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SPANISH
PYRENEES:Birds & Nature
June 26 - July 4, 2021
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The
Pyrenees mountain range
stretches across northern
Spain for more than
300 miles from the Bay
of Biscay to the Mediterranean
Sea. Well known as
a mecca for skiing during
the winter months, in
early summer these scenic
mountains are a veritable
paradise for nature
lovers. Stunning snow-capped
peaks create the backdrop
to beautiful alpine
meadows where flowers
and butterflies abound.
Join Gina Nichol and Steve Bird to explore this natural paradise and discover the very special alpine bird species occur in the Pyrenees. We will search for Alpine and Red-billed Chough, Rock Bunting, Citril Finch, Alpine Accentor, and Blue Rock Thrush to name a few as we explore the stunning landscape. We will watch the skies for raptors including the huge and majestic Lammergeier, the king of all the vultures. Sheer rock gorges that cut through the mountains add to the incredible natural beauty here and are home to the exquisite Wallcreeper. While enjoying the fantastic bird life, we will also discover the wonderful orchids that dot the mountain slopes and marvel at the countless butterflies and other magical creatures in alpine meadows.
Our
tour begins in Barcelona
on Spain's Mediterranean
coast and then heads
northwest into the interior
of Spain to Huesca,
birding
the sprawling Spanish
steppes along the way.
Then we continue to
the
high Hecho Valley (1500
m / 5000 feet) and our
wonderful 
accommodation
for a full week based
in our comfortable rural
mountain hotel set against
the backdrop of stunning
snow-covered peaks.
This
family run hotel has
just 10 rooms and it
is very likely we will
have the entire place
to ourselves.
From our base we will
take daily excursions
to investigate the rich
and varied habitats
of
the mountain slopes.
Don’t worry, the walking will be mostly easy as we follow quiet mountain tracks and roads bordered by crystal clear rivers and flower-filled meadows. Our focus is on a few very special birds, plus up to 80 species of butterfly, and all other flora and fauna of this incredible alpine habitat. Add to this a visit or two to the dry hot, lowlands and we can look for a whole new range of birds and wildlife including Little Bustard, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, and Iberian Grey Shrike.
If
you love nature, you
will fall in love
with
the Spanish Pyrenees!
Some
Highlights & Targets
of this Tour: |
||
| *
Wallcreeper * Lammergeier * Citril Finch * Alpine Accentor * Alpine Chough * Red-billed Chough * Griffon Vulture * Golden Eagle |
*
Ring
Ouzel * Black Wheatear * Rock Bunting * Crested Tit * Little Bustard * Black-bellied Sandgrouse * Burnt-tip Orchid * Lizard Orchid |
*
Apollo Butterfly * Scarce Swallowtail * Berger’s Clouded Yellow * Camberwell Beauty * Pyrenean Chamois * Red Squirrel * Pyrenean Brook Newt * Spanish Moon Moth |
Photos, above: Bee Orchid, Wallcreeper, Hotel Uson.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival – Barcelona
Please
arrange your flight to Barcelona
airport, (Airport code BCN) where
we will overnight in a local hotel.
Overnight in Barcelona.
Day 2 -
7: Pyrenees
Today
we will set off across
country toward Huesca birding
en route with good chances
for raptors and many other
species of birds. Over
the next six days, we will
visit a number of valleys
and mountain habitats within
easy reach of our hotel.
The stunning valleys and
grassy
mountain slopes will offer some of northern
Spain’s
most exciting flora and
fauna. Our perfectly situated
hotel based at the entrance
to the famous Hecho Valley
is an excellent start
with
Crested Tits, Cirl Bunting
and Red-backed Shrikes
often right in the garden.
The view of the mountains
here is 
spectacular and
we often
see the huge Lammergeier
soaring above the cliffs
while enjoying a cup of
tea or beer in the garden.
These magnificent birds
soar with Griffon Vultures,
the occasional Golden
Eagle,
Short-toed Eagle, Booted
Eagles, Egyptian Vultures
and both Red and Black
Kite.
The nearby Aragon Valley and Binies Gorge hold a fine collection of species including Woodchat Shrike, Rock Sparrow, Spotless Starling, European Bee-eater, Serin, Golden Oriole, Melodious and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl, Rock and Ortolan Bunting. Red-rumped Swallows and Crag Martin are common and we should encounter huge Alpine Swifts whizzing past the rock faces.
The Hecho Valley extends from our hotel through beech woods, pines, and open meadows teeming with flowers and butterflies. It goes right up to snow-capped mountains and alpine habitat where crystal clear streams wind their way through spectacular scenery. Here we will again search for the majestic Lammergeier plus Dipper, Serin, Ring Ouzel, Common Rock Thrush, Redstart, the huge Apollo Butterfly, and many species of beautiful orchid. In the tiny streams we can find the very rare Pyrenean Brook Newt, plus a few frogs, lizards and exciting insects.
Other
sites we will visit
include a rocky trail
that takes through
woodlands where Black
Woodpecker can often
be heard, although difficult
to see. Alpine flowers
cover every bit of
open grass and rock
strewn hillside where
Citril Finches feed.
Our goal at the end
is a towering
cliff where the beautiful
Wallcreeper nests.
Butterflies
include many species
of fritillary, blues,
hairstreaks and yellows,
while some of the mammals that may show up are
Red Squirrels, Alpine
Marmot and Pyrenean Chamois.
As you can see this is a trip that encompasses all forms of nature in one of the most spectacular sceneries anywhere in Europe. If we haven’t already filled your days will endless memories of many species creatures,we also have the opportunity to see some of the nocturnal inhabitants of the mountains by using ultraviolet lights to attract a host of sought after moths such as the spectacular Spanish Moon Moth or Giant Peacock. All nights in the Hecho Valley.
Day 8: Pyrenees
- Steppes -
Barcelona
Today we say goodbye to the pleasant
temperatures of our mountain
retreat and head south
to the dry steppes where
we can expect to find a
completely new range of
species. They are not all
easy to see but we have
had good luck on previous
visits with Little Bustard,
Black-bellied Sandgrouse,
Great Spotted Cuckoo, Iberian
Grey Shrike and other desert
loving species. After spending
most of the day here we
will head back to Barcelona
where we spend our last
night.
Day
9: End of Tour
Today
you can plan your international
departure from Barcelona
to suit your own wishes.
There are several flights
a day so if you wish to
check out this fascinating
city you have the chance.
Our tour finishes with breakfast
today.
Photos, above: Pyramidal Orchids, Griffon Vulture, Group birding the Pyrenees
LEADERS: Gina Nichol & Steve Bird
 SPANISH PYRENEES:Birds & Nature June 26 - July 4, 2021 Registration Form (pdf)>
Group size: Minimum
for tour to go ahead 8 Not included: International airfare to and from Barcelona, Spain;
insurance; drinks other than above; tips; and items of a personal nature. Accommodation: All accommodations are of a good standard and offer en-suite rooms, a good variety of meals that can cater for most dietary requirements if we are informed in advance.
Cancellations
and Refunds:
TRIP
INSURANCE:
There are many trip insurers. Here are two options to consider:
PLEASE NOTE:
Questions?
Contact Gina
Nichol at [email protected] |
