Winter Birding Aragon & Catalonia Tour, Spain

Winter Wonders Birding Tour of Northern Spain

Our 8-day Birding in Aragon & Catalonia Tour of Northern Spain is a full week birding itinerary during winter which runs from the beginning of November through to the end of February. We will be going in search of some of Spain's most sought after species, and taking in some magnificent birding spectacles along the way. This winter birding tour is a 3 centre experience which showcases 3 magnificent but diverse birding regions:

Ebro Delta: The first location we will be birding is the Ebro Delta, where we will spend a day enjoying the best of the wetland's resident bird-life and checking out some of the winter visitors. We can expect to see vast flocks of Greater Flamingos feeding in the saline lagoons of the Delta, and congregations of Glossy Ibis, herons & egrets in the now boggy fields. The delta is a winter refuge for many varieties of wildfowl and wading birds, and raptors abound with multiple Marsh Harriers, Booted Eagles and a good chance of Merlin. Rare passerines such as Moustached Warbler and Bluethroat can usually be found.

Laguna de Gallocanta: The second leg of this winter birding trip sees us depart to Gallocanta in the dry-land plains to the south of Zaragoza, where we will spend 2 days birding around the famous Laguna, which is Spain's largest natural lake. Alongside a huge wintering population of Common Cranes (which can number up to 60,000 birds during peak passage times of early November and late February!), we can also target Great & Little Bustard and enjoy sightings of raptors like Hen Harrier & Golden Eagle.

Sierra de Gaura: For the final leg of the tour we depart for Alquezar in the pre-Pyrenean region of the Sierra de Gaura. Dubbed 'the land of the Lammergeier', we will be searching for this rarest of vultures, along with another popular birding target, the beautiful but elusive Wallcreeper, which comes down from the high Pyrenees to over winter at lower altitudes on the cliffs and canyons of the Gaura. There are plenty of other species to be found in this mountainous zone, including the likes of Blue Rock Thrush, Dartford Warbler & Citril Finch.

This week long birding tour includes private airport transfers from Barcelona International Airport, and accommodation throughout the duration of the tour at comfortable Guest Houses situated in the different birding regions.

Winter Birding in Aragon & Catalonia Tour, 5 highlights:

Beautiful Bluethroats on the Ebro Delta leg of the tour
Vast groups of Cranes feeding in the fields around Laguna de Gallocanta
The rare and magnificent Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) in the Sierra de Gaura
Scouring the rock faces for the wonderful Wallcreeper in the Gaura, such a rewardeing bird to find!
Winter sunshine, enjoy the wonderful clear days and feel the sun on your back in these fantastic locations

Day 1

Day 1 - Arrival day

You will be met at the airport by one of our team and transferred to your accommodation, our private Guest House on the edge of the Ebro Delta. The remainder of the day you can spend at leisure, or perhaps enjoy some birding around the villa in the Olive groves. In the evening you can head into L'Ampolla for dinner, or if you prefer to you can self cater at the fully equipped villa.

Day 2

Day 2 - Ebro Delta Birding Day Trip

After breakfast, you will head out with Al Henderson for a bird watching day trip of the Ebro Delta. There is a huge population of birds which are resident throughout the year so expect to see huge flocks of Flamingos in the salt pans and hoards of Glossy Ibis feeding in the agricultural zones. We will see many different varieties of wintering waders and wildfowl, and look for some of the rarer species such as Bluethroat & Moustached Warbler. Raptors are likely to include our over wintering Booted Eagle population, Osprey, Marsh Harriers, Buzzard and Kestrel. Overnight you will spend your second night at our Guest House, with the option to self cater or dine out in L'Ampolla.

Day 3

Day 3 - Transfer to Gallocanta With Afternoon Birding Trip

After breakfast we will depart to our second destination, Laguna de Gallocanta, which is approximately 2 hours 30 mins drive. Upon arrival in the small village of Gallocanta we will check into our accommodation, the charming Allucant Guest House, situated right on the side of the lake. We will take lunch and then proceed on our first bird watching drive around the laguna, where we are sure to see Common Crane feeding in the fields. The tour will conclude with a sunset over the lake and we will then enjoy dinner at the Allucant Guest House, where a great value menu of the day is available.

Day 4

Day 4 - Laguna De Gallocanta Birding Day Trip

We start with breakfast at Allucant, and then head out on a full day birding tour of Laguna de Gallocanta and it's surrounding area. Alongside the numerous Cranes, target birds will include both Great and Little Bustard and raptors such as Golden Eagle & Hen Harrier. Gallocanta also produces sightings of rare birds such as Black-winged Kite, Pallid Harrier and we can even try for the ultra rare Dupont's Lark in natural steppe land to the south of the lake. In the evening we spend our second night at the Allucant guest house.

Day 5

Day 5 - Transfer to Alquezar With Afternoon Birding Trip

Following breakfast at Allucant we depart on the third leg of the tour and travel to the Sierra de Gaura, a drive of around 2 hours 30 mins. We will check in at our accommodation, Casa Jabonero in the beautiful village of Alquezar. We will take a lunch and then check out the birds close to Alquezar - where we may even see our first Wallcreeper which is often spotted around the cliffs and tall buildings of the village. Other birds that are likely this afternoon will be Blue Rock Thrush, Dartford Warbler and hundreds of Griffon Vultures. In the evening we will dine at Casa Jabonero which offers great value menus every day of the week.

Day 6

Day 6 - Sierra De Gaura Guided Bird Watching Trip

Following breakfast at Casa Jabonero we head out on a full day bird watching tour, taking in 2 key sites for Wallcreeper & Lammergeier - the Dams at Vadiello and Calcon. Evening at Casa Jabonero.

Day 7

Day 7 - Sierra De Gaura Guided Bird Watching Trip Second Day

Breakfast at Casa Jabonero will be followed by our second full day birding the Sierra de Gaura. We will head to two different destinations Rodellar and Morrano, which also give us a fantastic chance for both Wallcreeper & Lammergeier amongst others. Final evening at Casa Jabonero.

Day 8

Day 8 - Departure Day

After breakfast we check out of the Hotel and head back to the airport in time for your return journey home.

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Why book with Ebro Delta Birding?

The Ebro delta in North East Spain is one of Europe’s premier wetland bird watching destinations. A wide variety of watery habitats can be found within > 320 square kilometres of the natural park, with diverse environments ranging from salt marshes and sand dunes to river bank and woodland. This range of habitats attracts a bewildering selection of birdlife with a species list exceeding 300 varieties!

Does this tour start on set dates?

No, the start date is flexible and can be tailored to the preference of the client

What weather can be expected on a winter visit to Northern Spain?

You will need to bring warm clothing for this trip. Daytime can be pleasantly warm on sunny days, but mornings and evenings are likely to be chilly.

Is this tour physically demanding?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for the final leg of the tour in the Sierra de Gaura. Some of the locations which give us the best opportunity to see Lammergeier & Wallcreeper require short hikes.

What are the options for lunch & dinner?

At lunchtime we will usually stop for a packed lunch. Dinner time we can grab a great value 'menu del dia' at our accommodations throughout the tour.