Drylands of LLeida - Bellmunt Itinerary

  1. Starting point: the C-13 near Balaguer.
  2. Time: about 2 hours.

The dryland area between Balaguer and the village of Bellmunt d'Urgell to the east, holds an important density of Little Bustard and Montagu's Harrier despite its limited extension. Other species that can be seen on a regular basis include Stone Curlew, Roller, Bee-eater, Hobby, Little Owl, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark, Short-toed Eagle and Great Spotted Cuckoo.

To visit the area follow the track that leads eastwards from the C-13 at approximately one kilometre to the north of the Red Cross roundabout at the junction for Balaguer. This track leads to Bellmunt d'Urgell crossing extensions of cereal fields and almond groves where the interesting birds should be sought out.

The area can also be approached from the Tárrega-Balaguer road at Bellcaire d'Urgell. A visit here could be combined with a visit to the Estany d'Ivars or Sant Llorenç de Montgai.

Drylands of LLeida -
Belianes Itinerary

Starting point: The convent of Sant Bartomeu, south of Bellpuig.
Time: Up to 2 hours.

The specialities of this dryland area are similar to those of the Bellmunt itinerary: Little Bustard, Montagu's Harrier, Roller, and Stone Curlew. In 1997 this area also held Catalonia's first breeding Black-winged Kites, which also bred in the following year. Other species include Black-eared Wheatear, Bee-eater, Thekla Lark and Calandra Lark.

To visit the area follow that track that leads into the drylands from the LP-2015, on the southern edge of the village of Bellpuig, next to the convent of Sant Bartomeu. Shortly you will cross the Canal d'Urgell into the dryland area. Make frequent stops to scan the area for the interesting birds, making short detours along the most interesting looking tracks that traverse the zone.

The same track can be followed all the way to Sant Martí de Maldà, a village at the southern limit of the dryland area.