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There is also an expanding library of species pages: |
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Outlined is a brief summary of the seasons in Catalonia using some of the most common or widely spread species seen throughout the country.For more details of habitats, locations, rarer species and monthly occurences click:
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Sardinian Warbler
Omnipresent resident |
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mid-February to the end of May |
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The movement of birds during this period is undoutedly what makes it so attractive to bird watchers.The arrival of breeding birds, which begins as early as February with Great Spotted Cuckoo and Lesser Kestrel, and the phenomenal numbers of passerines, raptors and waders that pass through on migration are of course well documented.But it's also an easier time to see winter visitors as they flock together in preparation for their journey home and a last chance to catch flocks of birds such as buntings, bustards, sparrows and sandgrouse before they disperse for the summer. |
Short-toed Eagle
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March-September
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Yellow Wagtail iberiae
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February-early October
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June to mid-August |
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Spotted Redshank
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Before you despair at the timing of your summer holiday with the rest of the family read on. Summer is good.Firstly, migration is not over. From June onwards a stream of waders, having failed to breed, make their return journeys early and, complimented in successive weeks by returning post-nuptial birds, they can be seen clothed in the glory of their full summer plumage.Add to this the hoards of juveniles innocently perched out in the open, evicted from their parents' territories and often venturing into unusual locations - with late summer particularly noteworthy for the start of the 'first year' raptor dispersal. |
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year round migrant
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Woodchat Shrike juv.
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mid February-mid October
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mid-August to the end of November |
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Migration, migration, migration is what its all about of course, but not just rare vagrants. White-winged Tern, Common Crane and Dotterel are all on offer too.And then there's the raptors. They do migrate in spring of course and most can be seen in their breeding areas anyway but rarely do they generate the same exitement as on their autumn passage.And believe it or not, there is more. A final chance to catch fleeing summer visitors, thousands of ducks and passerines arriving for the winter and, of the residents, high mountain birds drop to more convenient altitudes and buntings and bustards flock into your notebook. |
Hobby
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April - mid October
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Pied Flycatcher
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Spring/Autumn migrant
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December to mid-February |
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Pintail
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Whether 'winter only' species or seasonal supplements to endemic populations, millions of birds from north-west Europe seek refuge in Catalonia's mild winter.Mergansers and grebes gather off the coast, ducks and waders seek out the wetlands and passerines flock to the forests and farmland. And there's an ever-growing list of summer breeders such as Black-winged Stilt and Wood Sandpiper choosing to stay over.And of the locals making it easier to observe them? Rock Buntings and Glossy Ibis form winter flocks, Eagle Owls begin their ritual 'bu-hu' courtship and Wallcreepers and Snowfinches migrate laterally to lower ground. |
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Winter visitor
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White Wagtail
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Flocking resident
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