Catalonia Birdwatching Day Trip in the Mountains
This 1-day Catalonia Mountain Birding Trip is a leisurely paced trip, available on request, that takes you out of the lowlands of the Ebro Delta to nearby Els Ports Natural Park, an upland limestone massif which climbs to an altitude well in excess of 1000m. This offers spectacular mountain vistas along with the chance to see some of the bird species associated with this elevated terrain.
After an early morning start on our Catalonia birding trip (departure around 07.45), we make our way to the picturesque village of Valderrobres. From there we proceed to Mas de Bunyol, an expertly run vulture feeding station perched on the mountainside above the town. We will view the unforgettable sight of hundreds of wild vultures, who descend daily to gorge themselves on around 200 kilos of carrion!
"Al is the epitome of commitment, passion, and enthusiasm for birding. I visited with my parents (this birding trip was mainly for my mom, an amateur and passionate birder), and my husband. From the start, Al was very responsive to my inquiries, assisting us with train times and travel information, providing us with advice on what possibilities may exist... We saw over 50 new species of birds (we are from India so the Spanish fauna was unknown to us). Al explained the habits, habitats, and small stories behind each of the species we saw... It was a glorious day." - Anasuya Mandal
These are predominantly Griffon Vultures, with the possibility of Egyptian Vultures (summer months), and also an occasional appearance of the scarce European Black (Cinereous) Vulture, all viewed from a superbly constructed observatory. Before we leave the area, we will be checking for some of the smaller inhabitants of the pine forest such as Crested Tit, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper and Western Bonelli's Warbler.
As with all of our birding tours, we offer our clients a choice at lunchtime. We can stop off and sample some of the delicious cuisine of the mountain region, with a great value 'menu del dia' that many are keen to sample in quaint hilltop villages. Alternatively, we can choose to take a picnic and find suitable outdoor eating areas to bird watch as we eat.
On the second leg of this Catalonia birding trip we head back towards the Ebro Delta to look and listen for some of the bird species associated with sunny mountain slopes. This includes the likes of Blue Rock Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike, Cirl Bunting and varied Mediterranean warblers such as Western Orphean, Subalpine, Dartford and Melodious. All the while we will have our eyes to the skies and are sure to get great views of spectacular raptors such as Short-toed, Booted, Golden and Bonelli's Eagles. We then return to the Delta and the tour concludes in the mid to late afternoon.
Catalonia Mountain Birding Trip highlights include:
- An unforgettable morning at Mas de Bunyol as hundreds of Griffon Vultures descend to feast
- Fantastic sightings of Spain's big raptors such as Short-toed, Booted, Golden & occasionally the rare Bonelli's Eagle
- Awe-inspiring mountain vistas in the Els Ports limestone massif
- Rewarding sightings of elusive mountain species such as Black-eared Wheatear and Rock Thrushes
- Birding in the pine forest for tiny species such as Firecrest and Crested Tit
Like what you see of this tour but interested to know what longer trips are on offer? Have a look at the Ebro Delta Birding Experience Tour, Catalonia, Spain.
Alternative Tour Name: Els Ports Natural Park Vulture & Raptor Trip
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