, unique website, not intended to be an atlas, but with relevant information on all habitats and species, dedicated to wildlife observation in Extremadura. In 2024, I mustered up the courage to leave my job of 13 years at a multinational company, start my own business, and create Top Birding, as a nature and birdwatching guide in Extremadura. I currently live in Badajoz, and although I work throughout the region, I specialize primarily in the province of Badajoz.
Ever since I was a kid, I started devouring books, videos, and anything related to nature… I remember the legendary Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente collection, from which I learned much of what I know today. After that, the important thing was to experience it: whenever I could, I’d hop on my bike and get lost on the paths around my village, exploring its forests, plains, streams, lagoons, its birds… If someone came with me, great, but if not, I’d go off alone until nightfall brought me back.
Birding and nature guide. Wildlife watching in Extremadura
Today that kid is fulfilling a dream. Will I be able to dedicate my life to this? Time will tell. I have no shortage of passion, desire, and I don’t think I lack the knowledge and experience to offer a great service. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you’re interested in hiring a birding and nature guide, I will try to offer you an authentic, unique and personalized experience based on your preferences.
Furthermore, from minute one, I became part of the Club Birding, a voluntary, collaborative birdwatching tourism initiative that brings together professionals and specialized companies to offer high-quality birdwatching experiences. Here you will also find all kinds of information that will surely be useful during your visits to Extremadura. You cannot love what you do not know, nor defend what you do not love. This website was created with a clear objective: to disseminate and raise awareness of Extremadura’s natural paradises and wildlife through responsible observation. This will continue to be the case, regardless of the fact that today I am also promoting my services as a guide.
Why Extremadura?
My village is Lumbrales, a small village in western Salamanca, nestled in Arribes del Duero. A village I’m very proud of, also located in a beautiful, but a clear example of rural depopulation in Spain. I encourage you all to visit the area someday; you won’t regret it. I lived here until I was 18 and I go back to visit whenever I can. Later came university, and I moved to Salamanca. There I made great friends, and among them I met my good friend Manuel, a nature enthusiast just like me.
I will remember for the rest of my life that first day I went to Extremadura with him. We went to Monfragüe, and I was lucky enough to see the imperial eagle. During the journey (we went a few times), we always saw deer, fallow deer, black vultures, other eagles… And many more animals that were not abundant in Salamanca. Since then, I have spent hundreds of days observing wildlife in Extremadura. At first, I took advantage of long weekends and holidays, and since 2018, I have been living in the region.
Extremadura, natural paradise
Extremadura is home to some of Europe’s most emblematic wildlife species, thanks to the conservation of landscapes such as dehesa, steppes and great rivers. Over the years, I have compiled information and field observations that have led me to select the species that best represent Extremadura’s biodiversity. You can expand on this introduction with specific examples of fauna in this guide of the most emblematic species of Extremadura.Of course, in addition to these iconic species, I have been fortunate enough to spot almost all of the animals featured here, and I am sharing my experience on this website. I hope you find it useful and interesting.
Finally, I would like to highlight Top Birding’s commitment to an ecological and sustainable tourism model. On the one hand, with our hybrid vehicles, we reduce our ecological footprint as much as possible. We always conduct responsible observations, respecting distances from wildlife and avoiding disturbance as much as possible. We actively and voluntarily collaborate with the Extremadura Regional Government and various local associations in wildlife conservation.
Last but not least, we contribute to rural development in depopulated areas. As someone who comes from a small village, this is fundamental to me: helping local businesses to survive in depopulated areas thanks to sustainable tourism models. I always recommend accommodation and restaurants in the villages where I go on my trips, I recommend that my clients buy local products and most of what I serve at picnics (embutido, cheeses, honey, fruit, vegetables, etc.) is produced locally, and so on.
Cheers and nature!
