Pyrenees

L’Alt Pirineu Natural Park: Virós forest


L’Alt Pirineu is Catalonia’s largest natural park, with almost 80,000 hectares, and contains its highest peak, the Pica d’Estats (3,143 metres). For a mountain habitat it contains a great diversity of birdlife, with over 180 species of birds recorded here. Its forests are home to an important population of woodland birds, including very rare and endangered species. The Natural Park is divided into 5 sectors, all of them recommendable, although the Ferrera valley, location of the extensive Virós Forest, is one of the most accessible, with several routes for observing woodland birds. Please note that it is forbidden to photograph wood grouse during the breeding season.

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Top species

Tengmalm's owl, black woodpecker, red crossbill, wood grouse and citril finch

Facilities

Bordes de Virós picnic area

Gall Fer Refuge

Observation points in the Virós forest: Torredo and Les Fargues

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.

Rutes Muntanya

Rutes Muntanya offers half-day birdwatching tours in the Ebro Delta’s most representative habitats. The tours follow the delta’s labyrinth of paths, and combine birdspotting with explanations of features that go unnoticed by casual visitors: firework storage huts, drains, pumping stations, natural filters, traditional fishing methods, etc.

mingo@rutesmuntanya.com
630 633 169

Boumort Terra Salvatge

Via the Outdoor Adventour travel agency, this company offers complete packages (with guide, meals, accommodation, transport) for one or more days, specialising in birdwatching and photography in the Boumort Reserve, one of the wildest areas of the Pre-Pyrenees. It can also provide tailor-made packages to meet customers’ needs.

boumort@outdooradventour.com
973 043 409

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

Grup de Natura Freixe

This organisation manages the Sebes and Meandro de Flix Nature Reserve and offers a guided tour to explore and stroll through these impressive woods along the banks of the River Ebro. It also offers ornithological experiences such as an introduction to scientific bird ringing or nest box building.

info@freixe.cat
977 265 112

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

Birding in Spain

Birdwatching trips with English guide Steve West and his wife Florinda Vidal, who have been organising birdwatching trips in different parts of Spain for over twenty years. They have detailed knowledge of the most fascinating sites and the birds that inhabit them.

steve@birdinginspain.com
606 855 571