Pyrenees Adventure: Day 4

 Tuesday 30 May

In the high Pyrenees

A damp start as we set off for a morning in the woods at Irati, albeit the sun was out and the grass rapidly drying. Not an awful lot to see but on the outward journey from Anso we did record watyer Pipit, Red Kite, red-billed Chough, Song Thrush and Sky Lark.  

Where shall we look next?

Then to the woods where the smaller birds included Coal and Crested Tit, Chaffinch and Firecrest. As we progressed we managed to add Short-toed tree-creeper and appearing in a clearing soon added Crag Martin along with raven and Griffon Vulture.

Down and close to capture the orchids

With rain setting in just before 3.30 we started our return journey but stopped for a coffee in the small mountain village of Ochagavia.  Good job we did! Making our way back to the car in the sight drizzle with the river gushing down beside us we looked upstream and found a Dipper busy feeding its three recently fledged youngsters.  Also present a White Wagtail and above feeding House martins and barn Swallows.  A real priveledge to see the Dippers at close quarters.

Dipper Cinclus cinclus

Birds seen:

Red Kite,  Griffon Vulture, Common Swift, Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Water Pipit, White Wagtail, Dipper, Sky Lark,  Robin,  Blackbird, Song Thrush,   Chiffchaff,  Crested Tit, Coal Tit, Firecrest, Short-toed Tree-creeper,  Red-billed Chough, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Raven, House Sparrow,  Chaffinch, Linnet.

The (three) juvenile Dippers Cinclus cinclus being fed by Mum and dad

Cheeky Raven Corvus corax in the picnic area

White Wagtail Motacilla alba in the same river as the Dipper

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