Birding Picos de Europa: TRIP 4. Woodpeckers and other forest birds

Woodpeckers are, together with some forest raptors, ones of the most colorful and interesting birds that habit our forests. Its habitat (dense forest) and its elusive behavior makes that our observations would be exciting and unforgettable. That’s why, they can bring us great moments of fun.

The land of the woodpeckers near the Rio Aliso Rural Apartments

In our environment 4 species of woodpeckers can be found.

The Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major is the most common and easily observed in most of the clumps of trees and forests. The Green Woodpecker Picus viridis, distinctive for the green colour and their preference for meadows and forest clearings. The Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius completly black and with red hood (bigger in males), is the largest and in my opinión the most spectacular. And finally, the Peak Medium Dendrocopos medius the rarest and nearly an exception in our forests

The Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major

The Green Woodpecker Picus viridis

The Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius

All of them, with varying degrees of difficulty, can be observed in the woods, forests and meadows near our apartments. Our method is simple. We’ll go into the woods as quietly as possible and often, we’ll make stops to listen. Their songs or pecks on the trunks will be our best guide to their location

Finally as a last resort and always respecting the periods of reproduction would proceed to claim them with a proper sound equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF ITINERARY

The site chosen for the trip will be the Argayu forest near the village of Cimiano in Peñamellera Baja. We’ll go to this village by car and from here, we’ll walk to the shrine of Espioña in the border of the forest. This is the first listening station.

Gradually, following the traditional trips, we’ll get into the heart of the forest, to develop a circular route that will bring us back to the shrine and the village of Cimiano

OTHER SPECIES

Deciduous forests of northern Spain are plenty of birds and mammals. Other birds that can be observed all along the tryp are some forest raptors such as the Bussard, the Hawk and the Goshawk. In adiction, passeriformes like Treecreepers, Nuthachs, Tits, Flycatchers and others, are abundants all arround.