TRIP 3. The Alpine Birds

Some of the highest peaks in Northern Spain are located in Picos de Europa National Park, and many of the meadows are set more than 1.500 m. above the sea level. This is the suitable environment  for most of the alpine birds like Alpine Accentor, Snowfinch, Wallcreeper, Yellow and Red -billed chough and much more.


Pastures at 1.300 m. above de sea level. In the distance Peña Santa Peak.



The habitat of the Alpine birds in Picos de Europa National Park.

Wallcreeper, Sonowfinch and Alpine Accentor are probably the most representative and also one the most sought birds for European birdwatchers in Picos de Europa National Park. All of them can be watched just with a simple walk to the upland areas.

Wallcreeper is a small bird, red, grey and black and with a distinctive long and curved downward beak. It is known like the “hoopoe of the rock face”, or “The bird that flies like a butterfly”. They are hard to see if are quiet, but when they fly, the rounded wings are absolutely unforgettable.

Wallcreeper


Snowfinches have conspicuous white panels on tail and wings especially visible in flight. Breed in small colonies in cliffs and fly fast and powerful. Alpine Accentor, is probably the easiest bird to be found. Is a sociable bird, that mos of the times can be found in small groups specially in barren areas with low-growing plants.

Alpine Accentor

TOUR DESCRIPTION. The best possibility is going to Fuente De in the Eastern mountains of the Picos de Europa National Park where we will take the cable car up to the highest area on the south side of Peña Olvidada, near the mountain retreat of Cabaña Veronica, more than 2.000 m. above sea level. From the cable car we will take a path in a very good condition absolutely flat and easy walking in one of the most spectacular alpine sceneries in Picos de Europa National Park.

The Cable Car in Fuente De.



Ladscape

BIRD TARGET. In addition to the birds cited above, other species like Griffon Vulture, Egyptian vulture, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, ravens, crows, Water Pipit, Yellow and Red billed Choughs...etc. This is also a good place to observe Cantabrian Chamois.

Water Pipit

Yellow Billed Chough

Cantabrian Chamois in Picos de Europa National Park