16 day birdwatching tour

AVAILABLE all year round

Contact us for custom dates.

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Premium tour

Quiet small groups

Only 6 persons max

Arrive - Madrid

Depart - Gibraltar

Highlights

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INCLUDED
Courtesy pick / drop-off at arrival / departure airport or hotel​

​Ground transport

Bed & breakfast accommodation​

All meals included (tapas-style)

Mineral water / soft drinks (alcohol excluded)
Travel the whole of Spain North to South
Visit several important Nature Reserves
Target several sought-after species
Flight destinations available worldwide (Not inclusive)

Use of spotting scope / binoculars

​Professional guide - Andrew

NOT INCLUDED

Flights

Alcoholic beverages

Other items of pesonal nature

​Any medication

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CONDITIONS

Minimum 2 participants to go ahead

50% deposit required to secure seats

Final payment by 1st week Jan 2020​

ADDITIONAL INFO

​Arrive in Madrid at least a day before

Depart from Gibraltar airport via UK

Additonal departure points possible (not inclusive)

​Contact us to plan your departure routes

​*Routes may change depending on weather*

Please note:- slots may disappear quickly as bookings are taken up by paying customers, therefore, we recommend contacting us soonest for availability and other info

ITINERARY

DAY 1

PONTEVEDRA

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This important bird watching area is composed of two distinct settings: O Grove and the surrounding municipalities, with different coastal ecosystems, and the Illas Atlánticas National Park.  In O Grove and its surroundings we can visit sections of rocky coastline with beaches, marshes, dunes and the famous O Vao intertidal inlet.  The whole are is characterised by farm fields and old clay mines that attract more birds, which makes it one of the most extraordinary places for watching waterbirds and seabirds in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, where hundreds of species have been recorded, some of which are particularly rare or difficult to observe. The National Park includes islands where steep cliffs give way to placid beaches.  Here, seabird colonies are one of the main attractions.

Target birds include: Northern fulmar, Norther gannet, Cory's and Manx shearwater, Greater black-backed, lesser black-backed, Yellow-legged, Herring, Mediterranean, Black-headed and Little gulls, Sandwich, Arctic, Roseate, Little and Gull-billed terns, Mediterranean shag, Greater Cormorant and more seabirds and waders!​

DAY 2

GALICIA

​ESTACA DE BARES

The area is the northern-most tip of Spain and one of the best places to watch seabirds in the Iberian Peninsula, and a great opportunity to get some birds we may have missed on the previous site.  Its classified as an IBA site (Important Bird Area).  Amongst the breeding birds on the cliffs include the Mediterranean shag and Cory's shearwater.  Great opportunities to observe thousands of European seabirds such as Razorbill, Puffin, Guillemot, Northern gannet, several species of gull and terns, as well as a plethora of small migrants using the headland as a resting point to continue north towards Northern Europe.

Target species include: Razorbill, Puffin, Guillemot, Northern gannet, several species of gull and ternsLittle Grebes, Mallards, Gadwalls, European Storm Petrels, Shags, Northern Goshawk, Sparrow Hawks, European Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzards, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Great Cormorant, and Common Teal, Purple Heron, Great White Egret, Spoonbills, Osprey, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Avocet, Barn Swallows, Reed Bunting, Quail, Turtle Dove, and Yellow Wagtails and many more migrant passerines!.

DAY 3 & 4
ASTURIAS
PICOS DE EUROPA

Amazing geological folds and glaciations have shaped a stunning mountain scene as a result of the glacial ice caps and water on the limestone forming magnificent karst mountain system.  The regions has great opportunities to watch some interesting wildlife such as Chamois, Wild boar, Otter, Trout, Salmon, Alpine newts and Seoane viper.

Target birds include: Griffon, Black & Egyptian vultures, Golden, Bonelli's eagles, Bluethroat, Water pipit, Black redstart, Wallcreeper and more

DAY 5 & 6

SPANISH PYREENES

ORDESA & MONTE PERDIDO NATIONAL PARK

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This national park is part of the Pyrenees and monte Perdido national park declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO.  Its is a place of sheer beauty with towering summits and ecosystems from both Atlantic and Mediterranean influences.  The highest point reaches 3,355 metre above sea level.  There are great opporunities to observe a wide variety of wildlife, such asPyrenean chamois, Alpine marmot, stoat, Pyrenean lizard, Pyrenean frog and many others.  Trees include a mixture with distinct types of woodland from mixed with Copper beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Sctoch pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Black pine (Pinus unicata) in the alpine meadows.  There area has a plethora of streams and waterfalls which we shall witness as we engage on relaxing  walk that transverses most of these unique habitats in search of the birdlife in one of the days.

Target species include: Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Lammergeier, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Golden Eagle, Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Black WoodpeckerAlpine Swift, Crag, Martin,Water Pipit, Alpine Accentor, Dipper, Ring Ouzel, Marsh Tit, Crested Tit, Wallcreeper Alpine Chough, Red-billed Chough, Red-backed Shrike, Snow Finch, Citril Finch, Crossbill, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Ortolan Bunting and many others.

DAY 7
CATALUÑA
EBRO DELTA NATURE RESERVE

The Ebro is Spain second largest river at 578 miles, just shy of the Tagus' 645 miles, and its delta is the meeting point with the Mediterranean Sea with an area of approximately 320 square kms and one of the most important wetlands in Europe together with the Dońana national park which we shall visit later on during our tour (See below).  There are approximately 95 breeding species of birds in this delta and as many as 300 species have been recorded in the region.  The area is famous for its large (c15,000) breeding pairs of Audouin's gull, formerly one of the world's rarest gulls included in the red data book of threatened world species, which has now increased due to awareness and conservation measures.

Target species include: Little Bittern, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Purple Swamp-hen, Glossy Ibis, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Osprey, Kestrel, Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Black Tern, Audouin’s Gull, Red Crested Pochard, Shelduck, Gadwall, Garganey, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Great-crested grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Bittern, Greater Flamingo, White Stork, Spoonbill, Short-toed Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Kestrel, Merlin, Hobby, Peregrine, Water Rail, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Sanderling, Temminck’s Stint, Dunlin, Little Stint, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Collared Pratincole, Little Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Sandwich tern, Common Tern, Roseate Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Cuckoo, Little Owl,  Woodchat Shrike, Turtle Dove, Kingfisher, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Penduline Tit, Crested Lark, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Short-toed Lark, Whitethroat, Dartford Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Bluethroat, Whinchat, Stonecha, Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Serin, Sand Martin, Cetti’s Warbler, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Reed Bunting, 

DAY 8

ARAGON

GALLOCANTA & LOMAZAS NATURE RESERVE

Gallocanta is the largest seasonal inland brackish-saline water lagoon in Spain with approximately 1,400ha, and one of the most important wintering grounds for European Crane in Europe as well as attracting large number of Red crested pochard, Tufted duck, gadwall, Coot with breeding species including Collard pratincole, Black-bellied sandgrouse, Pied avocet, black-winged stilt and others.  The area also has a large variety of aquatic flora, with open areas of low, halophytic vegetation with Salicornia ramosissima, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda splendens and Puccinellia fasciculata, varies with water level fluctuations. Brackish rush beds with Juncus maritimus, Elymus pungens, Schoenus nigricans and Puccinellia pungens, fringe the lake, covering extensive areas in places. The submerged aquatic flora includes Potamogeton sp., Groenlandia sp., Ruppia sp., Zannichellia sp., Lemna sp., Myriophyllum sp., and Utricularia sp. Extensive beds of Lamprothamnium papulosum and Chara galoides partially cover the bottom of the lagoon.

Lomazas is a large expanse of arid habitat reminiscent of North Africa with 700 ha of a rich ecosystem with mixed plant species associated with saline and Gymsum soils.   A great location for birders and bonafide wildlife enthusiast, due to its high density of steppe birds reside.  The area houses one of the most important European populations of the elusive Dupont's lark, as well as  other typical open area birds such as Black-eared wheatear, Black-bellied & Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Stone curlew and Greater short-toed, Calandra Lark & Lesser Short-toed Larks.  Birds of prey, such as Golden Eagle, Montagu’s, Hen & Marsh Harriers are typical.  The Common Kestrel and Little Owl can also be observed here.

DAY 9

CASTILLA LA MANCHA

TABLAS DE DAIMIEL

This National Park is a unique and special ecosystem, with wetlands formed by the rivers overflowing in their middle sections, resulting in seasonal flooding.  The presence of many special birds that come to spend the winter and nest here is testament to its importance.  The wetland was formed because of the overflowing in the confluence of the Guadiana and Cigüela rivers, accentuated by the sloping terrain. The wetlands are strategically situated on the migration routes of many bird species, which stop over to rest and even to spend the winter. Water birds include Great crested, Little & Black-necked grebe, Purple heron, Cattle & Little egrets, Black-crowned night heron, and various waterfowl.  Many species of aquatic flora can be observed too, such as soft hornwort and rough stonewort, floating duckweeds, blue sedge, giant reeds and rushes.  The area is one of the very few sites in the Iberian Peninsula for Bearded reedling and Moustached warbler.

DAY 10 & 11

EXTREMADURA

MONFRAGUE NATIONAL PARK

Monfragüe National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, characterised by its beautiful and mature, mixed Riparian / Mediterranean forests.  The Tagus and Tiétar rivers surround Monfrague, and their waters carve through the quartzite rocky outcrops where Eagle owls breed.   Kingfishers, Greater cormorants, nightingales and otter are common wildlife in the river courses.  Extremadura and Monfrague National Park in particular, is the  best place in the world to observe Spanish imperial eagle, with our guide knowing their favourtie perching.  About 280 species of the most significant animals of Spain inhabit the park.  Approximately 400 pairs of Eurasian Black Vulture breed in the park, with smaller number of Black Stork, and Egyptian Vulture. About 600 pairs of Griffon Vulture make this the commonest vulture in the park.  Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and Bonelli’s Eagle  can also bee seen.  Other commoner species include Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Short-toed Eagle, and Booted Eagle. The ubiquitous Black Kite abounds, whilst the Black-winged Kite and Northern Goshawk are less common.  Other species include, Red-billed Chough, Black Redstart, Red-rumped Swallow, Rock Sparrow, Black Wheatear, White-rumped Swift, Blue Rock Thrush, Iberian Chiffchaff, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Thekla Lark, Black-eared Wheatear, Western orphean, Sardinian, Subalpine warblers

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DAY 12 & 13

ANDALUCIA

DOÑANA NATIONAL PARK

Doñana is a UNESCO world heritage site, and arguably the most important wetland in Western Europe.  its location is on the southwestern most region of Spain, encompassing the delta of the Guadalquivir river  Its host for a vast array of fauna and flora biodiversity, with  marshlands, mobile and fixed dunes, mediterranean forests and stone pine, as well as a wintering site to more than half a million wildfowl.  It is protected due its unique landscape and range of habitats and is an ideal environment for wildlife.  It is also a major site for migratory and breeding birds such as a Spanish imperial eagle and home to the emblematic Iberian lynx. The silty residue and sandbanks created by the delta waters of the River Guadalquivir create an ideal environment for huge flocks of breeding and winter birds including terns and a variety of waders.

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Target species include: Spanish Imperial and Bonelli’s Eagle, Black Stork, Eurasian Black & Griffon Vultures, Black-shouldered Kite, Iberian Magpie, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Little Bustard, Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Eurasian & Red-knobbed Coot, Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Slender-billed Gull, Audouin’s Gull, Golden oriole, Iberian Chiffchaff and many more.

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DAY 14 & 15

ANDALUCIA

STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR

A unique region given you can observe two continents and three jurisdictions in one view!  This maritime-terrestrial nature park has typical Mediterranean forest, composed of vast expansions of Cork oak (Querus suber), located between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The areas is characterised by harsh extremes, with mild winters and hot moist summers and the marks of various civilisations over the ages.  Approx 60% of Europe's raptor population passes through here, as well as virtually the majority of the storks. Swifts are also here in staggering numbers, with more than 400,000 passing through this area. This diversity reflects an important natural resource - the landscape - with cliffs and abrasion platforms on one side of Tarifa, and sandy beaches on the other. 

Target species include:  Greater flamingo, Eurasian spoonbill, Boneli's eagle, Common, Honey and Long-legged buzzard, Griffon, Black, Egyptian & Ruppell's vultures, Short-toed and Booted eagles, Spotted & lesser spotted eagles, Osprey, Northern, Marsh, Hen, Montagu's & Pallid harriers, Goshawk, Common & Lesser kestrel, Northern bald ibis, Kingfisher, Red-necked nightjar, Eagle, Little & scops owls, Greater spotted & common cuckoos, several warblers and wagtails and more!

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DAY 16

GIBRALTAR

GIBRALTAR NATURE RESERVE

Gibraltar is a British-dependant territory immersed in steep history, and proud base of our company.  As a born and raised Gibraltarian, our guide will give you a unique and first hand experience of the wildlife on the rock, mixed with many aspects of culture and history which only a native guide will be best positioned to give.  Over 315 species of birds have been recorded on the rock, with unique species such as Barbary partridge being the only place in mainland Europe where this species can be observed.  The rock also hold an important population of Yellow-legged gull and Peregrine falcon (ssp Brookei) and one of the very few colonies of breeding Mediterranean shag.  Observing bird of prey migration in Gibraltar is impressive and the interaction of the fiercely territorial Yellow-ledgged gulls and migrant raptors is a breath to behold and one of the few places where this spectacle can be witnessed at close quarters.  Our guide will engage on in-flight raptor identification skills which will allow you to become a raptor ID expert in no time!  At this time of the year, a plethora of migrant passerine species can be observed, refuelling after their gruelling migration across the North African Sahara desert, species such as Bonelli's and Willow warblers, Iberian chiffchaff, Whinchat, Spotted & Pied flycatchers, Woodchat shrike are common amongst many others.  Flora abounds, with several endemic species such as the Gibraltar candytuft, the Gibraltar campion and the Gibraltar sea lavender only seen on the rock.  Add to that the unique experience of observing the only free-ranging population of Barbary macaque, makes Gibraltar a very special place that will surely cap a most memorable trip.​