Pyrenean Winter Birding Break Tour
The 5-day Birdwatching Pyrenees Winter Tour explores the famous Pyrenees, a 500 miles long range of mountains that, along with the Alps, are the main mountain ranges in Europe. But these mountains, half in France, half in Spain, have preserved many of their untouched natural values. They are the main stronghold for Bearded Vultures in Europe and host the main population of Western Capercaillie in Western Europe.
But the Pyrenees especially noted because of the amount and variety of its birdlife. This is a place where you can easily see all 4 species of European vultures in one morning, and where resident species includes Tengmalm's Owl, Black Woodpecker, Wallcreeper, Citril Finch, Yellow-billed Chough plus the endemic Iberian Green Woodpecker & Iberian Grey Shrike.
In spring-summer, these valleys and mountains host impressive densities of goodies including Western Orphean & Subalpine Warblers, Eurasian Wryneck, Common Nightjar, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Egyptian Vulture. Here, all these birds are still increasing its numbers!
In winter, all these summer visitors go back to their African homes, but the birding interest doesn't decrease but climb up since several high mountain goodies will be more accessible during the cold months. From October to March it is time enjoy winter flocks of Snow Finches and Alpine Accentors while Wallcreepers can be found from 1.500 metres high to the sea level in the Catalan coast.
Immediately South of the mountains, we find the extensive Ebro Valley, probably the most impressive habitat in Europe. Here, an endless modulate open land goes from the semidesert to a puzzling landscape of wheat fields, Holm Oaks patches and Mediterranean bushland. Here it is possible to find the best densities in Europe for Little Bustard, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Spectacled Warbler, Red-necked Nightjar, Ortolan Bunting and Calandra Lark. It is also home to the super-secretive Dupont's Lark, the small Lesser Short-toed Lark, the recently described Catalan form of Reed Bunting (extremely endangered) and some of the very last Lesser Grey Shrikes at the West of the Alps!
Pyrenean Winter Birding Break also explores a variety of wetlands, from ponds to large marshes where it is possible to enjoy Bearded Tit, Penduline Tit, Greater Bittern, Spotted Crake (many years an early migratory bird), Northern Lapwing, Moustached Warbler, Western Swamphen, Bluethroats and, if lucky, Jack Snipes!
This Pyrenees winter birding tour enjoying the impressive Pyrenees which is a winter land of Wallcreeper! This tour is dedicated to looking for some major sought-after birds in Europe. Along the tour we will look for Black Woodpecker, Snow Finch, Alpine Accentor, Lammergeier, Moustached Warbler, Great Bustard, Little Bustard or Dupont's Lark…not bad for a winter birding break!
During this winter birding tour we will be sleeping in 2 different accommodations in the Pyrenees and Lleida Steppes. This will allow one of the most interesting birding combinations in Iberia all year round. During the tour, we will explore a huge variety of landscapes, from alpine meadows to desert plains.
Weather is normally excellent in the fall, as provides cloudy days, with no heat nor wind.
And, if this itinerary doesn't fit your target or expectations, don't worry. Contact us, we will be delighted to build up the perfect itinerary for your dreamed birding in the Pyrenees!
Want to extend your birding to another location? Why not try the Birding Extremadura and Gredos Mountains Tour, Spain.
Join Our Fixed Tour Starting Date
Tour Dates | Tour Availability | From Price | Spaces Left | |
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19/02/2022 - 23/02/2022 | guaranteed | EUR 845 |
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