The Natural Wonders of Europe

From the northern artic tundra, through the high, impressive rock stacks of the United Kingdom, where large colonies of seabirds breed, to the lowlands and high mountain ranges of central Europe, eastwards to vast river deltas, grasslands and forests, with the more southerly reaches, such as Spain, providing the grand spectacle of mass migration both for raptors and smaller birds, the rewards of birding Europe promises vast riches to the more adventurous birdwatcher. For the birder, from beginner to expert, Europe offers well over 700 species of birds with a staggering diversity of raptor, seabird and passerine. Our tours concentrate on the southern region of the Iberian Peninsula, with a focus on the Spanish province of Andalucia, an area influenced by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the Mediterranean in the east, with the Strait of Gibraltar in the south providing wonderful opportunities to observe spring and autumn migration of raptors, storks and many passerines as they journey to and from Africa, only 12 kms away from mainland Andalucia! Why not take a look at our tours, including day trips throughout the province and also journeys into the nearby African nation of Morocco?

Spain Birding Tours

Spain is one of the best places in Europe for birdwatching with well over 500 species recorded and includes more than 270 that breed here, with European-threatened species such as dupont’s lark, purple gallinule, white-headed duck, marbled teal, lammergeier, golden eagle and the endemic Spanish imperial eagle. The variety of birds is due in no small measure to its geographical location between Europe and Africa, straddling the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, with its relief forming an impressive range of habitats and climates. Although we tour most areas in Spain, we have tended to concentrate on the most southerly region Andalusia.

Andalusia is one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe and deserves more attention from the travelling naturalist. It is a province rich in wildlife diversity, history and culture from the Phoenicians to the Spanish Civil War. It is the home of flamenco and bull fighting traditions and was the most favoured area in Spain for such characters as Hemingway and Orson Welles. Due to an extremely pleasant climate, its natural beauty, as well as exquisite cuisine, Andalusia is one of the most attractive areas on the Mediterranean.

However, all of these great assets pale in comparison to some of the richest and most diverse natural areas in the Paleartic. As a meeting point of Europe and Africa, Andalusia offers a very impressive variety of unusual fauna and flora. Here the normally mild Mediterranean clashes, in the famous Strait of Gibraltar, with the wild and unpredictable Atlantic Ocean forming large salty lagoons and wide rivers. Extensive forests, open cultivated plains, olive trees, oaks, pinsapo (Spanish) firs, high cliffs, secluded beaches and the most important sand dunes and marshes in Europe can be found in this region. The highest mountain ranges in all of Iberia are also found here, climbing to more than 12,000 feet above sea level.

For the bird watcher the southern reaches of Andalusia hold the most fantastic opportunities to witness one of life’s natural wonders ‘bird migration’. Europe and Africa are separated by only 14kms of ocean at the Strait of Gibraltar’s narrowest point and for millions of years this has served as a short and natural crossing point for thousands of birds during autumn and spring migration periods. Most impressive of the birds crossing the Straits are thousands of raptors including Short-toed and Booted Eagles who are joined by Egyptian and Griffon Vultures, with Honey Buzzard and White Stork also flocking in their thousands. It is an exciting spectacle that all should see once in their lifetime.

Norway – Land of the Midnight Sun

Finnmark offers fantastic opportunities for bird watching. The Varanger Peninsula in eastern Finnmark is one of Norway’s most exclusive bird areas. Varanger is one of the most attractive bird watching destinations in Norway. The list of exclusive birds is long. The number of species and birds are remarkable, both summer and winter. Among foreign birdwatchers Varanger is one of the most famous areas in Northern Europe. During the spring and summer both individual birders and organised groups come here to experience the great variety of migrating birds, arctic ducks, breeding waders and birds of prey. The Varangerfjord, when daylight returns in February/March, is a perfect place to see the rare Steller’s eider (Polysticta stelleri) and other arctic ducks such as the king eider and the long-tailed duck. Our tour to the land of the midnight sun has been designed to get the very best from our birding experiences.

Turkey – Birds of Three Continents

This is our first tour to Hungary and we will be visiting the North-East of this country where within very short distances from our hotels we will be able to visit mountains, forests, rivers, marshes and most importantly the steppe of Eastern Europe.
 We have planned this “recce” around two areas and will be staying in only two hotels. The areas are the woods and forests of the Zemplen Hills and the open plains, rivers and marshes of Hortobagy National Park.
We have not neglected the cultural side of this ancient cultured country as we will visit the wine growing area of Tokaj where we will have a traditioal wine tasting dinner in a local restraurant.
 As we are near to Budapest we can arrange an extension for those of you who would wish to spend a few days sightseeing in this most beautiful of cities.

Hungary – Where East meets West

This is our first tour to Hungary and we will be visiting the North-East of this country where within very short distances from our hotels we will be able to visit mountains, forests, rivers, marshes and most importantly the steppe of Eastern Europe.
 We have planned this “recce” around two areas and will be staying in only two hotels. The areas are the woods and forests of the Zemplen Hills and the open plains, rivers and marshes of Hortobagy National Park.
We have not neglected the cultural side of this ancient cultured country as we will visit the wine growing area of Tokaj where we will have a traditioal wine tasting dinner in a local restraurant.
 As we are near to Budapest we can arrange an extension for those of you who would wish to spend a few days sightseeing in this most beautiful of cities.

Travelling together as friends