BirdingInSpain

Wallcreeper magic

The magic of the Wallcreeper needs little introduction to most European birders. The Wallcreeper clings and flits about vertical walls and rock faces, probing its long downcurved bill into nooks and crannies to fish out insects, arachnids and other small invertebrates that form its diet. The Wallcreeper is a very active little bird, that tumbles and climbs, edges along, flits this way and that, and then with for no apparent reason departs with a fluttery, butterfly flight that takes it around the corner and out of your view. Follow it if you can – you can’t.

Wallcreeper on rocks

The Wallcreeper inspires awe and admiration in part because of where it is and what it does to be there, but even so the Wallcreeper wouldn’t be quite the prize that it is without its striking wing markings – those carmine panels and clean white wing spots on a nitid black background – and also, in the relative effort that it takes for the average birder to see one. Wallcreepers don’t grow on trees, and not even on rocks!

In northeast Spain Wallcreepers breed only in the Pyrenees and at altitudes which deter all but the most determined – and fit – to find them. Hence, it is our immense good luck that come the autumn Wallcreepers all but abandon their high mountain haunts and start frequenting places the average birder isn’t so challenged to get to. We have an opportunity to see one, now let’s not waste it!

November is the month I feel most confident about when an eager client approaches me with the request to see a Wallcreeper. Followed by February and March. Why? By November virtually all the Wallcreepers have left their high mountains and descended to rock faces at lower altitudes. To places in the Pre-Pyrenees of Lleida, Huesca and Zaragoza, where they might decide to stay until the food runs out in the depths of winter and it’s time to move on. Then, move on to where? Further south, to another range? Or just around another part of the rock face, somewhere away from prying birders? Either way, the following deep winter period of late December and January corresponds to a time when I find it difficult to predict how reliable the usual wintering sites will be at giving our hungry eyes a feast of the Wallcreeper.

wallcreeper on rocks

But November? November has been generous with its Wallcreepers over the years. And this year has been no exception. With Adam and Daniela we saw no fewer than 5 Wallcreepers in two days, with a maximum of four at one site. Then, in mid-December (I know, but I had my doubts) Eirik and I hit the Wallcreeper jackpot again, this time with 3 Wallcreepers at the same site as the November 4.

What’s more, Adam, Daniela and Eirik were all bird photographers, and it’s my personal belief that bird photographers are never happy with what they have got. “Oh, yes, but the light,” “the background could be better”, “too much contrast,” “not close enough,” “too far away” “I was hoping for an adult bird”… and a long etcetera. So if they all went away happy with their Wallcreeper shots we all must have done something right!

Where the birds are in northeast Spain

Check out the itineraries on the Birding In Spain website to see some of the places where you can find the dazzling Wallcreeper. Or go one step further and buy the book “Where the birds are in northeast Spain“. Or go for the ultimate time saver: ask us to lead you to a Wallcreeper or two in person. Fortunately the Wallcreeper still frequents most of the sites described therein. Then stay here for more to follow on this marvellous bird …

In mid-March 2020 we said goodbye to Vreni and her husband after birding together from Lleida for four days. Two days later all of Spain was under strict lockdown. Vreni was our last client for a period that extended to over a year and a half. Then, this October, we started guiding again, and who was our first guest? Yes, Vreni!

She was here for just two days this time, but it was so good to re-establish contact with our visitors and to be able to share time with them in the field. It was the most satisfying birding we’d done in a long time … at least in the last 18 months.

And the birds? Well, there’s usually a surprise or two… This time it came in the form of a Black Stork among a group of White Storks along the River Segre near Lleida, and an adult Spanish Imperial Eagle on the drylands of Alfés. 

This weekend, the 6th and 7th November, get out with your bins and a scope if you have one and watch some waders! Wherever you are. It’s as simple as that. Then report your findings and help Wader Quest help waders. See the information below. 

Download the information pack for full details or go to their website. Oh, and don’t forget to report your findings, however abundant or sparse they may be. Good luck!

Iceland Galleries 2

More photos from Iceland

A chance to fish while whale watching

My first ever catch – it was rapidly dispatched into cod fillets; shame we couldn’t cook it ourselves. 

Red-necked Phalarope – photo by Colin Bradshaw

Watch these cute birds spin and spain where you can almost touch them. 

Summer-plumaged Slavonian Grebe – photo by Colin Bradshaw

Horned Grebe; beautiful plumage!

Great Northern Diver, Iceland. Photo by Colin Bradshaw

Common Loon. Intricate plumage in the silence of the fjords. 

Eurasian Golden Plover – Iceland. Photo by Colin Bradshaw

Golden, golden. 

White-tailed Eagle, Iceland.

When size makes up for dull plumage. 

Harlequin Duck, Iceland. They are so cute!

Birding in Iceland with Birding In Spain.

This kind of group makes travelling so much worth the while! 

A3As

A3As stands for The Association of Trees, Bees and Roots
(Translated from the Catalan: Arbres, Abelles and Arrels – see the 3 “A”s?)

Together these three things symbolize nature, tradition, belonging, sustainability, food, shelter, home…

A3As is a non-lucrative organization which has already started planting fruit forests. With help from people such as yourself they want to plant more. 

Click on this link to see a short presentation of who A3As is, and what they have already started doing 

A3As presentation eng

We’ll give you a clue: climate change, food, environment, social change, sustainability, nature, soil, pollinators…

… if ever there was a time surely it must be now. 

A3As: what trees we plant

We have established a Tree Fund, and we are always on the look out for contributors, catalyzers or colleagues. Please contact Steve at Birding In Spain if you have anything to say or ask. 

We like photos of Iceland. It’s so photogenic!

Some more photos from our autumn 2018 tour. All things permitting, we’re running a June 2022 tour, with some special offers for bringing a friend/companion and for booking early. Contact Steve at info@birdinginspain.com if you would like more information.

Iceland: Whaling, or fishing? There’s the other half putting her happy face to her lack of fishing skills!

Iceland Red-throated Diver in breeding plumage. In autumn we saw them in more drab winter colours. Photo by Colin Bradshaw.

Iceland: just one of the amazing views

Iceland: Skogafoss waterfall – spectacular, but there’s more…

… Like … Gullfoss waterfall. It’s easy to get blasé about spectacular waterfalls in Iceland, so how about something different?

Like sulphurous fumaroles?

Want more…? Birds, beasts, landscapes, people? Because Iceland has plenty of that…

Iceland 2018 and 2022 – some comments by happy people

“We all enjoyed the trip and were awed by the scenery… spectacular. Speaking of spectacular we saw James’ video of the humpbacked whale – great sequence.” James

“Some great memories thanks and a lovely bunch of folk to tour with.” Janet

Iceland whale excursion

“Our trip to Iceland with you was hotly anticipated and it didn’t disappoint. The scenery was magnificent as were the birds, seals, whales, etc. The Golden Plover sitting on a little mound while we all took photos was a particular highlight for me as was the Gyr Falcon and Great Northern Diver close to shore, but there were too many great sightings to list them all. We enjoyed the local food and our accommodation in various beautiful locations was perfect. As usual you delivered, Steve. Thank you and Florinda.” Mary

Iceland Humpback Whale – one got so close that it blew salt spray into my face!

“I really didn’t know what to expect from my birding trip to Iceland, but I was delighted to find out how amazing it was. There are numerous species of birds to be seen, and Steve has a keen knowledge of them and where to find them. Best of all, you can do it all while traveling through one of the most beautiful and iconic landscape in the world – Iceland – a trip to experience.” Andy

Iceland Red-necked Phalarope – Photo by Colin Bradshaw

“In September 2018, together with my non birding son, I went on a 10 day tour of Iceland led by Steve West of Birding In Spain. Steve worked tirelessly to find the birds and we had a very successful birding trip. He also managed to incorporate all the important ‘tourist sites’ and general wildlife into our trip. A very successful tour on a magical island that catered for everyone. We even got the Northern Lights. This was my third birding trip with Steve, he remains my first choice for guided trips.” Ian

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Attracting birds to your backyard

Birding In Spain has contributed to the interesting article about how to attract birds to your backyard (read garden). From providing food for feeders, planting native plants and bushes, providing clean water and in general a safe haven where birds can feel secure and socialize.

Click on the link above to read the full article.

It’s written for an American audience, but the tips can be extrapolated to almost anywhere.

The rest of the year, July – December

hotspot birding autumn

This period was mostly spent taking “potshots” at missing species that might be around. Summer waders don’t find much habitat in the region, with Mont-ral being the only realistic site to check. Then to look out for passage Dotterels on the drylands and keep an ear out for any scarce birds turning up at the Estany d’Ivars. I was fixated on finding a Yellowhammer in the north of the Hotspot and was delighted when I did! Missed out on passage Osprey though, and Black-necked Grebes are almost a thing of the past, it seems.

The autumn wader passage on the ricefields was quite disappointing and gave me nothing new.

Temminck’s Stint*
Kentish Plover*
Tawny Pipit*
Curlew*
Glossy Ibis*
Ruddy Shelduck*
Dotterel*
Yellowhammer*
Little Gull*
Ring Ouzel*
Common Whitethroat
Mediterranean Gull*
Citril Finch*
Barn Owl*
Grey Plover*
Red Breasted Merganser*
Black Winged Kite*

Total = 222 species

• Species that I was hoping to see but didn’t: Osprey, Long Eared Owl, Tawny Owl, European Nightjar, Black Necked Grebe, Yellow Browed Warbler, Spectacled Warbler

• Species that were reported but that I didn’t see: Common Gull, Flamingo, Spoonbill, Jack Snipe, Rosy Starling, Great Bittern, Pallid Harrier, Sociable Lapwing … (I’m sure there are a few more)