The Catalan region of Northeastern Spain is a popular destination for birding with the Pyrenees mountains to the North, coastal marshes of Ebro Delta to the South and the dry grass plains of the Steppes to the West. Our plan was to spend a week birding here but with limited time and lack of local knowledge we decided to hire a guide before taking the two hour flight from the UK to Barcelona.
We booked with catalanbirdtours.com and our guide was Stephen Christopher who picked us up from the airport before heading straight out to several local birding sites. Above: Iberian Woodpecker in the Pyrenees.
With 20+ years experience birding in the region Stephen was a great choice and after furnishing him with a substantial wish-list he worked very hard using his local knowledge to locate as many target birds as possible. August is not everyone's first choice for a birding trip, but with it's many resident species, migratory and passage birds we were assured Summer can be a productive time.
And this turned out to be the case here, with 177 individual bird species recorded during our week-long trip including an impressive 23 lifers from our wish-list. Above : Griffon vulture, Los Monegros Steppes at dawn.
6th August - Gavà and Llobregat
Our first stop was in nearby Gavà where we parked close to woodland and continued on foot taking with us what we could carry. Our luggage was still in the boot and some birding sites have been the target of thieves. With potentially thousands of pounds worth of equipment at risk its prudent to only bring along what you can comfortably carry, don't leave anything on view and take it with you when you leave the car.
A short walk and almost immediately we had recorded 2 lifers, several Iberian woodpecker and a small flock of Common waxbill which were observed feeding their young. Above: Common waxbill adult with juvenile.
A flock of around 28 Glossy ibis was recorded as they passed over while Monk parakeet, Bee-eater, Zitting cisticola, Blue tit, Willow warbler, Alpine swift, Common swift, Sardinian warbler, Magpie, Serin, Blackbird, Cetti's warbler, Jay, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great tit, Raven, Barn swallow, House sparrow, Tree sparrow, Eurasian kestrel, Common starling, House martin, Rock dove, Collared dove.
Common buzzard, Wood pigeon, Yellow-legged gull and Golden oriole was also noted before we made our way back to the car which thankfully was still intact along with our luggage. Above: Female Golden Oriole.
Next stop was Llobregat where we had lunch by the lake at Basses de Can Dimoni adding a pair of Hoopoe to our sightings along with Little grebe, Common sandpiper, White wagtail, Cattle egret, Linnet, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen. From here we headed to the apartment which was located in the sticks close to Garraf Natural Park. Along the way we managed to note a Red-rumped swallow.
Today was a short one due to our very early start and lack of sleep the night before but we still managed to record 42 individual bird species including 2 lifers in around 6 hours birding. Above: European Bee-eater.
7th of August - Ebro delta
Ebro Delta extends 130² miles from the Mediterranean coast Southwest of Tarragona and is of international importance for birdlife, designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve, huge numbers of birds can be found here including the largest breeding colony of Audouin's gull. Keen to explore this area we set off early and arrived at first light stopping several times as we made our way to the shore near Lo Goleró.
On the way we had Greater Flamingo, Common kingfisher and Collared pratincole, at the shore we spotted Red-crested Pochard, Whiskered tern, Little tern, Caspian tern, Common tern. Above: An Audouin's Gull.
Other sightings along the shore and at Lo Goleró Little-ringed plover, Ringed plover, Grey plover, Kentish plover, Little stint, Black-tailed godwit, Bar-tailed godwit, Green sandpiper, Pied avocet, Common sandpiper, Greenshank, Black-winged stilt, Redshank and Dunlin. We also added 4 more lifers to our list, Slender-billed gull, Audouin's gull a flock of Spotless starling's and a Gull-billed tern.
We also observed a Squacco heron eating a crab and Black-crowned night heron, Grey heron, Purple heron, Little egret, Cattle egret, Great white egret, Whimbrel and Common shelduck. Above: Slender-billed gull.
At Riet Vell a Purple swamphen (lifer) was spotted with juveniles while Yellow wagtail, White wagtail, Reed warbler, Great reed warbler, Zitting cisticola, Little bittern, Glossy ibis, Penduline tit (juveniles), Northern shoveler, Eurasian teal, Hoopoe, Cetti's warbler, Sand martin, Little grebe, Mallard, Great Crested grebe, Marsh harrier, Common buzzard, Eurasian Kestrel and Wood pigeon was also noted
Along with European bee-eater, Red-rumped swallow, Barn swallow, Magpie, Moorhen and Coot. A total of 70 bird species was recorded during the day which included 5 lifers. Above: Western Purple swamphen.
8th of August - Lleida Steppes
This morning we headed for the Steppes at Lleida stopping en-route to note Stone curlew in a nearby field. Arriving we spotted 60 Turtle dove, 120 Red-billed chough and around 200 Black kite with 40 Cattle egret and several White stork at the recycle centre. In woodland we noted a Red-necked nightjar (lifer) which was roosting in shade among the leaf litter followed by Short-toed treecreeper spotted flitting around the trees.
Returning to Lleida Steppes we recorded another 4 more lifers which included Calandra lark, Thekla's lark, Black wheatear and a small flock of Pin-tailed sandgrouse. Above: Red-necked nightjar roosting in leaf litter.
Continuing along the tracks a Northern Goshawk passed by and Eagle owl was seen on nearby rocks while Little owl sat on an old abandoned building. Other sightings included Blue rock thrush, Marsh harrier, Common buzzard, Eurasian kestrel, Lesser kestrel, Spotless starling, European roller, Hoopoe, Short-toed Mediterranean lark, Crested lark, Rock sparrow, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Blackbird,
Rock dove, Stock dove, European starling, Wood pigeon, Black-eared wheatear, European bee-eater, Crag martin, Eurasian Jay, Spectacled warbler and Sardinian warbler. Above: A Pin-tailed sandgrouse in flight.
During the day we recorded another 56 individual bird species, 5 of which were lifers. Other sightings here included Iberian woodpecker, Collared dove, Woodchat shrike, Barn swallow, Common swift, Grey heron, Red-rumped swallow, Mallard, Serin, Little grebe, Moorhen, Jackdaw, Magpie, Yellow-legged gull, Black-headed gull, Stonechat, White Wagtail, Goldfinch and Collared dove.
During the early morning we had views of a Fox and sightings of female Roe deer a Hare was noted crossing the fields and Rabbits were observed in most areas of the Steppes. Above: A Black kite on the ground Lleida.
9th of August - Pyrenees
Setting off this morning before sunrise we headed through Bagà in the Pyrenees, stopping to walk the track at Ruta del Trencapinyes where we noted another more 5 lifers, Black woodpecker, Rock bunting, Western bonelli's warbler, Citril finch and Crested tit. Other sightings here included Short-toed treecreeper, Linnet, Song thrush, Mistle Thrush, Chaffinch, Coal tit, Great tit, Blue tit, Magpie and a small flock of Goldfinch.
Lesser spotted woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker, Iberian woodpecker, Eurasian hoopoe, Goldcrest, Crossbill, Carrion crow, Raven, Firecrest and Common redstart were also noted. Above: Citril finch (lifer).
Further along Griffon vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Red-billed chough and Yellow-billed (aka Alpine) chough (lifer) was spotted along with sightings of Cirl bunting, Peregrine falcon, Common kestrel, Northern wheatear, Rock dove, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Jay, Robin, Eurasian stonechat, Black redstart, House martin, Barn swallow, Serin, White wagtail and Dunnock.
A total of 51 individual bird species was recorded during the day which including another 6 lifers also noted were Eurasian nuthatch, Red-rumped swallow, Jackdaw and Wren. Above: A crested tit (lifer) in a pine tree.
10th of August - Garraf and Gavà
Today we planned on staying local and our first stop this morning was the coastal cliffs and beach at Garraf. Arriving at sunrise we observed Palid swifts, some still nesting while on the beach we spotted Audouin's gull and Yellow-legged gull. A brief spell Sea-watching using the scope gave us sightings of 5 Scopoli's shearwater, Mediterranean gull and a probable Gannet. Around 8 Shag were also spotted on the rocks close to sea level.
Sardinian warbler and Stonechat was singing from the scrub while a Peregrine falcon patrolled the cliff tops. Other sightings here included Wood pigeon, Collared dove and House sparrow. Above: Palid swift taking off.
Leaving Garraf we headed towards Gavà wildlife park pulling up in a lay-by before continuing on foot. Here we spotted European bee-eater, Linnet, Lesser spotted woodpecker, Iberian woodpecker, Common swift, Common waxbill, Ring-necked parakeet, Barn swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Monk parakeet, House martin, Zitting cisticola, Eurasian Golden oriole and Eurasian Hoopoe.
On the road to Garraf Natural Park we pulled over to observe a pair of adult Bonelli's eagle's with a juvenile, at the park we saw Turtle dove, Crag martin, Woodchat shrike and Dartford warbler. Above: Bonelli's eagle.
We didn't record any lifers today, but nonetheless a productive day with a total of 54 individual species recorded. Common nightjar was noted churring at 6.00 am outside the apartment (by Stephen), other sightings during the day included Eurasian kestrel, Blue tit, Blackbird, Carrion crow, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Rock dove, Serin, Wren, Jackdaw and Ring-necked Pheasant.
Along with Common starling, White wagtail, Blue rock thrush, Spotted flycatcher, Eurasian tree sparrow, Greenfinch, Jay, Goldfinch and Alpine swift hawking in Gavà. Above: Arial display from the Alpine swift.
11th of August - Los Monegros Steppes
The earliest start so far, we were up at 4 am and on the road by 5 am heading for the Los Monegros Steppes. Outside the Catalonia region but well worth a visit, here we recorded 55 individual bird species and another 3 lifers was added to our growing tally. Arriving at sunrise we spotted a group of 14 Griffon vulture perched on the roof of a pig farm. We slowly approached, the birds now illuminated by the early morning sunshine.
Further along the track a Golden eagle (lifer) circled above us while on the grass plains a Great bustard (lifer) was observed close to the car and Iberian shrike (lifer) was spotted at some distance. Above: Great bustard.
Continuing on we had Peregrine falcon, Red kite, Eurasian kestrel, Common buzzard, Calandra lark, Marsh harrier, Black kite, Golden oriole, European bee-eater, Mediterranean short-toed lark, Thekla's lark, Crested lark, Stone curlew, Woodchat shrike, Red-legged partridge, Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Black-eared wheatear and Northern Wheatear. While on a pile of stones, Little owl was observed posturing.
Leaving the Steppes we stopped at several potential Eagle owl roosting sites and on the third location we had great views of an owl standing in a crevice, in shade, on the rocks. Above: One of four Golden eagles spotted.
Other sightings today were Common Nightingale, Crag martin, Raven, Wood pigeon, Collared dove, Magpie, Carrion crow, Red-billed chough, White stork, Grey heron, Little egret, Cattle egret, Purple heron, Serin, Barn swallow, Red-rumped swallow, Jackdaw, Tree sparrow, Rock sparrow Goldfinch, House martin and Sardinian warbler along with flocks of European Starling and Spotless starlings.
Heading back we stopped off at Lleida for lunch by the lake before carrying on, here we noted Mute swan and Water rail which was heard calling from the reedbeds. Above: An Eagle owl roosting on a rock face.
12th August - Llobregos, Benevent and Plans de Sio
This morning we headed to Llobregos for a few hours at sunrise where we recorded a total of 57 bird species including 2 Lifers, Western orphean warbler and Booted eagle. Other sightings were Woodlark, Tawny pipit, Ortolan bunting, Montagu's harrier (female), Marsh harrier, Short-toed snake eagle, Golden oriole, Skylark, Woodchat shrike, Subalpine warbler, Spotted flycatcher, Black-eared wheatear, Roller and Sardinian warbler
Along with Great spotted woodpecker, Serin, Collared dove, Turtle dove, Barn swallow, Eurasian kestrel, Wood pigeon, European bee-eater, Magpie and Wryneck (calling). Above: Booted eagle spotted at Plans de Sio.
Crested lark, Red-rumped swallow, House martin, Blue tit, Great tit, Nightingale, Corn bunting, Blackbird, Starling, Cirl bunting, House sparrow and Rock sparrow was also noted before heading to the Pyrenees and Benevent where we recorded Common buzzard, Honey buzzard, Red kite, Griffon vulture, Short-toed treecreeper, Alpine swift, Crag martin, Raven and Willow warbler.
Along with Serin, Eurasian Nuthatch and Goldfinch. Retuning through Plans de Sio we pulled the car over to observe an adult Booted eagle which passed close overhead. Above: Perched up Short-toed snake eagle.
13th August - Bagà and Pedraforca
Our last day we returned to the Pyrenees and headed for the small medieval town of Bagà where we recorded White throated dipper, Mallard, Grey wagtail and Barn swallow. We continued along the road up Pedraforca but thunder storms unfortunately cut the birding short. We still managed to add another 61 individual bird species to our sightings list before we had to drop down the mountain but there were no additional lifers.
Sightings included juv. Rock bunting, Cirl bunting, Common redstart, Black redstart, Iberian woodpecker, Crested tit, Black woodpecker, Citril finch and Western bonelli's warbler. Above: White-throated dipper.
At Pedraforca we had views of Griffon vulture and 2 distant Lammergeier along with 2 Golden eagle, 1 Short-toed snake eagle and 2 Common buzzard. Other sightings were Red-backed shrike, Eurasian kestrel, Yellow-billed chough, Red-billed chough, Collared dove, Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Magpie, Crag martin, House martin, Subalpine warbler, Carrion crow, Raven, Coal tit, Blue tit, Great tit.
Firecrest, Blackcap, Pied flycatcher, Spotted flycatcher, Robin, Stonechat, White wagtail, Bullfinch, Linnet, European Starling, Chaffinch, Eurasian Jay, Goldfinch and Serin. Above: Yellow-billed (aka Alpine) chough.
By now the weather was bad and we hastily made our way off the mountain stopping off at various locations along the way when a short break in the weather presented itself. Down from the Pyrenees weather conditions improved slightly and we were able to add Northern goshawk to our sightings list along with European bee-eater, Hoopoe and Grey heron. Left: A Western bonelli's warbler.
From here we headed straight to the airport ready for our evening flight back to the UK, although today was challenging it didn't spoil our enthusiasm or enjoyment of what turned out to be a productive birding trip.
Gallery: https://Images
Trip list: https://Listing
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