This is the final stage in the degradation of the Mediterranean forest, after most of the trees, bushes and scrub have disappeared. It occupies large areas of gently undulating terrain and is usually typified by the presence of rainfed cereal crops. The most representative breeding species is the Great Bustard, as well as Little Bustard, Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Collared Pratincole, Little Owl and Stone Curlew. Montagu’s Harrier breed in the crops, occasionally accompanied by Western Marsh Harrier and more rarely by Hen Harrier. European Rollers and colonies of Lesser Kestrels nest in farm buildings. As in the dehesas, the abundance of Common Magpies makes possible the presence of Great Spotted Cuckoo, a parasite of their nests.
Among the small bird communities, the populations of Thekla, Crested, Calandra and Greater Short-toed Larks, Tawny Pipits, Zitting Cisticola, Black-eared Wheatear, Iberian Grey Shrike and Corn Bunting stand out. In winter it is enriched with northern species such as Common Crane, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Meadow Pipit, Common Skylark, Goldfinch and White Wagtail. The abundance of food attracts birds that breed in other habitats, such as Spanish Imperial, Bonelli’s, Golden and Short-toed Eagles… and carrion feeders attracted to livestock such as Griffon, Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures.
The SPAs with the largest area of crops and grasslands are La Serena and surrounding Sierras, Llanos de Cáceres and Sierra de Fuentes, Trujillo Plains, Magasca, Llanos de Alcántara and Brozas and Campiña Sur and Arroyo Conejo Reservoir. Also areas of Dehesas de Jerez, Llanos and Complejo Lagunar de La Albuera and Llanos de Zorita and Embalse de Sierra Brava.
