Central Spain and the Pyrenees.

After a year and a half break from travel, because of Covid, myself and two friends (Per and Nick) made a 8 day trip to Spain. Purpose for me was to see as many of the birds missing on my list for this area and of course to again do a birding trip with some friends. Early August is in many ways a slow period and some birds are not easy to track down. Missing on my list were Great Bustard, Black (Cinereous) Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Dupont's Lark, Wallcreeper, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Black Wheatear, Rock Sparrow and Citril Finch. We arrived with an afternoon flight to Madrid, rented our car (a Opel Mocca which was a disappointment both in size and comfort) and made it to our local hotel. First thing next morning we were on the road towards NE. Our first spot was just outside Madrid itself and we spoted our first group of 16 Great Bustards on a field next to the road. The Road was narrow and we couldn't stop directly. After we had parked a few hundred meters further we went back, but at that time they have moved further out and the pictures were just for memory. A few km more and we stopped at a small village and took a walk. Our first Short-toed Eagle was nicely perched in a tree and I got my first Rock Sparrows here as well as a small group of Spanish Sparrows and a few larks.  A great feeling to be birding abroad again with good friends! 

We then continued on smaller roads through local farmlands. Birds were not plentiful and you feel the same experience as in Sweden at this time of the year, with no song and breeding activity. Birds seen in fewer numbers were Red-legged Partridge, more Larks (Crested) and  Woodchat Shrike. We then drove towards Mirador de Valdelanagar, were a local birder had given me location for the Imperial Eagle. Last part was on a pretty rough road but when we got there, the reward was stunning. A pair sitting on a big electric pole (quite far away) but easily recognizes through a scope. They also made a few displaying flights to our great joy. Here we also saw Red-rumped Swallow, more Rock Sparrows. 

We now headed for our hotel in the very beautiful town of Miraflor de la Sierra but on the way we passed the dumping spot at Colmenar Viejo which showed to be a real highlight. At the top of the spot more than hundred Griffon Vultures and at least 15 Cinereous (Black) Vultures were seen, either in flight or on the ground. Her also a giant roosting area for White Storks.

As we arrived to our hotel we checked in and started to drove up the mountain for an afternoon there. On our way towards the top, Per realized he had forgotten his bins at the toilet in McDonalds where we had a brief lunch! Quick turn and back. The lucky star was ons Per's side and they were still there, at the toilet though almost 3 hours had gone!! We still had time for a drive up to the local mountain to look for some local specialties. We had great views of a flock of Iberian Magpies, close views of Griffon Vultures among others. This Greater Whitethroat gave us some confusions before we came close enough to see.

A short coffee and ice-cream stop at a narrow pavement in an unnamed small village.

Next morning we headed east and our first stop was at lake Embalze de Pedrezuela. We had views of some raptors and the trips only Bonelli's Eagle (juv) was seen. Here we also had several good views of Melodious Warblers and this juvenile Subalpine Warbler, with which we certainly needed help to decide what species it was. We continued further east and reached the area around lake . on the way we made a stop at small village with an old fort, where Dupont's Lark could be possible. We saw a few more Larks, Short-toed and Thekla but no Dupont's. Later in the afternoon we reached Laguna de Gallocanta which has a big list of birds. Not at this time though and we decided not to drive all the way to the shore. We had some nice views right at the information board, namely the only Black-eared Wheatear of the trip and a couple of (juv/ female) Cirl Buntings on a field. Night in the cosy village of Tornos, where we had a well deserved beer (or two) before crashing into our beds.

Nick and Per enjoying a well deserved beer and putting down todays records in the evening at Tornos square.

Next morning we went back to the lake areas and we saw more than 10 Montague's Harriers, a new flock of Great Bustards and one Black-bellied Sandgrouse. Unfortunately it disappeared when we walked towards it and I was the only one to see it. Happily we saw this species later on during our trip.

Our journey now continued north towards the Pyrenees. 

Next stop was Reserva de El Planeron, which is one of the most "famous" spots for this elusive species but no luck here either. Definitely  wrong time of the year. We had splendid views of Thick-knees and Western Bonelli Warbler which cheered both Nick and Per (and me though no new birds for me) up. We then drove up to Huesca where we tried for Scops Owl without luck and had a nice meal at the plaza.

Next morning, target Black Wheatear which I had been given a trustful spot for. When reaching the castle area of Castillo de Montearagon we realized that the road was closed the last part but I made a chance of asking one of the workers if we could just go to the top and not at all to the castle area and he said we should be fine. Up here it certainly took a while before I found it, but I eventually it happened! On the way down we had our first sighting of the Iberian Green WP which made me shout straight out as it flew past the car. It landed close so everybody got a decent look. Other good birds here was Blue Rock Thrush and a group of Bee-eaters. All birds were seen at distance so no pics from this spot.
Later we started our trip towards the Pyrenees and our fantastic hotel Uson right at the best spot. Before evening we had time for a shorter walk at the local valley where we spotted a few birds we also see at home like the Red-backed Shrike and the (White-throated)Dipper. We then had nice evening with splendid food (and a beer or two)!

Stunning and fantastic hotel Uson.

Today we headed towards the ski resort area Astun next to the French border. Weather was not good at all with some rain and fog. We didn't see much but as the clouds lost their total impact we saw two Bearded Vultures (Lammergeir) circling around a peak. 

Me at the French border in foggy weather.

Next day we went back to Astun and took a ski lift to the top. Wind was very strong but we pulled ourselves to a top and down to a valley. Not many birds but a flock of Red-billed Choughs were playing around and a few Water Pipits as well. Northern Wheatear was the most common bird here and seen frequently on the slopes. We made an attempt to the other side of the ski resort where some reports had been made earlier in the summer. Not much here except also a family of Alpine Choughs and an Alpine Marmot which gave a strong alarm call. 

Except for seeing Bearded Vulture every day here we also had frequent sightings of Kestrel and Booted Eagle. Here a pic with both for size comparison.

Last day here was the best as we decided to climb the local peak close to our hotel. A narrow and in places steep trail made me take the decision to not go all the way. My knee was hurting a lot and was not stabile. Per and Nick continued and managed to see some good birds. I wasn't disappointed though as I had a nice flock of Citril Finches down at the fields next to a rest house/ café. Sorry for my friends they were gone when they returned.

We went back south towards Zaragoza where we stayed at a roadside hotel on the south side. A strange place with a"special" garden. It was very hot, over 30 at 10 p.m. Purpose of this hotel was to be close to an area where there had been several reports of Larks and Sandgrouses. As we went out in this habitat we quite quickly started to see many larks. Very erratic and nervous in behavior, we had problems with seeing them good enough. Thekla Larks where plentiful but after a while we came close enough to put the last one on the list, the Lesser Short-toed Lark. While standing here, I heard a sound which in some way was familiar. For sure a flock of Pin-tailed Sandgrouses were seen but in quite a distance though. Luckily I saw where they went down and we drove on a small track a finally and found them on a field. Could not come close enough for a decent photo but easily recognized in the scope. Talk about lucky minutes, a flock of Black-bellied Sandgrouses also came by but these were only seen in flight. A simple brunch was taken in a local village and this place will be in my memory for quite a while as about 20 old men where having a party with lots of alcohol at 11 a.m.

Last evening was spent at a nice airport hotel and the next morning we said goodbye to each other. A great trip and splendid time with good friends. I saw 7 out of 9 possible new birds which is ok, taking in the matter of timing of the year. Both Dupont's and Wallcreeper are well known to be very hard at this time of the year but the view and the memory of the Pyrenees is clear as a blue sky. Last picture was sent to me from Nick at one of many joyful moments.

Looking forward to next adventure!