Pyrenees Adventure: Day 2

Sunday 28 May

Time to move on and set out on the long journey north the the pretty mountain village of Anso in the high Pyrenees.  But not without some birding on the way starting with a quick return to the Laguna Navaseca before wandering the fields to the north then making our way back to the motorway.  Lots of birds at both the early morning Navaseca visit where low-lying mist somewhat hindered proceedings but once out on the fields and steppe lands much better visibility and lovely sunshine. 

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Most of the special from yesterday were still present including both the Black Tern and Savi's Warbler. However, once beyond the water we did, indeed, find both the local Stone Curlews and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. A lovely treat was the trio of Golden Orioles that flew over us displaying their vivid yellows and red beaks.  And then a close passage overhead from a quartet of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. 

Record shot of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata

Red-legged Partridges near the end of this early part of the journey along with many more Turtle doves and even the occasional Raven.

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Then a second stop at KM107 as we travelled towards Madrid where, as Mick had forecast, we found a small party of Great Bustards.  Also at this site we had many Calandra and Short-toed Larks plus a pair of distant Imperial Spanish Eagles. Even more raptors with Booted Eagle, Black and Red Kites and a few Griffon Vultures.  Rollers and our first Iberian Grey as well as a Woodchat Shrike.

Hoopoe Upupa epops

Fortunately the late, light rain as we reached our destination had stopped and having sorted ourselves out and settled in it was time to go out in search of a restaurant for an evening meal.  The bad news about finding very little open was that we got to see more of this lovely village before coming cross a great little hostel who were pleased to serve us.  And so to bed with the prospect of the Pyrenees welcoming us come morning.

Typical village street in Anso

Shall we eat here?

Lovely courtyard in Anso

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Red-legged Partridge, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Flamingo, White Stork, Red Kite, Black Kite, Imperial Spanish Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Buzzard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Great Bustard, Stone Curlew, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank,  Black-headed Gull, Whiskered Tern, Black Tern, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Little Owl,  Common Swift, Bee-eater, Roller, Hoopoe, Calandra Lark, Short-toed Lark, Crested Lark, Barn Swallow, Nightingale, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Reed Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Golden Oriole, Iberian Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch,  Corn Bunting, 

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