Spain - Catalonia and south-east Aragon

This wonderful spring holiday is based in parts of the Iberian Peninsula which are full of speciality birds. Very rewarding yet underwatched despite being within relatively easy reach of Barcelona, and surrounded by outstanding scenery, this area holds the promise of outstanding birding which may be new to many British birders.

We travel at the time of peak spring migration activity, and this eight-night adventure features days full of birdsong and breeding display. Our itinerary covers many of the most sought-after species, and although not a holiday to see all the key targets of the region, can certainly be seen as an opportunity for outstanding European birding covering an impressive number of targets in delightful places, and featuring authentic Catalan hospitality.

We begin in the Ebro Delta, where spring birding is extremely exciting, as just about anything might occur. A big range of waterbirds should include many gulls including Audouin's, Slender-billed and Mediterranean, terns including Gull-billed, Black and Whiskered, up to 25 wader species, and a big range of migrating passerines.

Next we transfer inland to the steppes via the mountainous Els Port region, where we look for endangered Spanish Ibex, before arriving at our second centre to enjoy outstanding birding in plain and steppe close to the city of Lleida, before continuing to our third venue in mountain areas. Key birds include Little Bustard, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Lammergeier and many, many more, including Booted, Bonelli's, Short-toed and Golden Eagle, Black and Egyptian Vulture, Roller, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, warblers including Moustached, Melodious, Western Bonelli's, Great Reed, Sub-alpine, Western Orphean, Cetti's and Spectacled, larks including Calandra, Thekla, Short-toed and Lesser Short-toed, and other birds of interest including Black Wheatear, Pallid Swift, Penduline Tit, Cirl Bunting, Turtle Dove, Stone Curlew, Red-billed Chough, Woodchat and Iberian Grey Shrike, Eagle and Little Owl, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Rock Sparrow and many more. We have good chances of both Great Bustard, outside chances of Dupont's Lark, and even the possibility of Wallcreeper. A true birding feast on one of the very best European itineraries available.

We stay in three hotels, selected for their proximity to key birding sites, and enjoy genuine Catalan dishes in places where English cuisine is often simply unknown. An intriguing and very rewarding birding holiday! 

Heatherlea's Kevin Shaw says: 'I spent a few days in the Delta in Sept 2017, and a few more in the steppes around Lleida in April 2018, working closely with Sergi to put this holiday together. The birding is truly exceptional in both locations, and you should see well over 150 species including some of the most sought-after in Europe. The hotels are just right, in spring the temperature isn't too hot and the birds are active. The excitement of migration adds an important extra element too!'

Enjoy your complimentary overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here!

Day 1:  Arrival and Transfer to the Ebro
After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we fly to Barcelona airport, we collect our minibuses and transfer to our comfortable hotel in the Ebro Delta. If there is time, we may enjoy a little birding close to the airport, where Iberian Green Woodpecker, Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Hoopoe and more can be found. Three nights at Delta Hotel, Deltebre.

Days 2 and 3:  Birding the Ebro Delta
Our family-run hotel is ideally placed, and the delta area is small and easy to comprehensively cover in two days. Before breakfast, the area immediately next to the hotel might produce Little Bittern, Black-crowned Night-heron and Penduline Tit. As we travel, Squacco Heron, Whiskered Tern, Audouin's Gull and Collared Pratincole might be found very close to hand, Slender-billed Gull are resplendent in their breeding plumage, and we spend our time looking for gulls, terns, waders and other waterbirds. Long-eared Owl breed here, and we may see them either in these days or later in the Catalonian steppes. Migration is lively and often very exciting, and could produce just about anything on the European list and even North American vagrants. Birds change continuously, and we use local knowledge to look for any rarities which might be around. In 2018, Lesser Yellowlegs and Moltoni's Warbler were welcome additions to our birdlist. In the evening, we may find Scops Owl within a few yards of the hotel entrance.

Day 4:  Els Port to Lleida
Today we say goodbye to the coastal wetlands, travelling first through a spectacular mountain area in Els Port, a good site for rare Spanish Ibex, but also a very interesting birding location where we may make our first contact with Bee-eater and other Mediterranean speciality birds, and raptors including Booted, Bonelli's and Short-toed Eagle are possible, as are interesting passerines including Woodlark and many more. Later we head to our second centre, birding as we go. Two nights at Ibis Hotel, Lleida.

Day 5:  Steppes and Plains

The Ibis Hotel is of international rather than regional style, though it is comfortable and ideally located for access to some key birding areas, which eliminates a significant amount of driving.

We head to the steppes of south-east Aragon, where we look for Great Bustard. The 'lek' is now over, but male birds remain in the area, and we know where to look! Black-bellied Sandgrouse are also found here. We visit wetlands where warblers might include Moustached, Western Orphean, Melodious, Cetti's and Great Reed, and Bearded and Penduline Tit may also be found as Marsh Harrier quarter the surprisingly extensive reedbeds, and the occasional Red-crested Pochard and Black-necked Grebe sail serenely on the open water. Baillon's and Little Crake are present too. Returning via some more quiet and little known places, we may see Eagle Owl, Black Wheatear, Pallid Swift and more on our way home.

Our final morning here sees us at a different area of the steppes, where a very few Dupont's Lark are traditionally present, and we may hear and hopefully see the birds. This area is full of birdsong on a sunny morning, as Calandra, Short-toed and Thekla Lark, Tawny Pipit, Spectacled Warbler and Corn Bunting fill the air with sound. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse are also found here. An area of shady trees holds Iberian Green Woodpecker and other woodland species plus migrant warblers and flycatchers. Later we visit areas of steppe further into Catalonia, where Little Bustard, Great Spotted Cuckoo, both sandgrouse, Iberian Grey Shrike and Little Owl can be seen. Beautiful, brightly coloured birds including Roller, Bee-eater and Hoopoe can turn up anywhere, and other migrants of interest include Red-rumped Swallow, and Pallid Swift. 

Days 6 to 8:  Pyrenean Mountain Region
Birding in the immediate vicinity is superb, with singing Nightingale and Serin in early morning (subject to migratory conditions of course!), and chances of Golden Oriole, Cirl Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest, Crested Tit, Hawfinch, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Western Bonelli's Warbler and passing Booted Eagle among many more.

As a final base for our daily birding safaris, this is an ideal choice. The mountains of the pre-Pyrenees lie to the north, and from here we can reach to the very highest parts of the Pyrenees, where mountain passes cross over the peaks and onwards into France. At these high altitudes we might encounter alpine Accentor, Ring Ouzel and migrant warblers, and Red-billed and Alpine Chough also attract our attention. Later we visit Boumort Wildlife Reserve, where a late lingering Wallcreeper may be present, though we also have good chances of Rock Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Dipper, Blue Rock Thrush and other specialities of this altitude including more raptors.  

One morning we visit a superb feeding area to see vultures and eagles, hopefully including Lammergeier, as they soar from sheer sandstone cliff faces. This is considered the only location in Europe where Black, Egyptian and Griffon Vulture and Lammergeier can be seen together.

We have allocated one more full day to this itinerary to revisit any of the above places to take a second look for birds we might have missed, though there is so much to see that we have no doubt this final birding destination will be absorbing. Three nights at Hotel Terradets, Cellers.

Day 9:  Final Birding and Departure
The airport is less than two hours away, so after some final morning birding we head towards Barcelona, and if time allows divert to see some of Catalonia's newer avian inhabitants, including Red-billed Leiothrix and both Rose-ringed and Monk Parakeets. We might also find a few extra species, perhaps Black Redstart and Crag Martin, right up to arrival at the airport!

What's included in your holiday price:

• scheduled return flights between London and Barcelona, airport taxes.
• ground transportation as outlined including all transportation in Spain in a modern and spacious air-conditioned vehicle.
• accommodation and all meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• vulture Feeding Station entry fee.
• the services of your leaders.
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included free of charge subject to terms and conditions. Read more....

What's not included in your holiday price:

• personal insurance, drinks and other personal expenses, and any other costs not specified as 'included'.

More holiday information

Accommodation: is in three comfortable, rural hotels with all rooms en suite. Two of these are rural in location, the international-style Lleida Ibis is our third venue, chosen for its proximity to some key sites.
Food: Breakfast is excellent by Mediterranean standards, featuring cold meats, cheese, bread, yoghurt, fruit, a selection of preserves and cakes, croissants and other sweetmeats. Fruit juice and tea or coffee is also available. Picnic lunches will be taken away from the hotels, and are often substantial, including sandwiches, pasta or salad, cakes and soft drinks. Evening meals offer many interesting local dishes, which are very good though sometimes simple. Water, bread and wine is usually included at dinner, which is very pleasant and convivial! Vegetarian and other diets are welcome, though please check before booking as Catalonian hotels have their own way of doing things, and we need to make sure your needs can be met.
Walking: is generally easy, on paths and tracks. We will usually drive to key birdwatching spots. Most birding is done close to our vehicle.
Weather: Direct sunlight can send the temperature soaring above 30°C, though mid 20°C is more usual. Minimum temperatures will be about 15°C (although it can sometimes drop lower), and the winds can be cool. Evenings and particularly mornings can be cool.
Insects: There may be biting insects, though not usually as a major problem. Bring a repellent just in case.
Group: size is restricted to 12 clients maximum.
Flights: are by scheduled airline, from London - Barcelona. We may be able to offer flight arrangements from another airport and/or or quote without flights. If you wish to add an extension either before or after your holiday, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange this for you.

Your Guides

Sergi Sales - Sergi is an outstanding birder, specialising in the birds of the Ebro Delta and steppe areas of his native Catalonia. Able to readily identify virtually everything he sees or hears, Sergi is a fount of knowledge about birding in this area and a valuable addition to our holiday team.