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Catalonia, or Catalunya, in the north-east corner of Spain, is the main overland gateway into the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe. A glance at the statistics will tell us that more than 6 million people inhabit its 32,091 km², at an average density of 190 persons per km², and that it is an industrialised region with a coastline largely developed to accommodate mass tourism. Not precisely a beacon for the foreign birder, or so it would seem. But then there are the other statistics: the brand new breeding bird Atlas of Catalonia reveals 232 species of breeding birds - more than any other region of a comparable size anywhere else in Spain - inhabiting its numerous and varied biotopes, including wetlands of International importance, high mountains, Mediterranean type sierras & lowlands, rocky coasts & headlands, and steppes. Catalonia's Mediterranean coastline, for example, has 3 very interesting wetland areas, the most important of which is undoubtedly the Ebro Delta. This must be the star attraction for any visiting birder wanting to see gulls and terns, including the rare Slender-billed and Audouin's Gulls, Gull-billed and Caspian Terns, along with a wide variety of herons, ducks and waders such as Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Red-crested Pochard, Collared Pratincole, Kentish Plover, migrating Marsh Sandpipers and Temminck's Stints and a few miscellaneous items such as Purple Gallinule, Greater Flamingo and Savi's Warbler. Furthermore, its impressive list of wintering and migratory birds means that it's not to be forsaken at any time of the year. The Llobregat delta, on the very edge of Barcelona airport, also presents itself, although on a much smaller scale, as an interesting proposition for a 2 or 3 hour visit, with excellent hides overlooking scrapes which never fail to turn out rarities year after year. Last but not least there is the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà in the north of the region, intensively managed to enhance its wildlife interest and well placed to receive those more easterly migrants which rarely make landfall elsewhere along the coast. It's also something of a Mecca for spring crake hunters (Spotted, Little and Baillon's). If we head inland following the course of the Ebro we will get to the Ebro Valley steppes, remainders of which still survive within the confines of Catalonia in the vicinity of the city of Lleida. Open flat terrain in this dry area with a continental type climate is home to Catalonia's last Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Little Bustard (at surprisingly high densities), 7 species of lark including Dupont's Lark, Montagu's Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Roller, Red-necked Nightjar, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Stone Curlew, etc. This is also the last stronghold of the Lesser Grey Shrike in the whole of Spain. Nevertheless, the Catalan high Pyrenees are a worthy attraction, holding all the species that can be seen in the Pyrenees of neighbouring Aragón, some scarcer, some more common. Although finding a Snowfinch here in the breeding season is a real challenge, other species such as Capercaillie, Tengmalm's Owl, Ptarmigan and Citril Finch are more numerous here than further west. In the Val d'Aran, the only Spanish valley with an Atlantic watershed, breeding Middle-spotted, Lesser-spotted and Black Woodpeckers are worthy of note. Plan a visit to the beautiful Aigüestortes National Park, the Serra del Cadí or the Núria Valley to see other mountain specialities such as Wallcreeper, Alpine Accentor, Lammergeier, Alpine Chough or Ring Ouzel. And don`t forget to relax now and then and smell the flowers! |
Ebro Delta Natural Park
Satellite ViewNorth-East Spain: Ebro Delta Natural Park. Considered to be the greatest wetland area on Spain's Mediterranean coast, and the second greatest one in the western Mediterranean, it consists of large lagoons, reed beds, channels, rice fields, and seasonally flooded areas of scrub. Its over 8,000 hectares have been declared a game reserve and host some of the country's most important seabird colonies (including a breeding Lesser Crested Tern Colony.) It is because of its role as a breeding ground and refuge for winter migrants that the delta has been defined as an area of great significance in various conventions and has always been classified in the A category. As an example, there are an average of 53,000 ducks and 13,000 Coots each Autumn. These figures represent about 10% of the waterfowl that winter in the whole Iberian Peninsula. Interesting breeding birds are Greater Flamingo (1,461 pairs); Purple Heron (577 pairs); Glossy Ibis (6 pairs); Bittern (4 pairs); Black-winged Stilt (2,093 pairs); Kentish Plover (5,000 pairs); Avocet (405 pairs); Pratincole (70 pairs); Common Tern (3,000 pairs); Gull-billed Tern (267 pairs); Slender-billed Gull (392 pairs) and Audouin's Gull (11,588 pairs). The bird population of the Ebro Delta consists of 50,000-100,000 individuals belonging to about three hundred species, 60% of the total number of species found in Europe.
Empordà Marshes Natural Park
Satellite ViewThe Empordà Marshes Natural Park was created in 1983 and covers 4,824 hectares. It is near the French border and the city of Barcelona. So far 323 different species have been observed, 93 of which nest there. It is during periods of migration that the marshes play a prime role as a refuge, feeding and resting ground for thousands of migrating water birds. When in spring the Pyrenees become impassable owing to the strong north winds, countless flocks of birds alight on these wetlands. At these times of year, birdwatchers can see over 100 species of birds in a single day. Some interesting species breeding in the park are: Kentish Plover (54 pairs); Black-winged Stilt (134 pairs); Little Bittern (12-35 pairs); Purple Heron (53 pairs); Bittern (5-6 pairs); Roller (5-6 pairs); Bee-eater, Lesser Grey Strike (6-12 pairs); Moustached Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, Bearded Tit, Penduline Tit, White Stork (24 pairs); and Purple Gallinule (40-60 pairs).
Steve West
author of Where the Birds are in Northeast Spainhttp://www.birdinginspain.com
Number of bird species: 390
A Birdwatching Guide to The Pyrenees
Graham Hearl, James McCallum (Illustrator); Jacquie Croxzier Paperback ( 1 January, 1998) Arlequin PublicationsISBN: 1900159805
Buy this book from NHBS.com
On Observar Ocells a Catalunya
Where to Watch Birds in Catalonia J del Hoyo, J Sargatal et al 312 pages, 40 maps, illus. Lynx Edicions 1989ISBN: 8487334016
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where the Birds are in Northeast Spain
by Steve West Illustrated by Ernest Leahy [Published by Steve West]ISBN: 8460915999
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where to Watch Birds in North and East Spain
Michael Rebane, Stephen Message (Illustrator) Paperback - 295 pages (20 May, 1999) Christopher HelmISBN: 0713647000
Buy this book from NHBS.com
EGRELL
WebsiteEGRELL és una institució sense ànim de lucre formada per un col.lectiu de lleidatans enamorats del nostre país i sensibilitzats per l'estat de conservació de la Natura d'aquestes contrades.
Institut Català d'Ornitologia
WebsiteL'Institut Català d'Ornitologia (ICO) és una entitat sense ànim de lucre, que des de la seva creació, l'any 1975, s'ha dedicat a estudiar la biologia i la migració dels ocells mitjançant l'anellament científice...
Ipcena
WebsiteIPCENA és una organització ecologista de les comarques de Lleida que treballa en la defensa del Medi Ambient.Les sigles IPCENA ( Institució de Ponent per la Conservació i l`Estudi de l`Entorn Natural ) - posen de manifest els dos eixos vertebradors de la seva acativitat: la conservació del patrimoni natural i el seu estudi, amb la finalitat de difondre els seus valors i sensibilitzar la nostra societat. Ens trobaràs al Carrer Jaume I el conqueridor, nº 32 (Baixos). Lleida Telèfon: 973 263 793 E-mail: ipcena@ipcena.org
Ebro Delta
WebsiteSatellite View
The delta contains several natural habitat types such as lagoons of varying salinity and depth, dunes, shallow beaches and bays, as well as the river and its riparian woodlands. However, the delta is dominated by human activities, and the vast majority of the land is used for agricultural purposes. Rice fields are dominating, but the delta also contains small fruit plantations and salt pans, all adding to the delta’s diversity...
Ebro Delta
WebsiteSatellite View
The Ebro Delta covers 320 square kilometres and is the second largest wetland area in the western Mediterranean, after the French Camargue. It has many natural habitats not common to the rest of Catalonia: large lakes of salt water (such as La Tancada) or fresh water (such as L`Encanyissada); kilometres of beaches with sand dunes (El Fangar) and salt wastelands (Erms de la Tancada, Punta de la Banya); places where underground fresh water comes to the surface (Els Ullals); shallow bays (El Fangar or Els Alfacs); riverbank woods and fluvial islands that, together with the ecosystems created by man - rice fields and salt pans - constitute a unique landscape of great natural wealth.
Ebro Delta National Park
WebsiteSatellite View
Birds make up the most striking aspect of the fauna in the Ebro Delta Natural Park. They are very important not only for human interest both also on an international basis, both in quantity and quality. Because the amount of birds that can be found in the park is so large and also the many different species are unique. The bird population consists of 50.000-100.000, belonging to about 300 species and 60 % of the total number of species to be found in Europe...
Llobregat Delta Nature Reserves
WebsiteSatellite View
Only the most observant of birdwatchers will have noticed the coastal lagoons whilst coming into land at Barcelona's El Prat airport, perhaps on the way to other, better-known Mediterranean hotspots...
Ports Nature Park
WebsiteThe Ports Nature Park is comprised of the Ports limestone massif; a large mountain chain with beautiful rivers, caves, gorges, and peaks well above 1000 m (Mont Caro at 1 442 m is the highest point). The Ports massif is situated close to the Mediterranean coast where it rises at the far eastern end of the Ebro region 200 km southwest of Barcelona...
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2000 [September] - Nico Geiregat
ReportIn september 2000, my girlfriend and I travelled to north eastern Spain. Our time was limited to one week. Our main goal was birdwatching. However the combination of these three elements (girlfriend - limited time - birdwatching) proved to be a real challenge at some times… especially for her… Since she preferred looking for the bigger birds, I neglected the smaller ones too. Don`t expect Spanish people to understand or speak French or English, even if you`re close to the French border or at the mediterranian coast.
2002 [June] - Ian Kinley & Dave Thexton - Pyrenees
ReportThe weather in the first week was ideal; dry and sunny with cool mornings and warm afternoons but never too hot to bird. It changed dramatically on 4th June with spectacular thunderstorms and heavy rain that continued for much of the next day. The inclement weather influenced our decision to leave the Pyrenees a day earlier than intended in search of better birding conditions. Sunny but cool and windy weather prevailed on 6th and 7th and it was raining heavily again on our day of departure. Not what was expected for June in Spain!
2002 [September] - Chris Cameron - Barcelona, The Llobregat Delta
ReportThe Llobregat Delta is adjacent to Barcelona International airport and is probably the best option for birdwatchers staying in Barcelona with a few hours to spare. This is not a trip report. It simply suggests ways of getting to the reserve, because English language information is rather hard to come by...
2004 [November] - Peter Wells - Ebro Delta
ReportArrived at Amposta in the late afternoon after a 100 mile drive from Barcelona following a superb flight down from Manston with EU Jet. On the way had a good look at a Hoopoe flying across the Autopista. Got a bit lost but eventually found my way out onto the delta in time to see a Marsh Harrier flying off to roost, and discover that White Wagtail and Little Egret are very very common indeed...
2004 [September] - Rhion Pritchard
Report...We took the early morning Easyjet flight from Liverpool to Barcelona, where we collected our hire car, a Fiat Ulysse, from Europcar and set off for the Pyrenees. Red Kite and Black Kite were noted on the way, together with numerous Griffon Vultures...
2006 [March] - Audouin Birding Tours
Report...Starting at the Tortosa parador, we made our way down the Ebro River towards the delta. The dry rice fields and channels of the Ebro Delta hold very few species at this time of year, so we went for a birding route that would include as many lagoons, ponds and coastal streches as possible...
2006 [March] - Audouin Birding Tours - Ebro Lands
ReportThis trip was arranged by the tourist board of the Terres de l'Ebre as an introduction to the area. It included all aspects of the tourist industry, and the birding was at times interrupted by visits to hotels, restaurants and historical sites. However, the birds were the main attraction, and this trip report still gives a good idea of the species likely to be encountered in the Ebro lands during this time of year...
2006 [May] - Jan Scheeres
ReportI booked a weeks birding holiday with my friend Jim through Stephen Christopher of Catalan Bird Tours (www.catalanbirdtours.com ) . We stayed in Stephens villa near Sitges and had a self contained well appointed ground floor apartment. On arrival at Barcelona airport Steve picked us up and we had a nice few hours birding at Llobregat marshes near the airport. We had talked about our wish lists and woke up the next morning to the sound of Golden Orioles and Serins in the garden and after breakfast set off for the Ebro Delta.Here we had magnificent and close views of all the herons except Bittern, Caspian and Gull Billed Terns sitting beside Audouins Gulls and the two stints. There was a good deal of visible migration with numerous Willow Warblers in the Tamarisk Bushes and an exhausted Olivaceous Warbler. At the end of the day a stunning male Roller flew in and landed beside a Hoopoe...
2007 [July] - Simon Johnson - La Marina, Costa Brava
ReportThis trip was a family holiday to my parent’s new house in la Marina – Spain and although most of it was spent by the pool sunbathing or running round after my 4 year old niece, I did manage to get a few hours birding in most days...
2008 [April] - Mark Finn
Report...Several highlights during the tour included scarce passage migrants – Caspian Tern, Little Crake, Wood Warbler and Ortolan Bunting. In addition most of the regions specialties were observed included Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Audouin’s Gull, European Roller, European Bee-eater and a wide selection of larks on their breeding grounds. North bound migration was late this year resulting in some species being scarce...
2008 [November] - Cristian Jensen - Gallocanta
Report...At lunch time we stopped at a restaurant, and after eating all we could, we visited the dry lands of Monegros to do some bird watching. Lorna spotted six Great Bustards, and later a flock of twenty-four Pin-tailed Sandgrouse was found on the ground. From inside the car we had good views of the birds without disturbing them. Then seven Black-bellied Sandgrouse came into our view, flying by quite close to us, but unfortunately they were impossible to see after they landed. Calandra and Crested Larks were seen, and a male Hen Harrier. Our first group of wintering Common Cranes observed flying towards the south-west and Gallocanta...
2009 [May] - Hans Schick
ReportFrom May 12 – 22, 2009 I spent together with Stefan Wedler 10 days in Cataluña, mostly in the estuary of the River Ebro in the surroundings of Deltebre. We visited however also the Reserva Natural Remolar-Filipines near the Airport of Barcelona, the Park Natural Els Ports de Tortosa, and the Ramsar site El Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca (in Valencia)...
2011 [May] - Hilary MacBean
Report...From I’lla de Gracia Bridge we noted a colony of Night Heron downstream, accompanied by an elegantly perched Purple Heron and Little Egrets. Across the river a Little Bittern was clearly seen on a perch. Blackbirds and Moorhen surprised us in the orange groves on the Island and Meg spotted our first Glossy Ibis flying over. Trevor then flushed a mystery bird from the large Poplars. A later sighting from back across the river showed it was likely to be a Turtle Dove leaving a nest....
2011 [September] - Pat & Judy Hayes
ReportAlthough Birmingham airport is prefixed with “International” it certainly isn’t; any flights to our destination airport “Barcelona” were either via Amsterdam or Paris. So once again, it was back to Heathrow Terminal 3 and BA. We were soon out of the airport and birding in earnest at Espais Naturals del Delta del Llobregat, which is situated right on the end of the runway. A great place for plane spotters...
This section sponsored by:
Alauda
Tour OperatorSpanish birding in the Pyrenees and NE Spain…
Audouin Birding Tours
Tour OperatorAudouin Birding Tours is a bird guiding company based in NE Spain, between the Ebro delta and the mountain chains of Els Ports and Montsià. Day-trips and weekend tours can be arranged on request, primarily in Catalonia. Tours are guided by Cristian Jensen and Iben Hove Sørensen...
Barcelona Birding Point
Tour OperatorBarcelona Birding Point is your gateway to birding and nature in South Europe. This project was created in 2010 as a means of promoting birding tourism as well as the protection and enjoyment of birds and their environments…
Birdbox - Catalan Bird Tours
Tour OperatorBirding holidays in bird rich Catalunya...
Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Catalan Bird Tours
Tour OperatorWhy go birding in Europe? Why go birding in Spain? Why go birding in Catalonia? A fair question. Why would one choose to come to Spain for a birding holiday, bird watching short break or guided bird tour? To put it simply, Spain has the most sought-after birds in Europe. The greatest abundance, widest variety and highest species density of regularly seen birds in the whole continent. And many of these are rare or threatened, can only be seen in Spain or have the vast majority of their populations within the Spanish borders...
E I Travel
Tour OperatorEither for scientific interest or general nature discovering, professional ornithologist completely devoted to the study of the nature in the area will be accompanying you to show you the most interesting local species of Catalonia.
Ebro Bird Sightings
Guide...part of a forum...
Iberian Wildlife Tours
Tour OperatorWe are all British, freelance, natural history tour leaders who have been living in our respective regions of Spain for many years. Our experience of leading wildlife holidays in Spain and Portugal dates from 1989, both with established wildlife tour companies and a tailor-made basis for independent groups...
Josele J. Saiz
Tour OperatorBetter known for his wonderful birder's guesthouse in the Pyrenees [Boletas]; Josele guides throughout Spain and Morocco...
Julian Sykes Wildlife Holidays - Ebro Delta Winter Break
TourThe Ebro Delta is the most important wetland on the Spanish Mediterranean coast and in Winter vast numbers of waterbirds linger here. We shall spend a day at Ports, a limestone massif where eagles and vultures patrol the ridges and another on the ‘Drylands of Alfas’ an area of psuedo-steppe where we might find bustards and sandgrouse in their winter flocks.
Barcelona Accommodation
AccommodationHotels in Barcelona, our accommodation in hotel appartments
Can Patiras B&B
AccommodationCan Patiras is a large guesthouse with a full view of the Pyrenees and the surrounding Catalonian countryside. It is located in Cistella 15km west of Figueras, Gerona; it`s a perfect place to see lots of diferent birds...
Casa Clara
AccommodationA 10 bedroom hotel and rural apartments within the historic, medieval town of Castello d´Empuries in the Alt Emporda region in the province of Girona. We are situated in the centre of a unique environment of the Els Aiguamolls del´Emporda Natural Park with its world famous El Cortalet ornithology observation and research centre and only 8km from the Cape de Crus Natural Park...
Casa Guilla
AccommodationCasa Guilla is a rural guesthouse situated in the prime position of the Catalonian mountain village of Santa Engracia which itself nestles defiantly on a rocky outcrop over 1000 metres up and overlooking the regional capital of Tremp. The views are breathtaking. The scenery is truly splendid. info@casaguilla.com
Ebro Riverside Apartment
AccommodationMequinenza offers a birdwatching paradise. The area around the Ebro Valley has a variety of fantastic scenic landscapes, moutains farmland wooded areas, olive groves and riverside. Home to thousands of species, like Golden Eagles, Griffon Vultures, Egrets, Night Heron, Bee-Eaters, Shrikes, Golden Orioles, Hobby...
Hotel Rull
AccommodationIn our restaurant you can taste the typical spanish dishes and the Delta cuisine`s specialities. We offer to our clients a saloon with TV, bar and a tourist information point in our reception, where we advise on the possibilities offered in the land of the Delta. The extensive and varied beaches, the rice fields, humidity zones, the Ecomuseum and the nacional park. Nature lovers can enjoy the specialised guided trips by bicycle, bus or 4WD, fishing excursions, boat tours, bird watching (especially flamingos); sailing, kaiak, canoeing.
River Ebro Apartments
AccommodationWe have 2 high quality, self-catering apartments in a traditional Spanish townhouse in the small town of Mora d’Ebre in Southern Catalonia. The property has a quiet, riverbank location with fabulous views over the River Ebro and mountains beyond but is only a 5 minute walk from restaurants, bars, shops and banks...
Gulls in Catalonia
BlogAll about Gulls in Catalonia...
La Natura a la comarca de la Selva
BlogLocal natural history, birds areas, photos, pictures and nature…
Nature to Camera - Joan Egert
BlogIn this blog you will find experiences about animal behaviour, nature photography, travel and in general anything what is related to that which "is alive". The aim of this blog is to encourage the reader to share his love for nature and to awaken his commitment for it's protection. For that reason, any comment, suggestion and collaboration is highly appreciated…
Ocells Blog
BlogAyer estuve pajareando toda la mañana por la Reserva de Sebes (Flix), donde se pueden observar algunas especies típicas de ambientes acuáticos y de bosques de ribera…
Ocells del Barcelonès
BlogBirds in Catalonia and Spain... Ocells de Catalunya és una web en català dedicada al món de l'ornitologia, i en concret a les diferentes espècies d'aus que podem trobar a Catalunya en les diferents èpoques de l'any i en les zones més propícies per a poder observar aquest fascinants animals en llibertat. En aquest portal ornitològic hi podreu trobar també articles sobre material, caixes niu, anellament, parts de les aus. així com informació general sobre els ocells…
Ocells del Barcelones i Rodalies
BlogBlog about birds and nature of Barcelona and its surroundings - you can also find topics on birds from the rest of Catalonia, travel and all that is of interest…
Ocells del Camp de Tarragona
BlogBLOG where you can obtains information of birds in the Camp de Tarragona, Catalunya…
Birding in Spain
WebsiteBirds and Birding Tours in northeast Spain: Plan your Birding trip to Catalonia, Aragon and Navarra..
Birding Serrotocap
WebsiteFotos de los espacios naturales del delta del Llobregat : Filipines…
Oryx
WebsiteOryx is a specialised shop and bookstore on Natural history and naturalist activities. Our web and catalog features hundreds of different items, from a large choice of books and guides, to binoculars and scopes, to birds and bat boxes, bird feeders and other products including entomological and botanical tools, compass and GPS, outdoor wear etc. En Oryx encontrará todo lo necesario para el estudio y la observación de la fauna y de la flora de España y del mundo. Disponemos de la bibliografía más especializada sobre espacios naturales o temas de historia natural, ropa y calzados de primeras marcas para las salidas al campo, la mejor variedad de prismáticos y telescopios, todo tipo de complementos y accesorios y una buena selección de artículos de decoración regalos relacionado con la naturaleza y los animales salvajes. En Oryx ofrecemos una atención personalizada capaz de dar los consejos adecuados a nuestros visitantes gracias a la experiencia y a los conocimientos que dispone el equipo humano de ORYX, la tienda del amante de la naturaleza...
Rare Bird Sightings
WebsiteLatest rarities and scarce birds in Catalonia - Darreres rareses i ocells escassos a Catalunya...
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This site was last updated on Sunday, 29th January 2012.
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