Scene from the Picos,Picos de Europa, May 2015

The High Picos Mountains, home of the Wallcreepers, Alpine Snow Finch and Alpine Accentors

A view down to the start of the Cable Car

Not for the faint hearted!

The Cable Car wires can just be seen

A sudden transformation to blue skies after travelling through the high clouds

At Cloud Level!

Picos de Europa, May 2015

Cold but Bright

The Weather not me!

Silver Birch Forest,Kuusamo, Finland, March 2015.

Silver Birch Forests much favoured by the often seen Willow Grouse.

Finland

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gulls, Maxey, Peterborough

ARAGON, SPAIN JUNE 2014

A most pleasurable trip to Northern Spain to see a Target list of high altitude birds, Owls and Plain birds such as Sandgrouse and Dupont's Lark

Although our wish list was not fully fulfilled by the absence of Wallcreeper , Alpine Accentor and Dupont's Lark we did manage 87 species.

It would appear that due to both an early Spring and one of higher than normal Temperatures the Alpine birds had travelled to higher elevations than normal. Although we visted many traditional early summer sites, many of which were above the snow line, we, and all other groups we met, were unsuccessful.

Similarly our timing for the Dupont's Lark was late. Although they were heard briefly on numerous occassions they failed to show themselves!

Its good to have a sound reason for a revisit!

The high Pyrenees

Trip list collated by Kev W see:-  https://www.dropbox.com/s/jw7dcsy9egzu40y/SPAIN%20JUN%2014.xlsx

Riglos Village, ARAGON JUNE 2014

We even resorted to abseiling down vertical cliffs for Wallcreepers; again without success. 
Los Mallos de Riglos, Riglos

Scene, Catalonia Spring 2014

The Pre Pyrenees, Catalonia Spring 2014

Scenes, Catalonia Spring 2014



Views of the High Pyrenees from our lookout point on the Serra de Boumort National Park, Catalonia Spring 2014

Scenes, Catalonia Spring 2014

Scenes around the plains of Lleida, Catalonia Spring 2014

Scenes from Catalonia

Montsonis Castle, Montsonis

This was our base for Four nights whilst we explored the surrounding plains.

The  castle is situated inside the Montsonis village , in the Noguera region (Lleida), 2 km from Artesa de Segre, 24 km from Balaguer, (capital of the region), 48km from Lleida and 14 km from Ponts.

See the following link for more information:- http://www.lleidatur.com/Tourism/Visit/Montsonis-Castle/319.aspx

Poppies of the Plains of Lleida, Catalonia Spring 2014

Belchite, Spain 2013

We dipped on Blue Rock Thrush at this reported site. However it was interesting to witness the result of the destruction of the  original town of Belchite  during the Spanish Civil War, mostly by German Stukas.

                                    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Belchite_(1937)

Plateau Mountains, Spain 2013

A view from the El Planeron Reserve near Belchite

http://www.elplaneron.org/