Pyrenees Adventure: Day 6

 Thursday 1 June

The odd day out!  Following heavy overnight rain there was still considerable light rain falling as we set off on a wet, birding from car morning.  The Refugio Linzi provided a small range of birds including Robin, Wren, Nuthatch, Short-toed Tree-creeper and Song Thrush. 

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs and Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

Moving through the damp woods we also recorded Blackcap, Chiffchaff Coal and Marsh Tits amongst others.  However, as we made our way back we added a pair of Grey Wagtails and then no sooner on our way and we stopped to admire the beautiful Garden Warbler singing its heart out from atop a small tree to our left giving a wonderful display and just perfect for the photographers. 

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin

I addition, we also observed Buzzards, Mistle Thrush and Black Redstarts.

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio

Up to the higher part of the Hecho Valley for the afternoon where the track enabled good sights either side of the stream below and the meadow above. Our fiend, Mick was in his element as he found and identified numerous wild orchids. And as the rain eased back so we found more and more lovely birds including Yellowhammer and the local Red-backed Shrikes.

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

Close views of Coal and Crested Tit along with Jay, Crag Martin, Song Thrush and Jays and a late stop for our picnic lunch saw us watch the wandering herd of cattle moving slowly up the valley their many young calves and all bells jangling.

Then it was more Egyptian and Griffon Vultures and Red Kites before finding not only both Iberian Grey Shrike and Back Redstart but yet another Dipper.  

Dipper Cinclus cinclus

Our return journey to Anso took us to the Monastery San Juan de la Pena where, again, as well as splendid scenery we also recorded Great and Coal Tits, Nuthatch and Short-toed Tree-creeper.  

The monastery of San Juan de la Pena

Moving around the back of the sight not just Griffon and Egyptian Vultures but both a Goshawk and Peregrine Falcon.  Naturally, no shortage of either Barn swallow and House Martin plus a few Crag Martins.

Egyptian Vulture Gypaetus barbatus

All in all a rather unexpected and profitable day with the sun fully out before 4pm.

Female Kestrel Falco tinnunculus feeding on what looks like a Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

Birds seen:

Red Kite, Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Goshawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Iberian Green Woodpecker,  Crag Martin, House Martin, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Dipper, Wren, Robin, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Short-toed tree-creeper, Red-backed Shrike, Iberian Grey Shrike, Jay, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Serin, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin

Beautiful mountain stream

The Linzi valley

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella

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