EUROPEAN BROWN BEARS, WILDCATS AND SEA-WATCHING ...
Transcript of EUROPEAN BROWN BEARS, WILDCATS AND SEA-WATCHING ...
EUROPEAN BROWN BEARS, WILDCATS AND SEA-WATCHING
NORTH WEST SPAIN - 2nd – 7th SEPTEMBER 2016
TOUR OVERVIEW: Spain’s remote and beautiful Cantabrian Mountains in the Asturias
region of the very north-west of the country are home to two very rare and much sought after
mammals – the European Brown Bear Ursus arctos and the Wildcat Felis sylvestris. With the
help of a local guide we aim to see both these superb animals in their natural environment,
as well as a supporting cast of many Spanish birds amongst lovely mountain scenery. In
addition, our trip includes the coast line of adjacent Galicia where a number of promontories
jut out into the Bay of Biscay whose currents join there with those of the vast Atlantic Ocean.
The most well known promontory from a bird watching point of view is Estaca de Bares,
generally regarded as Spain’s top sea-watching spot. We will make a short visit timed to
connect with a number of passing sea birds and also no doubt encounter some fall migrants
at this time of year on the headland. The combination of the opportunity to see some rare
and exciting mammals as well as some terrific birding in the mountains and on the coast in a
little visited and stunning part of Spain, makes this a compelling tour to join.
TOUR DESCRIPTION: A five night trip based for three nights in a comfortable hotel in
Spain’s fabulous Cantabrian Mountains close to the best areas for both Brown Bears and
Wildcats. Then a single night near Estaca de Bares on the ruggedly beautiful Galician coast
and finally one night at Asturias to prepare for our departure on the final day.
PHOTOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITIES: We will allow plenty of time to secure good views of
the Brown Bears and Wildcats, so there should be good opportunities for some photographs.
Please note that Spain does not allow baited hides to be set up, unlike some other European
Fernando Pereiras de la Cal
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countries, so the views we hope to have are a totally ‘wild’ experience, and we must
maintain our safe distance from the animals which also minimises disturbance. Late summer
provides a narrow window of opportunity when the bears emerge from the forests onto the
scree covered slopes to browse on bilberries and other fruit before becoming more secretive
again later in the autumn. The mountains host much flora and fauna as well as superb
scenery so no doubt cameras will be clicking away. The seabird passage at Estaca can
brings birds close in, but we watch from high cliffs, similar to some top UK sea-watching
sites.
MAMMALS AND OTHER WILDLIFE: Brown Bear, Wildcat, Red Deer, Broom Hare
(endemic to these mountains!), Bottle-nosed Dolphin. For those with an interest in butterflies
hot weather is likely to produce a profusion with the likes of Camberwell Beauty, Swallowtail,
Mountain Argus, Cleopatra and Queen of Spain Fritillary all likely. Dragonflies are
represented by Common Goldenwing and Yellow-winged Darter (if you know what you are
looking for!) whilst an abundance of wild flowers, particularly upland and forest types should
keep the botanists happy. Finally there is always the chance of a reptile such as the endemic
Schreiber’s Green Lizard.
BIRD LIST: On land the following are likely: Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Honey Buzzard,
Black Kite, Short-toed Eagle, Northern Goshawk, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Black
Woodpecker, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Wryneck, Crag Martin, Whinchat, Pied Flycatcher,
Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Dipper, Iberian Chiffchaff, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Zitting
Cisticola, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper, Marsh and Crested Tits, Alpine and Red-billed
Choughs, Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting, Serin plus an assortment of migrant land birds. Sea
birds of course depend very much upon wind conditions but likely are Cory’s, Great, Sooty,
Manx and Balearic Shearwaters, Great Skua, Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua, Long-tailed
Skua, and possibly Sabine’s Gull.
hungry Griffon Vultures - Fernando Pereiras de la Cal
EASE AND PACE: There are no strenuous walks with most of our wildlife watching taking
place near to where we park our vehicles. We begin with a road journey of two hours from
the airport to our base in the mountains, and if we have an early start, then a midday rest
over lunch will be taken. The onward journey to the coast takes around three hours, but we
will break this journey with some birding, a meal and comfort stops. We will rise prior to
breakfast to look for bears and the wildcats, so we have at least two early starts in the field,
but with plenty of time during the rest of the day to relax.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD: Our comfortable hotel in the mountains is located in the
village of Villablino. It is from this convenient base that we explore the Cantabrian
Mountains. Our hotel at the coast is not far from Estaca de Bares, whilst we spend the final
night at a hotel near Asturias airport, convenient for the flight home, where no doubt we shall
enjoy a typical Birding Abroad last evening meal and drink before our flight back to the UK.
WEATHER: Daytime weather is typically warm and sunny in early September, with
temperatures likely to reach 70 degrees plus, though the proximity of the mountains always
mean that clouds could gather and some rain is of course possible. At Estaca de Bares, the
influence of the Atlantic Ocean dictates a light but warm coat for sea watching is desirable.
PRICE: The price is £850 per person to include all travel in Spain, accommodation including
bed and breakfast, evening meal and light lunch (taken as a cafe snack or packed lunch).
Expect to pay £125 for the flights. Not included are your drinks during the day and those
accompanying your evening meals.
GROUP SIZE: the tour will proceed with five group members plus a Birding Abroad leader.
Maximum group size 12 including two leaders.
OUTLINE ITINERARY:
Day 1 – Morning flight from UK to Asturias, Spain. Transfer to our hotel in the Cantabrian
Mountains (a two hour drive with stops), lunch stop followed by a relaxing afternoon enjoying
local birding close to the village. For those with an interest in mammals Chamois inhabit the
rocky crags in the area, with Roe and Red Deer also being present, whilst Dippers and Grey
Wagtails inhabit the streams and Firecrest and Iberian Green Woodpeckers the wooded
hillsides where even a lingering Western Bonelli’s Warbler is possible.
Montagu’s Harrier can be expected at this time of year
Day 2 – We will spend this morning in the company of our local Spanish guide at a site
where Brown Bears make regular appearances. These amazing animals come out to graze
on the autumn berries of various mountain shrubs and we will be watching (rather excitedly
no doubt) from fairly close range, but in full safety as we are separated from the bear’s
hillside home by a deep ravine. Returning for lunch, we then enjoy an afternoon birding and
watching other wildlife in the picturesque and little visited Cantabrian Mountains. Birds in the
area include Black Woodpecker, Iberian Chiffchaff, both Golden and Booted Eagles, Honey
Buzzard, Crag Martins and Rock Bunting with notable reptiles being Bocage’s Wall and
Schreiber’s Green Lizards and amongst amphibians the Golden-striped Salamander is a
possibility.
Day 3 – Another exciting morning is in store, as we will sit patiently and wait for the
emergence of a Wildcat or two, once again escorted by our knowledgeable local guide.
Several of these much sought after carnivores live in the vicinity and our chances of seeing
them are extremely good.
Xoan Dieguez
Afterwards we can again relax and enjoy the rest of the day birding and looking for other
wildlife. Birds in this area include Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed Treecreeper,
Alpine and Red-billed Chough, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Rock Sparrow. The little
known and very rare Broom Hare, was only recently described in 1976 and is restricted to
these mountains. This threatened species inhabits the hills here, so we will keep our eyes
peeled for a sighting to add to our mammals list. Everyone loves butterflies and we may
encounter Common and Spanish Swallowtails and Pearl-bordered and Duke of Burgundy
Fritillaries.
Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush
Daniel Cazo Monesma
Day 4 – We reserve this morning for a further attempt to see bears or wildcat and mountain
birds as necessary. Around lunchtime we will begin the transfer from mountains to the coast
at Estaca de Bares (a three hour drive broken with birding, lunch and comfort stops),
checking into our hotel on arrival before a late afternoon spent sea watching in the scenic
area. Our journey through the stunning countryside coincides with some raptor passage in
this part of Spain, and in particular a few Honey Buzzards can be expected as well as
residents such as Goshawk and even Hen Harrier which breeds undisturbed in these
highlands.
Day 5 – Today we enjoy an early morning sea-watch and later a search for drift migrants on
the headland, the order dictated by the weather prevailing at the time. We will no doubt be in
the company of the dedicated and friendly group of Spanish sea-watchers who over the
years have seen some amazing birds from this headland. Of course we would have to
fortunate indeed in our brief time here to see any pterodroma petrels or South Polar Skuas
or such (all increasing in frequency here), but if the winds are right (anything of a decent
blow from the west) then there is a distinct possibility of all three skuas as well as Balearic,
Cory’s, Manx and Great Shearwaters, as well as terns and gulls. Even in becalmed
conditions there is always some sea bird activity here.
The headland also attracts numerous passerine migrants, species such as Wryneck and
Pied Flycatchers, reminiscent of the UK east coast in autumn, and more is now being found
each year, when the local birders can be persuaded to turn their optics around from the sea-
watching ledges to the bushes behind!. In the afternoon we transfer east along the coast,
with birding and comfort stops all along the way, staying overnight near Asturias.
Great Shearwater – always an exciting possibility at Estaca
Day 6 – Morning flight from Asturias to UK, arriving back into the UK late morning, meaning
we can all be home enjoying a cup of tea by mid afternoon.
Birding Abroad
Honey Buzzard – regular on passage
Fernando Pereiras de la Cal