| Our long weekend breaks are based at St
Nicolau near
to Figueres within easy reach of the Pyrenees, beech woodlands and coastal
nature reserves. St Nicolau offers rustic self-catering style accommodation
at a small family run finca. The aim of our short tours is to provide
an introduction to the birds, butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles and mammals
of the area.
Each day we will explore a different area.
Day 1 – Arrive at St Nicolau – participants
need to make their own way either to St Nicolau or to Gerona airport where
they will be met by the tour leader. Depending
upon the time of arrival, it may be possible to do some birdwatching locally.
Day 2 – A buffet style breakfast served outdoors
by the pool (or indoors if it is cool) followed by introductions.
The morning will be spent walking in woodlands in which are accommodation
is situated. Golden Oriole, Bonnelli’s and Melodious Warbler can
be found in the woods, whilst the surrounding farmland supports Woodchat
Shrike, Cirl Bunting and Short-toed Lark. After a restaurant lunch
we will venture towards Garrotxa, an area of beech woodlands
and extinct volcanoes. Firecrest and Short-toed Treecreeper should be
seen, whilst overhead Common Buzzard and Booted Eagle soar. Our evening
meal will
be a barbeque.
Day 3 – A quick start after breakfast to visit
Nuria in the Pyrenees close to the French border. Spectacular
scenery awaits and Chamois, Mufflon and Marmot could be seen. Overhead
Griffon Vulture and Short-toed Eagle soar and
a climb to scree slopes could produce Lammergeyer. Alpine Accentor and
Citril Finch should also be seen and with luck Wallcreeper in the gorges
on the descent back down. The area is rich in butterflies with Apollo,
various blues and fritillaries, swallowtails and clouded yellows present.
Wall lizards can be seen basking on the rocks. Lunch will be taken in
the Café at Nuria and the evening meal will be
at a restaurant on our return.
Day 4 – d’Aguimolls lies
to the east of St Nicolau on
the coast. This wetland reserve with over ten hides will certainly occupy
most of the day and species to be seen should include White Stork, Little
and Cattle Egrets, Purple Gallinule and Black-winged Stilts, Great Reed
Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Hoopoe, Roller and Bee-eater. During the
migration periods the resident populations are boosted by migrant waders,
wildfowl and passerines. The wetlands the site also supports a wide variety
of dragonflies including Southern and Red-veined Darter. Lunch will be
picnic style and we shall be able to have a barbeque again in the evening.
Day 5 – Today will visit Cap de Creus
in the morning
and early afternoon depending on flight times. Cap de Creusis situated
to the north of Roses and can be a migrant hotspot, birds congregating
before moving
north around the Pyrenees.
Our accommodation is set in extensive grounds surrounded by woods and
rolling hills. The Pyrenees form a majestic backdrop providing a sheltered
climate all year round.
The spacious cottages, with between one and three bedrooms, each have
their own bathrooms, kitchen
areas and patio / garden area. Outside in the grounds
of St Nicolau is a swimming pool, tennis court badminton area and barbeque
facilities.
Price: £449 per person based on two sharing a
twin room. Single room supplement £50. Price includes transportation
from St Nicolau to and from venues on each day.
Transportation from / to Gerona Airport to / from St Nicolau, all food
from breakfast Day 1 to lunch on Day 5. Admission charges and services
of leader(s)
Price excludes insurance, travel to Gerona Airport from UK, drinks, items
of a personal nature.
Dates: 26th April to 1st May, 20th to 25th September.
 
|
