R A P T O R S O F T H E P Y R E N E E S
J A N U A R Y 1 9 - 2 3 2 0 2 5
F E B R U A R Y 2 - 6 2 0 2 5
M A R C H 2 - 6 2 0 2 5
Photograph eagles, hawks, vultures and owls in the wild heart of Catalonia
T R I P O V E R V I E W
The cry of an eagle and the whoosh of wings as it lands feet away from you! This new photography workshop for 2024 targets the spectacular raptors that can be found in the mountains and plains of Catalonia - from the regal Bearded Vulture which scavenges on bones, to precision hunters such as the Goshawk and Bonelli's Eagle. Immersing ourselves in the wild heart of southern Spain, and with comfortable accommodation in an enchanting medieval village which overlooks the region, our hide photo sessions will take advantage of every minute of light to capture feeding, courtship, mating and fighting behaviours. We can use Go-Pro and remote wide-angle setups on many species, offering us unique images and an intimate perspective into the spectacular events of these birds' lives.
Photographable Species: Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Black Vulture, Bonelli's Eagle, Golden Eagle, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Lesser Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Little Owl, Eagle Owl, Long-Eared Owl. A variety of smaller birds can be photographed at the Raptor Drinking Pool Hide, such as Serin and Sardinian Warbler.
H I G H L I G H T S
-
4 nights stay in an enchanting medieval fortress town in the Pyrenees, staying in a charming full-board, non-shared apartment with excellent Catalan cuisine served next door
-
Photograph many of Spain's rarest birds of prey - up to 8 raptors, 3 vulture and 3 owl species - in stunning mountain, steppe, water and farmland habitat
-
Develop a uniquely rich portfolio of raptors in flight, feeding, hunting, bathing and fighting
-
Exclusive access to photography hides
-
Expert guiding and 1-on-1 tuition from award-winning photographer and local guides
-
Get unique images with our wide-angle and flash setups
-
Bird photography from ground and water level hides
I T I N E R A R Y
The following is a proposed itinerary, which should be considered provisional, subject to bird activity, weather and hide choices. In the case of inclement weather, we will recommend other hides where we may observe these species, or try to rearrange sessions for another day.
Day 1: Fly to Barcelona. Transfer by car 1hr30mins north to our accommodation in the picturesque medieval fortress town of Montsonís. Dusk photo session with the Little Owls. Dinner at a local botiga restaurant which serves excellent traditional Catalan cuisine, and a presentation of our itinerary as well as photographic techniques to apply in the field.
Day 2: A full day in the Vulture Hide photographing Vultures (Bearded, Cinereous and Griffon) in the Pyrenees. This requires a drive of 1h30 approximately to and from the hide, situated in the heart of the Reserva Nacional de Caça de Boumort. Dinner in Montsonís, and a chance to review and edit the day's photographs.
Day 3: Morning photographing either the Bonelli's Eagle, Golden Eagle, Little Owl, Goshawk or Sparrowhawk (your choice), near the town of Montsonís. Lunch. Dusk photo session with the Little Owls. Dinner in Montsonís.
Day 4: A full day at the Raptor Drinking Pool. This is a spacious low-level hide where you may photograph many species of raptor and small birds at water level. The most common visitors are the Red Kite, Marsh Harrier and Buzzard, and occasionally the Goshawk, Bonelli's Eagle, Cinereous Vulture and Griffon Vulture may make an appearance. During calmer and warmer periods, small birds may flit down from the surrounding bushes to bathe, such as Sardinian Warbler, Serin, Linnet, Rock Sparrow, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Thekla Lark, Magpie, Chaffinch and Robin. On the return to Montsonis, we can check in on a Long-Eared Owl roost. Dinner in Montsonís.
Day 5: Optional morning session photographing either the Bonelli's Eagle, Golden Eagle, Little Owl, Goshawk or Sparrowhawk (your choice). We return to Barcelona in the afternoon for our flight home.
Why not stay on a couple more days in Madrid? Based at Soto de Viñuelas, we will photograph the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Genet, Azure-Winged Magpie and much more.
O U R B A S E
We will stay in the enchanting medieval fortress town of Montsonís for the duration of our trip. Nestled in the mountains and secluded from the bustle of the large town of Lleida, it is a magical experience to wake up to the old Montsonis castle which looks over rolling hillsides, olive groves and farmland.
Many of the photography hides are just a 5-minute drive above the town, and it is even possible to observe some of our photography targets, such as Eagle Owl, Vultures and Bonelli's Eagle, as you soak up the view or enjoy an evening stroll before dinner.
Our apartment is equipped with comfortable private bedrooms with windows overlooking the town, a communal kitchen and lounge area, bathroom and washing facilities, plus heating and wifi.
The attached botiga restaurant and artisanal shop serve high quality Catalan tapas and cuisine at excellent prices.
T H E H I D E S
Our hides are distributed between the mountains directly above Montsonís, the steppes and plains of Lleida, and the Pyrenean peaks in the Reserva Nacional de Caça de Boumort, giving us a spectacular spread of raptor species to rival anywhere else in Europe. Hide photography is the best way for us to photograph these wild birds at close proximity without disturbing their natural behaviours. The hides are equipped with high quality one-way glass windows, meaning that we can are invisible from the outside, which increases our chances of observing and photographing a variety of feeding, mating and fighting behaviours. For many species, we can even use Go-Pros and remote wide angle setups, allowing us a unique close-up encounter. Most hides are equipped with a toilet and ample seating arrangements, and are designed for odour, acoustic and visual isolation. Tripods are recommended for action shots, and additional tripods or heads can be provided upon request.
Bearded Vulture
Surely the holy grail of any raptor photographer's trip to the Pyrenees, the Bearded Vulture (or Lammergeier) is a magnificently regal vulture that has to be seen to be believed. We have two mountain feeding-station hides in the Boumort reserve from which you can photograph numerous Bearded Vulture adults and subadults flying and feeding together, along with Griffon and Cinereous Vultures, at close proximity and eye / flight-level against a backdrop of mountains and open scrubland. If you only visit one hide, this is the one.
Hide Seats 3 to 4 people.
Timing All day session. Requires a 1h30 drive to the Scavenger Hide within the national park.
Lens 100-400mm and potentially up to 500mm.
Cinereous Vulture & Griffon Vulture
In addition to the Bearded Vulture hides, we have a couple of hides dedicated to the smaller two vultures, the Cinereous and Griffon.
Hide Seats 3 to 4 people.
Timing All day session.
Lens 100-400mm and potentially up to 500mm.
Raptor Drinking Pool
This hide has been dug into the ground to offer a water level view across a reflection pool, where many species of raptor go daily to feed and bathe. Many species visit throughout the day, most commonly harriers and kites, with multiple birds visiting at the same time. Interactions and fighting shots are a common occurrence.
Hide Seats 3 to 4 people.
Timing Morning, afternoon or all day.
Lens 100-400mm and potentially up to 500mm.
Photographable Species: Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Goshawk, Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Bonelli's Eagle
Remote Wide-Angle & Go Pro Hides
Recently it has become possible to photograph some of the most elusive birds such as Bonelli's Eagle and Goshawk with wide-angle cameras, giving photographers an extraordinary new perspective and totally unique images. Please enquire if this is something you'd like to try out.
Hide Seats 1 to 3 people.
Timing Morning or all day session.
Lens Remote wide-angle/go-pro. Distance of 10-15m.
Photographable Species: Goshawk, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Little Owl
Bonelli's Eagle
A mountain hide just a short drive from our accommodation, visited by a pair of rare Bonelli's Eagle and occasionally Peregrine Falcons. Tree and rock perches, with a stunning vista of mountain-top ridges, crags and the grassy plains of Lleida province below.
Hide Seats 1 to 3 people.
Timing Morning, afternoon or all day session.
Lens 300-500m or remote wide-angle/go-pro. Distance of 10-15m.
Golden Eagle
A mountain hide just a short drive from our accommodation, visited by Golden Eagles and occasionally other raptors.
Hide Seats 1 to 3 people.
Timing Morning or all day session.
Lens 300-500m or remote wide-angle/go-pro. Distance of 15-20m.
Marsh Harrier, Buzzard & Red Kite
The most frequently seen raptors in the area, these species can be seen from several of our hides or targeted specifically.
Hide Seats 1 to 3 people.
Timing Morning, afternoon or all day session.
Lens 300-500m or remote wide-angle/go-pro. Distance of 8-12m.
Goshawk
Opportunity to photograph the goshawk in woodland setting, as well as buzzard and red kite.
Hide Seats 1 to 3 people.
Timing Entrance before dawn for morning session. Afternoon is less productive.
Lens 300-500mm or remote wide-angle/go-pro.
Sparrowhawk
Photograph the wary sparrowhawk in its woodland habitat, as it feeds, preens and hunts.
Hide Seats 1 to 3 people.
Timing Morning or afternoon session.
Lens 300-500mm. 6-10m distance.
Little Owl
Opportunity to photograph the little owl in agricultural landscape.
Hide Seats 1 to 2 people.
Timing Dawn or dusk session.
Lens 300-500mm or remote wide-angle/go-pro.
P R A C T I C A L I N F O R M A T I O N
Meals
Breakfast and lunch, prepared by the local restaurant, will consist of pastries, fresh fruit, sandwiches, yoghurts and cakes, with coffee/tea and juices. Dinner will be at the restaurant, which serves excellent Catalan cuisine. Please let me know if you have any dietary requirements.
Walking
We consider this light, as we will be reliant on transport between locations. Walking will be in short and in flat terrain. Please contact me beforehand to discuss suitability and if you have any mobility issues.
Group Size & Tuition
With a maximum of 5 participants, our small group size ensures everyone has a better personal experience. I will be on hand to answer your questions and help you with observing animals whatever your skillset.
Photo Gear
We recommend that you bring a DSLR with a zoom lens in the 100-400mm range; 300mm or less is ideal for flight shots. A wide-angle lens or GoPro is highly recommended for the hides where remote photography is permissable, as it will be possible to photograph birds such as the Bonelli's Eagle and Golden Eagle as they feed and land to perch.
Clothing
It is important that participants wear appropriate clothing for the variable winter. Please check the recommended kit list, sent upon sign-up. Participants will be advised nearer the time if snow is forecast for our trip and if this will impact any of our hide sessions.
Weather
Ranging from 5C to 15C.
Flights
It is recommended to fly to Barcelona airport. Alternatively you can fly to Madrid and take the train to Lleida, with a short transfer by car to Montsonis. Please discuss with me so that I can recommend the best flight for you to take.
W H A T ' S I N C L U D E D
Included
✓ Services of photography and local nature guides
✓ Permits and private access to six photography hides
✓ Evening image review and edit sessions (optional)
✓ A welcome presentation on the local fauna and sites
✓ 4 nights' accommodation in an apartment in Montsonis, Lleida
✓ All meals, taken at the estate or at the restaurant in Montsonis
✓ Airport pick-up and drop-off from Barcelona airport to our hotel
✓ Ground transportation
Not Included
✗ Return flights from London to Barcelona
(please contact me so that I can recommend the best flights)
✗ Any Visa charges or airport taxes
✗ Personal and cancellation insurance*
✗ Personal snacks and beverages
✗ Personal expenses
✗ Laundry
✗ Any additional overnight stays
✗ Any additional hide sessions
For full terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy and personal travel insurance, please click to see the Terms & Conditions
* To take part in our trip, you must be covered by adequate insurance for its entire duration. The insurance must cover for cancellation, medical and emergency expenses.
We recommend insurance against damage or loss of baggage, camera equipment, instruments and personal items.
Contact Paul at paulalistaircollins@gmail.com for further information. Please check your spam inbox if you do not see a reply.
Once your booking has been confirmed, an advance payment will be required per person to secure your place.