The Pyrenees

Tours that take the strain out of enjoying Europe’s flora and fauna! Tours under this banner will be based in a single good quality hotel, and will have direct flights, and these at kind times of day! And most importantly field trips will be kept to a maximum of six or so hours giving you plenty of time to relax before and after. Direct flights are available from some regional airports.

There seems hardly a moment when birds of prey are not soaring in the Pyrenean skies. Red and Black Kites are common, and we’ll see Short-toed Eagles, Griffon Vultures, Egyptian Vultures, Booted Eagles and Peregrines. The Aragonese foothills are cloaked in aromatic meadows home to a fabulously rich butterfly fauna. Here we’ll see Weaver’s Fritillary, Spanish Purple Hairstreak, Marbled Fritillary and Esper’s Marbled White. One of the very few Lady’s Slipper Orchid populations in the Pyrenees is close to our comfortable base at Berdún and will be in flower during our visit. Other orchids on the agenda include Lizard Orchid, Elderflower Orchid, and the lovely Black Vanilla Orchid. White-letter Hairstreak, Spanish Chalkhill Blue, Provençal Chalkhill Blue and Safflower Skipper fly amongst the varied and colourful valley flowers. Higher, Apollos float over carpets of beautiful blue Gentians, pink Primulas and elegant Snowbells. Snowfinches potter amongst alpine gems such as various Androsaces and purple and orange Alpine Toadflax. Lammergeiers and Golden Eagles cruise the blue skies and the characteristic sharp cries of yellow-billed Alpine Choughs lend atmosphere to the stunning landscapes of the Hecho Valley.

This valley is famed for its Wallcreepers and we’ll also enjoy Citril Finches, whilst lower down are typical maquis birds such as Cirl Bunting, Firecrest and Red-backed Shrike.