Even as we're leaving the motorway it's possible to see Short-toed and Booted Eagle soaring over the slip road. And, in the few kilometres to our first scheduled stop, we may also add Great Spotted Cuckoo to a list of Finches, Buntings and Warblers.

Once at Vilaüt, if you can get to the hide early enough given the distractions on the track leading to it (Redstart, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Rock Sparrow, Roller and may be, possibly, Lesser Grey Shrike), it's a great spot for Crakes.

If we're not careful though, we could spend all day here as a constantly changing cast may include, amongst the flocks of Wagtails and Waders, Collared Pratincole, Osprey, Common Crane and Red-throated Pipit. (>>)

Of course, its similarity to other wetland sites (with the presence of Flamingo, herons and waders) is only to be expected but Roses Bay, which forms part of the reserve, is actually a better bet for both Red- and Black-throated Diver than anywhere on the Ebro Delta.

And you might not even be surprised to see Cory's and Balearic Shearwater from the Cap de Creus seeking shelter in the bay given its proximity to the peninsular.

But would you expect White Stork, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Roller and Stone-curlew from the Steppes...

Bonelli's Eagle, scrub warblers, Golden Oriole and Southern Grey Shrike from the Garraf...

Or Dotterel, Rock Sparrow, and Short-toed Eagle from the Pyrenees?