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A Report from birdtours.co.uk

Spanish Pyrenees & Zaragoza Plains, 22 May-1st June 2003,

James Walsh

James Walsh, Tim Elms, Stephen & Joan Lambert

The Spanish Pyrenees offer some of Europe’s most sought-after species in one of its most spectacular settings. We combined six nights in the mountains with a couple of days on the Zaragoza plains for a highly successful tour that delivered almost of all the birds on our target list - plus a few surprises.

Highlights included excellent views of Wallcreeper, five Lammergeiers and Black Woodpecker. Along the way, we thoroughly enjoyed getting a look at the ‘real Spain’ away from the tourist traps of the Costas.

Travel

We flew with Easyjet from East Midlands to Barcelona (£110 per head, booked in January). These arrangements were straightforward, both flights arriving just a few minutes behind schedule. Even better, the fights were all mid-morning departures – no dead-of-night check-ins for us.

We had decided to fly to Barcelona because it allowed us to bird the plains en route to the Pyrenees. We also took the opportunity to have a day and half of sightseeing in Barcelona at the end of the holiday. If the Pyrenees had been our sole objective, we would probably have flown to Bilbao, from where it is only a two-hour drive to the mountains. Note that Ryanair have very recently (summer 2003) started a daily service from Stansted to Pau in France. From Pau it would be barely an hour’s drive to the area described in this report.

Car hire was arranged through brokers Car Hire Online. At Barcelona, we collected the car from the Atesa section of the large car rental pound. We were very happy with our Citroen Xsara Picasso, which was easy to drive and offered a very capacious boot that easily swallowed four cases plus tripods and other assorted kit.

Accommodation

For our two nights on the plains (22nd and 23rd May) we stayed at the Hotel La Cruzanzana at Candasnos (Carretera Nacional 11, km 412, Candasnos; tel. 0034 974 463025), which gets a brief recommendation in the Crozier guide. Although it has a rather unprepossessing location just yards from the very noisy and lorry-choked N11 highway, this was a very satisfactory base in an area not over-supplied with accommodation. Don’t be put off by the articulated lorries parked outside; this is more than just a truck-stop. It seems to be an old hunting lodge, all stone floors and stags’ head on the walls, but perfectly clean and comfortable with a good menu del dia available in the dining room at €9 for three courses and wine. One twin and one double with en-suite and breakfast worked out at around £14 per head per night. Rooms are at the back of the hotel, away from the traffic noise.

La Cruzanzana is particularly convenient for the Candasnos-Ballobar-Alcolea triangle area mentioned in the Crozier guide. Best of all, we had frequent views of Great Spotted Cuckoo and Spotless Starling from the bedroom window.

Booking La Cruzanzana was not easy. In the absence of a fax number, we resorted to telephoning direct a few weeks before departure. After a rather tricky conversation (JRW’s broken Spanish, their broken English) we were rather relieved to find they were actually expecting us when we arrived.

Our six nights in the Pyrenees were spent at Hotel Aragon, about a mile east of the village of Santa Cilia de Jaca on the main N240 road between Punte La Reina and Jaca (Carretera Nacional 240, km 295, Santa Cruz de la Seros, Huesca. Tel. 0034 974 377122. Fax 0034 974 362189).

This was an ideal base, very centrally situated for the main birding sites. Although we can see the picturesque attractions of staying ‘up the valley’ in Hecho or Siresa, these places would leave a drive of around an hour to sites such as Astun or San Juan de la Pena. From Hotel Aragon, few key places were more than 30 minutes away.

Reservations at Hotel Aragon were made by fax, although we have since discovered an e-mail address (e-mail: hotelaragon@wanadoo.es, website: www.hotelaragonmultiactivo.com). We paid €45 per night per room for one twin and one double with en-suite and breakfast. Again, rooms were clean and comfortable and we dined happily in the bar on the menu del dia at €9 per head.

Although they spoke barely any English, the management were very friendly. Birding was available on the doorstep – literally – with Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Black Redstart and many Red and Black Kites recorded from the balconies of our hotel rooms.

Literature

We made good use of Dave Gosney’s Finding Birds in Northern Spain (available online from www.birdguides.com) and Jacqui Cozier’s A Birdwatching Guide to the Pyrenees (Arlequin Press). We also scoured the usual bird websites for trip reports.

Particular thanks are due to Ian Kinley and Dave Thexton, whose 2002 trip report (available on www.birdtours.co.uk) put us onto Hotel Aragon. Ian very kindly supplied further information by e-mail. Many thanks, Ian!

We also received very high-quality notes on a 2002 trip from Richard and Elaine Francis. Thanks, Richard, for taking so much trouble.

Language

Away from Barcelona, we met barely anyone who spoke English. Our very limited Spanish vocabulary was just enough to get by. Life would have been much more awkward without any Spanish at all.

Weather

We had a very hot first day in the plains (up to 90 degrees). The 24th was cooler, with a stiff Northerly breeze.

Heavy rain on arrival in the Pyrenees had us worried, and the following morning (25th) was distinctly cool. Up at the Gabardito refuge, the cold wind called for two sweaters and anything else available. We suddenly realised why Tim had packed a pair of gloves.

Fortunately, this was the only poor weather, and subsequent days were consistently sunny and warm, usually reaching 80 degrees in the afternoon and staying very warm well into the evening.

Daily log

22nd May

After arriving at Barcelona airport in the early afternoon and collecting the car, we drove straight to the Hotel La Cruzanzana at Candasnos – a drive of around two and a half hours, mostly on the very good A2/E90 toll motorway.

We had time for a walk in the arable fields behind the hotel. Two Black-bellied Sandgrouse flew over and we had a distant glimpse of another Sandgrouse that was probably Pin-tailed. Calandra Larks were singing over our heads and a Great Spotted Cuckoo flew into the wooded garden behind the hotel. We later saw this bird and a food-begging juvenile perched just 10 yards from our bedroom window.

23rd May

Our main objective today was to follow the ‘Candasnos-Ballobar-Alcolea triangle’ route described in the Crozier guide.

Driving north out of Candasnos, we first stopped at the ‘small hill’ at the 47 km marker mentioned by Crozier. Note that recent construction work, which seems to involve a new road and reconstruction of the railway line, means that the precise directions in the book no longer match the situation on the ground. This really doesn’t matter – just stop in likely spots and explore the area.

We stopped on either side of the point where the railway goes under the road. On the south side we had a pair of Southern Grey Shrikes, two over-flying Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, and a Black-eared Wheatear singing on the fence by the railway line. Thekla Larks seemed fairly common here. Just a quarter of a mile or so further north, having crossed over the railway line, we pulled off the road on a track to the left that skirts the ‘small hill’ Here we had our first Black Wheatear, three Bee-eaters and a Spectacled Warbler.

About 3 kms further up the main road we turned east on the road towards Ballobar and then, after 6 kms, north onto the rough track that runs parallel to and about 200 yards west of the obvious line of pylons. We spent about two hours driving this track (several kms), stopping frequently. Larks were numerous, with Short-toed the most common. We also noted Lesser Short-toed, Skylark, several Calandras and Tawny Pipit. A large raptor perched distantly on a pylon remained frustratingly unidentified until we returned home, when a printout from Tim’s digital camera showed what telescope views had failed to reveal – the diagnostic upperwing pattern of Short-toed Eagle. The wonders of technology!

After lunch at a bar in Alcolea, we admired the dozen or so White Stork nests on the church, plus several others dotted around the village. Two Squacco Herons and some Little Egrets flew over on their way to some ponds/lagoons at the north-west of the town.

Immediately south of Alcolea, the road follows an impressive line of cliffs. Finding a suitable lay-by, we noted Chough, our first Griffon Vultures, Hoopoe, Nightingale and more Bee-eaters.

A few miles further south we stopped in Ballobar. Grey Wagtail and Little Ringed Plover could be seen from the bridge, plus more White Stork nests.

Turning west out of Ballobar back towards Candasnos, we passed a group of British birders recently returned from the Pyrenees and got a good tip-off about a pair of Rollers at a farm a couple of miles further towards Candasnos.

A couple of kms further on we turned left at a T-junction to head south towards Candasnos. Stopping about 400 yards south of this junction, we were pleased to find a pair of Black-bellied Sandgrouse on the ground.

Approaching Candasnos, we spent some time cruising the farm tracks behind the Hotel La Cruzanzana. Here we found four Stone Curlew and a Northern Wheatear.

Note that although we did not make the dawn start required for Dupont’s Lark, we met two groups of birders who had been successful with this species at the Belchite reserve. Apparently a permit is required (obtainable in Belchite), although we were told that the warden is not usually on site until 8 am……

24th May

Leaving La Cruzanza we headed west to spend the morning on the track between Sastago and Bujaraloz described in Crozier. This is essentially a very long (15 kms?) farm track, perfectly driveable and said to be good for Little Bustard and (with luck) Great as well.

We failed with the Bustards, but did manage many Calandras (very common here) and good numbers of Lesser Kestrel, which seemed to be nesting in small colonies on almost every abandoned farm building. We found several Chough and were surprised to see an immature Golden Eagle cruising low over one of the (otherwise birdless) saline lagoons that dot the area.

We spent the afternoon doing the drive (another two and a half hours) to the Pyrenees, where we were greeted by frequent Red and Black Kites and heavy rain.

An hour’s stroll behind the Hotel Aragon at Santa Cilia de Jaca produced three Booted Eagles, several Corn Buntings and the sound of a calling Quail.

25th May

Wallcreeper day! We headed straight up the Hecho Valley to the mountain refuge at Gabardito, which seems to have replaced the Boca del Infierno as the well-known site for Wallcreeper. As far as we can gather, the Infierno site was not occupied in 2002 or this year.

It was distinctly chilly up at the Refuge, and after piling on the layers we headed towards the Wallcreeper site. As you look at the refuge building, walk to the right, past the wooden hut just out of the car park, and continue on the main footpath (ignore any branches off it). Note that the ‘wooden barrier’ across the track described in some 2002 reports seems to have vanished. After about half an hour of birding-pace walking (about a mile), the footpath takes a series of short uphill hairpin bends. About 50 yards after the last hairpin, you reach a point where there are no trees on the left of the path (for the first time you have a clear view back down the valley) and a concave cliff on your right. Here we were delighted to meet a party of British birders who were watching the male Wallcreeper. 

The bird performed superbly until we left it after an hour, delighted to have got our top target bird ‘in the bag’ and on film. A flock of around 30 Alpine Chough flew over while we were watching the Wallcreeper. We barely gave them a second glance as we followed the Wallcreeper’s rather erratic progress around the craggy cliff face.

Back at the refuge, we enjoyed an excellent lunch of ham and cheese tostadas (highly recommended) with several warming cups of coffee. With a little patience, we were able to find several Citril Finch feeding under the trees around the car park. A juvenile Crossbill was calling from a treetop and Crested Tits were common. Other birders reported Lammergeiers and a flight view of Black Woodpecker in this area.

After this success we checked several sites in the Upper Hecho Valley, driving as far as Selva de Oza. Here we saw Black-bellied Dipper and Grey Wagtail on the river and Red-backed Shrike by the roadside, but little else as intermittent showers made for a gloomy afternoon. As the weather cleared later, we got our first, very brief, flight view of a Lammergeier, which then perched very distantly (nearly a mile away) on a crag. We hoped for better views on another day.

26th May

Today we headed south to Riglos and the Castillo de Loarre. The weather soon warmed up, and was to stay hot for the rest of our trip. A word of warning – do NOT attempt to drive into Riglos; the road quickly turns into a distressingly tight squeeze in the narrow streets of this hillside village. Park instead in the very obvious wide lay-by on the left about 250 yards before the first houses – much less hassle.

Walking into the village we saw our first Egyptian Vultures, Sardinian Warbler and, of course, large numbers of Griffons nesting on the mighty sandstone columns. We explored the scrub behind the church, but failed to connect with the numerous warbler species said to be here. Perhaps it was too late in the season – or in the day? We did, however, get great views of very obliging male and female Black Wheatear, plus a brief Blue Rock Thrush, several Crag Martins and around four Alpine Swifts high overhead.

Next we checked the church at Murrillo de Gallego, said to be a good site for Pallid Swift. We found only a few Common Swift. Perhaps an evening visit would be better?

We spent much of the afternoon at the Castillo de Loarre, well worth a visit just for its spectacular situation perched on a rock outcrop with a view – so it seemed – of a very large chunk of northern Spain. Here we got good views of two Blue Rock Thrush, three more Egyptian Vultures, singing Melodious Warbler, Serin, more Crag Martins and Crested Tit

27th May

From the Hotel Aragon it was just a short ‘local trip’ up the hill behind the hotel to the Monasterio de San Juan de la Pena. Parking at the ‘New’ or ‘Upper’ Monastery, we were surprised to find the Monastery buildings surrounded by a building site. A major project is underway to provide an interpretative centre and other visitor facilities. Will increased visitor numbers impact on the bird situation?

The area around the Upper Monastery was disappointing. In the woods, we found just a few Nuthatch and Blackcaps. The view of the Pyrenean range from the ‘Mirador’ or lookout’ is well worth a visit, but failed to produce any sign or sound of the Black Woodpeckers said to be here. A Short-toed Eagle flew over.

We spent more time up at the ‘radio tower’ site described in Gosney. From the west side of the New Monastery, follow a track uphill for about two kms. There is a barrier at the start of the track, but this can simply be lifted. Up at the radio tower we got close views of Griffons and a Peregrine, but failed to find the hoped-for selection of more unusual raptors. We did, however, find a pair of Rock Thrush, perched on a small radio pylon at the top of the crag, and a Tawny Pipit on the hillside.

From here we drove east past Bernues, finding Dartford Warbler and more Serins in roadside scrub and then visited Jaca to see the Rock Sparrows on the Citadel. We were surprised to see Tree Sparrow here as well.

In the evening we checked out the Eagle Owl site just a couple of miles from our hotel. From the main Punte la Reine to Jaca road, take the turn south signed towards Alastuey about three kms east of Punte la Reina.

About 1 km along this road you cross a bridge over a stream, with a small marshy area on both sides of the road. Park here and view the wooded hillside to the west. The Eagle Owl is said to fly at dusk in an easterly direction along the ridge towards the road.  These facts seem well-established. There was a two-minibus tour group here and a Dutch birder who had seen the bird in 2002.

We seemed to be unlucky. We got the very briefest of glimpses of a large Owl in flight at 10.00, but it was too dark to see the bird properly against the hillside. On another night it might break the skyline and give a better view. It might also be better to view from a little nearer to the main road, perhaps 400 yards north of the bridge. This might give a better chance of seeing the Owl outlined against the sky rather than in front of the hillside.

28th May

Few birding trips are complete without the old cliché ‘You should have been here earlier’ and today was that day. Rolling up to the Black Woodpecker site at the Mirador d’Oroel car park at a leisurely 9.00, we met another British birder who had obtained great views just two minutes before we arrived – as his stunning video footage proved.

Despite hearing a bird drumming and calling within 100 yards of the car park, we failed to get anything more than a very brief glimpse in flight. We resolved to try again tomorrow – earlier.

We then headed north of Jaca towards the ski stations of Candanchu and Astun. Just north of Villanua, by km post 662, there is a quarry on the left of the main road, described in Gosney as a wintering site for Wallcreeper. We decided to check it out anyway, and were pleased with our decision when two Lammergeiers flew over as soon as we got out of the car. A third bird – a juvenile - was seen later. We also added Honey Buzzard and Short-toed Eagle here and Scarce Swallowtail – one of the few butterflies we could identify. This seems to be a good spot for a raptor scan.

Candanchu was a ghost-town, deserted for the summer – at least until the Spanish holiday season kicks into gear. On the slopes around the village we found three Water Pipit, Chough and Northern Wheatear. We understand that the chairlift is operational later in the summer (July?), offering an opportunity to find Snowfinch and Alpine Accentor without a long uphill slog.

After lunch in Canfranc we found Astun also deserted – apart from a reasonably friendly check on us by the passing Guardia Civil. A scan from the car park here paid dividends as two more Lammergeiers circled above us.

29th May

This time we arrived at the Oroel at 8.00 to meet two birders making their fifth visit in as many days. At least we weren’t the only ones finding the Black Woodpeckers far from straightforward.

After an hour we had heard just one or two distant calls. We were then joined by four more birders from Yorkshire, two of who earned everyone’s gratitude by locating a Black Woodpecker about a quarter of a mile along the track from the car park (west of the car park). Eventually everyone got a decent telescope view – much relief all round.

A Western Bonelli’s Warbler was also singing here – surprisingly the first we had seen. A Firecrest was in song.

Buoyed by our success we headed up to Siresa to track down Rock Bunting, which duly performed at the north end of the village. Park by the church and walk north on the road out of the village. On your left is a high (15 feet high?) stone wall. Eventually the stone wall stops and is replaced by a rocky crag. The Rock Bunting appears to have a nest site in this area.

After lunch in Hecho we continued to Anso, stopping to scan at suitable points. In the Upper Anso Valley we spent some time scanning the hillsides around the junction of the A176 and A1602, producing a male Blue Rock Thrush posing with a real sense of aesthetics on a rock pinnacle, plus Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, Short-toed Eagle and Egyptian Vulture soaring overhead.

We then headed down through the scenic Binies Gorge, but added few new birds.

After dinner in Jaca, we visited the Parc de la Ciutadela for Scops Owl. At the west end of the park, furthest from the town centre, we heard two birds calling and got several flight views in the illumination from the streetlights. Imitating their calls seems to get the birds’ attention.

30th May

The serious birding was virtually over. Today we drove to Barcelona, arriving in the middle of the afternoon. There still one or two avian sights, though – both Ring-necked and Monk Parakeets in the park and several Alpine Swifts over the city centre.

The 31st was spent sightseeing and on 1st June we flew back to East Midlands.

Conclusions

We were well pleased with our species haul, which could have been even better if we had put in a bit more hard work. A dawn visit for Dupont’s Lark would probably have paid dividends, and more early mornings in the Pyrenees might have added one or two warblers that we missed, but overall we felt that we had seen just about everything that we had hoped to see.

The few omissions included Bonelli’s Eagle (although other the birders we met also seemed to be struggling with this species) and higher-altitude species such as Alpine Accentor and Snowfinch that would have required an uphill slog. Perhaps another time?

Any British birder would enjoy the Pyrenees. We certainly did.

Systematic list

Squacco Heron Ardolea ralloides. 2 at Alcolea
Little Egret Egretta cinerea.
White Stork Ciconia ciconia. Nesting on most churches and other suitable structures in Alcolea, Ballobar and nearby villages in Los Monegros
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos.
Honey Buzzard Pernis apivoris. Seen in Pyrennes at Villanua and Anso
Black Kite Milvus nigrans. Common in Pyrenees
Red Kite Milvus milvus. Similarly common in Pyrenees
Lammergeier Gyptaeus barbatus. 1 in upper Hecho Valley, 3 at Villanua and  2 at Astun
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus. Small numbers at Riglos, Castillo de Loarre, lower Hecho Valley and upper Anso Valley. Also one over the Hotel Aragon
Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus. Almost continually in view in Pyrenees. Smaller numbers on plains.
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. 1 near Candasnos. In Pyrenees, 1 at Embalse de la Pena
Goshawk Accipter gentilis. 1 in upper Anso Valley
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo.
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos. 1 on plains near Sastago
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus. Around 10 seen on plains and in Pyrenees
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus. In Pyrenees, 4 seen from Hotel Aragon
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni. On plains, around 20 seen on Sastago-Bujaraloz track in plains. In Pyrenees, seen at Riglos.
Peregrine Falco peregrinus. 1 at San Juan de la Pena
Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa. Common on plains
Quail Coturnix coturnix. Heard in fields behind Hotel Aragon
Pheasant Phasianus calchicus
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Stone Curlew Burhinusoedicnemus. On plains, 4 in fields behind Hotel La Cruzanzana and 2 from Sastago-Bujaraloz track.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius. On plains, 1 at Ballobar
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Yellow-legged Gull Larus argentatus micahellis
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata. On plains, 1 probable behind Hotel La Cruzanzana and 2 over ‘small hill’ north of Candasnos
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis. 2 over fields behind Hotel La Cruzanzana and 2 on ground north of Candasnos, near junction with road to Ballobar.
Rock Dove Columba Livia.
Woodpigeon Columba palumbus.
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto.
Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri.
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monarchus.
Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius. Adult and juvenile in garden behind Hotel La Cruzanzana. 1 at ‘small hill’ north of Candasnos
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus.
Scops Owl Otus scops. 2 in Parc de la Ciutadela, Jaca
Eagle Owl Bubo bubo. Brief view of 1 probable at site north of Alastuey. (See daily log for 27th May for details.)
Nightjar Caprimulgis europaeus. 1 heard at Eagle Owl site north of Alastuey.
Common Swift Apus apus.
Alpine Swift Apus melba. Seen at Riglos and in Barcelona
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis.
Bee-eater Merops apiaster. On plains, small numbers at ‘small hill’ north of Candasnos and at Alcolea
Roller Coracius garrulus. On plains, 2 in Candasnos-Alcolea-Ballobar triangle
Hoopoe Upupa epops.
Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius. In Pyrenees, heard at Mirador d’Oroel on 28th May. 1 seen after some searching on 29th.
Skylark Alauda arvensis
Thekla Lark Galerida theklae. Common on plains
Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla. Common on plains
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens. Seen on plains, but less common than Short-toed
Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra. Common on plains
Sand Martin Riparia riparia. Just a handful seen at Hotel Aragon
Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris. Small numbers at most sites in Pyrenees
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
House Martin Delichon urbica
Tawny Pipit Anthus Campestris. A few individuals on plains and in Pyrenees (at San Juan de la Pena and behind Hotel Aragon
Water Pipit Anthis Spinoletta. Seen in Pyrenees at Candanchu and Astun
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Dipper Cinclus cinclus. 1 (Black-bellied) in upper Hecho Valley at Selva de Oza
Dunnock Prunella modularis
Robin Erithacus rubecula
Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochros
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica. Small numbers on plains
Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura 1 on plains on ‘small hill’ north of Candasnos. In Pyrenees, male and female at Riglos
Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius. Seen at Riglos, Castillo de Loarre and upper Anso Valley
Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis. Pair at radio tower, San Juan de la Pena
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
Blackbird Turdus merula
Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala. Seen at Riglos
Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata. One at ‘small hill’ north of Candasnos
Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata. In Pyrenees, one near Bernues
Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta. In Pyrenees, 1 singing at Castillo de Loarre
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Western Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli. In Pyrenees, 1 at Oroel.
Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus. Singing at Oroel
Great Tit Parus major
Coal Tit Parus ater
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
Crested Tit Parus cristatus. Common in pines throughout Pyrenees
Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Nuthatch Sitta europaea
Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria. Male watched well at Gabardito. See daily log for 25th May for site directions.
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis. Pair at ‘small hill’ north of Candasnos
Magpie Pica pica
Jay Garrulus monedula
Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Seen at many sites on plains and in Pyrenees
Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus. Flock of around 30 at Gabardito
Carrion Crow Corvus corone
Raven Corvus corax
Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Tree Sparrow Passer montanus. Seen at the Citadel, Jaca
Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia. About 3 seen at the Citadel, Jaca
Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Linnet Carduelis cannabina
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Citril Finch Serinus citrinella
Serin Serinus serinus
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostris. 2 juveniles at Gabardito
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus
Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
Rock Bunting Emberiza cia

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