The Cáceres Birdwatching Group (GOCE in Spanish initials) was born in July 2000 as a response to the growing interest in the birds of Extremadura and especially the province of Cáceres. Its overriding aim was to set up a forum on which participants could swap notes on the wildlife of Cáceres, with a particular stress on the birdlife. Since then there has been increasing contact between GOCE members and a growing interest in participating as a group in diverse aspects of the conservation of Cáceres birdlife. Witness the group’s participation for the first time in the census of marsh harriers in 2001, of waterfowl in 2002 and of cormorants in 2003, with an ever growing number of collaborators among its members.

GOCEforum, a forum dedicated to the birds of Extremadura, was set up in late 2002. This has without doubt proved to be the most important factor in knitting together a group characterised by its heterogeneity, with many members living in other provinces. The sheer variety of inputs makes for a fascinating and lively exchange of information.

Another of GOCE’s activities is the organisation of periodical daytrips to see the birds of Cáceres. This has enabled us to get to know each other better and build up a team spirit in the interests of tackling future challenges

Some of the members of GOCE on the day of its founding in Villareal de San Carlos.