Birds & Ibex Of Catalonia / Tour Report May 2019
We met our participants at Barcelona airport in the morning and the forecast was not quite good. Arriving all with the same flight, we were able to start immediately our wildlife photo tour in Catalonia by heading to the Llobregat Delta.
Finding shelter in one of the bird hides, we were able to make amazing first sightings: Little Tern, Collared Pratincole, Temminck's Stint, Purple Heron, Great Reed-warbler, etc. A total of 37 bird species in just 1 hour. Despite the lack of light, we had many photographic opportunities.
We had a picnic on the spot and then took the road to the Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l'Empordà. After a quick check-in at our accommodation, and while the rain had stopped, we explored a first part of the park. The light at sunset was absolutely magical and again we were able to make excellent observations, photographing several bird species including White-winged Stilts. We could make great images without distrubing them as they were nesting only a few meters from the path.
This first day of our tour was very rich for our nature lovers. Finall, they were able to enjoy some free time before meeting up for an excellent dinner at the hotel restaurant.
The second day of our nature photo tour in Catalonia was dedicated to both the birds of the Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l'Empordà and the Spanish Ibex. After a generous breakfast, we explored another part of the park, visiting several hides where we witnessed superb moments of wildlife.
In the early afternoon, we took the road to go in search of the Spanish Ibex. After a short walk, we were able to observe the first females with their young. Small Spanish Ibex born only a few days earlier. Magical!
We then continued our journey to try to find males, without success. On the other hand, we had the exceptional chance to observe and photograph the Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush!
Back to the hotel for a moment of relaxation followed by a very good dinner.
On the third and last day of our photo tour, we started in the Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, alone in the middle of an extraordinary amount of birds. We had a wonderful time with a beautiful White Stork feeding in a flooded field just 10 meters away.
We also observed a dozen European Honey-buzzard in migration, dozens of Glossy Ibis, hundreds of Collared Sand Martins and Barn Swallows, bushes literally filled with passerines, and so on. The show was exceptional!
We then went back South. After a seafront stop to see the European Shag and have a picnic, we reached Barcelona area and explored an unknown spot full of exceptional species at this time of the year: European Bee-eater, Common Hoope, Eurasian Golden Oriole, etc.
We finally left our participants at Barcelona airport in the late afternoon. During this 3 day photo tour in Catalonia, we have observed Spanish Ibex in ideal conditions and seen 138 bird species in stunning places! A delight!
Jonathan
Guide Salva Fauna
