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Thekla Lark S PA I N Outline Itinerary Day 1 Fly to Madrid and transfer to Gallocanta Day 2 Gallocanta Days 3-4 Lécera Days 5-7 Loarre Day 8 Depart Barcelona Party Size Maximum of 14 clients (two leaders with more than seven clients). Accommodation Comfortable accommodation in twin/double and single rooms with private facilities. Transport By minibuses driven by the leaders. Common Cranes still have great opportunities for seeing both Pintailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Calandra, Thekla and Lesser Short-toed Larks, and for working up a healthy appetite for a rather more drawn-out breakfast than usual. After breakfast we will return to different parts of the plains to look at sandgrouse again and perhaps encounter additional species like Iberian Grey Shrike or Little Owl, before making contact with the banks of the River Ebro. A walk along one of the Ebro’s meanders will give us opportunities to encounter a completely different array of birds, including Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Cetti’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Short-toed Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker (sharpei race) and maybe a White Stork or two. Days 5 to 7 Today we head into the hills – after passing through the steppes of the Monegros. This is one of the most arid regions of Spain, and seemingly in its vast expanses very little grows or prospers. But we look beyond initial appearances to find the characteristic steppeland birds in what is a unique habitat in Europe. Just to the north the wonderful Sierra de Guara imposes on the skyline, with its highest peak reaching just over 2,000 metres, and with untold expanses of vertical rock faces, gorges and fascinating rock formations. A ruined castle at its southern edge is a good birding spot, where one can usually see Black Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, Thekla Lark and several birds of prey. However, the main attraction of the afternoon will be the next site, where Eurasian Griffon Vultures pass us in flight, above and below, as we look southwards over the countryside of Huesca from our lofty perch at Salto del Roldán. Apart from the stunning views we should also set eyes on birds like Eurasian Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Rock Bunting and Firecrest, before we make our way to our hotel at Loarre and a three-night stay. The village of Loarre takes second place to the castle of the same name that dominates the hillside above it. It is one of the best conserved castles in northern Spain and well-worth a visit, even if only for birding around its walls: Blue Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting, Woodlark, Rock Bunting, Rock Sparrow and even Alpine Accentor can all be found here. However, it is the Sierra de Guara and a couple of its very special birds that most of us will have been waiting for: the Wallcreeper and the Lammergeier. We visit a number of sites where both of these emblematic species are regularly encountered, and at close quarters at this time of the year. Hawfinch is another interesting species that can be seen in this area, which would add the finishing touches to a fine day’s birding. Our last full day will be spent at some of the bestknown birding sites in this region. Over the years Riglos has earned fame as being a good place to see wintering Wallcreepers and Alpine Accentors, and the woods around the monastery of San Juan de la Peña are inhabited by the Black Woodpecker. At the top of the same plateau it is often possible to see Citril Finches, and a gentle walk through its pine woods often reveals an interesting variety of woodland birds including Crested Tit, Eurasian Bullfinch and more. Day 8 After some final birding we transfer to Barcelona Airport for our flight back to London, or regional airports. Includes All flights, meals, accommodation, transport, entry fees, services of the leaders, VAT, airport taxes and tips. Gradings Good 120 Cool Low Normal Relaxed Good Moderate Scheduled Dartford Warbler To make a booking please call Ornitholidays on 01794 519445 115
P O R T U G A L Portugal at Leisure Hills, Plains & Lagoons in Spring Sunday 04 May – Sunday 11 May 2014 Principal Leader: Frank McClintock 2014 Cost: £1,799 single room supplement £180 PORTUGAL o most tourists, a holiday in Portugal means a week or two spent in the southern Algarve with its rash of modern Thotels, apartments and restaurants sprawling along the south coast. This tour reveals an altogether different side Santa Clara to the country. Our base for the week, located in the remote and unspoilt countryside that lies in the border zone Faro between the provinces of the Algarve and Alentejo, is the guest lodge that is owned by Frank and run by his friendly staff. In fact, by hard endeavour spread over a period of 20 years, Frank has converted a few rundown buildings, situated on a scrubcovered slope, into a comfortable and homely lodge set in a lush terraced garden. The view out over the man-made lake is stunning; so too the silence which is disturbed only by the song of Common Nightingales and the less musical outbursts of Sardinian Warblers. The whole ambience of the place is warm and welcoming. The food is mainly local produce, home-made and simply delicious. Frank also keeps a modestly priced cellar of Portuguese wines. Added to all this, the garden has been planted with birds in mind. Here there are nesting Red-rumped and Barn Swallows, purring European Turtle Doves and a profusion of European Goldfinches. Subalpine and Dartford Warblers are also often seen. Because we are able to cover a range of habitats from this one centre, our bird list will be equally varied from Great Bustard to Zitting Cisticola, from Black-winged Kite to Azure-winged Magpie. So if it is peace and quiet, comfort, fine scenery, a feeling of being off the beaten track and some colourful birding, then this is likely to be the tour for you. Its appeal is increased if you are interested in other aspects of natural history, particularly wild flowers and butterflies, both of which are abundant at this time of the year. This tour will generally be run at a relaxed pace with three full days away from the Quinta with a picnic lunch and three half days when we return for lunch when there will be a chance to relax, explore the natural history of the area immediately behind the lodge or perhaps take a refreshing dip in the lake. ITINERARY Day 1 We leave London, or regional airports, on a flight to Faro on the Algarve coast. We spend a little time looking at the lagoons and saltpans in the vicinity of the airport with their Greater Flamingos, Pied Avocets and Black-winged Stilts before we make the 90-minute drive to our base near Santa Clara a Velha, where we stay for seven nights. Firstly we travel west along the relatively built-up Algarve coast and then north up into the Alentejo. As we do so, the country becomes wilder and more sparsely populated. This is highlighted by the remoteness of our lodge, which is located some four kilometres off the metalled road in a truly idyllic setting. Days 2 to 7 During our stay here we will make three day-long excursions. One will explore what is literally the extreme south-west corner of mainland Europe. Our route takes us first up into the Serra de Monchique, a range of hills of volcanic origin. A stop at Foia allows us both a wonderful panoramic view as well as a suite of birds that includes Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Woodlark, Common Stonechat and Winter Wren. On our way down to the west coast, we will visit some pinewoods in search of Short-toed Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit and European Robin (not an easy species in these parts!). We will eat our picnic lunches on a heath-covered cliff-top, View from Quinta do Barranco 116 For a previous tour report or further information please call: 01794 519445
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ORNITHOLIDAYS 2014 49 Our Forty-Nin
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49 Our Forty-Ninth Year ORNITHOLIDA
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I S O R N I T H O L I D AY S R I G
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L AT E 2 0 1 3 T O U R S Summary of
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T O U R G R A D I N G Tour Grading
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G R E E N TA X E S A N D C A R B O
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Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA
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U S A - U TA H & A R I Z O N A USA
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U S A - U TA H & W YO M I N G USA -
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U S A - N E W E N G L A N D USA - N
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U S A - F LO R I D A USA - Florida
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U S A - H A W A I I USA - Hawaii Ii
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M E X I C O Mexico Western Mexican
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C O S TA R I C A Costa Rica Classic
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C U B A Cuba Endemic Birds & Winter
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T R I N I D A D & T O B A G O Trini
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S T LU C I A St Lucia at Leisure Pi
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G U YA N A Guyana Rainforests, Wate
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C O LO M B I A Colombia Birding’s
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B R A Z I L Brazil Atlantic Forest
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B R A Z I L Brazil - Photographic T
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E C U A D O R Ecuador Tumbesian & A
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Waterhole at Etosha, Namibia
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S O U T H A F R I C A South Africa
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S O U T H A F R I C A & B O T S W A
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TA N Z A N I A Tanzania - Photograp
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G H A N A Ghana In search of Picath
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E T H I O P I A Ethiopia Undiscover
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U G A N D A Uganda Birds & Primates
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N A M I B I A Namibia Etosha & the
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T H E G A M B I A The Gambia A Tast
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E GY P T Egypt Birds & History Frid
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M O R O C C O Morocco High Atlas &
Page 67 and 68: M O R O C C O Morocco Atlantic Coas
Page 69 and 70: Sing-sing with Huli, Papua New Guin
Page 71 and 72: J O R D A N Jordan Birds & History
Page 73 and 74: K U W A I T Kuwait Birding in the G
Page 75 and 76: I N D I A India - Goa Birds, Beache
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Page 85 and 86: N E PA L Nepal Chitwan, Koshi & Phu
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Page 95 and 96: Boating on the Danube Delta, Romani
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Page 157 and 158: C A L E N D A R Calendar 2014 JANUA
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Page 164: ORNITHOLIDAYS 29 Straight Mile Roms
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