[Larry Wheatland]

Anybody have any gen for possible Snow Finch spots in the Eastern half of the Pyrenees ideally near Andorra? For late April/early May. We've just missed them at Candanchu where there is still lots of snow. Cannot make it over to the western end of the range. Many many thanks in advance.

Also does anybody know the nearest reliable site for Balearic Warbler to Palma? Just in case we can do a ferry trip from Barcelona...

Larry

[lewis20126]

Originally Posted by Larry Wheatland

Also does anybody know the nearest reliable site for Balearic Warbler to Palma? Just in case we can do a ferry trip from Barcelona...

Larry

Larry,

"The" traditional site is at the Boquer (spelling?) Valley which I think you'll need a hire car to get to (which is what we did). The birds are on the north slope down to the sea (not on the flat bit i=on the valley bottom which is chocker with Sardinians) I'm sure there must be closer sites to the airport - there are a couple of long-running Mallorca threads on here somewhere; good luck

cheers, alan

[Jon Turner]

Originally Posted by Larry Wheatland

Also does anybody know the nearest reliable site for Balearic Warbler to Palma?

Larry

South Wales?

Seriously, It's a long way from Palma to the Boquer or Casas Veyas......

[Larry Wheatland]

thanks guys. Anyone any Snowfinch ideas?

or any sites for Western Olivaceous Warbler in northeast Spain?

[john-henry]

Originally Posted by Larry Wheatland

thanks guys. Anyone any Snowfinch ideas?

or any sites for Western Olivaceous Warbler in northeast Spain?

Don't know if you're still in the area but El Portalet at the top of the Valle de Tena is a good spot for them if there's still snow higher up the mountains.

If you do go, as you get to the main car park on your right take note of a couple of small shops on the left hand side of the road, there is a track behind these that will take you to a scree slope below a peak, try this area.

[Vipers]

If you are going into Andorra you could try Ordino-Alcalis apparently Snow Finch feed around the cafe at the Ski centre.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=42.805...16469&t=h&z=17

[Stephen C]

Originally Posted by Larry Wheatland

any sites for Western Olivaceous Warbler in northeast Spain?

There are none Larry; it's a very rare passage vagrant. I saw what presumably was the same bird a few days apart on the Ebro Delta 7 or 8 years ago but nothing since.

A few Snowfinch are being reported at various sites East of Andorra but they seem to be on the move and, despite the return of some snow, it doesn't appear to be enough to hold on to the usual flocks of 150 birds that we see earlier in the year.

Good luck

[Larry Wheatland]

Thanks again. We ended up trying around Arcalis in Andorra, lots of snow, an Alpine Accentor, and 2 Citril Finch, but no luck with Snowfinch.....This time!