Day 1. This day we will explore areas of the Pyrenees inmediatly North of Barcelona. Our main goal will be to locate the highly nomadic Snow Finch. The area can host flocks of 100s but also be none of the them, being highly variable depending on the year. During the morning we will have good chances for Alpine Chough, Alpine Accentor, Lammergeier, Rock Bunting, Common Crossbill, Crested Tit and Black Woodpecker. Wallcreeper is also possible in the are so we will scan also for it.

Day 2. This day we will spend some time looking for Wallcreepers in a huge gorge. Here we will probably have good views in this amazing bird. If weather allows we will have a pic-nic in some view points where it is possible to see Lammergeiers as well as Black and Griffon Vultures all together. Cirl Bunting, Hawfinch, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler may be around as well.

In the afternoon we will spend some time in an area hosting Lammergeier, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin, European Serin, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Sardinian Warbler and, sometimes, Citril Finch.

Day 3. Early weak-up in the mountains. We will spdend some time in high mountain coniferous forests looking for Black Woodpecker, Citril Finch, Common Crossbill, Bullfinch, Short-toed Treecreeper and Firecrest. The area may host some overwintering Ring Ouzels. Before midday we will do a short transfer (80 minutes or so) to the plains.

In the afternoon we will go to a wetland where we will look for Bluethroat, Water Pipit, Western Swamphen, Penduline Tit and, if lucky, Moustached Warbler.

The area hosts large numbers of ducks but also Common & Jack Snipe, Green Sandpiper and White Storks along with migratory flocks of Common Crane!

Day 4. We will spend this day in the steppes. During the morning we will look for Little Bustards, Pin-tailed Sandgrouses and Black-bellied Sandgrouses. Larks will be common and we will have good views on Crested, Thekla and Calandra Larks. Still, espectations will be at its peak when searching for the mythical Dupont’s Lark. We will have good views, with a bit of luck! After a pic-nic we will spend most of the afternoon looking for Eagle Owls in areas around. Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow and Black Wheatear should all be appearing there.

Day 5. Last day of the trip. We will spend the morning looking for Great Bustards, a wonderful bird. For this we will go to the neightbouring Spanish region of Aragón, where a small population occurs. Here we will also have big flocks of Red-billed Chough and good options for Stone Curlew, Golden Eagle and Lesser Short-toed Lark. Flocks of Sandgrouses also move around the area and Little Owls and Iberian Grey Shrikes are common.

At midday we will stop in a pair of wetlands that can produce Red-crested Pochard, White Stork, Bluethroat and flocks of Common Cranes. After midday final transfer to Barcelona.

VAT included in all prices.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

4 nights of accommodation in twin/double room, breakfasts, lunches and evening meals, birding guides, ground transport, reserve entrances fees and travel insurace.

NOT INCLUDED

Transport to/from Barcelona, alcoholic drinks, any other item not listed as “INCLUDED”

ACCOMMODATION

Two nights in Casa Rural Gramuntill or similar. This totally restored XVII century house offers really good rooms and excellent home made food in an impresive landscape and quiet location. Two nights in Cal Monic, an impressive accommodation offering high standing accommodation and really good breakfasts. All rooms are en suite. Lunches will combine picnics with set menus en route, depending on weather conditions. 

WEATHER

Winter can be cold, especially up in the Pyrenees. For sure we will have snow up in the Pyrenees so it is important to keep this in mind when clothing. Temperatures can be around 10ºC. In the steppes can be windy and colder than in the mountains. Still, you can expect sunny days! 

VAT included in all prices.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

4 nights of accommodation in twin/double room, breakfasts, lunches and evening meals, birding guides, ground transport, reserve entrances fees and travel insurace.

NOT INCLUDED

Transport to/from Barcelona, alcoholic drinks, any other item not listed as “INCLUDED”

ACCOMMODATION

1 accommodation in our itinerary. We will spend most of them in local owned, small accommodations in the privilegied locations and wonderful birding immediatly around. All dinners are in our accommodations.

WEATHER

You can expect 20ºC to 25ºC with mostly sunny but some cloudy or even light rains appearing. It is very important to bring strong insect repellent for this tour, long t-shirts and pants.

Day 1: Morning birding in our way to the hotspots where Dupont’s Larks live. During the morning we expect to see the firsts Sandgrouses of the trip along with Thekla’s Larks, Spectacled Warblers and Western Black-eared Wheatears. The area is also noted for bird of prey, with good number of Black Kites and Golden Eagles around.

During the afternoon we will walk down a pair of paths with are excellent for Dunpont’s Larks and, if lucky, we should see the first of them. Here we will also enjoy Mediterranean Short-toed Lark, Thekla’s Lark and Calandra. Montagu’s Harrier is also likely. 

Day 2. Morning visit to a different location for Dunpont’s Lark. This time to enjoy their unmistakable songs. The place is also great for Great Spotted Cuckoo. 

During the afternoon we will visit a pair of good corners for Sandgrouses in our way back to Barcelona, with also good chances for Short-toed Snake, Booted & Golden Eagles + Black Wheatear!

PRICE

€—per person in twin room. €50 single room supplement. VAT included in all prices.

INCLUDED

1 night of accommodation in Los Monegros in twin rooms, ground transportation during the tour (+€50), breakfasts, dinners, guiding & tour leaders, fees into natural areas and travel insurance.

NOT INCLUDED

Flights to/from Barcelona, beverages out of water, lunches and any other item not listed as “INCLUDED”.

MEETING POINT

The meeting point will be in the Barcelona Airport or in any other previously agreed point.