Pyrenees & N/E Spain

30th Sept - 7th October 2009

Early Autumn is a lovely time to visit the Spanish Pyrenees as many species are starting to flock together and for witnessing southward bird migration. It is a time to experience the changing seasons with the autumnal yellows & reds starting to appear on the trees enhancing the valleys and mountains even more. The Ebro Delta is the most important wetland on the Spanish Mediterranean coast and second largest in Iberia behind Donaña. It is an extensive marsh and rice producing area at the mouth of the River Ebro and it's filtrates still continue to change the shape and appearance of this huge area. In September the numbers of waterbirds & wildfowl start to increase and gather in flocks in the lagoons. We shall also visit the steppes of Belchite, which are famous for having the densest Dupont's Lark population in the whole of Iberia. We will be making every effort to find this elusive species and other classic steppe species.

Day 1 - After pick-up at Valencia airport we shall make the short journey to Moro Marsh a wetland just north of Valencia. This excellent reserve is home to Crested Coots, Greater Flamingos, Booted Eagle, Purple Herons and Audouin's Gull, what a great way to start the holiday. We then drive north to the heart of the Ebro Delta where we stay for our first two nights in Deltebre at the Hotel Rull.

Day 2 - After breakfast we spend the whole day exploring the Ebro Delta by starting on the south of the River Ebro before returning to the north for the remainder of the day. The Ebro Delta is the second largest wetland in Spain and arguably the most important in the Western Mediterranean, being home to many of Spain's rare breeders. This whole area holds enormous numbers of herons, ducks, waders, gulls and terns, and birds likely to encountered during our time here include Great White Egret, Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Marsh Harriers, Booted Eagle, Peregrine, Purple Gallinule, Audouin's, Mediterranean & Slender-billed Gulls, Caspian & Whiskered Tern, Bluethroat, Penduline Tit.

Day 3 – A travelling day stopping en-route at the steppe lands of Alfas whose speciality birds include Little Bustard, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, Northern & Black eared Wheatears, Tawny Pipit & Calandra Larks. Then on through the drylands of Monegros to the lagoon of Sarineña where we shall take a break from the journey and explore this large inland freshwater lake with its associated reedbed looking for more wetland species and possibly our first White Storks & Griffon Vultures. Finally we continue into the Pre-pyrenees before ending up at our hotel in the Hecho Valley. Four nights in Hotel Uson.

Day 4, 5 & 6 - Over the course of the next three days we will explore as much of the High Pyrenees with possible visits to Gabardito, the Val de Hecho, San Juan de la Pena, and the Val de Roncal. Griffon Vultures, Common Buzzards, Red Kites, and Ravens will be around in good numbers with a possibility of Black Kite, Booted & Short toed Eagle. Since the weather can be very unpredictable our daily itineraries will be tailored to suit these conditions, but the main target species we hope to find during these three days are Lammergeier, Black Woodpecker, Citril Finch, Alpine Chough, and Alpine Accentor.  The specialities will not be our only focus the strong chance of encountering Golden & Bonelli's Eagles, Goshawk,  Water Pipit, Hawfinch,  Eurasian & Short toed Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Rock & Cirl Buntings, Ring Ouzel, Fieldfare, Yellowhammer, Marsh Tit and Crossbills. Some of these species may require some moderate walking to get to the appropriate areas but we shall try and endeavor to keep this to a minimum and all walks will be taken at a relaxed pace.

Day 7 – After breakfast we leave the Pyrenees and head south east for the steppes of Belchite en-route we may be stopping at Riglos and the hilltop castle of Loarre for Golden Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush, Firecrest, Rock & Cirl Buntings. After lunch we continue to the province of Zaragoza and the ruined remenants of 'Old Town Belchite' a poignant reminder of the horrors of a Civil War, and home to Black Wheatear & Blue Rock Thrush. We will then continue to our hotel south of Belchite and after we have checked in and freshened up, we shall search for one of Spain's most rare and elusive species, the Dupont's Lark. We will drive around the tracks until dusk in the hope of hearing their distinctive call, and trying to locate one, whilst also watching out for Pin tailed & Black bellied Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, Calandra, Lesser Short toed & Crested Larks. Night in El Rincón del Cierzo

Day 8 – A pre breakfast visit to El Planeron will giving us another chance of finding a Dupont's Lark should we have been unsuccessful the evening before. Then after breakfast we will head south towards Valencia, and with the excellent road system this should not take too long. A quick stop around Gallocanta Lake and Blancas could bring a few Great Bustards, Marsh & Hen Harriers, Black bellied Sandgrouse, Rock Sparrows, Thekla & Calandra Larks.

"What's been said"

Hi Julian, Just to say thanks, we had a really good time, good company, good food and great birds. Thanks again, hope to see you soon. S & J Miller

Hi Jules, All went well on the journey back and Jane, John T and I celebrated our return with a Chinese take-away - no chips - or rabbit!!. As ever, it was a superb trip, you really deserve to do very well and I am delighted with our ongoing partnership. I'm really looking forward to Egypt. R Palmer (Calandra Holidays)

Hi Jules. We got back on time but were held up in passport control for a hour, so the luggage had to wait for us!!. Got fish and chips for Frank en route home so he was happy. Thanks again for a fantastic trip, looking forward to Poland. A Moorhouse

Great holiday, and I am definite for Morocco next year and I would like to come on the Eastern Poland holiday as well, so please add me to the list for this. R Waters

Just to say a big " Thank You" for a superb birding holiday. The Pyrenees are so spectacular as are the birds and we really enjoyed our day on the Ebro Delta. A fantastic trip, good birds, good food and good company. Hope to see you again very soon. K & V Hudson

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