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[edit] Overview

I quite understand why everyone wants to visit the Pyrenees when they come to Spain to watch birds, as there certainly is an air of magic about the place.

It's not just because of the calm tranquility or the clean, crispness of the air, but somehow everything looks different. The lines and colours of even a humble Linnet seem to jump out and smack you so hard in the face that you'd swear you'd discovered a new species.

But that's not all. Like a true magician the Pyrenees seem to know exactly what the audience want and deliberately take its time to cast its spell.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Of course its no mystery that everyone's here for the Wallcreeper, Black Woodpecker and Lammergeier but no one complains as their attention is distracted by the treetop acrobatic display put on by Firecrest, Common Crossbill and Crested Tit.

Some birds seemingly try to make up for a lack of such ability by at least dressing for the occasion and the startling pink of the proud Water Pipit certainly succeeds. The Ring Ouzel though seems less happy as it flitters about from bush to bush in an apparent huff, perhaps because the Dipper has arrived wearing the same coat!

Of course some prefer not to show off at all and the Alpine Accentor, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting merely industriously go about their business like a busy backstage crew.

But perhaps this is the ultimate in sleight of hand as it was whilst watching just such a bird - the stunningly beautiful and under-appreciated Citril Finch - that the master magician finally played its card on me and, suddenly appearing out of nowhere, an armada of Griffon Vulture sailed majestically into my line of sight not twenty metres in the valley below me. And at its head, my very first Lammergeier.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

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[edit] Other Wildlife

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[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

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[edit] Areas of Interest

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[edit] Access and Facilities

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[edit] Contact Details

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[edit] External Links

• Pyrenees Tourism

For further info:email s.christopher@telefonica.net

Content and images originally posted by Stephen C

[edit] Reviews

Stephen C's review

You could spend a year here and still not see everything it has to offer. There is a real danger therefore that people expecting to see wallcreeper, lammergeier and black woodpecker will go away disappointed if they build their hopes up too high.

This is a shame as the rest is equally as stunning and I would seriously recommend anyone to go with open eyes and open mind. It really will take your breath away and you'll return with a younger heart!

Pros

• the air
• the birds and the views

Cons

• none (its big!)