THE PYRENEES

Lammergeiers, Wallcreepers, Alpine Accentors….

This full week in the Pyrenees provides a relaxed itinerary with plenty of time to view the birds along with all the other wildlife. This is a good time for butterflies and wildflowers, whilst the winter snows will still be covering the peaks, adding to the magnificence of the scenery.

The Pyrenees, unlike the broader and more dissected Alps, presented a truly formidable barrier to the traveller before the days of major roads and air travel. The long ragged ridge between France and Spain also marks a dramatic change between the   green   riches   of   rural   France  and  the  hot, parched plains of northern Spain.

For six nights we are based in the town of Jaca, nestling between the southern foothills and the high Pyrenees. To the south is the broad, fertile Aragon Valley with Bee-eaters, Hoopoes, Quails and Red Kites. To the north are the snowy peaks of the high central ridge. In the town itself there are breeding Scops Owls and Barn Owls and a colony of Rock Sparrows.

The local valleys, gorges and cliffs are just a short drive away and each have their special flowers, butterflies and birds. We are likely to see a good array of raptors including Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle and Short-toed Eagle and there are always Alpine Swifts, Choughs, Crag Martins and Red-backed Shrikes to admire. Certain places have Black Woodpeckers and Crested Tits, Black Wheatears and Citril Finches. A journey to the high mountain passes gives us a chance to appreciate the enormity of the Pyrenees and the wilderness that remains high on the magnificent snowy slopes. We regularly see both Alpine Accentor and Wallcreeper and there is the chance of Snowfinch, which we have seen occasionally.

ITINERARY

JACA AND THE COL DU SOMPORT

We arrive midday in Toulouse, and will take a leisurely drive to the Spanish border and down into Jaca.

One day we will explore the Col du Somport. Here we will find ourselves amongst some of the finest scenery in the Pyrenees. We will take a small road just south of the pass, up to a ski resort in the Valle de Astun, where we can get to the height required to see high altitude species, without the usual uphill hike. Alpine Accentor, Rock Thrush and even Snow Finch are possible. We can also hope to see Water Pipit, Wheatear, Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, Grey Wagtail and Dipper. Both Alpine and Red-billed Chough can be watched engaged in aerial displays, surrounded by scenery which befits these mountain dwellers. In recent years we have seen Chamois and Marmots here too.

On another day we will drive up a high altitude forestry track in this area that has proved to be very productive in past years. One year we were watching an Alpine Accentor feeding its young when a Lammergeier flashed by, close overhead.

There are many good birding spots within a short distance of Jaca and there will be several optional pre-breakfast or after-dinner visits to these areas. Evening visits will be in search of Scops Owl, Eagle Owl and European Nightjar. Pre-breakfast trips will be more general birdwatching.

HECHO VALLEY

Just a short drive from Jaca is the Hecho Valley. Containing a good selection of small birds, this valley is known for its large numbers of birds of prey. The area is home to a very healthy population of Griffon Vultures; nowhere do they give better views. Practically every crag that we scan will have these huge raptors soaring above and we can also expect close views, both perched and in flight.

We will make a special effort to see the Pyrenees' most famous bird, the Lammergeier. The largest of Europe's vultures, these magnificent birds are famed for dropping bones from a height to get at the marrow. In this demanding and sometimes harsh environment, nothing goes to waste.

Other species of raptor present in this valley include numerous Egyptian Vultures, and a few Golden, Short-toed, Booted and Bonelli's Eagles. In the lower parts of the valley we will look for small birds such as Crested Tit, Spotted Flycatcher, Cetti's, Melodious and Sardinian Warblers. A narrow gorge by the road is a regular breeding site of Wallcreeper and has provided our previous groups with superb head height views – but not every time! Just in case we don’t see them there, we know of other sites which have also proved reliable over the years.

MONASTERY DE SAN JUAN

On our visit to this lovely destination there will be a change of scenery from high mountains to coniferous and mixed forest. In the woodland and adjacent open areas we can hope to see Goshawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodlark, Melodious Warbler, Firecrest, numerous tits including Coal and Crested, Short-toed Treecreeper, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Citril Finch, Serin, Crossbill, Rock Sparrow and Jay. There is another chance to see Lammergeier, Egyptian Vulture and Black Woodpecker here.

RIGLOS

On another day we will drive down to Riglos, where the sight of magnificent rock pillars rising out of the ground provides yet more photographic opportunities. They are home to good numbers of nesting vultures and we hope to find the localised Black Wheatear. Other birds found here are Peregrine, Blue Rock Thrush and Melodious, Sardinian and Western Orphean Warblers. Nearby, the Castillo de Loarre is an impressive castle with the chance of some good birds in its vicinity such as Black Wheatear, Bee-eater and Western Bonelli’s Warbler.

RONCAL VALLEY AND TOULOUSE

On our last full day we will drive through the beautiful Roncal Valley, birdwatching in sparse pine woods at high altitude. The road through the valley which leads to France takes us to some superb areas and the first birds to greet us will be the sprightly Citril Finch. They are common here and are one of the highlights of a visit to the Pyrenees. The most spectacular bird here is the Black Woodpecker; sometimes they are elusive; on other occasions they show themselves beautifully. As we drive down the north slopes of the Pyrenees into France the vegetation changes significantly and we enter some humid old forests which are good for a range of species, most notably White-backed Woodpecker.

In the same area both Alpine and Red-billed Chough, Water Pipit, Wheatear, Black Redstart, Crested Tit and Crossbill are all numerous and there is also the chance of Ring Ouzel. Travelling down the valley the vegetation becomes quite lush and we will see Red-backed Shrikes perched on roadside wires. The occasional Honey Buzzard or Short-toed Eagle will be seen high overhead. Cirl Buntings can be seen singing from the tops of bushes and Ravens call from distant crags. A small wood holds numerous Marsh Tits, Nuthatch and Jay.

PACE

Breakfast will be taken at about 8am most mornings. Full days will be spent in the field and short/medium length walks will be undertaken regularly. Birdwatching will be done at the group's own speed and uphill walking will be at a sensible pace.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD

Full-board accommodation is provided, with six nights at the excellent Gran Hotel in Jaca and one night at the Residence Hotel near Toulouse. All rooms have an en suite bathroom. Packed lunches will be taken every day.

PRICE INCLUDES …..

All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation, transport by minibus, soft drinks at meal times, return flight to Toulouse, and flight and airport taxes.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

Cost of travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

Return flight from Leeds/Bradford to Toulouse using the scheduled services of Jet2. Outbound flight departs early morning, return flight arrives back midday.

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