Spain’s Orchids (and Birds!)
Sunday 7th June – Sunday 14th June 2009

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This tour will take you to the most unexpected places where you can enjoy beautiful landscapes and the most spectacular views of the Central Pyrenees. We shall visit some unknown Pyrenean valleys where the abundance of flowers is just unbelievable. The areas visited are a wonderland for any botanist and our expert guide will play a vital part in fulfilling all your expectations.

High up in the mountains the spring flowers such as Alpine Snowbell, Soldanella, White Parnassus-leaved buttercup, Alpine Pasque Flower, Dog´s Tooth Violet, Pyrenean Squill, Alpine Aster and many others will all be in flower. Damp-rock faces give shelter to other species like Long-leaved Butterwort and up on the cliff faces are Ramonda and white cascades of Pyrenean Saxifrage. The meadows contain drifts of delicate Pyrenean Hyacinth, Alpine Forget-Me-Not and many Orchids. Bird life is not abundant but still of great quality as an added distraction with many of the most sought after species in the Pyrenees such as the majestic Lammergeier, the stunning Wallcreeper, Alpine Chough and much more. There are also numerous species of butterfly to be found along with many Chamoix and the very amusing Alpine Marmots!

Our Tour Itinerary

Day 1
We will meet you at Barcelona airport and drive to our centre in the high mountains near the famous town of Jaca. Our accommodation will be in an exquisite mountain guest house with a good selection of food & wines.

Days 2 - 5
We spend our days exploring remote valleys above 2000 meters in the central Pyrenees. There will be daily walks along mostly flat terrain. Eva Penn Smith will work with the group to identify the magnificent flowers and orchids present in the area, whilst Josele will keep an ever watchful eye on the skies for some of the key birds. Plant species that we hope to see include Pyramidal Orchid, White and Red Helleborine, Frog Orchid, Lady´s Slipper Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid , Early Marsh Orchid, Heath Spotted Orchid, Elder Flowered Orchid, and Woodcock Orchid to name a few. Birds that we should encounter include Red and Black Kite, Lammergeier, Wallcreeper, Black Woodpecker, Snow Finch, Citril Finch, Alpine Accentor, Citril Finch and Alpine Chough.


Days 6 & 7
We shall head south through the plains of Aragon for a complete contrast of both flora and fauna but the focus will be the spectacular birdlife as we visit the famous site of Riglos where incredible sandstone towers pierce the sky. Here we will search for Alpine Swift and Short-toed Eagle and we should find vultures at the nest.Dartford Warbler, Rock Sparrow, Black Wheatear and Black Redstart should all be present  at the base of the sandstone columns as we scan the stoney scrub habitat. We shall then continue towards the Ebro Steppes where we shall search for Black-eared Wheatear, Crested Lark, Montagu's Harrier, Spotless Starling and Thekla Lark. Finally, in the Ebro valley we have a great chance to find the beautiful Little and Great Bustard, flocks of Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, the unmistakable Roller, Bonelli's Eagle, Spectacled Warbler and numerous lark species including Calandra Lark and Lesser-Short-toed Lark and maybe even an Eagle Owl. Overnight in the Ebro Valley.

Day 8
Before returning to Barcelona airport and time permitting we will explore a wetland with good chances of some waterfowl species. Collared Pratincole, Audouin´s Gull and Purple Swamp Hen are all possible before our flight back to London.

Leaders:
Eva Penn Smith - Born in London in 1934 and grew up in northwest Lancashire. Having been interested in wild flowers from a very early age, she acquired her particular interest in the Spanish flora while living in Gibraltar and exploring Andalucia. She is a founder member of Plantlife and a restless enthusiast eager to share her great knowledge!

Josele Saiz - Josele’s love of his native Spanish birdlife saw him move in 1993 from the city of Barcelona to bird rich Loporzano, where he founded the very successful Birdwatching Centre “Boletas."
Josele is well acquainted with the Pyrenees and all the best birding sites of NorthernSpain, where as a mountain and birdwatching guide his knowledge is  unsurpassed. He speaks fluent English, Catalan, French and Italian, and is an ideal guide for our tours to this wonderful country.

List of orchids seen on previous tours
Pyramidal Orchid - Anacamptis pyramidalis
White Helleborine - Cephalanthera longifolia
Red Helleborine - Cephalanthera rubra
Frog Orchid - Coeloglossum viride
Lady´s Slipper Orchid - Cypripedium calceolus
Common Spotted Orchid - Dactylorhiza fuchsii
Early Marsh Orchid - Dacylorhiza icarnata
Heath Spotted Orchid - Dactylorhiza maculata
Broad Leaved Marsh Orchid - Dactylorhiza majalis
Elder Flowered Orchid - Dactylorhiza sambucina
Dark red Helleborine - Epipactis atrorubens
Broad –leave Helleborine- Epipactis helleborine
Fragrant Orchid - Gymnadenia conopsea
Common Tway Blade - Listera ovata
Black Vanilla Orchid - Nigritella nigra
Fly Orchid - Ophrys insectifera
Woodcock Orchid - Ophrys scolopax
Bee Orchid - Ophys apifera.
Early Purple Orchid - Orchis mascula
Burnt Orchid - Orchis ustulata
Lesser Butterfly Orchid - Platanthera bifolia