Spanish Pyrenees, Steppe & Plains Nov 05 (1 Viewer)

[ropaled]

Spanish Pyrenees, Steppe & Plains Nov 05 Trip Report

[B]Trip Report: Spanish Pyrenees Foothills, Steppe & Plains 9 - 13 .11.05
by Roger Puxley & Michael Puxley[/B]

Ryanair flight from Stansted into Zaragozar 12:30 ish, where we picked up the hire car and away by 13:00.

Itinery and bird highlights (full species list at end):


9.11.2005 Weather was gale force wind, cold with some sun.

Drove up Motorway, then cross country route via Embalse de Sotenera to Loarre area. Then to Huesca to stay at Boletas Birdwatching Centre at Loporzano www.boletas.org

Main birds of interest on route to Sotenera were Red Billed Choughs.

At Loarre Castle there were Woodlark, Thekla Lark, Rock and Cirl Buntings, Yellowhammer etc.

In the Ayerbe area buntings, finches and tits, plus flock of 20+ Rock Sparrow, Peregrine, etc. Also large numbers of Red Kites (60+) and Griffon Vultures (40+) coming into roost.


10.11.2005 Sunny with more moderate wind than 9.11.2005.

Riglos: 4 Wallcreepers and same number of Alpine Accentors. Also, Rock Buntings, etc. This was a weekday so only a few climbers on the pillars to disturb the birds. Abundant Griffon Vultures, Ravens, plus 1 Black Wheatear and 1 Crag Martin, etc.

San Juan de La Pena Monestary: The rejuvenation and extension of the building here has not helped the birdlife at all and we were very disappointed with highlights being crossbills, nuthatch etc. Mind you the view across to the snow-capped Pyrenees is still stunning.


11.11.2005 Sunny with light wind.

Sierra de Guara Parque (Pyrenees foothills - straight out the door at Boletas): Fantastic area to explore with lots of bird sites and stunning hill and rural scenery.

6 Lammergiers at feeding Station 4 adults (1 wing tagged) and 2 younger birds of different ages. Also good number of Griffon Vulture. 1 Citril Finch, Coldcrest, Serin, Greenfiches, Goldfinch, Buntings etc.

Goshawk (1st year male), 8 Siskin, Southern Grey Shrike, Longtailed Tits down the road.

Road to Rodellar through forested area Crested Tit, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Coal tit etc. Buntings and Raptors etc.

PM travelled across plain shrouded in low cloud mist to Sarinena Lake Reserve area for a short visit. Great finch flock including 2 Bramblings. Crested Larks, Cattle Egrets, Marsh Harriers were main birds of interest etc. Plenty of other species present and we ran out of time.


12.11.2005 Steppe area near Ontinena. Misty & damp most of the day.

50+ Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
30+ Black Bellied Sandgrouse
80+ Calandra Larks
3 Little Bustards
Merlin (male)
Sparrowhawk (male)

Wet fields on return trip to Huesca

200+ Lapwing
10 Green Sandpipers
50+ Snipe
2 Water Pipits
2 Bluethroats
etc


13.11.2005 Only time for minimal birding on return to Airport at Zaragoza.

Monasterio de Mte Aragon

3 Black Wheatear
1 Dartford warbler
Serin flock.
3 Thekla Larks
2 Red Kites
etc

Embalse de Sotenera

1 Northern Wheatear and plenty of Mallard.


Footnotes:

1. Boletas Birdwatching Centre: Just walk out the door in this very rural place and see delights like Spotless Starling, Sardinian Warbler, etc. A fantastic place to stay where the welcome is big, the food is great and you can be pointed in the right direction to find your birds or merely to explore! They speak great English too!

2. As you might expect, winter birds from Northern Europe evident in many places throughout our stay, with good numbers of Blackbirds, thrush both Mistle and Song, Robins, Redwings and some Brambling, Siskin, etc.

3. Due to weather and priorities did not visit high Pyrenees this time around, but will be sure to return!!!.


List of birds seen:


Gt. Crested Grebe
Little Grebe
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Cattle Egret
White Stork (3)
Greylag Goose
Mallard
Teal
Shoveler
Lammergier (6)
Griffon
Red Kite
Goshawk
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier (2)
Peregrine (3)
Merlin (3)
Kestrel
Red Legged Partridge
Moorhen
Little Bustard (3)
Lapwing
Wood Sandpiper
Snipe
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull
Pin Tailed Sandgrouse
Black Bellied Sandgrouse
Rock Dove
Feral Pigeon
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Little Owl
Hoopoe
Gt. Spotted Woodpecker
Calandra Lark
Skylark
Wood Lark
Crested Lark
Thekla Lark
Crag Martin
Meadow Pipit
Water Pipit
White Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Southern Grey Shrike
Dunnock
Alpine Accentor
Cettis Warbler
Blackcap
Sardinian Warbler
Dartford Warbler
Chiffchaff
Firecrest
Goldcrest
Stonechat
Blue Rock Thrush
Northern Wheatear
Black Wheatear
Black Redstart
Robin
Bluethroat
Mistle Thrush
Redwing
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Long Tailed Tit
Crested Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Wallcreeper
Short Toed Treecreeper
White throated Dipper
Wren
Jay
Magpie
Raven
Crow
Red Billed Chough
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Common Starling
Spotless Starling
Brambling
Chaffinch
Bullfinch
Serin
Citril Finch
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Siskin
Linnet
Crossbill
Rock Sparrow
Reed Bunting
Corn Bunting
Cirl Bunting
Yellowhammer
Rock Bunting



Roger Puxley 23.11.2005

 

[Ian Bell]

Gracias

Some great birds in a great region of Europe.I am sure you enjoyed yourselves.Out of curiousity,what was the daytime temperature ?

 

[ropaled]

Hi - This time of year, wind chill is a major factor! Even when the wind was not howling or blowing it was well worth going for the full clothing 'layer' approach, plus gloves and hat so you can adjust according. Stout boots with nice thermal socks helped as well. Depends on how much you like suffering. No chance with tshirt and sunglasses! Great having a hire car, with air con and a great heater, to retreat to when needed. There was plenty of snow on the high tops but we did not venture right up this time. No temperatures as such except it could range from minus very cold) to quite mild, much dependent on the very changeable weather and altitude. Great to explore here and birds were fantastic although some took plenty of perseverence - as they do! hope this helps a bit.

 

[Ian Bell]

Thanks

I have been thinking about visiting the area next October,hence the reason for my question.Having flown over the Pyrenees several times,it has always been a place Id love to visit.I believe there are some special mammals also.

 

[Julian Sykes Wildlife]

I have been thinking about visiting the area next October,hence the reason for my question.Having flown over the Pyrenees several times,it has always been a place Id love to visit.I believe there are some special mammals also.

Hi Ben
I was in the Pyrenees and N/E Spain this October and it was brilliant. Apart from one day of rain which was save by going around Lumbiere, it was lovely weather and not too cold. Obviously night time temperatures were very cold (but fresh) in the heat of the day the sun was quite warm and very comfortable. Birdwise we had a fantastic time seeing nearly all of the expected species both in the Pyrenees and the steppes, which was a slight surprise to me. Fully recommend you go next October.


Hi Roger
Great report with some interesting sightings especially the Wallcreepers at Riglos, fantastic. I will certainly keep this in mind as I may be there again in early Spring, thanks.
Best regards Jules

 

[johnmoonie]

Hi, Nice to see someone else had a great time in the area.

Hi Ben, I was in the area in October on a trip organised by BF member,Jules Sykes of Oliva Rama Tours. www.olivaramatours.com. The weather was pretty good, one day of rain and 3 days of prety good weather. It was a little chilly in the mornings, especially for the Spanish residents but warmed up pretty well. Best advice would be to prepare for most things, we didn't not have any significant wind. We also took in a couple of days at the Ebro Delta with temperatures up to 28 degrees.(unseasonably hot).

I have posted a trip report on this site and if you want any help or see some pictures (the views were fanatastic) don't hestitate to contact me. Jules is resident in Spain & will be running the trip again next year and I'm sure he would help as well.

I hope you get there and enjoy some great birdwatching.

John.

PS Jules, I think we have both posted at the same time !!

 

[ropaled]

I have been thinking about visiting the area next October,hence the reason for my question.Having flown over the Pyrenees several times,it has always been a place Id love to visit.I believe there are some special mammals also.

Hi there are quite a few specialist individuals and companies that cover Spain and the area we visited is huge (as is Spain) so some help is always welcome. www.boletas.org is a great place to stay and explore the area with expert knowledge at hand from Josele Saiz & co. It is a rural & rustic Birdwatching Centre with plenty of maps, books, good food, accommodation and facilities. Out of area trips are also catered for plus flowers and other wildlife. Very homely and to a high standard. We stayed at a great hotel in the area last year and Boletas was much better all round. Suggest some research as there are various books of sites and birds, etc which will help identify best place to stay to get close to your needs and cut down on mileage! We did well over 1000 Km in 4 days!

 

[Julian Sykes Wildlife]

Suggest some research as there are various books of sites and birds, etc which will help identify best place to stay to get close to your needs and cut down on mileage! We did well over 1000 Km in 4 days!

Very good advice, totally agree about Boletas being fantastic and in a great position for the Pre-pyrenees. I have never met Josele but from what I have read and heard he is a very good and knowledgable guide, and I hope to stay there myself next March.
However another great establishment is the Hotel Uson in the Hecho Valley where you are right in the heart of the High Pyrenees and next to several of it's known sites for Wallcreeper, Citril Finch & Lammergeier (from the garden). Obviously it is very time dependant and I am sure the Hotel Uson closes from November until April.

 

[Ian Bell]

Thank You

Without trying to hi-jack this thread,thanks to both Jules and John for their advice for my intended visit next year.

 

[steve west]

Northeast Spain in November

Hi Roger

Do you remember me? Steve West - we met outside Boletas the day before you were due to leave and I was heading back to Lleida with my local SEO group. Glad to hear you had a good time, but you could have mentioned that you had a copy of my book!

The day we met we saw 2 Wallcreepers, 3-4 Lammergeiers, 3 Black wheatears, Rock Sparrow, Thekla Lark, etc. and got away just before the rain arrived!

Regards
STeve West

[B]Trip Report: Spanish Pyrenees Foothills, Steppe & Plains 9 - 13 .11.05
by Roger Puxley & Michael Puxley[/B]

Ryanair flight from Stansted into Zaragozar 12:30 ish, where we picked up the hire car and away by 13:00.

Itinery and bird highlights (full species list at end):


9.11.2005 Weather was gale force wind, cold with some sun.

Drove up Motorway, then cross country route via Embalse de Sotenera to Loarre area. Then to Huesca to stay at Boletas Birdwatching Centre at Loporzano www.boletas.org

Main birds of interest on route to Sotenera were Red Billed Choughs.

At Loarre Castle there were Woodlark, Thekla Lark, Rock and Cirl Buntings, Yellowhammer etc.

In the Ayerbe area buntings, finches and tits, plus flock of 20+ Rock Sparrow, Peregrine, etc. Also large numbers of Red Kites (60+) and Griffon Vultures (40+) coming into roost.


10.11.2005 Sunny with more moderate wind than 9.11.2005.

Riglos: 4 Wallcreepers and same number of Alpine Accentors. Also, Rock Buntings, etc. This was a weekday so only a few climbers on the pillars to disturb the birds. Abundant Griffon Vultures, Ravens, plus 1 Black Wheatear and 1 Crag Martin, etc.

San Juan de La Pena Monestary: The rejuvenation and extension of the building here has not helped the birdlife at all and we were very disappointed with highlights being crossbills, nuthatch etc. Mind you the view across to the snow-capped Pyrenees is still stunning.


11.11.2005 Sunny with light wind.

Sierra de Guara Parque (Pyrenees foothills - straight out the door at Boletas): Fantastic area to explore with lots of bird sites and stunning hill and rural scenery.

6 Lammergiers at feeding Station 4 adults (1 wing tagged) and 2 younger birds of different ages. Also good number of Griffon Vulture. 1 Citril Finch, Coldcrest, Serin, Greenfiches, Goldfinch, Buntings etc.

Goshawk (1st year male), 8 Siskin, Southern Grey Shrike, Longtailed Tits down the road.

Road to Rodellar through forested area Crested Tit, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Coal tit etc. Buntings and Raptors etc.

PM travelled across plain shrouded in low cloud mist to Sarinena Lake Reserve area for a short visit. Great finch flock including 2 Bramblings. Crested Larks, Cattle Egrets, Marsh Harriers were main birds of interest etc. Plenty of other species present and we ran out of time.


12.11.2005 Steppe area near Ontinena. Misty & damp most of the day.

50+ Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
30+ Black Bellied Sandgrouse
80+ Calandra Larks
3 Little Bustards
Merlin (male)
Sparrowhawk (male)

Wet fields on return trip to Huesca

200+ Lapwing
10 Green Sandpipers
50+ Snipe
2 Water Pipits
2 Bluethroats
etc


13.11.2005 Only time for minimal birding on return to Airport at Zaragoza.

Monasterio de Mte Aragon

3 Black Wheatear
1 Dartford warbler
Serin flock.
3 Thekla Larks
2 Red Kites
etc

Embalse de Sotenera

1 Northern Wheatear and plenty of Mallard.


Footnotes:

1. Boletas Birdwatching Centre: Just walk out the door in this very rural place and see delights like Spotless Starling, Sardinian Warbler, etc. A fantastic place to stay where the welcome is big, the food is great and you can be pointed in the right direction to find your birds or merely to explore! They speak great English too!

2. As you might expect, winter birds from Northern Europe evident in many places throughout our stay, with good numbers of Blackbirds, thrush both Mistle and Song, Robins, Redwings and some Brambling, Siskin, etc.

3. Due to weather and priorities did not visit high Pyrenees this time around, but will be sure to return!!!.


List of birds seen:


Gt. Crested Grebe
Little Grebe
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Cattle Egret
White Stork (3)
Greylag Goose
Mallard
Teal
Shoveler
Lammergier (6)
Griffon
Red Kite
Goshawk
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier (2)
Peregrine (3)
Merlin (3)
Kestrel
Red Legged Partridge
Moorhen
Little Bustard (3)
Lapwing
Wood Sandpiper
Snipe
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull
Pin Tailed Sandgrouse
Black Bellied Sandgrouse
Rock Dove
Feral Pigeon
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Little Owl
Hoopoe
Gt. Spotted Woodpecker
Calandra Lark
Skylark
Wood Lark
Crested Lark
Thekla Lark
Crag Martin
Meadow Pipit
Water Pipit
White Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Southern Grey Shrike
Dunnock
Alpine Accentor
Cettis Warbler
Blackcap
Sardinian Warbler
Dartford Warbler
Chiffchaff
Firecrest
Goldcrest
Stonechat
Blue Rock Thrush
Northern Wheatear
Black Wheatear
Black Redstart
Robin
Bluethroat
Mistle Thrush
Redwing
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Long Tailed Tit
Crested Tit
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Wallcreeper
Short Toed Treecreeper
White throated Dipper
Wren
Jay
Magpie
Raven
Crow
Red Billed Chough
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Common Starling
Spotless Starling
Brambling
Chaffinch
Bullfinch
Serin
Citril Finch
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Siskin
Linnet
Crossbill
Rock Sparrow
Reed Bunting
Corn Bunting
Cirl Bunting
Yellowhammer
Rock Bunting



Roger Puxley 23.11.2005

 

[lark o'dell]

a great report thanks for sharing it with us