Pyrenees & North East Spain
15th - 22nd October 2005
Organised trip by Oliva Rama Tours
www.olivaramatours.com
Leaders : Malcolm Palmer & Jules Sykes with assistance from Juani Palmer
Party : Chris Byrne, Dave Brannagh, Jim Cramer, Keith & Val Hudson,
Dena Lamb, John Moon, Ray Swain, Brian Vickers.
Saturday 15th October.
After meeting up the two vehicles proceeded to Marjal del Moro marsh, just north of Valencia. From the viewing platform good views were had of 5+Purple Swamphen, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Booted Eagles, & Little Egret. Some of the other birds seen were Stonechat, Southern Grey Shrike, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Teal, Snipe, Sand Martin, Reed Warbler. A short walk along the beach also looking at the lagoons produced 2 Black-necked Grebes, & some Sandwich Terns. During picnic lunch we were treated to a marvellous view of a Booted Eagle close overhead. We then drove through ever changing scenery to our overnight stop at Monreal del Campo.
Sunday 16th October
Driving across barren country from Blancas we saw some great birds. Rock Sparrow, Black Redstarts, Red Kite, Little Owl, 7 Stone Curlews, 2 Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Calandra Larks. Passing through Bellon to shores of Lake Gallocanta we stopped at the sight of 5 flying Cranes. They landed in a field to join several hundred others. Val spotted 13 Great Bustards in an adjacent field. They flew and joined 32 others in another field. We were also treated to views of a Hobby chasing insects low overhead and then a passing Sparrowhawk. Having passed round Zaragoza we moved to Vadiello Dam and saw many Griffon Vultures and Crag Martins. On to our Hotel Rural Uson, in the Pyrenees where from the hotel grounds 2 Lammergeiers were spotted high on the cliffs. A short stroll before dinner added Firecrest, and Blackcap to our growing species list.
Monday 17th October
A walk from the Gabardito refuge added Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Crested Tit, Northern Treecreeper, and Crossbill. Back at the refuge we were treated to sight of 2 Hawfinches, a Brambling, Marsh Tits, Siskin and Fieldfares. Driving on to the well known Boca del Infiernio we had 2 brief views of the wonderful Wallcreeper. Further up the Hecho valley the weather closed in a little as we strolled towards France 3kms away. Our absorbing of the magnificent views of the valley were interrupted by a large mixed party of Alpine Choughs and Red-billed Choughs.
Tuesday 18th October
Our hearts sank awakening to heavy rain. Malcolm chose to take us to a Vulture feeding station at Lumbier. In the pouring rain we watch 69 Griffon Vultures playing statues. However close examination of surrounding farmland revealed a magnificent haul of birds, including 4+ Hawfinches, Brambling, Dunnock, and Rock Bunting. The rain eased a little and enabled a walk through the spectacular gorge, Foz de Lumbier. After recovering from the close range flypast of Griffon Vultures we saw Cirl Bunting, Dipper, Chough, a party of Cranes, Southern Grey Shrike, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goswhawk, Peregrine and Marsh Harrier. After getting back early to our Hotel most of the party went to Boca del Infierno again and we were most fortunate to have a wonderful close and long view of the Wallcreeper.
Wednesday 19th October
A trip through Valle de Roncal, across into France to the Foret de Issaux. A day of unbelievable scenery. At the summit of the pass there was a continual passage of small flocks of finches, and for the Spanish residents the rare sight of a Grey Partridge. In the forest a long hunt for the White-backed Woodpecker was successful for a few of the party with short glimpses. The return across the border added a Water Pipit to our list. Further on, in the Anso Valley a couple of Ring Ouzel were spotted, & then a magnificent fly past of an adult Lammergeier. Then the highlight of the day with 2 Black Woodpeckers flying around close to our party. What a day.
Thursday 20th October
Regrettably we had to take our leave of the Pyrenees and head for the plains at Belchite. We chose to visit the El Planeron reserve and as we approached a female Hen Harrier flew alongside the vehicles. Having stopped to watch a small party of Lesser Short-toed Larks, one of the party spotted “ a bird with a pretty back” closer to us. Although only seen by 4 this was the elusive Dupont’s Lark. Several sightings were obtained later in the day and everyone in the group managed a sighting. Other birds of note seen in the area were a male Merlin, Peregrine, a spectacular view of a male Hen Harrier, a flock of 30+ Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, & Black Kite (very late in the year).
Friday 21st October
We arrived before midday in the Ebro Delta. We visited several of the recognised sites with their viewing platforms as well as stopping off at various fields that held vast quantities of wetland birds. Marsh Harriers were too numerous to count, as were Great Egrets, Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets, & Purple Swamphens. A couple of late Squacco Herons were also seen. The wader tally mounted up with Wood, Common, & Green Sandpipers, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Kentish, Ringed and Grey Plover, Little Stint, Snipe and Dunlin. The ducks included Red-crested Pochard, Shoveler and Teal. A couple of Osprey were spotted as well as a Slender-billed Gull and Audouin’s Gull. A party of 5 Caspian Terns looked very elegant, and the other terns present were Sandwich and Black. To end the day we were treated to a great view of a Night Heron and sunset while crossing the Ebro on the car transporter ferry.
Saturday 22nd October
We managed a couple of hours birding before the journey back to Valencia. Surprisingly we added further species to our impressive list. Curlew, a flock of 180 Glossy Ibis, Ruff, Sanderling, 2 juvenile Purple Herons. Further views of Squacco Heron, Osprey, Bluethroats and a female Hen Harrier ended our trip.
In conclusion this trip exceeded everyone's expectations with a trip list of over 160 species and amazingly most of the party managing 150 species individually. This was surely a tribute to the planning, skills and patience of Jules and Malcom. I personally had a total of 22 lifers. I cannot thank everyone enough for making my first organised birding holiday abroad a truly memorable and successful adventure. The accommodation and food were first class throughout. The pace and atmosphere of the trip were pretty relaxed with the programme able to be varied to met the wishes of the group as a whole.
I would not hesitate to recommend any birder, whatever experience level and ability to participate in one of Jules & Malcolm’s tours. I am certainly looking forward to another trip.
More details of future trips and short breaks in Valencia, together with his birding diary can be found on Jules excellent website www.olivaramatours.com
Terrific trip report, John, covering pretty much the same ground as where four of us from Iceland went in May. The Pyrenees is simply a magnificent area for birding and general holiday making. Most envious of your White-backed Woodpecker and Goshawk though. It was so foggy in the Foret d'Issaux when we went that we could hardly see a thing, a beautiful forest though. And Wallcreeper at Garbadito is one of my all time birding highlights.
Malcolm and Jules are a formidable double act, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and very professional, highly recommended. And they've both managed admirably to overcome the natural handicap of being Yorkshire born and bred. As this is a family forum I won't repeat what Malcolm said when he found out that I was a Mancunian!
E
Thanks John (and Edward)
The kind comments are appreciated, and making the worry of a successful trip all the more worthwhile. It was a gamble going at this time of year that paid off, in most part to you and the rest of the group having no pre-conceived expectations. I hope we might see some of your excellent images with this, especially of the Wallcreeper.