Date Late May/ early June

Background Information- Location

• Leader- Dave Gosney
• Focus- High mountain passes & valleys, plains and river delta.
• Habitats- Will be very varied, from high mountain passes and valleys still covered in snow- some uphill sections. Dropping down to the drier, more arid flat grassland plains around Zaragoza. Ending up on the wetlands of the Ebro Delta, consisting of open water areas, extensive reedbeds, rivers and creeks.
• Climate/ Weather- At this time of year we should have day long sunshine, the temperatures will vary. It can be cool when up in the high hills (still snow cover), although it can be very hot on the plains 30 degrees Celsius plus. The coast should be cooler. It can also be cool (and misty) first thing in the morning in the mountains and occasionally the evenings can be cool. Heavy waterproofs should not be needed, however a windproof/ at least shower-proof jacket should be taken.
• Transport- We will use a minibus or MPV, with air-con and a big boot for bags, cases, scopes and tripods. We will pick this up at Zaragoza airport, and drop off here when return 8 days later.
• Accommodation- We are staying in several small village hotels and one service station (it's not as bad as it sounds) We dine in the villages either at the hotel or local cafe/restaurant. Tour participants will share a room unless a single room supplement has been previously booked.
• Food- We take continental breakfast of bread, cereals, cold meats, cheese, toast, fruit, tea and coffee in the hotels, after our optional pre breakfast trip. We will then buy lunch out, this will probably consist of a cafe lunch, or buying bread, cheese, spread, meats, fruit, buns, juice and water each morning as we pass through several small towns and villages. We return each evening to the accommodation for an evening meal. Beers, wines and soft drinks are are not covered by Gone Birding. All food is covered in the price of the tour, except snacks/ drinks to and from the airport.
• Pace- Not very fast, in fact because of the heat, very relaxed. Mornings can begin early, with pre breakfast jaunts within a short walk or drive, especially to the plains (best time to go). We will follow our itinerary, most of the birding is stop start and short walks from the vehicle. The only extra exertion will short walks uphill in the Pyrenees. We will spend all day in the field, so a level of endurance is required, but nothing above normal birding levels. Most of the day is spent on well made tracks or tarmac, with walks on tracks of varying quality, but nothing too awkward.
• Daily Routine- Get up early (optional) for a pre-breakfast trip , especially on the plains to witness the sandgrouse and Dupont's Lark at their best. We will return around 08:30-09:00 for breakfast. Lunch is bought en-route, and consumed as and when we feel like it, in a suitable spot. As far as I can tell the itinerary is as per the Pyrenees & Ebro Delta page.
• Recommended Reading- 'Finding Bird in Northern Spain' Gosney (EasyBirder)- see me!
• Maps- TBC

This is new tour, so no previous tour reports currently available.

Background Information- Travel

• Weight Allowance- Flight/ hand Luggage- tbc. Can I suggest you wear binoculars and cameras around your neck.
• Travel Arrangements/ Pickup-Probably arrange a minibus taxi departing from Sheffield , with a probable single pickup in Sheffield, then straight to London (Gatwick/ Heathrow?. This is extra to the holiday cost.
• Currency/ Requirements- A small amount of money (Euro's) would be useful for personal drinks and souvenirs. All food, and daily drink during the tour is covered in the cost of the tour, so little more than spending money is required.
• Passport / Visa Requirements- A full valid, in date UK passport is required (with in excess 6 months before expiration). No separate visas are required.
• Health Requirements- A valid E111 form is a must so that free medical attention can be given. No special jabs are required, Tetanus would be advantageous. Diacalm and pain killers may be useful. Suncream is a must, preferably of factor 5 or greater.
• Special Equipment A first aid kit will be available at all times. There will also be taking a an Ipod with all the bird songs and calls of Europe installed. A top quality telescope will also be freely available to use. Please take binoculars and scopes if you want to use your own equipment. You may wish to contact each other and 'buddy up' with scopes and tripods, rather than take a scope and tripod each. We'll be taking a Collins field guide, so you can save weight if we use ours. No other special equipment is needed. A copy of your COMPULSORY holiday insurance policy and policy number should you need to claim. Continental two pin electric adapter would be useful for recharging phones and camera batteries. There is good phone reception in most of Spain, except in parts of the Pyrenees, so please take mobiles if you wish to keep in touch with home.
• Clothing- Most days will be warm and sunny, so shorts, T-shirts and a brimmed hat or baseball cap are the order of the day. A light windproof/ shower-proof jacket would be useful for cool mornings, as would long trousers for early starts and the mountains. A warm jumper or lightweight fleece might be useful, as may lightweight gloves. Casual clothes will be fine for the evening meal. Lightweight boots or walking shoes will be fine for the day, with a change of trainers/ shoes or sandals for the evening. Sunglasses may also be useful.
• Nuisances- Being at altitude in the mountains and dry and arid on the plains we shouldn't be bothered by Mosquito's, except possibly when we go the Ebro Delta, so take some insect repellent. In the longer grass small ticks can be a problem, not a lot we can do about them, except wear trousers and be aware of them. Horse Flies can be present where cattle and sheep, occur, again be aware and a dose of insect repellent should do the trick. There are some sizeable insects in Spain, most are spectacular, but harmless.

Useful equipment check list