The elimination of trees from dehesas, together with the progressive abandonment of traditional agricultural crops and livestock, and the appearance of other factors such as forest fires, have favoured the consolidation of vegetation with a predominance of Mediterranean scrub and shrubs. The most common formations are rockroses, brooms, lavenders and wild olive groves, whilst in higher altitude areas heaths and brooms are more common.
The birds associated with this type of vegetation are more numerous than what would be expected, depending largely on the variety of plant species that make up the community, its complexity (height, coverage, density, etc.) and the presence of other elements, such as grasslands or isolated trees.
Among breeding species, Dartford, Sardinian, Spectacled and Western Subalpine Warblers, Tawny Pipit, European Stonechat, Rufous-tailed Bush Robin and Common Linnet stand out. When clearings open up the bush, and grasslands appear, it is common to also find Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Thekla Lark and even Montagu’s Harrier. In higher altitude areas, often with snow in winter, where only heaths and brooms grow alternating with mountain grasslands, Dunnock, Ortolan Bunting and Bluethroat can also be found breeding.
Among the SPAs with important areas of scrubland, Sierra de Gata and Valle de las Pilas, Las Hurdes and Nacimiento del Río Gévora stand out.
