Thursday 19 February 2009

Northern Spain in Winter Day 5


Sunday 15 February

Left Hotel Carinena and arrived at El Planeron at 7.30 am, much stiller than last time but also a lot colder at -4 C. A lot quieter we only heard a few snatches of a single Dupont's Lark in song. The wetland area here held a roost of c 80 Common Cranes as well as a selection of wildfowl and a Green Sandpiper.

We drove a track further out into the depression managing to find more Lesser Short Toed, Calandra and Crested Larks and Pintailed and Black Bellied Sandgrouse. Following the minor road across the steppe towards Quinto De Ebro we found roadside Dartford and Fan Tailed Warblers.

Time was now pressing in on us if we were to make Zaragoza airport and our flight home. Nonetheless we found time for a brief stop by the river in Quinto de Ebro. Although in full spate we did manage to add a number of birds to our list including Little, Cattle and Great White Egrets. This village was also really good for nesting White Storks.
Ended trip on 104 species. For gen we used 'A Birdwatching Guide to the Pyrenees by Jacqueline Crozier' We also got some good up to date information from http://www.birdinginspain.com/

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