Mas de Melons © Iolanda Sebé

Mas de Melons-Alfés


This protected natural area, dominated by agriculture and livestock farming, is one of the best examples of steppe habitats in Catalonia and home to some very rare plants. Numerous species of steppe birds can be seen here, making it one of the most popular places for ornithologists. Fallow and barren land and fields grazed by sheep, and olive and almond groves are the ideal habitats for these birds.

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Top species

Pin-tailed sandgrouse, little bustard, great spotted cuckoo, black wheatear and spectacled warbler

Facilities

Mas de Melons information point

Observatories in the nature reserve (with pre-booking and payment of a fee)

Map
List
Categories Sectors
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Categories Sectors

River Segre at Seu d’Urgell and Alàs

El Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park: Prat de Cadí

Roca de Canalda in El Port del Comte

Vall de Boí

Pla de Beret – Montgarri

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park: Mata de Valencia

L’Alt Pirineu Natural Park: Virós forest

La Terreta and La Serra de Sant Gervàs

Boumort-Collegats

Sierra Larga – La Noguera drylands

Plans de Sió

Belianes-Preixana drylands

Ivars i Vila-sana Lake

Mas de Melons-Alfés

Segrià and Utxesa drylands

Terra Alta Mediterranean mosaic

Serra de Llaberia

Els Ports Natural Park: La Franqueta

Els Ports Natural Pak: Caro

Sebes Nature Reserve

Serres de Cardó – Boix

Secans del Montsià drylands

El Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park: La Tancada and Els Alfacs bay

El Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park: L’Encanyissada, Migjorn and Alfacada

Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park: Les Olles lagoon and Fangar bay

BIRD

WATCHING

EXPERIENCES

There are many travel agencies, companies, organisations and professional guides in the Ebre-Secans-Pirineus corridor who have in-depth knowledge of the region and the bird species that can be observed and photographed

We advise you to take advantage of the services they offer to enjoy truly memorable birding experiences.

Hides del Gregal

On the edge of the Mas de Melons Nature Reserve, in the municipality of Castelldans, these two hides managed by Pau and Tània allow you to observe and photograph birds such as the European roller, Western black-eared wheatear, greenfinches, shrikes and doves. One hide overlooks a drinking trough and the other is linked to a […]

hidesdelgregal@gmail.com

Riet Vell

In this nature reserve, managed by SEO/BirdLife, work is being done to demonstrate that organic rice farming is compatible with the recovery of natural wetlands. It contains an elevated hide with superb views over a lagoon, as well as a visitor centre built in a traditional hut.

reservarietvell@seo.org
678 546 229

Salvatgines

A specialist company offering wildlife guides, nature conservation projects and environmental education activities. It allocates part of its revenues from tourism activities to wildlife conservation activities such as installing nesting boxes, creating ponds for amphibians and restoring the habitat of the wood grouse.

info@salvatgines.com
627 753 205

Els sentits de Vallbona – Cal Baster

Minerva Sellés has set up these hides in Vallbona de les Monges to allow birdwatchers to observe and photograph various species of birds at very close range. She also offers idyllic rural accommodation in peaceful surroundings (Cal Baster).

elsentitsdevallbona@gmail.com
626 969 406

La torre del Codina

This ecological and self-sufficient rural tourism lodge has a hide for watching and photographing the birds that stop to drink at a nearby pond. The birdwatching experience also includes a talk on the Torre del Codina project on the history and nature of the region.

latorredelcodina@gmail.com
629 770 876

Buseu Project

This initiative is based in an abandoned village that has now been restored for ecotourism, with photographers’ hides, photography courses and workshops and a rural home offering tourist accommodation (Casa Felip). The hides overlook a feeding station, allowing photographers to capture spectacular images of golden eagles, bearded vultures and other scavengers.

buseu@buseuproject.com
650 952 197