Some areas in the Catalan Pyrenees boast as being the only European spot hosting four nesting species of vulture; Eurasian Griffon, Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures as well as the wonderful Lammergeier. Here, the bizarre dry landscapes set on reddish rocks and fullfiled with ravines and cliffs provide an incredible setting allowing us to find not only crowds of raptors but also a variety of warblers, buntings, woodpeckers and other birdlife.

As a contrast, Lleida Steppes is a puzle of mild, ondulated landscapes where larks and warblers songs become a commonplace. Its extensive wheat fields, scrub lands, pinewoods, orchards and relictual steppe spots support an extremely wide range of birdlife.

Day 1. We will explore lonely hills covered by beautiful Mediterranean scrubs, wheat fields, steppe lands and pinewoods hosting a really good density of Little Bustard. Along them Eurasian Stone Curlew, Great Spotted Cuckoo, European Roller, Calandra Lark, Western Black-eared Wheatear, Western Orphean Warbler, Ortolan Bunting, Subalpine Warbler, Iberian Grey Shrike…

This is also a land of raptors: Booted Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Golden Eagle & Montagu’s Harrier can be seen. During the day we’ll have time to visit some wetlands hosting Black-winged Stilt, Purple Heron, Western Swamphen & Eurasian Penduline Tit.

Day 2. Explore extensive Scots Pine forests, alpine meadows, ravines and rocky slopes where raptors usually rest or look for prey. During the day we would expect to find Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture and Egyptian Vulture as well as Golden and Booted Eagles. Other raptors include Peregrine Falcon, Northern Goshawk and Red Kite. Eurasian Griffons can be surprisingly common!

But our list will grow far beyond raptors, as we will also enjoy Woodlark, Tawny Pipit, Melodious Warbler, Eurasian Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Red-backed Shrike, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Red-billed Chough or Common Rock Sparrow. Wallcreeper and Alpine Acctentor are winter visitors in the impressive gorges around and Citril Finch is always around!!

KEY SPECIES___________

• All year: Lammergeier, Cinereous Vulture, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Griffon, Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Calandra Lark, Thekla Lark, Blue Rock Thrush, Cetti’s Warbler, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Common Rock Sparrow, Red-billed Chough, Iberian Grey Shrike, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Black Wheatear.
• Spring & Summer: Purple Heron, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Great Spotted Cuckoo, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Alpine Swift, Eurasian Wryneck, Common Rock Thrush, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Western Orphean Warbler, Golden Oriole, Ortolan Bunting, Woodchat Shrike, Red-backed Shrike.
• Winter: Merlin, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Alpine Accentor, Wallcreeper, Red Kite, Hawfinch.