8 December 2008 - Spain Birding: December 2008 update
Please browse 'archives' under the 'links' heading in the right hand column for date-ordered trip reports and monthly summaries.
7th December: With strict instructions to 'be back for dinner' I left Barcelona early and made a late decision to divert to the Vall de Nuria in the Catalan Pyrenees, a location that, I decided, I had neglected.
Not in the mood for the cremallera rack train and the skiers, I engaged the four-wheel-drive and worked my way up a track towards Fontalba. Cold, but sunny, I had to wait to get to 1600m before a flock of about 200 Chaffinch teased me to stop the car and get out, lest it contain hidden delights. And delights there were, in the form of a couple of small parties of Siskin clung to thistle heads scattered amongst the grassy meadow, a handful of Linnet keeping watch from a lone leafless tree and a single winter-plumaged Water Pipit calling for my attention from the tip of an adjacent bush as I surveyed all around me.
'Keep watching,' it seemed to say and, after taking some time to appreciate its courage and northern grit at remaining amongst the snow when most of its species had descended to the lowlands, I picked out first one and then possibly eight Brambling, the first time I'd seen this species in this area. When the whole entourage was disturbed, a stunning male perched on top of a nearby pine where it waited until I'd set up my camera and was about to click...
Another 400m in altitude and a short walk produced several flocks of Crossbill, mostly perched tree-top and tame, individual sightings of Crested, Coal, Blue and Great Tit and a moment, when I flushed four Grey Partridge from beneath my feet, that I don't know who was more excited. Probably me. Although I didn't crap myself as I left, like they did, so may be not.
Feeling the cold and having had my fill of 'pleasure-birding' and peanut sticks (don't ask, I'd forgotten my breakfast) I clicked into work mode and focussed on the job of the day, which was to see if there were any Snowfinch in the Cadi-Moixero Natural Park.
As I headed down the mountain in search of relative heat, I stopped to watch the curious sight of a huge Griffon Vulture flapping vigorously - if Griffon Vultures can ever flap vigorously - towards my windscreen. The next five minutes saw over 20 birds, all doing the same and all heading, almost in a line, straight towards me. As they arrived directly above my head, they rested and allowed themselves to be carried upwards into a neat, ever-ascending circle. Finding a thermal wasn't quite what I had intended when I went in search of a little warmth but it was gratefully received and provided a rare moment when I find these birds interesting. Well let's face it, they don't exactly do much usually, do they?
Unfortunately the hour's drive to Cad-Moixero turned out to be a waste (almost) as the area was covered from head to toe in woolly hats, gloves and ski-boots - as well as my breakfast, I'd also forgotten it was a bank holiday!
Oddly enough an almost exact repeat of my vulture experience fortuitously provided my moment of the day as, having been watching yet more low-thermalling Griffons, I suddenly looked up at a chirp above my head to see my self almost smothered in about 140 circling Alpine Chough (below).
How they managed to get so close without me seeing them I don't know but I watched and listened until they drew away from the thermal, lined up and noisily left the intruding snow-revellers to find a bit of peace and quiet.
And so did I.
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About Me
I now spend my life birding in Spain, taking every opportunity to head out on my own even when not working as a professional bird guide.
Most of the birding trip reports and photos will be from my local patch, The Garraf Massif and Llobregat Delta around Barcelona, but I also visit The Ebro Delta, The Steppes of Lleida, Los Monegros, The Pyrenees, Cap de Creus and Aiguamolls de L'Emporda.
Please e-mail me if you would like to be placed on the mailing list for this blog and I'd be happy to help with information if you're planning a bit of Spain birding your self.
If you're looking for birding holidays, short breaks and day tours in Catalonia, for families and serious birders, details can be found at www.catalanbirdtours.com.
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