Granada Wildlife tour of the Pyrenee's

Barcelona Centre, El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona Airport, El Prat de Llobregat again, Mas de Melons and Fuendetodos.

Pickup day and a bit of birding.
Pyrenees, Day One.

Mary-Ann and I left Vilanova early but not before we saw Alpine (Vencejo Real / Apus melba) and Common Swifts (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto). We headed for Barcelona where we were picking up Mike Langley, we followed the sat-nav directions to a metro station in the city and parked on the roadside where met Mike with in two minutes of arriving, the first objective of this stress day sorted. 
From here we headed out to a birding site on the edge of the airport as a recci to see if it was worth visiting later with the full group, we first of all had a look at a small pool near the beach where we saw Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Cetti's Warbler (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) and Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis). 
We moved back inland slightly to a wide reed fringed canal which we walked along for a few hundred meters, during this walk we had views of Grey (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) and Purple Herons (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), Little Bittern (Avetorillo Común / Ixobrychus minutus), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Waxbill (Estrilda Ondulada / Estrilda astrild), Pheasant (Faisán Vulgar / Phaisanus colchicus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Crested Lark (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), 3x Penduline Tits (Pájaro Moscón / Remiz pendulinus) and on a small pool from a hide Greylag Geese (Ansar Común / Anser anser), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Common Pochard (Porrón Común / Aythya ferina), Great Crested (Somormujo Lavanco / Podiceps cristatus) and Little Grebes (Zampullín Común / Tachybaptus ruficollis). During the walk back to the van we picked up Great Reed (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus) and Reed Warblers (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and a Purple Swamp-hen (Calamon Común / Porphyrio porphyrio). Also seen during the walk we saw Stripe-necked (Mauremys leprosa) and Red-eared Terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans), Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi), Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Small White (Artogeia rapae) and several Mammoth Wasps (Megascolia maculata).
Once we were back at the van we drove to a bar where we had some breakfast before going to pick the rest of the group up at terminal 2 of Barcelona Airport. I parked out side whilst Mary-Ann and Mike went inside, after a while the rest of the guests (Linda, Judy, Mike, Nick and John) came out along with Mike and Mary-Ann. We quickly departed and made our way back out to the Canal area to see what was still about, Mary-Ann kindly said she would stay and watch the van as it was now full of cases. We did the same walk as earlier and saw most of the species we saw earlier along with Shelduck (Tarro Blanco / Tadoma tadorna), Gadwall (Anade Friso / Anas strepera), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Black-winged Stilt (Ciguenela Común / Himantopus himantopus), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) and Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus F lyllus).
We left the site and had a stop at a bar for some lunch before heading towards Lleda, on the way we stopped at a small roadside pool where we could hear Great Reed Warbler singing from the reed beds as well as White Featherleg (Platycnemis latipes), Small Red-eyed (Erythromma viridulum), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster).
Our next stop was on a track at Mas de Melons where we drove scanning the very dry fields, here we added Stock Dove (Paloma Zurita / Columba oenas), Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and on a dry field where we had a short walk we had Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius), Southern Blue (Polyommatus celina), Southern Gatekeeper (Pyronia cecilia) and Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus).
We then drove over to our hotel in Fuentetodos, the Capricho de Goya. On the way we had good views of a very nice Roller (Carraca / Coracias garrulus), Calandra Lark (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra), Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus) and White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia). When we arrived I looked at the front and was a little worried but once we were inside the rooms were great and the Tapas evening meal was superb. Ruth the one owner made us all feel very welcome, it was just a shame we were only stay one night here. This hotel is idea for a birding trip to Belchite area.

Fuendetodos, Belchite, Zaragoza Province and road to Gabadito, Hecho in Huesca Province.

A morning of steppe species and an evening in the mountains.
Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Two.
 
After a very nice breakfast that Ruth prepared a little earlier than the usual time so that we could get out birding we had a quick look around the hotel and started the day list off with Melodious Warbler (Zarcero Común / Hippolais polyglotta), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Tree Sparrow (Gorrión Molinero / Passer montanus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and a single Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea) on the pool at the bottom of the track we also recorded Mute (Cisne Vulgar / Cygnus olor) and Black Swans (Cygnus atratus) both of which were well and truly clipped so the group would not let me put them on the trip list !!
From here we drove the 20 odd KM to the start of the track out into the steppe area's of Belchite, on the way we had both Iberian Grey (Alcaudón Real Meridional / Lanius meridionalis) and Woodchat Shrikes (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Red-legged Partridge (Perdiz Roja / Alectoris rufa), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica).
We turned on to the dirt track and made our way out into the dry agricultural areas beyond and made our first stop after a KM or so and scanned the area picking up Short-toed (Terrera Común / Calandrella brachydactyla), Thekla (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae) and Crested Larks (Cogujada / Galerida cristata), Corn Bunting (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops). Further on we stopped to have a look at the first Calandra Larks (Calandria / Melanocorypha calandra) of the trip and amazingly what turned out to be the only Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) of the tour which was a fine leucistic male. Again we moved on a short distance and stopped to look at a male Marsh Harrier (Aguilucho Lagunero Occidental / Circus aeruginosus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo) whilst we watched this we started to hear a call in the distance but which was getting nearer which we could not put to a species at first but it soon became apparent that this almost corvid like crock was being made by a group of 3 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Ganga Ibérica / Pterocles alchata). These birds passed near by giving us nice views but were soon followed by two more birds which came right over our heads, this was the moment I realized I had left the camera in the van. We continued to hear these birds and others of the same species for a while whilst they moved around the site, we walked a way along this track adding Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea), Bath White (Blanqiverdosa / Pontia daplidice), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alcae), Common / Southern Blue (Icaro (Dos Puntos) / Polyommatus icarus / celina), a teneral male Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Red Fox (Vulpus vulpus).
Further on we checked an area near an almost completely dry lake and picked up just Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua), Lesser Kestrel (Cernicola Primilla / Falco naumanni) before dropping down to a side track which lead out to a small pool which still held a small amount of water, as we drove to this point Mike H quietly said he thought he had seen a slightly strange looking lark on the right of the vehicle just a few meters from the track so we reversed back and scanned the spot and soon relocated this bird. With in a couple of seconds it showed fully in the open and we where watching the prize of the day a very smart immature Dupont's Lark (Alondra Ricotí / Chersophilus duponti) which pottered around in amongst the dry grassy tussocks giving us great views for the next couple of minutes before slipping out of view into the denser vegetation. We were all very pleased with this bird as I had mentioned in the itinerary that the bird was present but very hard at this time of the year and the chances of seeing one let along getting the views we did were slim to say the least.
We parked by the small pool and checked the reeds and Tamarisks nearby and soon added a few species to the Dragonfly list including Iberian Blue-tail (Ischnura graellsii), Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum), Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathinerum) and Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) along with Iberian Water Frog (Rana Común / Rana Perezi) and Large Psammodromus (Lagartija colilarga / Psammodromus algirus).
We returned to the van and retraced out way a short distance along the track before turning off and then parking again near an area of the lake which still held some water, in the reeds and sedges on the margins we found Western Willow (Lestres viridis) and a couple of Migrant Spreadwing (Lester barbarus) as well as Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Dartford Warbler (Curruca Rabilarga / Sylvia undata), a couple more Marsh Harriers and lots more Short-toed Larks.
We continued on to another T junction turned left and drove out in to the fields again and had very nice views of a Lesser Short-toed Lark (Terrera Marismena / Calandrella rufescens) which sat on the track and another couple of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse before we turned around and headed back towards the road. On this short drive we saw Sardinian (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala) and Orphean Warblers (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Black-eared Wheatear (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica). At the end of the road I put Hecho into the Satnav and we started the drive North as it was starting to warm up out on the fields, we did make a short stop at a mirador which looked over the whole area before continuing our drive. We travelled up past Zaragoza seeing lots of White Stork (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) and stopped at a bridge whih crossed the Embalse de Ardisa and had a look along a short track in the woodland there. We added Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti) Garden (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin) and Subalpine Warblers (Curruca Carrasquena / Sylvia Cantillans), Booted Eagle (Aguililla Calzada / Hieraaetus pennatus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), European Bee-eater (Abejaruco Común / Merops apiaster), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur), Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Common Treecreeper (Agateador Norteño / Certhia familiaris), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and heard Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Wryneck (Torcecuello / Jynx torquilla). Butterflies included Cleopatra (Cleopatra / Gonepteryx cleopatra), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni),  Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Scarce Swallowtail (Chupaleches / Iphiclides podalirius feisthameli).
A little further on our attention was drawn to a group of farm buildings due to the large number of Griffon Vultures that were circling the spot, we soon guessed that it was some sort of feeding station so we pulled over and had a look. Some of the birds were so over loaded with food that they could not get off the ground and were just bouncing around in a nearby cereal crop field which looked quite comical whilst others were still feeding and were covered in the bloody evidence. In the same area we saw the first Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) of the trip, Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) and in a roadside ditch several Copper Demoiselle's (Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis) and Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens). Again we continued on past the impressive rocks of Peñas de Riglos where we stopped and took a couple of view shots and near by picked up a Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus). We eventually reached the small village of Siresaand checked in to the Hotel Castillo D'Acher were we going to be spending the next six nights. Once everyone and the kit were in their rooms we went and had a drive to the well known Boca del Infierno where we checked out the stunning gorge and cliffs for birds, here we added Rock Pigeon (Paloma Bravia / Columba livia), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius). In the same area we had Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), Pyrenean Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium ssp. pyrenaica), Pyrenean Saxifrage (Saxifraga longifolia) and a fine male Mouflon (Ovis orientalis) with some stunning horns. We headed back down the valley after a great but tiering day and had the first of many good meals at the hotel.

Anchar de Alano's, Sierra Alano, Huesca Province.

A leisurely stroll into the hills?????
Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Three.
 
We were up, had breakfast and were out heading through the stunning local countryside for just 30 or so Km and on the way we saw Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone),  Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea). We parked at a carpark a couple of KM along a track, got the kit together and started to make our way along the farm track. Straght away we were seeing lots of Fragrant (Gymnadenia conopsea), Burnt (Neotinea Ustulata) and Greater Butterfly Orchids (Platanthera chlorantha), Piedmont Ringlets (Erebia meolans) and as we made our way into the beech woodlands we saw and heard Coal  (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Treecreeper (Agateador Norteño / Certhia familiaris), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs). On the track side banks we saw a nice patch of Common Wintergreen (Pyrola minor), Alpine Bistort (Polygonum viviparum), Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) and just as we broke through the trees we found the first of many stunning Black Vanilla Orchids (Nigritella angustifolia) and the less showy Frog Orchid (Dactylorhiza viride). As we continued on we saw Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Orphean Warbler (Curruca Mirlano / Sylvia hortensis), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citrinella) and several Citril Finches (Verderón Serrano / Serinus citrinella) which were a lifer for some of the group. We continued walking up past the two red roofed farm buildings, just past the second building we left the nice track and took to the hill properly, John and Judy stayed on the track and searched the area below the crags whilst six of us continued on up. The first part of the walk took us up through some superb orchid meadows packed with Black Vanilla, Frog, Fragrant and Lesser Butterfly Orchids (Platanthera bifolia) as well as a good number of Field Gentians (Gentianella campestris). Before we reached the scree higher up we had views of a couple Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Crag (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and House Martins (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros). We hit the scree level and the walking got slightly harder but we were seeing so many things it was not really noticed, it got even better when a sub-adult Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus) which drifted along the ridge a couple of times giving us nice views. A little way further on we had Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus), a Red Kite and as we started to push up into the crack throgh the ridge to the meadows above we eventually found our first of the Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella modularis) we had been hearing all the way up. In fact we had come across a family party of two adults and at least three juveniles, one of which gave us incredable views. In the same area we saw Viola biflora, a carpet of Saponaria species, Mountain Everlasting (Antennaria dioica), Iberis Species and Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychlorus), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea) and Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera). We continued up the track a little way after the Accentors and checked out a few plants and had a sit down, whilst we were catching our breath I checked a large crag and had fleeting views of a pair of Snowfinches (Gorrión Alpino / Montifringilla nivalis) but they were gone before I could get the rest of the group on to them. Here Mike L, Mary-Ann and Linda decided to wait and sit on a rock looking for the Snowfinches whilst Mick H, Nick and I continued on up to the meadows above. Once we were out on the grasslands we checked the area seeing Alpine Marmot (Marmota marmota), more Alpine Accentors and a single Snowfinch which I again managed to see but this time I managed to get Mick H on to it before it disappeared over a nearby ridge. Nick spent a while searching around a nearby patch of snow but the bird did not show again so we made our way down the hill eventually catching up with Mick L, Linda and Mary-Ann and then all of us headed back down through the Orchid meadows where Mary-Ann found a couple of spikes of an interesting looking Orchid which we put down to a hybrid between Black Vanilla Orchids (Nigritella angustifolia) X Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea) = Gymnadenia pyrenaeensis. 
We dropped down again and met Judy and John down by the first Farm building, we were all pleased to hear that they had seen nearly all the species we had seen except for the Snowfinch but they had seen a Marsh Tit (Carbonero Palustre /Parus palustris) a species I had not seen up till now in Spain. Now that all the group were back together we started the decent to the car adding Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Common (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and Alpine Swifts (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus viridis), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes) and Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus).
We got back to the van and had a few minutes resting our feet and soaking them in the river, once we were sorted we started back towards the hotel. As we drove down the track we saw a small group of Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) just across the river, after we watched these smart looking animals for a while and took some photographs we continued on and stopped at a view point on the southern side of Sierra de Alano and scanned the cliffs. We only added Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major) along with Comma ("C" blanca / Polygomum c-album), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Cleopatra (Cleopatra / Gonepteryx cleopatra).
Again we carried on and stopped again when we saw several plants of the delicate and beautiful Digitalis lutea and whilst we were stopped in the is area we had a very smart Southern White Admiral (Limenitis reducta), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Wood White (Leptidea sinapis), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna), Pyrenean Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium ssp. pyrenaica), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and Pyramidal Orchid (Orquidea Pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia).
 

El Portalet, Formigel and track to Gabardito, Huesca Province.

Another day in the high mountains.
Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Four.
 
I went for a short walk before breakfast up a small farm track to the rear of the hotel and found several nice spikes of Robust Marsh Orchids (Dactylorhiza elata) growing in a wet field and on to of a dry stone wall. Birds included Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus). After breakfast we all headed out towards El Portalet pass over to France, on the way we had good numbers of Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) and Red Kites. 
We drove up the road towards the pass seeing several spots on the way that we wanted to stop at on the way down but made one stop to have a look at a fine display of Broad-leaved Marsh  (Dactylorhiza majalis) and Robust Marsh Orchids (Dactylorhiza elata) on the side of the Barranco del Puertoand and in the same area we saw our first Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne) along with Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs) and Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris).
We continued up to the pass and had a coffee just over the border in France, once we were back out of the Cafe we picked up Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and a nice male Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe).
We crossed back in to Spain and parked a couple of hundred meters back down the road and had a stroll up on to the hill along the roadside where we were soon finding new wildflower species including Centaurea montana, Alpine Bartsia (Bartsia alpina), a Sempervivum species, Lamium species and a very nice red coloured Rose species still needing a name plus another Clouded Apollo. We dropped down around the back of this hill where Nick, Mike H and I were called over by the rest of the group to look at a fine male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis). From here we followed a small damp flush for a way up the back of the hill and along to a rocky outcrop, right at the start of the walk John and I had brief views of a Glandon Blue (Agriades glandon) but it was to quick for a shot and went through the nearby pig wire fence. We checked the area at the start of the flush where we had several Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) and a couple of Lizards which were probably Viviparous Lizard (Lacerta vivipara) due to the damp habitat. Slightly further up the stream we saw Globe Flower (Trollius europaeus), Alpine Bartsia, Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Bird's-eye Primrose (Primula farinosa) and quite a few spikes of Fragrant (Gymnadenia conopsea) and Heath Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza maculata). At the upper part of flush we scanned a rocky crag and picked up a very nice male Ortolan Bunting (Escribano Hortolano / Emberiza hortulana) which was singing from the highest point. Below the crags we checked the pool formed by the flush and found the uncommon Pyrenean Frog (Rana pyrenaica), more Common Frogs, Large White (Pieris brassicae), Piedmont Ringlet (Erebia meolans), Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera), Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa), Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis), Pyrenean Cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum), Maiden Pink (Dianthus deltoides) and  Phyteuma spicatum subsp. pyrenaicum. On the way back down the flush we found a cracking male Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe) which was slightly tatty but a welcome addition to the butterfly list and just as we were exiting the flush we found another male which was in cracking condition. 
In the same area we had the first Apollo (Apolo / Parnassius apollo), Green hellebore (Helleborus viridis), Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus), Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), Booted Eagle (Aguililla Calzada / Hieraaetus pennatus), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and Alpine Marmot (Marmota marmota). We came back around the hill and walked back towards the van when we picked up another blue species of butterfly which this time turned out to be a nice male Escher's Blue (Agrodiaetus escheri) and back near the van we had a second male Ortolan singing, Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citrinella) and Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix) wet my lipping from a grassy slope near by.
We all got in the van and we started the drop down the slope back towards Formigel making a stop at another wet flush on the way, after checking with a couple of chaps repairing the fence we entered the gate which took us out on to the grassy hillside where we searched for plants and butterflies.
On the flush near the road we saw Dingy (Erynnis tages) and Rosy Grizzled Skippers (Pyrgus onopordi), Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) and a couple of smart looking Saxifarges which still need names. We walked up the track and out on to the grassland where we photographed the stunning Giant Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea) which was quite common in the area. At the same spot we saw Broad-leaved Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis),  Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum), Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus), a male Common Wall Lizard, Skylark (Alondra Común / Alauda arvensis) and another calling Common Quail which Nick and Mick H saw in flight.
The morning had flown by and tums were rumbling so we dropped down to a large road side restaurant where we had some very nice rolls and tapas.
As we were heading back out to the van we scanned the gravel beds along the river and picked up a couple of Little Ringed Plovers (Chorlitejo Chico / Charadrius dubius), Grey and White Wagtails (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus).
We again dropped just a couple of KM down the road to a spot near Formigel and parked on the roadside where we were told by an on site warden not to go on to the one side of the road which slightly confused me, I know why he made this request as there are a lot of the rare Lady's Slipper Orchids (Cypripedium calceolus) there. What confused me was that all the plants were quite obviously well over with as we could see them on the bank and back in May when I had been at the same spot when the plants were in perfect flower and there was no sign of a warden ????
Anyway we checked the damp areas and meadows on the side of the road where we were able to explore and soon found several spikes of Common Twayblade (Neottia ovata), Burnt (Neotinea Ustulata) and Pyramidal (Orquidea Pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia), Common Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Bird's-eye Primrose,  Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium), Chimney Sweeper Moth (Odezia atrata), a very smart Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino) which took a while to get shots of and then what should have been called a Camblewell Ugly as it was incredibly tatty Camberwell Beauty (Nymphalis antiopa). As we walked around the dryer parts of the area we had several Pearly Heaths (Coenonympha arcania), Meadow Fritillary (Mellicta parthenoides), Amanda's Blue (Polyommatus amandus), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea) and several Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris).
We dropped down the hill again and stopped to look at a very nice group of roadside Common Spotted, Greater Butterfly Orchids (Platanthera chlorantha), as well as a few more Common Twayblades, Common Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) along with Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) and Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala).
From here we headed back down the hill and through Jaca where we stopped at a supermarket for supplies before continuing back to the hotel where a couple of the group retired early leaving four of us to continue birding for another hour or two in the area around the start of the road up to Gabardito. On the grassy area near the start of the track we found Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), a nice male Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina) and a couple of Idas Blues (Plebejus idas). We walked along a river side track and came across a couple of small puddles on the track where we saw Adonis Blue (Niña Celeste / Lysandra bellargus), Small White (Artogeia rapae), Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus F lyllus) and Cleopatra (Cleopatra / Gonepteryx cleopatra). We walked along the track for quite a long way finding Martagon Lily (Lilium Martagon), Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne), Southern Brown Argus (Aricia cramera), Large Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychlorus) as well as Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Crested Tits (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), Treecreeper (Agateador Norteño / Certhia familiaris), Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), several Goldcrests (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Garden (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin) and Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli).
We walked back to the Van and made our way back to the hotel and ended a cracking day with a good meal and a drink.

Gabardito, Hecho Valley, Huesca Province.

Wallcreeper day, one of the most wanted species amongst the group (No pressure).
Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Five.
 
After another good breakfast we made our way the short distance to the road up to the Refugio Gabardito, on the way we saw the usual species including Red (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) and Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor) and on our way up the winding single track road we had views of and heard Bullfinch (Camachuelo Común / Pyrrhula pyrrhula), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Garden Warbler (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin), Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea). 
We parked at the refugio and sorted all the kit before starting the relatively short walk out to the spot or the target species which took us through some stunning Beech (Fagus sylvatica) woodland with several species of conifer sprinkled in amongst these stately trees. Just after starting the walk we were stopped by the unmistakable calls of a Black Woodpecker (Picamaderos Negro / Dryocopus martius) in the canopy just ahead of us but as hard as we all searched we could not find the bird and had to be happy with a brief flight view as the bird slipped away down the slope through the trees. We continued on and soon found several groups of Common Wintergreens (Pyrola minor) and White Helleborine (Cephalanthera damasonium) the first of several new orchids species for the trip which was quickly followed by Bird's-nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis) and Dark-red Helleborine (Epipactis atrorubens) with the former just past its best and the latter not quite in flower. A bit further on we came out into a clearing where quite a few cows where rattling there bells, I caught up with Judy, John and Linda at the far side of the clearing. They were scanning the trees below as Judy had just seen a very smart White-backed Woodpecker (Pico Dorsiblanco / Dendrocopos leucotos) cross the clearing and drop in to trees on the far side, by the time I reached them the bird had not been relocated and remained elusive. In the same area however I did see one of my target birds for the trip when we picked up a couple of Marsh Tits (Carbonero Palustre /Parus palustris) in the willow below us as well as Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita). We eventually had to give up on the Woodpecker and continued on along the track adding Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Crested Tits (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus), Goldcrest (Reyezuelo Sencillo / Regulus regulus), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Cirl Bunting (Escribano Soteno / Emberiza cirlus) and a couple of cronkng Ravens (Cuervo / Corvus corax). We were also looking down at our feet again adding a few more wild flower species as we walked including several spikes of the uncommon One-flowered Wintergreen (Moneses uniflora) along with Alchemilla-leaved Cinquefoil (Potentilla alchemilloides), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum), Pyrenean Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium ssp. pyrenaica), Fairy Foxglove (Erinus alpinus) and a couple of just hanging on Alpine Gentians (Gentiana alpina). 
A little while later we reached the spot for the Wallcreeper (Treparriscos / Tichodroma muraria) and once we found Judy and John who had over shot slightly we all settled down for what can be a long wait for this special bird but just a few minutes later we located one of the pair on the main stack of rock where I had seen them back in May. During the next hour or so we saw what was probably both birds of the pair several times travelling between the rock face above us and the warm sun covered crags a little further up the track. In this area we saw and heard Blue-rock Thrush (Roquero Solitario / Monticola solitarius), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Alpine Swift (Vencejo Real / Apus melba), both Alpine (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus) and Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus) and we  heard Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus viridis) and a barking Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) along way below us in the woods. 
We spent quite a while watching the Wallcreepers and once everyone was happy with their views we all except for Mike L and John who decided to slowly walk back down towards the van, decided to carry on along the same track and make our way up on to the alpine meadows above. On the way we saw more Dark-red Helleborine plants in bud along with a few spikes of what looked like they would be Broad-leaved Helleborines (Epipactis helleborine) when they eventually flowered, Pyrenean Saxifrage (Saxifraga longifolia), Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera), Large (Nymphalis polychlorus) and Small Tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Piedmont Ringlet (Erebia meolans), Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis) and another fly over Wallcreeper. Up on the meadow we sat on a group of large rocks and had our lunch surrounded by good numbers of Burnt (Neotinea Ustulata), Frog (Dactylorhiza viride), Fragrant (Gymnadenia conopsea) and Black Vanilla Orchids (Nigritella angustifolia) as well as Alpine Marmots (Marmota marmota), Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Linnets (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina). We also saw several more butterfly species on the grasslands including Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui). 
We retraced our steps back down the track following the same route as on the way up, on the way down we checked an Orchid which Mike H and Mary-Ann had seen on the way up which turned out to be a perfectly flowering Red Helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra) which was a nice addition to the days list, we found several more spike as we descended as well as a few more over with Birdsnest Orchids, Red Squirrel (Ardilla común / Sclurus vulgaris), Common Treecreeper (Agateador Norteño / Certhia familiaris) which was seen and heard and Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) which was just heard but remained elusive to the waiting bins. We met Mike L and John back at the Van and all loaded up before dropping down towards the river, on the way we stopped at a nice large bracken filled clearing where we saw a big bright Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) which cruised along the side of the braked stands. In the same area we had Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Black-veined White (Banca del Majuelo / Aporia crataegi), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila porcellus), a Burnet Moth species and Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula).
A little further down the hill we had a Roe Deer cross the road and made another stop for a very smart Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne) which was nectering on a Knapweed flower.
We continued on down to the river and made a brief stop amongst the Hawthorns adding a False Ilex Hairstreak (Querquera / Satyrium esculi) to the butterfly list but as it was quite hot we saw nothing else. At this point some of the group decided that they wanted to return to the hotel and either had a rest or drop into one of the nearby bars but four of us decided to head back out to check the top end of the Hecho valley for a couple of hours. 
 
We drove with out stopping right to the furthest point and parked near to a shallow ford in a river where we checked the very over grazed grasslands. On the damp gravel we saw a single Small Tortoiseshell, Black-eyed Blue (Glaucopsyche melanops), Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Broad-leaved Marsh (Dactylorhiza majalis), Common Spotted (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Lesser Butterfly (Platanthera bifolia) and Greater Butterfly Orchids (Platanthera chlorantha), as well as more Burnt and Fragrant. Birds included Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citrinella) and down by the river a little back down the valley both White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtails (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea) and a fine male Red-backed Shrike (Alcaudón Dorsirrojo / Lanius collurio) which gave just brief views before disappearing from sight. After we had checked the river for amphibians with out any luck we decided to head back for the evening meal and to make up the days list.

The forests of Irati, Navarra Province and the track to Gabardito, Huesca Province.

Searching for Woodpeckers in the huge forests or a needle in a haystack would be more like it.
Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Six.
 
We were up and out a bit quicker this morning a we had a 70 or so KM drive to reach our main birding spot today and most of it was on windy mountain roads. We made a brief stop on the way to check out a stretch of river where we had Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Red Kite (Milano Real / Milvus milvus), Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) and on the roadside bank Nottingham Catchfly (Silene nutans), Pyrenean Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium ssp. pyrenaica) and Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca).
We made a stop at a bar in the town of Ochagavia and whilst we sat along side the river we saw Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone),  House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).
After the caffeine in take we continued on and arrived at the main car park where we were charged €5 to park but this did include a couple of very useful maps. We immediately started to hear an immature Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus viridis) which we continued to call just about all day. We started by taking a short walk along the trail leading North out of the car park seeing Mistle (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus) and Song Thrushes (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Coal  (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Crested (Herrerillo Capuchino / Parus cristatus) and Blue Tits (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).
After a while we returned to the car park and took another trail following the river, along side this trail there were a few small clearings with swathes of Thistles growing in them which attracted quite a few butterflies including Large (Ochlodes venatus) and Small Skippers (Thymelicus sylvestris), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina ssp hispulla), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Small (Artogeia rapae) and Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Comma ("C" blanca / Polygomum c-album). There were also a couple of dragonflies whizzing around and eventually one of them landed and gave me the chance to get a distant shot so that we could Id it and it turned out to be a new species the Sombre / Two-toothed Goldenring (Cordulegaster bidentata), we also had several Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo). Plants included both Purple (Lathraea clandestina) and Common Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) and none flowering Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleboine). Birds along this walk included Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus), Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) and Garden Warbler (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin). We again retraced our way back to the car park but continued across to the far side and took the track up the far side of the river and walked for quite a long way finishing up in a nice meadow area for butterflies. On the way we saw the Green Woodpecker we had been hearing and Linda go a very nice photograph of it when it dropped down on to the track side bank and some of the group heard a possible Lesser-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Menor / Dryobates minor) but we could not find the bird. Further along the track we had a Lefebvre's Ringlet (Erebia lefebvrei), Common Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and Pearly Heaths (Coenonympha arcania). Yet again we retraced our way back to the vehicle adding Long-tailed Blue (Lampides boeticus), Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum), Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Marsh Tit (Carbonero Palustre /Parus palustris), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius).
Back in the car park we had our lunch and added a family party of Bullfinches (Camachuelo Común / Pyrrhula pyrrhula) to the list before popping up to the next car park for another walk but thins were getting quite warm by now and we did not add very much, Nick did however find a very smart Buff-tip Moth (Phalera bucephala) before we returned to the vehicle. At this point we decided that the target for today the White-backed Woodpecker (Pico Dorsiblanco / Dendrocopos leucotos) would have to be a good reason to return to the area again in the future.
We made our way back towards the hotel adding Water Pipit (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus) and several Southern White Admirals (Limenitis reducta)which flew up off the road on the way. 
Once we were at the hotel some of the group finished for the day and some of us continued on a walked the track near the start of the Gabardito track and as soon as we pulled up we were rewarded with nice views of a male Red-backed Shrike (Alcaudón Dorsirrojo / Lanius collurio) and a little further along the track we had a very nice European Peacock (Aglais io) as well as Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne), Greater Butterfly (Platanthera chlorantha) and Pyramidal Orchids (Orquidea Pyramidal / Anacamptis pyramidalia). Later we made our way back to the vehicle and went back for our evening meal and log call.

Somport Pass area and travelling back, Huesca Province.

Our last day in the high mountains.
Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Seven.
 
We had another good breakfast before setting out for the Somport Pass seeing the usual species around the hotel and on the way including Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Red (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) and Black Kites (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Egyptian (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) and Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Common Buzzards (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).
We arrived at the pass and took a road off to the right and parked before having a walk along a hill side track looking for Ring Ouzel ( Mirlo Capiblanco / Turdus torquatus) a species which had so far surprisingly avoided us. At the bottom end of the track in a wide wet flush we saw plenty of Heath Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza maculata), Purple-edged Coppers (Lycaena hippothoe), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania), Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) and as we approached a quite large gully we had a smart Common Golden Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) do a fly passed and land on a dead stalk long enough for me to get a shot. Further along the track we had the first of several Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis) which was sat out on an old dead pine stump, in the same area new species for the trip and day included Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia), Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and displaying Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta). Below the track there was a new species of butterfly for the trip a Cinquefoil Skipper (Pyrgus cirsii) which was followed by Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea), Silver-studded Blue (Plebejus argus hypochionus), Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania), Piedmont Ringlet (Erebia meolans), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera). At the far end of the walk we found some clumps of Rhododendron ferrugineum a nice pink flowered bush, Rosa dumalis and in the same area we had more singing male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes, Mistle Thrush (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata) and Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe). As we eventually (OK we saw more than expected and it took awhile) walked back towards the van we had brief and distant views of our only Ring Ouzel as it disappeared in to a tree up the slope where it sat for a while whilst Nick got the scope on it. Other species seen on the walk included Apollo (Apolo / Parnassius apollo), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Adonis Blue (Niña Celeste / Lysandra bellargus), Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea), a Long-horn Beetle species, Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), Alpine Marmot (Marmota marmota), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), Common Crossbill (Piquituerto Común / Loxia curvirostra), Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes).
Once we were back at the van we went a short way back to the main road where we stopped again to admire an immature Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus) before going up near the border and having a well earned coffee before dropping down to a small reservoir a few hundred meters away. On the way we checked a roadside puddle which had a very nice male Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) sat on a dead twig and a couple of Large Red Damselflies (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) trying to hide in the thicker vegetation.
Once we were on the track we found lots of Heath Spotted, a few Broad-leaved Marsh (Dactylorhiza majalis), Fragrant and a still to be determined Marsh Orchid species. On the damper areas we found several white Fragrant Orchids, Common Twayblade (Neottia ovata), the only Spanish Argus (Aricia morronensis) of the trip necturing on Pyrenean Cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum), Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris), Water Pipit and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea).
We went back up the road a while later and had lunch at the same place as the coffee earlier and had a look at an area on the opposite side of the road where Nick, Mick H and Mick L had found some Citril Finches (Verderón Serrano / Serinus citrinella) coming down to collect grit. Later we dropped down the main road to a track which lead into the hills where we had another walk looking at the butterflies and wildflowers. In the grasslands we saw Mountain Ringlet (Erebia epiphron), Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania), Piedmont Ringlet, Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus F lyllus),
Idas Blue (Plebejus idas), Round-headed Rampion (Phyteuma orbiculare) and Phyteuma spicatum L. subsp. pyrenaicum, Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha), Garden Warbler (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major), Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citrinella), Goldfinch and Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus).
We started to make our way down the main road back towards the hotel but took a more direct cross country route, the first stop was made when I picked up a female Red-backed Shrike (Alcaudón Dorsirrojo / Lanius collurio) in a roadside bush which was a few minutes later seen again with a very smart male bird. At the same spot we saw or heard Golden Oriole (Oropéndola / Oriolus oriolus), Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus viridis), Bullfinch (Camachuelo Común / Pyrrhula pyrrhula), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone) and on a roadside bramble patch Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina ssp hispulla), Long-tailed (Lampides boeticus) and Holly Blues (Celastrina argiolus), Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) and Large White (Pieris brassicae).
Again we continued on winding our way steadily back towards Hecho, on the way we made another stop to look at some wildflowers including Aphyllanthes monspliensis, Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Rosy garlic (Allium roseum), White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum) and a couple of Gorse species which still need names as well as several very smart Chestnut Heaths (Coenonympha glycerion iphioides), Marbled White (Melanargia galathea), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) and Small White (Artogeia rapae).
We got back to the hotel and some of the group went in and four of us headed off up to the far end of the Hecho Valley for a last look before we headed back to Barcelona tomorrow. We parked and started to walk further up the valley and with in minutes we picked up a stunning adult Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus) which dropped down out of view as soon as we got on it. We moved quickly to the edge of the drop and soon located the bird jumping around on the ground before taking off and flying straight towards us and then off down the river. In the same area we saw Egyptian Vulture, Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Alpine Bartsia (Bartsia alpina), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Common Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus). We turned around and made our way back to the van and then enjoyed our last evening meal back at the hotel and did some packing ready for tomorrow’s trip back to the airport.

Hecho Valley to Barcelona and beyond.

The final day of the tour.
Granada Wildlife Pyrenees Tour Day Eight.

We had our final breakfast at the hotel before saying goodbye to Nell and the Hecho Valley. We drove across country back to the area called Mas de Melons near  Lleda that we had done on the way out, we again had nice views of Black (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans) and Red Kites (Milano Real / Milvus milvus) during the drive as well as Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica) and Little Owl (Mochuelo Europeo / Athene noctua). The first species seen at the Western end of the site was a single Stone Curlew (Alcaraván Común / Burhinus oedicnemus) which we picked up on a stubble field. Further along the road several Rollers (Carraca / Coracias garrulus) were seen on wires and at a distant nest box, in the same area we had African Grass (Nina esmaltada / Zizeeia knysna) and Long-tailed Blues (Lampides boeticus), Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea) and Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus F lyllus). Other birds seen in this area included Hoopoe (Abubilla / Upupa epops), Crested (Cogujada / Galerida cristata) and Thekla Larks (Cogujada Montesina / Galerida theklae), Woodchat Shrike (Alcaudón Común / Lanius senator), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca Cabecinegra / Sylvia melanocephala), Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Northern (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) and Black-eared Wheatears (Collalba Rubia / Oenanthe hispanica), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Great Tits (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Turtle Dove (Tórtola Europea / Streptopelia turtur).
We decided to make our way from here over towards the airport seeing several White Storks (Ciguena Blanca / Ciconia ciconia) on the way and having some thing to eat before finishing the day and tour at the canals and pools at El Prat de Llobregat. We first had a look at a pool up near the beach and added a new species to the full trip list when we saw two adult Audouin's Gull (Gaviota de Audouin / Larus audouinii) sat on track side rails and both Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Black-headed Gulls (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus) out towards the beach. In the same area we had Pallid Swift (Vencejo Pálido /Apus pallidus), Little Egret (Garceta Común / Egreeta garzetta), Zitting Cisticola (Buitrón / Cisticola juncidis), Common Moorhen (Gallineta Común / Gallinulas chloropus), Eurasian Coot (Focha Común / Fulica atra), Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos) and Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor). We relocated to the car park near the largish canal and had a walk seeing Purple Heron (Garza Imperial / Ardea purpurea), Cattle Egret (Garcilla Bueyera / Bubulcus ibis), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Cetti's (Ruisenor Bastardo / Cettia cetti), Reed (Carricero Común / Acrocephalus scrpaceus) and Great Reed Warblers (Carricero Tordal / Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Nightingale (Ruisenor Común / Luscinia megarhynchos), Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Jackdaw (Grajilla / Corvus monedula) and Greenfinch (Verderón Común / Carduelis chloris). Dragonflies included a stunning male Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), Blue / Common (Anax imperator) and Lesser Emperors (Anax parthenope) and in the water we saw Red-eared (Trachemys scripta elegans) and Stripe-necked Terrapins (Mauremys leprosa). Time had now caught up with us so we headed to the airport and Mary-Ann and I said goodbye to the UK bound guest before starting the long drive back to Malaga. We made good progress and by the time we stopped for the night we were well passed Valencia.