SPANISH PYRENEES

Day 1.  Depart Manchester/Heathrow a.m. Arrive Barcelona lunchtime. We then make the pleasant 4-hour journey to our hotel at Jaca where we will be for the next 6 nights and which is perfectly situated for our explorations of the surrounding area. Time permitting, a stroll around the local park and the citadel should give us first sightings of Rock Sparrow, Firecrest, Black Redstart and Short-toed Treecreeper. At dusk the “sonar blip” of Scops Owls starts up.

Day 2. We travel east today along the beautiful river Aragon, a favourite spot for Bee-eaters, Golden Orioles and Hoopoes, before heading up into the hills above Biniés for a wide variety of raptors. On the way down, the cornfields near Berdun are good for Red-backed Shrike, Montagu’s Harrier, Tawny Pipit, Ortolan Bunting and Quail.

Day 3. After another local stroll down to the river our destination today is up to high ground - the delightful Hecho Valley, where Red-billed Choughs and Griffon Vultures sail out from vertical precipices, home to Chamois and Alpine Marmot. We will search the rock faces for the elusive Wallcreeper, keeping an eye open for the unmistakeable shape of a Lammergeier overhead, patrolling skies shared by a range of other raptors including Golden Eagle. Higher up still we will look out for Citril Finch in alpine meadows covered with every imaginable shape and shade of flower

Day 4. We head high into the hills again today, up to the Tena Valley and the Portalet pass. Right on the snow-line we will explore the area for Wheatears, Water Pipits, Rock Thrushes and Alpine Choughs whilst checking overhead for Golden and Short-toed Eagles plus, of course, Lammergeier. On a good day the clear alpine air provides breathtaking views over jagged mountains.

Day 5. For contrast we head south today to the wonderful local mountains overlooking Jaca. The route takes us through unintensive farmland alive with jingling Corn Buntings and we will spend the whole day exploring the fabulous outcrops of Peña de Oroel and Monastery of San Juan de la Peña.  These are both sites for Black Woodpecker as well as Citril Finch, Crossbill, and Black Redstart. One of the finest vistas in the region provides more opportunities for raptor watching.

Day 6. Today we head south to the stunning sandstone outcrops at Riglos and Aguero where both Black and Black-eared Wheatear can be seen. This is also an excellent area for warblers including Dartford, Subalpine, Sardinian and Orphean. En route we will check a nearby embalse for Great Reed Warbler, Marsh Harrier, Woodchat Shrike and Bee-eater.

Day 7. We will have time to enjoy the first part of the day re-visiting a local site before a relaxed journey back to Bareclona where we will stay near the airport in readiness for our flight home. Time permitting we will visit the Delta de Llobregat which is on our doorstep. This wetland reserve hosts a wide range of water birds including rails, crakes, herons and egrets. Overnight near Barcelona airport.

Day 8. This morning we will enjoy a relaxed start, getting to the airport in easy time for our flights to Manchester and Heathrow.