Roadrunners Mike and Linda

Bassin d’Arcachon a bird watching paradise

2018-03-19T21:56:00.003+01:00

The Bassin d'Arcachon, affectionately known by locals as "le Bassin", is situated south of Bordeaux, in the Gironde département, on the southwestern Atlantic coast of France.

At high tide, the Bassin is a vast expanse of 150 km² of water. Still, as the tide ebbs, the water level reduces to 40 km², revealing an enormous feeding station for the thousands of birds that overwinter and the many others that breed here throughout the summer.
It is also hugely important for migrating birds, so much so that there are only a few days of the year when no passage migrant can be seen.
Excellent birdwatching opportunities exist all around "le Bassin," none perhaps better than at Le Teich and its Parc Ornithologique.
Here are some of those birds taken during a couple of recent visits.

We should have titled this post 'Bills and Reflections'!

Snipe (Common) Gallinago gallinago.

Great Egret, Casmerodius albus.

Little Egret, Egretta garzetta.

The previous photo shows the Little Egret treading the water, nearly dancing to disturb the hidden invertebrates, and then it seems frozen in concentration whilst awaiting the results.

A sleeping Avocet (Pied) Recurvirostra avosetta.

Enjoying the sunshine, a Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus.

(Northern) Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus.

A Mute Swan, Cygnus olor, getting airborne.

Early morning sunlight reflects across this Great Egret.

Black-headed Gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus.

Kingfisher (Common) Alcedo at this.

This one is a Female, identified by the red base on the bill.

Always alert to the danger of predators.

In a quiet and dark corner, Little Egret takes a bath.

Subsequently, it appears to stand on water.

Elsewhere, this Little Egret is very busy searching for a meal.

A juvenile Spoonbill (European) Platalea leucorodia, prepares for landing.

Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea.

The tide is out, and so is this Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus.

It's a great place to Birdwatch, especially when the sun is shining, which is often!

One of natures greatest wonders, Common Cranes (Grus grus) on their migration.

2018-03-11T17:53:00.004+01:00

One of the most enthralling wildlife experiences in Europe and the World is happening. The Crane migration is underway; they are returning to their breeding grounds north.
Their deep trumpeting calls fill the air as these magnificent birds pass overhead wave after wave.

Their journey north from the winter feeding grounds was found in North Africa, Spain, Portugal, and the Landes region of France.

Not long before, the unfavourable winds brought large numbers of Cranes lower, spiralling around as they sought the thermals that would convey them higher, returning them to their passage route.

At this time of the year here in the Southwest of France, it is customary to witness hundreds of Cranes a day heading North, and for us, this is usually found to be the afternoons. One day, though every year, is an extraordinary day when literally thousands of Cranes cross our skies, and this was one of those days.

With the headwinds hampering their journey, many have become tired, looking like parachutists, the first birds start to break from the ranks.
Some of these will be individual family groups that will stay together if one becomes too tired to continue.

Battered by the strong winds, it was not long before hundreds sought a safe roost.

Here on the floodplain at La Brousse, we could see them descending onto the fields between
the rivers Dronne and Brousse.

Overhead, more arrive, many seeming to make it through the now Crane jam, only to be forced back by the high winds.

They return to join the melee of what is now becoming thousands.

Cranes stand over one meter tall with long necks and legs and a wingspan of just over two meters.
They must avoid hitting each other; we observed two birds with broken legs.

By the late afternoon, it is truly a spectacle.

More birds join the mass confusion all the time. Many are struggling to land, with some birds also taking off because of their uncertainty about what to do.

The Sun starts to set across the floodplain, tinging the Cranes a pinkish red.

The Sun may have set for the day. However, this is not discouraging for the Cranes, as more arrive after dark.

The following morning, with sunshine spreading across the fields, the first birds of the day get airborne. It is still very windy, so they will likely feed rather than continue their journey.

Installed in a hedgerow, out of their sight, I wait! It was not long before a few hundred started to arrive.
The sound of their wing beats as they fly directly over my head and the excellent trumpeting calls.

Unsure, some start to eat, while others appear alert. The ground is frozen, and the temperature is still minus four degrees in the sunshine.

An adult bird with last year's juvenile.

Another group of Cranes flew overhead, suddenly unnerving the settled group.

They are off and following.

More and more are rising from the roost, joining the food search.

I could see them settling on a far field, sensibly forming a line stretching along its crest, perfect security, with so many pairs of eyes on the lookout!

This pair of adult birds look pretty splendid.

From their arrival on Sunday, they stayed with us through the following week. On Thursday, forecasters warned of Winter storm Emma passing through the area. Fortunately for us and the
Cranes, we only received some interesting daytime skies!

Thursday evening, we watched the Cranes come to roost for the last time.

On Friday and Saturday mornings, we awoke to beautiful weather in the southwest of France. The Cranes grasped this moment and headed onwards on their incredible journey.

Gallocanta “The Rooster sings”

2018-03-04T23:58:00.005+01:00

Early Sunday morning, and it was trying hard to snow, the "Rooster has sung", and the rising sun flooded light across the Laguna de Gallocanta and the Ermita del Buen Acuerdo.
We were in Aragon, south of Zaragoza and North of Teruel.

Gallocanta is sighted one thousand meters above Calamocha and Daroca. The mountains soar even higher. This is a continental plain where ice-cold winds blow needles through your skin. It's also a spiritual place.

As an essential stopover site within Spain for migrating Cranes (Grus Grus) from late Autumn to February, the skies here can be filled with these beautiful birds and their calls that endear people to them.
The Laguna can sustain twenty thousand Cranes and more at the peak migration times.

It was early February, the water level was nearly nonexistent, and there were few Cranes. For us, this is fine as we have seen them there on many occasions. The water level was the lowest we had ever witnessed. Deer tracks could be seen from one side to the other through the mud.

The small road leading into Gallocanta village, Gallocanta, stands for "Rooster Sings."

Only a few Common Cranes were seen; we counted approximately sixty out on the fields feeding.

As the dusk starts to settle, onlookers brave the cold to watch the spectacle of the Cranes arriving for the night's roost. Sadly, many migrating birds are still a little early in the month. They come back here from Africa, Portugal and other Wintering sites across Spain, congregating in their thousands before pushing North to the breeding grounds of Northern Europe.

Small groups of Cranes arrived from the local fields where they had been feeding.

For more Photos and information on the Cranes, see here.

https://roadrunnersmikelinda.blogspot.fr/2014/03/the-road-to-gallocanta.html

We were just passing through on our way home after our night stop at Gallocanta. Our journey continued the following morning. As we snaked down the mountain towards Daroca, snow showers could be seen obscuring the distant view.

The sky had become brighter as we travelled north towards our next stop at Olite, south of Pamplona.

Our journey took us across part of the Bárdenas Reales, and we knew of a small laguna that would make a good place for lunch.

Reed Buntings are found in their hundreds there. Following the construction of the Canal de las Bárdenas and a massive irrigation project, some areas of the dry badlands have been changed into agricultural land and rice fields. Steppe birds have suffered considerable declines in this new landscape. However, seed-eating birds are now found in huge flocks.

A Zitting Cisticola makes a brief appearance.

As the sun sets on our journey again, a Goldfinch flies off the thistles to its night-time roost.

We had moved on to our night's roost at Olite.

The Palacio Real de Olite was once the home of the Kings of Navarra.
In its time, this was one of the most luxurious castles in Europe.

The last of the Sunday visitors heading home through the medieval streets.

Olite is also the wine capital of Navarra.

Good health!

The Sierra Cazorla and the Iberian Fox "Zorro"

2018-03-01T22:10:00.004+01:00

The early morning air in Sierra Cazorla is cold and freezing, and the clouds sweep over the mountain tops, filling the valleys and ravines below. It felt wild as Griffon Vultures swirled in the thermals alongside us.

We had climbed, only to descend again through the murk before a long climb to a birth.

Yes, a Nacimiento de un Rio, the birth of a river, the Guadalquivir, high up in the mountains of Cazorla.
We were also hoping to see the Foxes of Cazorla!

Griffon Vultures spiralling upwards through the clouds.

The cold cloud poured down the mountaintops and filled the valleys.

Griffon Vultures waited for warmer air before unfolding their nearly 8-foot wingspan.

From the opposite side of the valley, we could watch as cold air flattened the clouds along the mountain crests.

Following a gravel track, we had now entered the restricted area of the mountain, open to the public from 09.00 to 21.00; we stopped to take in the view. It's cold minus two degrees.

The clear blue meltwater of the Guadalquivir River formed rock pools as we got closer to the source.

Then, a chance sighting as we walked alongside the river, a fox sits and watches. It seemed utterly undisturbed by us.

On a forest track, we get to see another of these beautiful animals.

The Fox is Spain's most common carnivore; its density is lower than Northern Europe's.
This is caused by several contributing factors, but mainly by the Mediterranean drought
and competition for food from birds of prey, such as eagles and vultures.

Over the last century, the decline in super predators, like the Wolf and Lynx, is thought to be why the Fox is doing well here in Spain.
They are adept hunters of rabbits, which is a problem, as rabbits are also the preferred food of superpredators.
A Lynx will kill a Fox found in its territory, so you are likely to see more Rabbits in a Lynx's territory.
This has implications for the Rabbit reintroduction programmes. The Fox is considered an invasive species and threat, and there is no natural check on its numbers.

Iberian Fox (Vulpes vulpes Silacea)

With Spanish name Zorro.

This is a specialist in its environment, capable of shedding its coat in warm weather and retaining it in the cold. Primary a nocturnal predator, its sleep patterns can change even if it becomes overcast. They have very acute senses, with those eyes to help see in the dark and ears sensitive to the slightest rustlings on the forest floor.

So here it is, the Nacimiento of the river Guadalquivir, just a cave hidden beyond the trees, but that is the birth of one of Spain's great rivers and, for us, as birdwatchers, the life of the Donana National Park. Before that, it passes through the beautiful Moorish cities of Cordoba and Sevilla.

The trees, living and dead, are full of Nuthatches, Short-toed Treecreepers, and Crested Tits.
This Crested Tit perched on a tree that we thought looked like some sort of prehistoric Dinosaur.

Travelling back down the mountain, we stopped in the sunshine and found a male Siskin feasting on a Strawberry tree.

It started to rain on our last evening in Cazorla; it was snowing heavily by the morning.

We beat our early morning retreat through Cazorla town, heading for Quesada, after which the views were again fantastic.

A little glimpse of sunshine as we look back at the olive trees, with happiness from our visit to the Sierra Cazorla and sadness at leaving.

We will return!

Discovering the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y los Villas.

2018-02-27T21:13:00.003+01:00

We are still in Spain and on our way to see a giant, the alluring Sierra de Cazorla, Spain's largest protected area.
Having spent the weekend in Sta Elena High in the Desfiladero de Despeñaperros, enjoying the food, wine and brandy at El Mesón and, of course, catching up on the laundry (one of those necessities)
Monday morning, we were back on the road early and enjoying the views towards the mountains of Mágina, which peaked at 2167 meters.

Like most Jaén, it is covered in Olive trees; it's a welcome relief to see the spectacular mountains pushing upward ruthlessly out of the regimental green lines.

As we climbed higher, we could see towns like Santisteban del Puerto sitting high above the crop of endless Olive trees.

By lunchtime, we are on a tiny road on the North face of the Sierra de Cazorla and stop for our Lunch at the Embalse de Aguascebas. The peace is complete, just vultures soaring overhead.

During the afternoon, the road had deteriorated considerably, and we were encountering patches of snow and ice covering the surface, not melting away due to the long mountain shadows. It was still a long journey to Tranco, and I wanted to visit the Garganta on the way.

Luck was not with us, and after crossing a lengthy patch of ice and snow followed by a blind right bend, we could see the road impassable; we could see sunshine across the valley, but there in the shadow of the steep mountain, snow, and thick ice blocking the road, not helped by the steep gradient of the road.
We had no alternative other than to turn around, a precarious experience on the narrow mountain road. Our problems were not over, though, as we could not get the grip upwards through the ice and snow we had crossed coming down. The only chance of getting out before the temperatures dropped again was to dig through the ice and snow. Taking turns with our emergency shovel, we cleared snow and chipped through the ice, followed by three attempts to drive out. We eventually made it some hours after arriving.

The following morning, still licking our wounds but feeling upbeat, we set off on a new route around the Sierra,
Our upbeat feeling was bolstered further when Linda spotted a herd of Female Ibex and their young on the mountainside.

Ibex are herd animals dictated by gender. Males are in one herd, and females and their young are in another. Sometimes, a male will roam alone; they come together mainly in the breeding season.
This is a female herd, it seems; otherwise, it is pretty challenging to tell them apart as they both, male and female, have large curved horns, which are used at the breeding time for sexual selection and, of course, for defending their territories.

By lunchtime, we were close to the Sierra Cazorla Visitors Center
(Torre del Vinagre) and a good time to stop for Lunch. The river Guadalquivir passes below the centre, so it is an excellent place to park; it is probably too early in the year to see a Dipper or countless dragonflies and butterflies found here.
The setting was serene, and it appeared impossible that this small waterway would soon become that mighty river that we have seen causing destructive flooding through Cordoba and its environs in past years, eventually giving life to the Donana National Park, Europe's most important wetlands.

A fawn departs on the opposite river bank, following Mum and sibling, who have already disappeared.

Refreshed, we spend the afternoon climbing, passing towns like Hornos constructed around the cliff face.

As we near Pontones high in the mountains, we observe a pair of soaring Golden Eagles.

Sadly, we are looking directly into the strong sunshine, "I know you cannot have everything, and we are just so happy to have seen them."

It had been snowing heavily up there, and our recent experiences were now causing a minor concern. It would have been great to have photographed the town of Pontones, with its interestingly constructed houses and so isolated. Still, we pressed on, wanting to reach our destination before nightfall.

At last! With the sun starting to set, we had made it across the mountain. Opening out in front of us the beginnings of Andalucia's badlands and our night stop at Puebla de Don Fadrique.

The following day's view was magnificent; we could see the Sierra Nevada in the far distance.

On the roadside above Castril, we find an Olive Oil co-operative and can't resist buying some fresh-pressed oil.

Above Castril, the Embalse del Portillo.

Our journey has again turned us North, leaving the Sierra Nevada behind us.

From the narrow mountain road, we looked down on the heavily eroded and semi-barren mesa.

The road crosses deep gorges with no winter sun as it snakes higher.

A fine view towards the Puerto de Tiscar and the watchtower Alalaya del Infante Don Enrique. Also, the Church of Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Tiscar is the historical patron of Cazorla and the most religious figure in these mountains.
Both are dwarfed by the towering Picón del Rayal, rising to 1835 meters and the highest mountain in this Southern park section. The name "Rayal" means "frontier" during the Middle Ages. Along with the watchtower is a reminder that this was the border between the Morrish Kingdom of Granada and Christian Spain for almost three centuries
Today is a good place for observing large numbers of Vultures, Eagles, and these beautiful Spanish Ibex.

Ibex are herbivores and have to spend most of their day eating the mountain shrubs, bushes, and grass, which are of low nutritional worth, so it is pretty surprising to see a few of them lying in the warm sunshine.

They have a lifespan of approximately 17 years.
This is quite surprising when you see their precarious positions while looking for food.
They centimetres) Craig is 1.8 metres out, having to move forward!

This kid and its Mother are using their interestingly formed hoofs to stand on the mountain's sheer face. The hoofs have sharp edges and concave undersides, acting like rock suction caps.

With another day nearing its end, we must find somewhere to stop for the night.

What a great day!

Sierra de Andújar home of the Pardel Lynx

2018-02-22T22:56:00.007+01:00

You could say that we had "entered Sierra de Andújar through the back door." We climbed slowly higher from the former coal-mining town of Puertollano, the open cast mining landscape replaced by grazing cattle and sheep, passing through the narrow settlement of Mestanza and higher the Sierra Madrona, both beautiful and devoid of other road users.
Here in this remote corner of Andalucia, we find the Northern extreme of the Sierra Andújar.

This is the Province border between Jaén and Andalusia. Andalusia is not committed to spending on the road surface, and our onward progress is plodding as we avoid multiple potholes.

The road does not detract from the view, and we have time to ponder our chances of spotting a Pardel Lynx in this vast area, "third time lucky." Um!

Short-toed treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)

We park and walk along the charming Jándula River, birdsong exploding.
It is about 2.5 kilometres from the picnic area up to the dam, well worth the time as there is usually lots to see, like this Short-Toed Treecreeper.
As evening descends, small gatherings of people gather close to the dam; they hope to see two sightings: the pair of Otter often seen on this stretch of the river and an elusive Pardel Lynx.

A Red Deer watches our progress, not alarmed by our presence.
No Otters and no Lynx on our first evening.

As the low Winter sun starts to rise on our first morning, we are out fresh and alert. The sun had been up 45 minutes when a shadow seemed to move down the hillside on the opposite side of the river.
It took a lot of work to make a positive identity with the light, large boulders, and shrubbery.

"Movement"! And there it is, not the best photograph in the World, but it is a Pardel Lynx in the wild.
The tracking collar is looking very warn. Apparently, the collar colour correlates to the Lynx's given name.

Sadly! Gone so fast.

It just disappeared into the undergrowth.
To say they are challenging to see, there were a few guys only 15 meters away from us, and they missed it!
As the best time to see the Lynx is early and late, we spent the rest of the day observing other local wildlife.

Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)

In the forest, this Nuthatch finds a Moth in the Lichen.

Horseshoe Whip Snake (Haemorrhoids Hippocrepis or Coluber hippocrepis)

Horseshoe Whip Snake is a non-poisonous snake.
Enjoying the sun on the rocks.

Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanpica cyanus)

Large numbers of these charming birds, usually found in family groups, appear to love the stone pines. They are pretty shy and alert birds.

Our second day had not started well; the early morning fog was getting thicker as the sun rose.

The previous morning, at this time, we were photographing a Lynx; it's hard to see a Cormorant at 10 meters on this occasion.

As the fog starts to lift, we scan the right-hand bank, but it's not to be today.

As we have said, the Sierra Andújar is a large area. At La Lancha, you will find the most popular Lynx-watching area. At the weekends, watchers line the twisting mountain road with their telescopes and picnic chairs. Plenty of Red Deer exists if you are not lucky enough to peek at a Lynx here.

The view looking down the Rio Jádula.
It was a great visit for us and a third time lucky.
Lynx-watching really is a case of lots of patience and even more luck!

Happy Days, indeed!

Parque Nacional de las Tablas de Daimiel Birdwatching.

2018-02-21T15:37:00.003+01:00

It was January, and the Winter days were short. We had left Zaragoza later than planned, heading West towards Madrid, where we would turn South. As the road climbed higher and fresh falls of snow covered the hillsides, we decided to seek refuge for the night. The hilltop town of Medinaceli looked very picturesque with the setting Sun.

Medinaceli is home to Spain's only three-gated Roman arch, constructed in the 1st-3rd Centuries A.D.

With the setting sun and snow, it all looked quite charming, but there is a darker side to this hilltop town, that being the "Toro Jubilo", a festival that takes place here in November,
denouncing the occupation of Spain by the Moors.
A Bull is tied to a post, and a thick layer of mud is applied to its Head, Neck, and Back. Once this is completed, balls of tar are attached to the animal's Horns and set alight. Once the tar is burning, the Bull is set free in the enclosure. Some people then terrify the beast further by running at it with red flags and trying to prod it!

Thank goodness it's January.

On that Monday evening, the Plaza Mayor was quiet; only a snowman remained from the weekend's visitors.

The following day, in brilliant sunshine, we went south through the Alcarria Baja region of Guadalajara, passing around the Embalse de Entreprēnas on the Rio Tagus, which formed with the other accumulation of Embalses that make up the "sea of Castile."

Lunch at Sayatón and another of Spain's famous rivers, the Rio Tajo.

Great Bustard (Otis tarda)

After lunch, our road took us onto the great Plain of La Mancha in the Province of Ciudad Real. South of Lillo, heading for Alcázar de San Juan, is the La Mancha Húmeda, which has many semi-endorheic lagoons.
At one, the Laguna de Tirez, we chanced upon a flock of thirty Great Bustards that took to the air and crossed our path.

Far across the plain, the distant skyline is dotted with windmills above the towns of Consuegra and Alcázar de San Juan. These (above) are at Puerto Lapice, where we stopped for the night. The giant plain of La Mancha, famous for its wines, brandy, and Olives, stretches to the horizon and beyond.

Black Redstart (Gibraltariensis)

The following morning brought dense fog and a slow drive to the Tablas de Daimiel—not the best day for bird watching!
Our first bird of the day, this beautiful, if wet, Black Redstart, perched on the car park wall.

Hoopoe (Eurasian) Upupa epops

Also, this Hoopoe was digging for grubs in the car park and was damp from the fog again.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

Given the foggy conditions, even the Graylag Geese seemed unsure of what to do.

Once again, the controversial water levels here in Spain's smallest natural park seemed very low. The aquifers have had colossal water level problems for years, and farmers have been boring illegal wells. In 2009, Spain's secretary of state for water stated, "We are about to lose the Tablas de Daimiel." The European Union demanded an explanation of what was happening to this significant wetland, located midway between Africa and Northern Europe, which acts as an essential stopover for migrating birds and a vast breeding ground for many species.

Due to the deficient water levels, we decided to concentrate our time permanently on the Laguna. This is where the Rio Guadiana enters the Tablas, and the water level is more stable.

Marsh Harrier (Western) Circus aeruginosus

Later in the morning, as the fog started to lift, we had good views of three Marsh Harriers, two female and one male, out on a dead tree.

The male bird departs for the open fields.

Bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus)

What we used to call Bearded Tits, but in fact, they are closely related to the Larks. It breeds colonially in the reed beds. The two males we photographed were busy eating the reed seeds.

Chiffchaff (Common) Phylloscopus collybita

Chiffchaffs are very busy in the reeds, looking for insects.

Leaving Daimiel, we stopped at the Pueblo of Luciana, close to the Rio Guadiana.
The next part of our journey would take us South to the Sierra de Andújar.

Kingfisher (Common) Alcedo atthis

A clear, frosty morning had greeted us. We had breakfast and walked along the river bank, where we found a Kingfisher warming in the weak Winter sun.
Later in the morning, we observe Black black-shouldered kites and a pair of distant subadult Spanish Imperial Eagles.

Our journey continues into Lynx territory.

Happy Days!

Hawfinch, (Coccothraustes Coccothraustes) I share a moment with these top birds

2018-02-11T22:02:00.005+01:00

The Hawfinch is a large, charismatic, but shy bird. This elusive bird spends much of its time high in the treetops of broad-leafed woodland, avoiding the open ground.

With its large and mighty bill, its large head and neck are adapted to accommodate the muscle that helps generate a staggering 45kg of force. This muscle is used for cracking open Cherry and Olive stones to extract the inner seed, all the more impressive from a bird weighing in at a mere 2oz.

Generally, it is a nonmigratory bird, although Northern birds move South of their breeding range. It is the wintertime that we see them in large flocks foraging on open farmland and perhaps mixed with flocks of mixed passerines, Chaffinches, Bramblings Greenfinches, etc., who have also moved south in search of food.

The Male, with its coloured Winter bill, changes to a blue Black colour in Summer.

Here, the Female is duller in colour and has a grey patch on the wing.

In the breeding season, part of the Male mating ritual is to raise its head and chest feathers; the head feathers also rise when alert to disturbance or danger.

Standing tall in the Winter treetop.

A Female looks down on a Blue Tit.

Here, we can see the Iridescent blue flight feathers; once again, he will drop his wings at the breeding time, displaying this beautiful colour to his new partner.

Except for the nesting period, Hawfinches are particularly pugnacious birds. Because their winter feeding takes place on the ground, they also give each other space. While carrying out this study, I observed a small flock of six birds having their feeding station invaded by a flock of eight birds.
What followed was quite incredible. One female bird tried for forty minutes to remove all the newcomers.

Interestingly, bill kissing is part of the mating ritual; it can begin as early as mid-February, so I was initially unsure what was happening here!

It is said that aggressive and defensive posturing is associated with the possession of perching space and food. This is heightened as the days start to lengthen. However close we are to St Valentine's Day, this is combative aggression, not affection!

The following day, still in the presence of the fourteen Hawfinches, I found "Bruiser" his bill had suffered some damage from the affray!

If a Hawfinch is disturbed, it flies up through the tree, perching high in the tree canopy and descends branch by branch, keeping an eye on the surroundings.

This happens when this Male finds another male bird on its stamping ground.

110 lbs of pressure on that bill.

Inside, the bills are jagged to help hold the fruit stones.

The clash is over quickly.

They just need their own space! To perch and preen.

What a top bird!

Spains wild Zamora province, the home of "Lobo" the Wolf.

2017-09-07T23:23:00.007+02:00

Puebla de Sanabria is a small town in the North Eastern area of Zamora province in Spain; it is also one of Zamora's oldest settlements.

We had been wolf-watching and enjoying this unpopulated and periodically inhospitable area.

The town of Puebla de Sanabria.

We had crossed the border between Spain and Portugal. On the other side of the border in Portugal, we discovered the Park Natural de Montesinho region, which is unspoiled at present.

Last year, we came to see the Lago de Sanabria.

https://roadrunnersmikelinda.blogspot.fr/2017/01/lago-de-sanabria-y-alrededores-largest.html

This return trip was to visit the two glacial lakes (Laguna de Los Peces) located high above the Lago de Sanabria.
Due to the severe weather, We had yet to succeed in reaching their heights on that last trip.

We had good views of both glacial lakes once we reached the summit.
The Laguna de Los Peces is concealed far up in its isolated mountain locality.
Everywhere, the weather was menacing, snow showers storming across the lakes.

The following morning, the weather had changed dramatically, and we found ourselves headed out across the Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre Natural Park, engulfed in a snowstorm. Reaching Guardo, we encountered the first snowplows.

We followed a constant snaking mountain pass; jaded, we pulled over for our lunch; far below us, a small herd of Red Deer undisturbed, later watching a pair of Foxes arrive in the corner of the stone-walled pasture; they seemed to be enjoying the weak sunshine.

We had hot soup and bread, warming and energising.

Griffon Vultures cruised the higher slopes in the hope of food.

After lunch, we continued, stopping at the roadside in an attempt to photograph the Rock Buntings bustling in the leafless shrubs.

The tapering road twists and turns towards a higher level, offering a superb mountain perspective.

Once again, it was a voyage of discovery in both Portugal and here, Spain.

Another fabulous visit!

Happy Days!

Watching Wolves in Spain

2017-07-03T12:19:00.004+02:00

The sky had started to turn into a beautiful vermillion glow. It was getting late, and it was time to leave our road and rest for the night.
We were in the North of Castilla y León, very close to our destination; this was where we would start our search for the Iberian Wolf.

Rested and ready, the new day unfolded before us; our lesser-travelled road took us through stunning countryside. We pass underneath massive concrete pillars holding Spain's impressive motorway system high above us (business as usual), but down here, it is like a forgotten World, unchanged with time; people still take the time to see who is passing as they toil in their plots, perhaps they worry about the coming change! Like us passing through!

A stone and slate bridge crosses a meandering river, the water level low for the time of year, and there has been no rain for some time. Interestingly, it's March, and we should have expected colder weather, not the 23 degrees plus; maybe everything is changing; it certainly causes conversations with the local people.

High on our vantage point, we can see for miles! With our telescope, we scan the countryside; others do the same a little further along the track.

Beautiful Dartford Warblers perch in the surrounding trees with their brazen song; they are so untroubled in this environment; other than a few of us hoping to see an Iberian Wolf, there is nothing but peace.

Nuthatches seek insects in a small group of trees, already feeding their first broods.
Spring has come early this year.

To better understand the Iberian wolf, we visited the excellent interpretation centre at Robledo, south of Puebla De Sanabria in Zamora province.

Centro Del lobo Ibérico De Castilla y León.

Behind the heather, a Watching Wolf.

What a beautiful creature

Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus) stands proudly on the hillside.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_wolf

Once again, it is time for us to move on. The road from here is the beginning of our journey home. What will tomorrow's travel bring?

The wild Arribes del Duero in Portugal and Spain

2017-06-28T16:44:00.007+02:00

We had driven north from Vila Velha de Ródão with its towering cliffs known as the Portas do Ródão, where we had spent the night. The following morning, we drove to Castelo Branco and once again crossed the border into Spain, the sky blue, heat haze disfiguring the road as we passed through the Sierra de Gata, our destination, La Alberca, high in the Sierra de la Peña de Francia, located
70 kilometres south of Salamanca and in the province of Salamanca in Castilla Y Leon.
The road was torturous, but the air relaxed as we passed through the pine forest, gaining height. Eventually, the switchback bends delivered us into La Alberca.

We awoke early the following morning, refreshed and ready to explore the town. For breakfast, we had an incredible local bread stuffed with Chorizo sausage.

After breakfast, we again set out on another zigzagging road, this one spiralling us ever high towards the summit of Peña de Francia.

The views from the top of Peña de Francia, at 5666 feet, 1727 meters, are far-reaching.

Presumably, this sculptured window is a characterization of Simón Vela and his travels from
Santiago de Compostela via Salamanca to find the Peña de Francia.
It may just be Don Quixote!

Due to its height, the Peña de Francia is home to Alpine Accentors whose breeding grounds are usually above 1800mtrs.

They like barren areas and feed on Insects and seeds. It was undoubtedly bare up there, and their primary food source would have to be insects, as there was barely a blade of grass.

Later in the day, we passed through Ciudad Rodrigo and into the arribes, the local name for the complex of Duero river gorges. Once again, these canyons form the border between Portugal and Spain for close to 120 kilometres, and like the Rio Tajo gorges, they harbour significant populations
of cliff-nesting birds.

You can see the road we travelled to access the can in the above photograph.

At the river level, we used one of the giant dams to cross the border back into Portugal, so again, you see Portugal on the left and Spain on the right. Swifts, Red Rumped and Barn Swallows hawk over the still water.

Positioned on top of an elevated outcrop, waiting to observe Vultures flying through the gorge, it was a surprise to see this Wren so high!

The Griffon Vultures look Great in the late afternoon sunshine.

They just soared past just below our viewpoint.

Some of them starting to moult.

The following morning, we returned early, just in time to catch a pair of Egyptian Vultures.

As the pair of Egyptian Vultures passed down the gorge, the Griffon Vultures started to launch from their roost.

Some Griffons wait on the rocks for the early morning air to warm before launching off the cliff face.

We made slow progress, following as close as possible to the gorge; we were still in Portugal and Spain, rising up across the water.

At times, the roads and tracks had become so rutted that it was impossible to travel along them, so we had to hike to the canyon.

While walking, we found this lovely Provence Hairstreak butterfly.

Two minutes later, we found a Green Hairstreak.

The end of another great visit!

We would travel North in Castilla y León from here to search for the elusive.
Iberian Wolf.

Happy Days!

Birdwatching along the Tajo International river in Spain

2017-06-27T21:31:00.002+02:00

With the Portuguese hilltop town of Marvão high above us, our road turned left, and we soon passed seamlessly into Spain, heading towards Valencia de Alcántara; shortly after this remote town, we once again turned left, this time a very minor road towards Cedillo.

We are now in the International Tajo, no sign of a river or cliffs,
just the rolling Dehesa and scrub warblers.
We bear right, and the road winds down towards the Tajo River, the international border splitting Spain and Portugal; the river forms the border for some 40 Kilometres.

Here, the green-clad cliffs are home to Black Storks, Egyptian Vultures, Black and Griffon Vultures, Golden and Bonelli's Eagles, Short-Toed Eagles, Black Kites and Booted Eagles are seen with many other cliff and rock species.
We will follow the river upstream to Alcantara through a wonderfully remote landscape,
full of nature.

Portugal to the right and Spain on the left, the Rio Tajo centre stage.

Black Kites hunt along the green cliffs.

A critical species for our visit was the Blue Rock Thrush.

It was perfect timing, as the male birds sought partners and were very visible as they sang and defended their territories.

Our road continues through small deserted villages towards a tributary of the Tajo, the Rio Salzar.

Black Vulture "What a bird!" is so massive!

Black Stork, what a day!

Unbelievably, the Black Stork and Black Vulture circle together on the thermal.
Just look at the size of the Vulture compared to the Stork.

At this time of year, Short-Toed Eagles are familiar.

A pair of Crag Martins, beautifully camouflaged, take a rest from their nest building.

On the cliff face, we can watch their nest-building progress.

The Emabalse de Alcántara is a vital breeding ground for the Black Stork; during our visit, we were lucky to see two females arriving at the nesting site; the males had already returned.

Reunited on their nest, "Yes, that is a CCTV camera," all the nests here are given maximum protection.

Egyptian Vultures are also nesting close by.

Synchronised flying by a pair of Egyptian Vultures!

Meanwhile, the resident Griffon Vultures looks on.

We find acres of wildflowers and Red Deer above the river.

A hunting Spanish Imperial Eagle.

What a fantastic area to visit.

For us, the road heads North, and we will return!

Alter-Real Stud and a slow road through Portugal

2017-06-24T16:45:00.003+02:00

Travelling north, we left the heavy rains of Spain and Portugal's Algarve behind us. With no hurry, we passed along the many small, winding roads, enjoying the scenery.

This little church sits atop a hill with its grizzly history close to Castro Verde.
It commemorates the Battle of Ourique on 25th July 1139.

Outside the church is a mural depicting the battle.

Stunning wildflowers carpeted the countryside.

Corn Buntings adorned fenceposts.

We passed through small villages and towns taking on supplies; here in Portel an excellent baker, and the Pastel de nata was superb!

In Alter do Chão we had been sitting in the shade enjoying coffee before we visited the
Alta Real Stud.

This astounding SStud is the birthplace of the Alter-Real Lusitano breed of horses,
which have been bred here since its foundation in 1748 by King João V.

We enjoyed watching a training session, where some young stallions were put through their paces before a full tour of the Stud.

For Linda, this was to be the highlight of our trip through Portugal, as she loves the Lusitano and Spanish Andalusian breeds.

The thirty or so stallions are housed in this magnificent old building,
that echoes their snorting testosterone.

In an altogether more tranquil setting, the sixty breeding mares and their foals rest,
on deep straw, away from the heat of the day.
They are turned out to roam on the fields at night, to enjoy the grass and the freedom.

There is also an exciting carriage museum housing many types of carriages.
We enjoyed a fantastic afternoon here among those beautiful horses and hope to return,
perhaps to the annual auction held on or around 24th April.

The road through the Serra de São Mamede became a little testing!

Almond blossoms lined the many small roads we explored, twisting over the countryside.

A local fisherman unloads his catch of freshwater fish below the castle at Juromenha,
on the Rio Guadiana.

Most of the catch had been Carp and Zander.

Further upriver, House Martin's are busy nest building, beaks full of the wet mud.

This old bridge is an excellent House and Crag Martins nesting site.

Mimosa, with its delicate fern-like leaves blooming yellow all around us.

Also bright yellow, the male Siskins are busy singing and looking for mates.

Happy travels!

Birdwatching in the Parque Nacional Doñana in Spain and then it rained!

2017-04-30T18:06:00.003+02:00

Leaving Veja de Frontera and the Bald-Headed Ibises, we started out in the direction of Cadiz, stopping for lunch at the small port of Sancti Petri. The view and weather were fabulous.

We bypassed Cadiz and made a night stop in Rota, which is further up the coast, before travelling to Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

In Sanlúcar, we started our exploration of the Parque Nacional de Doñanas Eastern sector. The Doñana is a massive area with borders on both banks of the Rio Guadalquivir. It is probably Europe's best birdwatching location.

Isla Sancti Petri and its Castello.

Beyond Sanlúcar, Bonanza's coastal salt pans are a thriving business with great lorries and lots of dust. Further along the coast, however, the Tarmacadam road disintegrates into a dirt track, and it is here that we find disused saltpans falling into disrepair. This is where ships enter the river and head for Sevilla with their cargo, and this is the remote corner of the Parque where we started our exploration.

It is flat out there, just a few old fishing boats rotting away on this tidal marshland.

Dead, scrawny trees line the river, perfect resting places for Ospreys and Short-toed Eagles on their migration.

Across the river are the vast sand dunes stretching along the Playa de Castilla coast from Matalascañas.

Another Short-Toed Eagle perches whilst scanning the surrounding marshland.

After some time, it takes to the air.

Circling over the Marsh in search of a meal.

With a huge wingspan, the Snake Eagle, as it is also known, soars overhead.

A Eurasian Hoopoe takes flight.

We found many warblers skulking in the dense scrub along the river bank.

This one is a Subalpine warbler.

Countless waterways and fish farms lined the road as we moved towards Trebujena.

There were many wading species, and here was a snipe; the river bank baked and fractured from the immense heat.

It was late afternoon, and we needed to be on the opposite side of the river. Usually, this would entail circumnavigating Sevilla, but on this occasion, we decided to try crossing the Rio Guadalquivir on the small car ferry that takes you across the river to Coria del Rio. We were still determining if we could get on to it, as the slipway was steep and not helped by the ebbing tide. But all went well, with a payment of €4.30, and we were across the river.

The following morning, we saw a Short-Eared Owl flying along the roadside as we continued to the Dehesa de Abajo.

"I messed up with the focus."

Early morning at the Dehesa de Abajo, with its vast White Stork colony, the largest in Europe.

Ancient olive trees line the route up to the visitor centre,
and every olive tree has a nest similar to the one shown above.

The Storks seemed as miserable as us in the damp mist and gloom.

Below the visitor centre lies the La Rianzuela, a large lagoon. Water flows in from the
Arroyo de Majalberraque. It offers two hides to watch the birds.
Here, a Marsh Harrier hunts in the early morning mist.

A Grey Heron catches what little light there is.

From the Dehesa, we move towards the José Antonio Valverde, better known as the JAV, visitor centre. It is some 26 kilometres out on the Doñana, and the access is through rough clay roads.
Slow progress on the genuinely potholed and uncomfortable road takes you alongside the Brazo de la Torre, a superb birdwatching area. You need good weather for a visit here; ours was getting worse by the minute!

We chance on a sleeping Barn Owl in the Tamarisk.

We stopped at the vast concrete pumping station, which looks derelict.
At the rear of this neglected building, we found a colony of Black-Crowned Night Herons roosting, just as if they were in the trees or scrub.
Kestrels were nesting inside the building, their access through the broken windows.

Before we departed from our home in France, we had witnessed thousands of Common Cranes migrating North, so it was a surprise to see large numbers still here on the Doñana.

We never reached the JAV on that occasion, and this is the last photograph before violent rain and gale-force winds hit us.
We had to do as the birds did and get out; the clay roads deteriorate fast in the heavy rain, and we did not wish to be stranded.

Later, after the storm had passed through, Black Kites, having just arrived from Africa, were in search of food.

There is a Black Kite roost near the Dehesa de Abajo. We watched as they started to congregate for the evening's roost.
Sadly, the weather once again started to change.

As the next storm arrived, we photographed a White Stork with its nesting material.

It rained for the entire night, and by the morning, it was apparent we would not be finishing this present trip to the Doñana.

As we made our way towards El Rocio, we came upon a convoy of Pilgrims. They looked very wet, but they all managed to smile and wave as we passed by.

This photograph shows why we did not wish to be on the clay roads.

They were all travelling to the Ermita Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rocio.

We watched from the dry as they went on their way, the water getting deeper!

El Rocío, we were interested to see what birds were on the Madre de Las Marimas.

(Mother of the marshes).

For the Pilgrim, it is Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Rocio.

The Black-Tailed Godwits were enjoying the raised water levels.

Searching for food in the freshly flooded grassland.

Many of them are starting to show their rusty red breeding plumage.

With it still raining, we moved to the industrial port of Huelva and the Odiel marshes.
This is the Western extreme of the Doñana.

Beyond the port, a strip of land extends some 20 kilometres out into the sea; it is known as
El Espigón is a very flat area with salt pans, brackish lagoons, and intertidal salt marshes. It is also covered with deep tidal channels known as "Esteros."
The breeding Spoonbills and other waders are feeding in them at the low tide.

When the wind blows, the inner harbour side can be excellent for seabirds and waders.

Here, Audouins Gull's shelter from the wind.

Out on the open sea, the wind is still gusting and squally showers pass over.
The weather may be better in Portugal.

Happy days!

Bald-Headed Ibis, Geronticus eremite, found in the Province of Cadiz Spain.

2017-04-20T13:00:00.003+02:00

In 2014, we made an excursion to try and find a Bald-Headed Ibis, sometimes referred to as a Waldrapp. This would entail visiting Vejer de la Frontera in the Cadiz province of Spain. The main focus was to find some and then photograph these scarce birds.

To reiterate what we said then, they are critically endangered. Following the Spanish re-introduction program, they are still found in Morocco and now Spain. They also existed in Syria in small numbers, but the last few years have obviously been bad for the Syrian birds, and as of now, we still do not know their fate.

This February, we arrived again at Vejer de la Frontera, where the re-introduced birds have made their own roost and nest site in Spain. First released onto the cliffs near Barbate in Andalucia, they found this nesting site after sustained gull predation at the release site.

It appeared the Ibis were doing well. Once again, the weather could have been better for us. We managed to take these pictures of them up on the cliff face.

All the birds carry multiple Identification rings.

In 2014, some birds had radio telemetry devices fitted on their backs; none were seen this year.

A bald-headed Ibis returns to the roost, looking like a flying witch!

When a bird returns to the nest site, there is an act of welcome or courtship!

At times, quite a few birds arrived together; as they queued to enter the hollows in the cliff face, there seemed a familiar resemblance to the opening of the British Parliament, Black rod, cloaks, drivel and all that pageantry!

They launch directly over the Cattle Egret colony below from the cliff face. It may be a coincidence, but their original release site was alongside an Egret colony.

Press on the link http://roadrunnersmikelinda. To see the Cattle Egret colony. blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/cattle-egret-bubulcus-ibis-what.html

Others find higher vantage points to watch over the proceedings below.

They appear to be doing well. There are now other areas across Cadiz province where they can be seen, along with a few in Portugal, and a tagged bird from Vejar de la Frontera has turned up in Morocco. With other programs underway in Austria and Switzerland, let us hope the bird that was once nicknamed the' forest raven ' will continue making good progress.

Press on the link http://roadrunnersmikelinda.blogspot.co.uk/20 to view our previous visit.

14/11/northern-bald-headed-ibisgeronticus.html

Happy Days!

Tarifa beach, on the Costa de la Luz, Andalucia.

2017-04-17T11:04:00.002+02:00

Playa de Los Lances, better known as Tarifa Beach, is a vast, wide beach stretching some three kilometres along the Southernmost coast of the Costa de la Luz, Mainland Africa, just across the strait of Gibraltar. Two rivers flow onto the beach, the Rio Jara and de la Vega. They both form shallow lagoons, a mecca for hundreds of kiteboarders. They are essential as a haven for Wintering and migrating birds.

Sadly, the weather was very hazy, and Africa was hardly visible.

Some areas of sand are deeply sculptured by the winds.

Water, birds, sand, kiteboarders and Tarifa town.

Tarifa Beach has beautiful light, making it a great place to search for overwintering and migrating birds.

Caspian Terns are one of the top species to be found here.

A mighty Caspian Tern joins a resting group of the smaller Sandwich Terns.

Amazing photographing four Casey Terns at rest with the Sandwich Terns.

Although it is late Winter, a juvenile Caspian Tern seems to be asking the adult for food.

Small groups of Sandwich Terns come and go along the water's edge.

This is the shallow water of the Rio Jara.

A small flock of Grey Plovers join a resting Dunlin.

One of the Caspian Terns takes off to hunt fish in the lagoon.

Terns dive to catch their prey; it seems a near-impossible task among all the kites and riggings!

Our bird is thriving, and we can see the fish held in its beak.

Twisting and turning through the kites.

Now, the Sandwich Terns are leaving to hunt.

They hunt over the sea, and the kites are not a problem.

On the lagoon fringe, elegant Audouin's Gulls, some with their continuity rings showing.

A juvenile Audouin shows the plumage of a second winter bird; it will soon be in its full adult plumage.

A third winter Yellow-legged gull.

Sanderlings were busy feeding and resting.

A massive flock of Sanderling pass in front of the Duna De Valdevaqueros at the far end of the beach.

The memorable sight of Tarifa beach!

Birds and kites

Happy Days, indeed!

Stone Curlews, at the Fuente de Piedra, Andalucia.

2017-04-16T21:07:00.003+02:00

It was mid-February, and the weather had been beautiful in our region, in the Southwest of France
. It was time for us to get back on the road! The morning was hazy sun and low mist. It was time for a quick picture, and we were off on our travels.

Headed South for Spain and took a very roundabout route to the Sierra Culebra and its Iberian Wolves via Andalucia in the South and some of the best birding sites in Spain, which for us were some areas we had not visited on previous trips, into Portugal and then North.

South of Madrid, we had made a night stop in the small town of Consuegra, with its hilltop Molinos,

(windmills)

Although the walk up to the windmills seemed tiresome after a long drive, we were effortlessly up there enjoying the sunset. What a view!

The following day, we continued South into the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Andújar.

The park is home to around 100 Pardel Lynx, probably the last remaining viable population in the World. Unfortunately, we had no luck but were surprised by a small Red Deer herd.

Walking around the North shore of the Embalse del Jandula, we admired Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem and other wildflowers.

A Spanish Imperial Eagle flies across the Peñón de la Cuna.

Small Copper butterflies were seen in the warm sun.

Lizards were also caught sunning themselves.

Our next stop is the Laguna de la Fuente de Piedra.

Earlier, we had passed through the Province of Jaén, with its endless rows of olive trees stretching to the horizon in all directions.

Monochrome light across the Fuente de Piedra, the weather started closing in.

Huge numbers of Lesser Black-Backed and Black-Headed gulls over Winter here alongside several thousand Flamingos.

Stone Curlews are also present. It was great to catch this one flying in.

Once on the ground, they just blend into the environment. This one is keeping an eye on the rabbit.

European pond Turtle.

A beautiful Male Sardinian Warbler.

We went south with the Fuente de Piedra behind us, passing through the Serrania de Ronda and its famous tourist town. Our destination was Los Alcornocales, the largest Oak forest in the World. It is called the 'Mediterranean Jungle'; its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean creates a high-humidity weather system.

Iris planifolia is weeping with the damp mist and low cloud.

We spent a night in the charming town of Benarraba before venturing deep into the 'Jungle'.

We followed small, unmarked, and sometimes unmade roads.

Sculptural Cork Oaks.

We left the forests and set our route for Tarifa, with its beach and the Rio Jura and Africa just 15km.

across the Estrecho de Gibraltar.

Happy Days!

End of year visit to the Réserve Ornithologique du Teich.

2017-01-17T21:50:00.002+01:00

As we have said, this is a great place to spend time. Despite the morning fog, we set off for a day of birdwatching.

http://www.reserve-ornithologique-du-teich.com

Grey Heron, demonstrating its agility in the low morning light.

Lovely shimmering light on this statuesque Little Egret.

Sometimes, it is better to take a broader photograph rather than compressing a subject. I just love the way this Kingfisher mirrors the winter hue.

Another very fast-moving and brightly coloured bird is a Northern Shoveller.

A Great White Egret finds itself a lunch!

Unfortunately, a lone juvenile Ruff makes a fleeting visit just as I bite into a sandwich!

(Common) Snipe, enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

This Little Egret is treading the mud to raise critters.

A male Pintail Duck watches over the sleeping female.

Dunlin and Grey plovers return to the park, and the tide has reached its high point in the surrounding Arcachon Bassin.

"I know! They are Mallard ducks, but I love the Winter infusion of colour."

Happy Days!

Crag Martins to Vultures

2017-01-14T00:01:00.002+01:00

We parted company with the Rio Douro at Barca d'Alva and climbed up onto the
planalto - tableland - of the Beira Alto. This area of Portugal is strewn with boulders and feels remote; the wildflowers are impressive and fill the air with their aroma.
Pigeon houses are spread all over the landscape. They have been used since ancient times to produce Pigeons for their meat and manure, the "pombino." The International Douro Natural Park has been renovating them recently, with over one hundred critical buildings already completed.

Pigeon houses.

Castelo Rodrigo, dating back to 500 BC, has been extensively renovated under the Historic Villages scheme.

It was a lucky moment—"some may not think so." A mule had died in a field. The arrival of Vultures must have started yesterday! Judging by what was left at that early hour, more circled overhead. This one was vigilant, but we got close enough to photograph it.

The Reserva natural Serra da Malcata.

We can observe the delicate Crag Martins searching for nesting materials from the dam.

They must use their find as a nest lining; the central nest is made of small mud balls.

Occasionally, birds had to protect their finds from plundering comrades.

As we passed Southwards, heading for Alcantara in Spain, the fields were unique, filled with wildflowers.

It had been raining all day, and miniature water courses ran fast.

Walking a dirt track, we found these Tadpoles in the puddles; hopefully, it would continue to rain for them!

It may have been a wet day. Nonetheless, it was still full of colour and beauty!

Birdwatching in the International Douro Natural park, Portugal.

2017-01-12T00:01:00.001+01:00

This is a super place for a few days of birdwatching, situated in the municipality of
Miranda do Douro is in Northeast Portugal. The park was established to preserve the landscape and its Flora and Fauna.
The river runs through a deep gorge or canyon, which acts as the natural border between Portugal and Spain and runs for just over one hundred kilometres.
Many hydroelectric dams along this stretch of the river need to be more sparsely populated.
We have visited in different climatic conditions, but the cool breeze is there no matter the weather.

Looking back up the river towards Zamora in Spain and Salamanca, I see both are too distant.

From another vantage point, we could see the snow-capped Sierra Gredos far away on the horizon.

The Griffon Vultures can be close here.

Below, we could see the entire eight-foot span of their wing.

Some come incredibly close!

Two beautiful Red Rumped Swallows search for nesting material on the canyon edge.

Guess when you can fly, it doesn't matter much about the long fall; we stayed well back!

You never know who will perch on the edge; here it is a Calandra Lark.

Below on another outcrop, a male Black Redstart calls for a mate.

The Griffon Vultures fly on the thermals all day long, following the sheep and goat trails through the Olive trees.

And keeping an eye on us!

The slightly smaller Egyptian Vultures pass much faster across the Spanish side of the river.

Peregrine Falcons and Lesser Kestrels take it in turn to scan the rock face.

The mighty Alpine Swifts, with their twenty-one-inch wingspan, power, and speed, leave you in awe.

The sound of their wings as they scythe past fills the air.

Once again, it was time for us to move on!

Lago de Sanabria y Alrededores, the largest glacial lake in Iberia.

2017-01-10T22:35:00.000+01:00

Sometimes good comes from bad, our planned visit, to the Parque natural Somiedo had to be curtailed, this being due to the rotten weather that arrived shortly after us. We had a lunch of hearty Asturian fare in a hostelry perched above the river, in the small town of Enfrago. After speaking with the owner and some of the locals, it was decided we should night-stop and continue upwards in the morning.
Alas, Monday morning, the mountains were shrouded in cloud, and heavy drizzle soaked all. The onward and upward journey would take us through a height of just over four and a half thousand feet, and sadly, as we passed up through the fog and mist, through and into the snow line, we could see nothing but the road edge.

With the snow behind us, we paused to look back at the Puerto de Somiedo, the entrance way for us, South out of the Parque, "perhaps we will visit another time if the weather could be kinder."

With time on our hands, we decided a visit to The glacial Lago de Sanabria y Alrededores, of which we had never visited.

Just silence, on a vast scale!

Playa Viquiella, not a soul could be seen or heard, just crystal clear ice water.

Crested Tits perched through the fence, at the beach cafe.

Iberian long-tailed tits clung under the rocks, whilst searching for insects.

A Short-toed Treecreeper foraged for insects with its long beak and seemed to miss the Beetle.

Spain to the right and Portugal left, we continue down a small windy road left into Portugal.

A quick walk around the medieval Castle at Bragança.

Our road continues its meander, South through the stunning and empty countryside.

We near to our next destination, the International Duero, the huge gorge, through which flows the Rio Duero, splitting Portugal and Spain. The entire area covered with huge rolling hills, some farmed some covered in gorse and wild flowers, a natural haven for wildlife.

Winter Solstice 2016,a very eerie sunrise.

2016-12-21T23:51:00.003+01:00

Today was the shortest day, the Winter Solstice, and we had an extraordinary sunrise. It came a week after we had seen beautiful sunrises and misty starts to the day.

When I took the photographs, everything seemed normal, albeit the sun was shrouded in mist. But now, reflecting on them, I find it hard to understand the sun's size! But I guess the mist is just cutting out the sun's glare!

A few days before the Winter Solstice.

Mist shrouds the entire river basin.

Merry Christmas to all our readers,
may the sun shine for you this Christmas.

Chamois, a Wild Goat-Antelope, In the Cordillera Cantabica.

2016-12-19T15:46:00.001+01:00

Having seen an Iberian Wolf, we felt on a high, but we also realised that a Brown Bear would not be walking out in front of us anytime soon!
We had headed on for a night stop at Aguilar de Campóo. There are snow-capped mountains, cold, clear skies, and stunning scenery.

We had searched for supplies in Salinas de Pisuerga, but no shop was in sight!

We headed for the town of Guardo. The route took us across a rugged plateau; Golden Eagles were seen hunting in front of the rugged mountains, and Common Wheatears, migrating North, perched atop fallen stones for a snack.

After Guardo, the scenery became vast and bleak. With the snow line about to meet us, we constantly scrutinised the mountainsides, hoping to see Chamois.
A few years ago, this act produced good results when we found the Iberian Ibex in Almeria province.
http://roadrunnersmikelinda.blogspot.fr/2014/04/in-search-of-iberian-ibex.html

And once more, it worked; we got a sighting as we approached the Puerto de Monteviejo, just south of Riaño. In the Cordillera Cantabrica.

We had seen them before on the high mountainsides of Zuriza, but we could only discern them in Navarra through our telescope.

These guys seemed as happy to watch us!

They actually seemed quite inquisitive!

The leader decided enough, and they started their retreat back up the mountain.

Their last glance back!

That's it, they were off and good luck to them!

Riaño looked beautiful but also quite desolate as we passed around the shores of the Embalse de Riaño.

As we approached Puerto de San Isidro, the snow was getting quite deep, but the very efficient Spanish snowploughs had cleared the road.

There was no stopping as we passed over the top and descended into Asturias.

Through the tunnel at the Puerto, with its giant 18" inch-long icicles, the road was only passable, albeit we could not turn around had we tried. The steep mountainsides seemed to whisper avalanche! Draped thick in snow, this was a very different World to our accent, and yes, in two sections of our descent, avalanches had fallen, damaging the road, but we had no option but to continue.

We stopped for any photographs once we had passed through the village of Felechosa and out of the snow!

We parked for the night safely at (Aller) Cabañaquinta and were rewarded with seeing a male Bullfinch.

What a superb day of "travels".

Tomorrow, we head for the Reserva Nacional de Somiedo,

Brown Bear, not a chance, not even a glimpse.

Iberian Wolf, our first ever sighting.

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We hand-made it to the Castillo de Los Rojas.

The road had become very narrow and steep; we had to evaluate our onward journey.

We decided over lunch that we would continue having come up this far.

After lunch, we had good views of the Sierra de la Testa in the Province of Burgos. This province hosts a healthy population of Wolves. The information we have been given estimated
twenty-eight packs, numbering between 140 and 196 Wolves.

As we stopped to take this photograph, we saw a considerable-sized animal crossing the road some distance ahead of us.

At first, we thought it was a Fox, but then we realized its size—this was a large animal. It was our first-ever sighting of an Iberian Wolf. By the way, it marked the territory. It must have been a Male, as they are more commonly seen; females, it appears, are much scarcer. We just stood in a state of disbelief as it looked back and then disappeared over the hillside.

Vincente de Sonsierra, tomorrow we start are search for the Iberian Wolf!

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We continued across La Rioja, headed for Vincente de Sonsierra and our night stop.
From there, we would head towards Puerto del Paramo de Masa.
We are going to look for Iberian Wolves!

The Sierra Del La Demanda is looking very wintery.
A few years back, we spent time there looking for Crossbills.
See here: LA RIOJA & CASTILLA-LEON

As we passed through Briones, the air was full of wood smoke, reminding us how cold it had become.

The Castillo-Fortaleza de Vincente de Sonsierra.

The houses built around the Castello, with their roofs, gave a good impression of how to stay warm and dry in such miserable weather.

It rained, and it rained!

Yes, the sun was trying to break through the low cloud, and we were back on the road.
Did we see an elusive Iberian Wolf?
See the next post!