More Birdy Stuff

Iinteresting and complementary information about birding in spain. Learn about our recommended NHH (Natual Hotspot Holidays) or why bringing your family with you if you're planning a birding trip to spain, some kid's stuff to introduce them to birding or some tasty free birding downloads like free chapters of the books written by Steve West.

 

Natural Hotspot Holidays

Expect the unexpected

Birdinginspain.com is not satisfied with being "just another bird tour company". Our ambition is to set standards that others will eventually follow. Even though Steve West has been living and birding in northeast Spain for 20 years, has written two books based on the birds of the region and contributed to others, that is not enough.

BirdingInSpain.com is and wants to be committed to conservation, and declares so unashamedly. And with conservation in mind we have developed the concept of "Natural Hotspot Holidays".

...Lammergeier, Bonelli's Eagle, Little Bustard, Roller, Red-necked Nightjar, Eagle Owl, Wallcreeper, Alpine Accentor, etc...

The basic idea of a Natural Hotspot Holiday is to identify natural hotspots – small areas with an incredibly high biodiversity and an unusual array of landscapes. Within a 25 kilometre (16 mile) radius of an imaginary centre of a natural hotspot it will be possible to see more than 120 species of birds, and some very special birds at that.

These are some of the benefits of doing a Natural Hotspot Holiday:

  • Much less driving (lower carbon emissions), a more relaxing peace and more time to enjoy wildlife
  • Detailed knowledge of the most interesting places for the birder and naturalist
  • Wide range of scarce or emblematic species like Lammergeier, Bonelli's Eagle, Little Bustard, Roller, etc.
  • Accommodation at small rural hotels as close as possible to the best birding areas.
  • Nature aside, we are also well set to enable you to enjoy the best of the rest – gastronomy, festivals...
  • Visiting the area without destroying any part of the natural wealth that you have come here to see.
  • Participating in a hotspot holiday will help to raise local awareness of the benefits of sustainable tourism.
  • Bring your family too, if they don't want to take part in the Hotspot Holiday, you can request our programme leave them with us.
  • Depending on the group preferences, we can arrange a visit to a local point of cultural or historical interest.
  • Joining a Natural Hotspot Holiday will help to protect the local environment and benefit local populations.

Are you interested? Follow these links to get detailed info

Special programs

 

Birding with your Family

Because many birders form part of a family, and they don't want to be left at home

There's no reason why you shouldn't bring your family too. If they don't share your interest in birds and don't want to participate in a birding tour then they can be directed to interesting sites of tourism interest nearby, or could even be persuaded to take part in some novel and exciting activities. In other words birding or…ballooning, rafting, cycling, wining and dining, etc.

Port Aventura, Costa Brava and Costa Daurada, trekking, rafting, cycling and horse-riding in the Pyrenees, Boí Valley world Heritage churches, Gaudí's Sagrada Familia, canoes and pleasure boats, museums, castles, cathedrals, towns and villages stepped in history, water sports, skiing, world famous olive oil and wine, sunshine, amazing scenery, boutiques, friendly family accommodation...

"Hey kids, want to go to Port Aventura in Spain this summer?" (Birding thought: Red-necked nightjars breed in the grounds).

"We could go ballooning over Montsec." (Birding thought: Lammergeiers are regularly seen in that part of northeast Spain).

"We can do a bit of trekking in the Pyrenees in the morning and then rafting in the afternoon to cool off." (Birding thought: And I could spot Citril Finch and Black Woodpecker in the Pyrenees).

"The views from Mont-roig are breathtaking!" (Birding thought: And according to Where the birds are in northeast Spain  Mont-roig is a reliable site for Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush).

"Darling, in the Ebro valley area wines of international renown are produced, like Somontano or Raïmat." (Birding thought: With a bit of luck we could get lost and bump into a Little Bustard or two).

Families - Birdinginspain

And then you can always round off the day with a paella, or fresh fish washed down with an excellent wine....and make your birding…er….holiday plans for the next day. Those are just a few examples of what you can do. For more detailed information about the activities that can be done check the must visit section of the birding itinerary you're going to do.

If what you're looking for is a reason to leave your family behind, sorry but you won't find it here!

 

 

Kid's Stuff

Learn Birdy things while having fun

Do you like to Paint? Try our Colouring Photos

How to obtain Footprint Moulds:

How to obtain footprint moulds

Bird Quiz: (in PDF)

Madelyn has found this useful resource she wants to share

A Guide to Finding Local Birds
How to find Birds

 

Free Birding downloads - Something for nothing. While it lasts

However if you order a book, enquire about my guiding services, or use the links then I'll be encouraged to keep the downloads coming. If not...

Featured Downloads (in PDF):

Steve West's First Book Free Chapters

 

Videos

Viaje ornitológico a Turquia / Birding trip in Turquey (SPA)

Viaje Ornitológico a Turquia 2011 con BirdingInSpain, del 27 de mayo al 5 de junio 2011.

Video con una pequeña muestra de algunas de las aves que esperamos ver en este viaje ornitológico de 10 días por el sur de Turquía. El Perdigallo del Caspio, el Trepador de Krüper, el Martín Pescador de Esmirno … ¡y muchas más!  

Para más información Contacta con Steve West.

Checklists (in PDF):

Spot the intentional mistake and win a free copy of Steve West's "Where the birds are in northeast Spain"!

In one of the checklists there is an intentional spelling mistake (there is probably more than one mistake but only one of them is intentional!). If you are one of the first 3 to spot and communicate it you will win a free copy of the afore-mentioned book, P&P apart.

As a clue, it is in the English names section, and is a bird that has an extra letter added to its name to make another word that can be found in the average English dictionary.

Need another clue? No, that would spoil the surprise.

  • Canary Islands Species ChecklistShow InfoCanary Islands Species Checklist
  • Fin Norway Species ChecklistShow InfoFin Norway Species Checklist
  • Northeast Spain Species ChecklistShow InfoNortheast Spain Species Checklist
  • Scotland Species ChecklistShow InfoScotland Species Checklist
  • S. Morocco Species ChecklistShow InfoS. Morocco Species Checklist
  • North Norfolk Species ChecklistShow InfoNorth Norfolk Species Checklist
  • Download the Bulgaria Species ChecklistShow InfoBulgaria Species Checklist
  • Download the Bulgaria Species ChecklistShow InfoExtremadura Species Checklist

Trip Reports (in PDF):

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