For the third consecutive year, we went to La Aldea Shelter in Bejes, Cantabria, to give an introductory course to ornithology.
We met there, once again, wiht Begoña y Miguel, what a host couple! They don’t let you get bored at any time, always keeoing an ey on what we needed, funny conversations and delicious meals. They never let you down.
This year we had 7 participants with several knowledge levels, from beginners to a pretty much advanced level. Initially, getting everyone to learn something seemed quite hard to achieve. But finally, thanks to the participants’ interest and the invaluable Miguel’s assistance, we reached our goal.
Let’s get started…
We had a really funny weekend, spent in good company, talking about birds, nature and all that kind of subjects that tasty meals or a good beer bring up to the table.
The weather was fabulous. Bright and sunny days with almost summery temperatures allowed us to enjoy some amusing birdwatching walks.
On our first outing we went to a high location in order to spot subalpine birds, less fidgety and therefore easier to observe, specially for the beginners.
Right after we stepped out the van to start our walk, we had our first “bimbo” (an ornithology jargon to define the first time you put your eyes on a species never seen before): a short-toed eagle.
At the end of the last excursion we had seen a wide variety of bird species, from riverine to subalpine.
Those participants with more knowledge about birds were attentive at all time not to say outloud the name of the bird species we were watching. This way, begginers were able to find out the way to discover their names through the guide book.
We’d just like to thank all the participants for their attendance and the hosts for their wonderful welcome and attention.
So come on and join us next year in Bejes for the next edition of the introductory course to ornithology!
List of the species seen this year
Common Swift Apus apus https://www.seo.org/ave/vencejo-comun/
Tawny Owl Strix aluco https://www.seo.org/ave/carabo-comun/ (heared)
Common Woodpigeon Columba palumbus https://www.seo.org/ave/paloma-torcaz/
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus https://www.seo.org/ave/alimoche-comun/
Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus https://www.seo.org/ave/buitre-leonado/
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus https://www.seo.org/ave/cuco-comun/ (heared)
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus https://www.seo.org/ave/culebrera-europea/
Common barn-owl Tyto alba https://www.seo.org/ave/lechuza-comun/ (heared)
Iberian Green Woodpecker Picus sharpei https://www.seo.org/ave/pito-real/
Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major https://www.seo.org/ave/pico-picapinos/
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo https://www.seo.org/ave/busardo-ratonero/
Carrion Crow Corvus corone https://www.seo.org/ave/corneja-comun/
Yellow-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus https://www.seo.org/ave/chova-piquigualda/
Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax https://www.seo.org/ave/chova-piquirroja/
Great Tit Parus major https://www.seo.org/ave/carbonero-comun-2/
Common Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus https://www.seo.org/ave/herrerillo-comun/
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica https://www.seo.org/ave/golondrina-comun/
Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris https://www.seo.org/ave/avion-roquero/
Bonelli´s Warbler Rhadina Bonelli https://www.seo.org/ave/mosquitero-papialbo/
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla https://www.seo.org/ave/curruca-capirotada/
Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla https://www.seo.org/ave/agateador-europeo-2/
Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea https://www.seo.org/ave/trepador-azul/
Northern Wren Troglodytes troglodytes https://www.seo.org/ave/chochin-comun/
White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus https://www.seo.org/ave/mirlo-acuatico-europeo/
Common Blackbird Turdus merula https://www.seo.org/ave/mirlo-comun/
Song Trush Turdus philomelos https://www.seo.org/ave/zorzal-comun/
European Robin Erithacus rubecula https://www.seo.org/ave/petirrojo-europeo/
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros https://www.seo.org/ave/colirrojo-tizon/
Common Stonechat Saxicola torquatus https://www.seo.org/ave/tarabilla-comun/
Dunnock Prunella modularis https://www.seo.org/ave/acentor-comun/
House Sparrow Passer domesticus https://www.seo.org/ave/gorrion-comun/
Pipit (unidentified)
Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs https://www.seo.org/ave/pinzon-vulgar/
White wagtail Motacilla alba https://www.seo.org/ave/lavandera-blanca/
Common Linnet Linaria cannabina https://www.seo.org/ave/pardillo-comun/
Rock Bunting Emberiza cia https://www.seo.org/ave/escribano-montesino/
