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[edit] Overview

Orgambideska (Organbidexka) is probably the best-known migration watchpoint in the Pyrenees and has long been a favourite area for local hunters who once shot countless pigeons in this pass as well as a great many other species.

Although shooting still occurs in neighbouring areas there is now a bird observatory at Organbidexka that is manned by volunteers and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Raptors are the main attraction with more than 20,000 moving through this pass in densely forested mountains.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Black Kite and Western Honey-Buzzard are the most numerous species often with more than 10,000 of each recorded and the peak period for these is the end of August and early September. Also seen here are Red Kite, usually 3-5,000 in October as well as a few locally breeding birds, and Short-toed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier and Montagu's Harrier, Northern Hobby and Osprey. Common Buzzard and Eurasian Sparrowhawk also move through in October.

In addition to raptors the area sees storks passing through, huge numbers of Wood Pigeon and hirundines. Other passerines include large numbers of Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Chaffinch.

November brings a few thousand Common Crane.

Breeding species include Lammergeier and White-backed Woodpecker.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Black Stork, White Stork, Western Honey-Buzzard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Lammergeier, Short-toed Eagle, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Osprey, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Northern Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Common Crane, Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Common Swift, White-backed Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Northern House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Eurasian Blackbird, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch

[edit] Other Wildlife

To do

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

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[edit] Areas of Interest

To do

[edit] Access and Facilities

Organbidexka is on the Haute-Soule and lies about 10km west of the village of Larrau where there is hotel accommodation. From Larrau take the road towards Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Bayonne and Orthez.

[edit] Contact Details

For further information contact OCL 11, Bourgneuf F-64100 Bayonne. Tel. 05 59 25 62 03.

[edit] External Links

• Bayonne Tourist Information
• Orgambideska area on Google Maps

Content and images originally posted by Steve