January.

The coldest month of the year, with temperatures ranging between -5º C and 15º C. Some rainy and very cold days, occasionally with snowfall. Usual mists in the valley of the Guadiana river (Tablas de Daimiel).

Large flocks of Cranes in the Tablas de Daimiel, Cabañeros and, to a lesser extent, Valle de Alcudia. Good season for watching waterfowl in the wetlands of La Mancha. The first Great Spotted Cuckoos of the year appear. Rutting season of the Iberian Lynx and the best time of the year to watch it in Sierra de Andújar.

February.

Temperatures usually cold (up to -5º C) with some windy days. Occasionally quite high temperatures for this time of the year, with over 18º C and very pleasant days. Irregular rains.

Cranes begin to leave La Mancha. At the same time, the first contingents of migrating birds begin to arrive, like the very common Barn Swallow. First groups of Black Kites. Serins start their vivacious songs. Excellent time for watching steppe birds. End of the Iberian Lynx rutting seaon, with unequal observations.

March.

Beginning of Spring. Rising temperatures with more pleasant days. The minimum temperatures can reach -2º C, while the maximum can be over 20º C. Thermal amplitude of 15º C between morning and noon. 12 hours of light per day.

Wintering birds disappear from the fields of La Mancha. Last Merlins. First specimens of Short-Toed Eagles. Great flocks of Black Kites. Black Storks seen on migration (sometimes in February). Bee-eaters cross the Mediterranean Sea and enter in La Mancha. The breeding season begins for many of the resident birds of La Mancha. The song of the Corn Bunting cover the fields of La Mancha.

April.

Temperatures generally pleasant that, on some days, can exceed 25º C (minimum of up to 0º C). Some years with numerous rainy days, which contrast with others years extremely dry.

Migration normalizes. Warblers and Nightingales arrive. Lesser Kestrels take over the fields of La Mancha. Montagu's Harrier enter. Mating season for the Great Bustard. At the end of April migration enters in its peak.

May.

Increasing temperatures with days that can reach the maximum of 35º C. Minimum of 5º-10º C, although exceptionally it is possible to reach even 0º C. Great thermal amplitude (up to 20º). Uneven rainfall. Usually dry days at the end of May (end of Spring).

Migration at its maximum peak, until approximately May 20th. Descent of this peak very pronounced, therefore at the end of May almost migrating birds have already passed through La Mancha. Rollers arrive (some of them at the end of April), White-Rumped Swifts arrive (about May 10th approximately) and begin to enter great flocks of Honey Buzzards (up to 500 individuals). Iberian Lynx cubs start to move around. Good options to find the Iberian Lynx in freedom.

June.

Very long days, with almost 14 hours of light per day. Minimum temperatures around 15º C, with maximums of 35º C (sometimes more). Rains very scarce, although not disposable.

Despite the high temperatures, it is a good time to observe breeding birds. Roe Deer rutting season.

July.

Warmest month of the year, with maximums that can exceed 40º C. Very little rain. Bad conditions to observe fauna due to excess heat. However, the first hours of the day can become highly productive.

Autumnal migration begins. The first waders reach La Mancha and remain during the month of July, preparing the return to the African latitudes. First Ospreys appear. The first flocks of Black Kites begin their migration to the South. Great Spotted Cuckoos have disappeared. Nightingales stop singing.

August.

Very hot month, but with days that can enjoy quite pleasant temperatures. Maximum temperatures around 35º C. Days with rain from August 15th. Nights become cool.

Rollers and the Orioles are gone. The migration is normalized. Swifts disappear. Northern Wheatears begin their journey through La Mancha heading south. Juveniles of great raptors –Imperial, Golden & Bonelli’s Eagles- begin their first flights. If rains occur at the end of the month, the Red Deer's heat period begins.

September.

Falling temperatures. Minimum around 15ºC, with maximums of up to 35º C (usually around 30º C). At the end of the month there is a rise in temperatures. Irregular rains, sometimes torrential.

Red Deer rutting season, with large herds visible throughout the mountain range of La Mancha and Sierra Morena. The migration continues, and at the end of the month it is close to its end. Big flocks of Honey Buzzards. Dispersion of Imperial, Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles. Black Shouldered Kites leave their breeding grounds and scatter in search of wintering territories.

October.

Autumn takes over the landscape. Minimum temperatures close to 5º C, with peaks sometimes over 20º C. Irregular rains. The days are shortened.

First Cranes arrive (mid-October), accompanied by wintering waterfowl. Last Black Storks, last Short-toed Eagles. Red-Necked Nightjars leave La Mancha. Large flocks of birds begin to gang together in the steppes of La Mancha. Iberian Lynx increases its diurnal activity. End of the Red Deer rutting season.

November.

Falling temperatures, with minima reaching 0º C. Maximum temperatures of up to 20º C. Rains are normalized, although long periods without rain can occur. Mushroom picking season in the forests of La Mancha (Montes de Toledo, Cabañeros, Montes de Ciudad Real) and Sierra Morena.

Cranes take over the landscape of La Mancha. All the wintering birds have already arrived, while, exceptionally, some migratory birds still remain in La Mancha (Whiskered Terns, Barn & Red-Rumped Swallows, Purple Herons and Night Herons, sometimes Squacco). Good seaon for the Lynx. Iberian Ibex rutting period.

December.

Very cold month, with minima that can exceed -5º C. Maximum temperatures of 10º C and some days above 15º C. Uneven rains, although sometimes very persistent. Foggy days, especially in the Guadiana valley.

Large flocks of birds in the fields. Finches join up in mixed flocks. Little Bustard and Pin-Tailed Sandgrouse increase their association, with mixed flocks that can exceed 500 individuals (sometimes close to 1,000). Good time for watching steppe birds and aquatic birdlife. Eagle Owl in heat; its hoot can be heard with relative ease. Good period for trying to watch the Iberian Lynx.