The Pyrenees and more: Northern Spain and Western France, 14th-26th June 2009

This section details the species of birds and other wildlife seen during the trip.

Highlights are shown in brown and the [number in square brackets] at the end of the species name is the number of individuals seen or heard during the trip (or [?] if not counted).

As the place names won't all be known, I've usually broken down the details into the 6 main regions visited, namely English Channel, Western France, Northern Spain (away from the Pyrenees) and the Pyrenees in each of Navarre (Spain), Aragon (Spain) and France.

 

PART 2 - PASSERINES

 

Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra [15+]

Northern Spain: At Belchite Steppes reasonably easy to find at both Lomaza and El Planerón with several birds at both sites on both days, 15th-16th.

Calandra Lark, Belchite Steppes, 16-Jun-09 Calandra Lark, Belchite Steppes, 16-Jun-09
Calandra Lark, Belchite Steppes, 16-Jun-09 Calandra Lark, Belchite Steppes, 16-Jun-09
Calandra Lark, Belchite Steppes, 15-Jun-09  

Calandra Larks, Belchite Steppes (Aragon, Spain), 15th-16th June

 

Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla [9+]

Northern Spain: At Belchite Steppes seen at both Lomaza and El Planerón 15th-16th but easier to pick out from all the Lesser Short-toed Larks at El Planerón. They tended to prefer less vegetated ground than the much more numerous Lesser Short-toed Larks in the same areas.

Short-toed Lark, Belchite Steppes, 15-Jun-09 Short-toed Lark, Belchite Steppes, 15-Jun-09
Short-toed Lark, Belchite Steppes, 15-Jun-09  

Short-toed Larks, Belchite Steppes (Aragon, Spain), 15th June

 

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens [50]

Northern Spain: Very easy to find at Belchite Steppes at both Lomaza and El Planerón 15th-16th, especially at Lomaza where they were by far the commonest bird.

Lesser Short-toed Lark, Belchite Steppes, 16-Jun-09 Lesser Short-toed Lark, Belchite Steppes, 15-Jun-09
Lesser Short-toed Lark, Belchite Steppes, 15-Jun-09 Lesser Short-toed Lark, Belchite Steppes, 15-Jun-09

Lesser Short-toed Larks, Belchite Steppes (Aragon, Spain), 15th-16th June

 

Crested Lark Galerida cristata [35]

Northern Spain: Only seen around Belchite where they were very common along the roads and worked areas, much less so on the steppes themselves.

 

Thekla Lark Galerida theklae [4+]

Northern Spain: Seemed to replace Crested Larks in the more naturally vegetated areas of the Belchite Steppes, at least at Lomaza. Due to the diffculty in identification I only positively recorded about 4 but I am pretty sure that I saw double figures here.

Thekla Lark, Belchite Steppes, 16-Jun-09 Thekla Lark, Belchite Steppes, 16-Jun-09

Thekla Lark, Belchite Steppes (Aragon, Spain), 16th June

 

Dupont's Lark Chersophilus duponti [6]

Northern Spain: Several birds were present at Lomaza in the Belchite Steppes but they only sang for a very short time between first light (not before) at about 5.40 and 6.00 am by which time it was only just becoming light enough to see easily. After this several birds were heard for the next 2-3 hours but infrequently enough that it was impossible to work out precisely where they were. Despite much effort I was unable to locate any of the birds I could hear and in the end I had to go away with my first major disappointment of the trip, not seeing Dupont's Lark. Having been so close to them made it all the more frustrating! It was difficult to be sure how many birds were involved - 6 is a conservative estimate.

 

Woodlark Lullula arborea [35]

Western France: 1 singing near Dingé, north of Rennes, on 14th.

Woodlark, Dinge, 14-Jun-09  

Woodlark, Dingé (Ille-et-Vilaine, France), 14th June

 

Skylark Alauda arvensis [?]

Very small numbers seen or heard in suitable habitat in most regions from lowland France to the high Pyrenees.

 

Sand Martin Riparia riparia [1]

Western France: 1 at La Grande Brière on 26th.

 

Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris [45]

Northern Spain: 1 at Sierra de la Demanda on 16th; 10 at Lumbier on 18th.

Pyrenees: Common in all areas with at least 34 seen in total.

Crag Martin, Col du Pourtalet, 23-Jun-09 Crag Martin, Lumbier, 18-Jun-09

Crag Martin, Col du Pourtalet (Pyrénées-Atlantique, France), 23rd June

Crag Martin, Lumbier (Navarre, Spain), 18th June

 

Swallow Hirundo rustica [?]

The commonest hirundine in all but the highest regions.

 

House Martin Delichon urbica [?]

Small numbers in most regions, often found nesting in crags at high altitude in the same areas as Crag Martins.

 

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris [2]

Northern Spain: 2 at El Planerón in the Belchite Steppes on 15th.

 

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis [5]

Western France: Singles singing at St Aubin and Forêt de Rennes on 14th.

Aragon Pyrenees: 3 singing around Sallent de Gállego and El Formigal on 22nd.

Tree Pipit, St Aubin, 14-Jun-09  

Tree Pipit, St Aubin (Ille-et-Vilaine, France), 14th June

 

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta [30]

Common in any high altitude grassland in all areas of the Pyrenees and Sierra de la Demanda.

Water Pipit, El Formigal, 22-Jun-09 Water Pipit, El Formigal, 22-Jun-09

Water Pipit, El Formigal (Aragon, Spain), 22nd June

 

Water Pipit, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09 Water Pipit, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09

Water Pipits, Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 24th June

 

Water Pipit, El Formigal, 22-Jun-09  

juvevnile Water Pipit, El Formigal (Aragon, Spain), 23rd June

 

Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava flava [8]

Western France: 2 at Canal du Clain on 14th; at least 6 at Lavau-sur-Loire on 26th.

Blue-headed Wagtail, Lavau-sur-Loire, 26-Jun-09 Blue-headed Wagtail, Lavau-sur-Loire, 26-Jun-09
Blue-headed Wagtail, Lavau-sur-Loire, 26-Jun-09 Blue-headed Wagtail, Lavau-sur-Loire, 26-Jun-09

Blue-headed Wagtails, Lavau-sur-Loire (Loire Atlantique, France), 26th June

 

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea [17]

1-2 at many sites in all mountainous regions, at least 4 at Gavarnie on 24th.

Grey Wagtail, Col du Pourtalet, 23-Jun-09 Grey Wagtail, Col du Pourtalet, 23-Jun-09

Grey Wagtail, Col du Pourtalet (Pyrénées-Atlantique, France), 23rd June

 

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba [24]

Small numbers in all regions.

White Wagtail, Marsilly, 14-Jun-09 White Wagtail, Roncesvalles, 18-Jun-09

White Wagtail, Marsilly, (Charente-Maritime, France), 14th June - looking rather dark here but I think it was White not Pied

White Wagtail, Roncesvalles, (Navarre, Spain), 18th June

 

Dipper Cinclus cinclus [2]

Aragon Pyrenees: One flew past me carrying food at Balneario on 23rd, flying up the road into the hotel complex! A second bird was at the artificial lake in the same location.

Dipper, Balneario, 23-Jun-09 Dipper, Balneario, 23-Jun-09

Dipper, Balneario (Aragon, Spain), 23rd June

 

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes [?]

Common in most regions.

 

Dunnock Prunella modularis [?]

Small numbers in all regions but many singing in an area of gorse in the Sierra de la Demanda on 16th.

 

Robin Erithacus rubecula [?]

Common in most regions (not specifically noted in Spain outside of the Pyrenees).

 

Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos [7]

Northern Spain: 1 heard singing near Codo in the Belchite Steppes on 15th; 4 at Lumbier on 18th.

Aragon Pyrenees: 1 heard singing at Jasa on 21st; 1 heard singing near Panticosa on 22nd-23rd.

 

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica [3]

Western France: 2 juveniles accompanied by an adult female at La Grande-Brière on 26th.

Bluethroat, La Grande-Briere, 26-Jun-09 Bluethroat, La Grande-Briere, 26-Jun-09

Bluethroat, La Grande-Brière (Loire Atlantique, France), 26th June

 

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros [38]

Western France: 2 heard singing near Marais d'Yves on 14th.

Northern Spain: 2 at Lumbier on 18th.

Pyrenees: Common in all areas with at least 34 recorded.

Black Redstart, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09 Black Redstart, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09
Black Redstart, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09 Black Redstart, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09

Black Redstarts, Sallent de Gállego (Aragon, Spain), 22nd June

 

Black Redstart, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09 Black Redstart, Bareges, 24-Jun-09

Black Redstarts, Gavarnie (left) and Barèges (right) (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 24th June

 

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra [1]

Aragon Pyrenees: 1 male between El Formigal and Sallent de Gállego on 23rd.

 

Stonechat Saxicola torquata [8]

Western France: A total of 5 north of Rennes on 14th.

Northern Spain: 1 at Ezcaray on 16th.

Navarre Pyrenees: 2 between Aribe and Ochagavía on 20th.

 

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe [38]

Pyrenees: Common in all high altitude locations with rocky grassland.

Wheatear, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09 Wheatear, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09
Wheatear, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09 Wheatear, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09

Wheatears, Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 24th June

 

Western Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica [2]

Northern Spain: In the Belchite Steppes singles at Lomaza and El Planerón on 16th.

Black-eared Wheatear, Belchite Steppes, 15-Jun-09 Black-eared Wheatear, Belchite Steppes, 15-Jun-09

Western Black-eared Wheatear, Belchite Steppes (Aragon, Spain), 15th June

 

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius [1]

Northern Spain: 1 at Lumbier on 18th.

 

Blackbird Turdus merula [?]

Common more or less everywhere.

 

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos [?]

Small numbers seen or heard in all regions.

 

Mistle Thrush Turdus philomelos [?]

Northern Spain: Present at Belchite and nearby Codo.

Navarre Pyrenees: Common around the Selva de Irati.

French Pyrenees: Present at Barèges.

 

Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti [3]

Northern Spain: 1-2 heard singing at Lumbier.

Aragon Pyrenees: 1 heard singing at Jasa.

Western France: 1 heard singing at La Grande-Brière.

 

Fan-tailed Warbler Cisticola juncidis [16+]

English Channel: A small passerine with short wings, a full rounded short tail and a jerky flight flew around the ferry in early morning fog before appearing to land on the very top of the boat. At the time we were roughly 20-30 miles WSW of Jersey where Fan-tailed Warbler is apparently a rare vagrant; although I don't think my description would pass any rarities committee I really can't think what else it could have been!

Western France & Northern Spain: Several singing at a wide variety of lowland sites, including several heard whilst driving.

 

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus [2]

Western France: At least 2 at La Grande-Brière on 26th.

Sedge Warbler, La Grande-Briere, 26-Jun-09  

Sedge Warbler, La Grande-Brière (Loire Atlantique, France), 26th June

 

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus [2]

Western France: Singles at Marais de la Brie on 14th and Lavau-sur-Loire on 26th.

 

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus [2]

Northern Spain: 1 heard singing at El Planerón in the Belchite Steppes on 15th.

Western France: 1 heard singing at Lavau-sur-Loire on 26th.

 

Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta [2]

Western France: 1 heard singing at St Aubin and a much showier bird singing at Marsilly (near La Rochelle) on 14th.

Melodious Warbler, Marsilly, 14-Jun-09 Melodious Warbler, Marsilly, 14-Jun-09

Melodious Warbler, Marsilly (Charente-Maritime, France), 14th June

 

Western Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans [3]

Northern Spain: A party of 3 at Lumbier on 18th.

Subalpine Warbler, Lumbier, 18-Jun-09 Subalpine Warbler, Lumbier, 18-Jun-09

Subalpine Warbler, Lumbier (Navarre, Spain), 18th June

 

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala [2]

Northern Spain: 1 heard at Codo near Belchite on 14th and 1 seen at Lumbier on 18th.

 

Whitethroat Sylvia communis [2]

Western France: 1 at Marais de la Brie on 14th and 1 heard at Marais Salants de Guérande on 26th.

 

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin [?]

Spanish Pyrenees: Seen or heard at several sites including 4 singing at Jasa (Aragon).

 

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla [?]

Easily the most frequently recorded warbler in all regions.

 

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita [?]

Western France: Present at several sites.

Pyrenees: Heard singing at several sites and all sounded exactly like normal collybita and not like Iberian Chiffchaff.

 

Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus [-]

Northern Spain: 2 Chiffchaffs heard in Sierra de la Demanda were brief and distant so not attributable to species, but they sounded like they might have been good candidates for Iberian or perhaps more likely an intergrade form.

 

Goldcrest Regulus regulus [?]

Spanish Pyrenees: Recorded at Selva de Irati (Navarre) and Gabardito (Aragon).

 

Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus [3]

Northern Spain: 1 at Lumbier on 18th.

Navarre Pyrenees: 2 between Roncesvalles and Garralda on 19th.

 

Red-billed Leiothrix (Pekin Robin) Leiothrix lutea [2+]

Western France: At least 2 (probably a larger family party) were easily located at Laroin near Pau, following the excellent directions provided by Ken Hall in Birding World 20 (8): 349. This is an introduced species that is now naturalised in parts of France and regarded as countable in the same way as, for example, Little Owl in the UK.

Red-billed Leiothrix, Laroin, 25-Jun-09 Red-billed Leiothrix, Laroin, 25-Jun-09
Red-billed Leiothrix, Laroin, 25-Jun-09 Red-billed Leiothrix, Laroin, 25-Jun-09

Red-billed Leiothrix, Laroin (Pyrénées-Atlantique, France), 25th June

 

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus [?]

Recorded at a small number of sites in Northern Spain and the Spanish Pyrenees.

 

Marsh Tit Poecile palustris [11+]

Western France: Recorded at Forêt de Rennes and Laroin.

Navarre Pyrenees: Recorded at several sites, especially around Selva de Irati.

Marsh Tit, Selva de Irati, 20-Jun-09 Marsh Tit, Selva de Irati, 20-Jun-09

Marsh Tit, Selva de Irati (Navarre, Spain), 20th June

 

Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus [5]

Navarre Pyrenees: A total of 5 in Selva de Irati on 19th-20th. Pretty sure I heard more elsewhere while I was concentrating on looking for other things.

Crested Tit, Selva de Irati, 20-Jun-09 Crested Tit, Selva de Irati, 20-Jun-09

Crested Tit, Selva de Irati (Navarre, Spain), 20th June

 

Coal Tit Periparus ater [?]

Pyrenees: Very common in all parts of the Pyrenees. A breeding bird near Sallent de Gállego (Aragon) (below left) had much more extensive black on the underparts than I have previously witnessed on a Coal Tit, extending across the breast and with some blackish streaking extending down the flanks too. I initially put this down to melanism but having now seen photos of birds from several locations showing an extent of black approaching this (though not so much) I am now thinking that it is perhaps simply an extreme variant.

melanistic Coal Tit, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09 Coal Tit, Bareges, 24-Jun-09

Coal Tit showing exceptional extent of black on underparts, Sallent de Gállego (Aragon, Spain), 22nd June

juvenile Coal Tit, Barèges (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 24th June

 

Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus [?]

Recorded at only a few sites in both lowland France and the French Pyrenees.

 

Great Tit Parus major [?]

Possibly not much commoner than Marsh Tit but recorded at a few sites covering most areas visited.

 

Nuthatch Sitta europaea [6]

Aragon Pyrenees: 2 at Hecho Valley on 21st.

French Pyrenees: 2 at Barèges on 24th/25th.

Western France: 2 near Lencouacq on 25th.

Nuthatch, near Lencouacq, 25-Jun-09  

Nuthatch, near Lencouacq (Landes, France), 25th June

 

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris [?]

Navarre Pyrenees: At least 2 at Roncesvalles on 18th and 2 heard at Selva de Irati on 21st.

 

Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla [1]

Western France: 1 at Forêt de Rennes on 14th.

 

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio [13]

Navarre Pyrenees: A male on the slopes above Ochagavia on 19th and a female or juvenile in the same area the next day.

Aragon Pyrenees: A male in Hecho Valley on 20th; No less than 7 (5 males, 1 accompanied by a juvenile and either a second juvenile or the female) between El Formigal and Sallent de Gállego on 22nd (1 seen again next morning); 1 male at Panticosa on 23rd.

French Pyrenees: 2 males at Gavarnie on 24th.

Red-backed Shrike, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09 Red-backed Shrike, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09
Red-backed Shrike, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09 Red-backed Shrike, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09
Red-backed Shrike, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09  

Red-backed Shrike, Sallent de Gállego (Aragon, Spain), 22nd June

 

Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis [1]

Northern Spain: 1 at El Planerón (Belchite Steppes) on 16th.

Southern Grey Shrike, Belchite Steppes, 16-Jun-09 Southern Grey Shrike, Belchite Steppes, 16-Jun-09

Southern Grey Shrike, Belchite Steppes (Aragon, Spain), 16th June

 

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator [5]

Northern Spain: A total of 5 between Belchite and Codo on 15th-16th.

 

Jay Garrulus glandarius [?]

Common in all parts of the Pyrenees and lowland France.

Jay, Bareges, 24-Jun-09  

Jay, Barèges (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 24th June

 

Magpie Pica pica [?]

Recorded commonly in most areas.

 

(Red-billed) Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax [60]

Northern Spain: 10 at Lomaza (Belchite Steppes) on 15th; about 10 at Lumbier on 18th.

Navarre Pyrenees: At least 8 on the slopes above Ochagavia on 20th.

Aragon Pyrenees: At least 10 at Gabardito on 21st; 2 above El Formigal on 22nd.

French Pyrenees: 12 at Col du Pourtalet and 4 near Col d'Aubisque on 23rd; 4 at Gavarnie on 24th.

Chough, Lumbier, 18-Jun-09 Chough, Lumbier, 18-Jun-09

Choughs, Lumbier (Navarre, Spain), 18th June

 

Chough, Col d'Aubisque, 23-Jun-09 Chough, Col d'Aubisque, 23-Jun-09

Choughs, east of Col d'Aubisque (Pyrénées-Atlantique, France), 23rd June

 

Chough, Ochagavia, 20-Jun-09  

Chough, above Ochagavía (Navarre, Spain), 20th June

 

Alpine Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus [60]

Navarre Pyrenees: About 20 on the slopes above Ochagavia on 20th.

French Pyrenees: About 40 at Gavarnie on 24th.

Alpine Chough, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09 Alpine Chough, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09
Alpine Chough, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09 Alpine Chough, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09
Alpine Chough, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09 Alpine Chough, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09

Alpine Choughs, Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 24th June

 

Jackdaw Corvus monedula [?]

Northern Spain: Recorded along the road between Zaragoza and Lagroña on 16th and at Lumbier on 18th.

 

Carrion Crow Corvus corone [?]

Small numbers in most areas.

 

Raven Corvus corax [?]

Aragon Pyrenees: 1 at Gabardito on 20th; 1 at Balneario on 21st.

French Pyrenees: 2 at Gavarnie on 24th.

 

Starling Sturnus vulgaris [?]

Western France: Common and widespread.

 

Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor [5]

Northern Spain: 3 at Lomaza (Belchite Steppes) on 15th and 2 between Alsasua and Pamplona on 18th. A small number of other Starlings were seen, presumably this species but not certainly identified.

 

House Sparrow Passer domesticus [?]

Common in all regions.

House Sparrow, Bilbao, 17-Jun-09  

House Sparrow, Bilbao (Pais Vasco, Spain), 17th June

 

Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia [3]

Northern Spain: A family of at least 3 at Codo (near Belchite) on 16th.

Rock Sparrow, Codo, 16-Jun-09 Rock Sparrow, Codo, 16-Jun-09
Rock Sparrow, Codo, 16-Jun-09 Rock Sparrow, Codo, 16-Jun-09

Rock Sparrows, Codo, Belchite Steppes (Aragon, Spain), 16th June

 

Snow Finch Petronia petronia [5]

French Pyrenees: Easily found at Col du Tourmalet on 23rd where 1 found east of the summit and a family of 4 just west of the summit.

Snow Finch, Col du Tourmalet, 23-Jun-09 Snow Finch, Col du Tourmalet, 23-Jun-09
Snow Finch, Col du Tourmalet, 23-Jun-09 Snow Finch, Col du Tourmalet, 23-Jun-09
Snow Finch, Col du Tourmalet, 23-Jun-09 Snow Finch, Col du Tourmalet, 23-Jun-09
Snow Finch, Col du Tourmalet, 23-Jun-09  

Snow Finches, Col du Tourmalet (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 23rd June

 

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs [?]

Common everywhere.

 

Serin Serinus serinus [57+]

Only 1 heard in western France but very common everywhere else.

Serin, Roncesvalles, 18-Jun-09  

Serin, Roncesvalles (Navarre, Spain), 18th June

 

Serin, Bareges, 24-Jun-09 Serin, Bareges, 24-Jun-09

Serins, Barèges (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 24th June

 

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris [?]

Seen at a small number of well-spread locations.

 

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis [?]

Commoner than Greenfinch, but outnumbered by Serins in most areas.

Goldfinch, Lumbier, 18-Jun-09 Goldfinch, Lumbier, 18-Jun-09

Goldfinch, Lumbier (Navarre, Spain), 18th June

 

Linnet Carduelis cannabina [?]

Mainly seen at high altitude in the Pyrenees, at Col du Pourtalet (both sides of the border), Balneario and Gavarnie. Also at Lavau-sur-Loire in western France.

Linnet, Balneario, 23-Jun-09  

Linnet, Balneario (Aragon, Spain), 23rd June

 

Crossbill Loxia curvirostra [13]

Navarre Pyrenees: 1 heard at Selva de Irati on 20th.

Aragon Pyrenees: A flock of 9 seen and other(s) heard at Gabardito on 21st.

French Pyrenees: A female and juvenile at Gavarnie on 24th.

Crossbill, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09  

Crossbill, Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 24th June

 

Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula [6]

Northern Spain: 1 at Sierra de la Demanda on 16th.

Navarre Pyrenees: 1 at Selva de Irati on 20th.

French Pyrenees: 4+ at Barèges on 24th.

 

Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes [6]

Navarre Pyrenees: 1 feeding on the ground just west of the reservoir at Selva de Irati on 19th.

 

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella [?]

Small numbers observed in all mountanous regions visited.

Yellowhammer, Gavarnie, 24-Jun-09 Yellowhammer, Sierra de la Demanda, 16-Jun-09

Yellowhammer, Gavarnie (Hautes-Pyrénées, France), 24th June

 

Yellowhammer, Sierra de la Demanda (La Rioja, Spain), 16th June

 

Yellowhammer, Sallent de Gallego, 22-Jun-09  

Yellowhammer, Sallent de Gállego (Aragon, Spain), 22nd June

 

Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus [2]

Northern Spain: 1 at Belchite on 15th; 1 at Sierra de la Demanda on 16th.

Cirl Bunting, Sierra de la Demanda, 16-Jun-09  

Cirl Bunting, Sierra de la Demanda (La Rioja, Spain), 16th June

 

Rock Bunting Emberiza cia [4]

Northern Spain: 1 at Sierra de la Demanda on 16th.

Aragon Pyrenees: 1 at Gabardito on 21st; 2 near Sallent de Gállego on 22nd (1 next day).

Rock Bunting, Valle de Gallego, 23-Jun-09  

Rock Bunting, Valle de Gállego (Aragon, Spain), 23rd June

 

Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra [?]

Small numbers singing in most areas.

 

Click here to carry on to PART 3 - NON-AVIAN WILDLIFE