R A P T O R S O F T H E P Y R E N E E S
L L E I D A , S P A I N
Photograph eagles, hawks, vultures and owls in the wild heart of Catalonia
D A T E S & P R I C E S
2026
Departures Availability Price
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Feb 01 - 05 5 Places £1690
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Mar 18 - 22 5 Places £1690
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2027
Departures Availability Price
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Feb - ENQUIRE 5 Places TBC
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Mar - ENQUIRE 5 Places TBC
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Are you interested in this tour or something similar? Or perhaps the dates don't work? Just send me a message below and I’ll reply soon to discuss further.
H I G H L I G H T S
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4 nights' stay in an enchanting medieval fortress town in the Pyrenees
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Photograph many of Spain's rarest birds of prey - up to 8 raptors, 3 vulture and 2 owl species
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Develop a uniquely rich portfolio of raptors in flight, feeding, hunting, bathing and fighting
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Exclusive use of photography hides, at ground and water level
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Expert guiding and 1-on-1 tuition from award-winning photographer and local guides
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Get unique images with our wide-angle and flash setups
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 tour targets the spectacular raptors that can be found in the wild heart of Catalonia - from the regal Bearded Vulture which scavenges on bones, to the Goshawk and Bonelli's Eagle.
Based 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 uniquely intimate photos of many raptor species.
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. A variety of smaller birds can be photographed at the Raptor Drinking Pool Hide, such as Serin and Sardinian Warbler.
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. Evening walk for Eagle Owl and other birds around the town. 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: Possibility of a final hide session or local photo session. 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. Nestled among mountains just a short distance from Lleida, it is a magical experience to wake up to the old Montsonis castle which looks over rolling hillsides, olive groves and farmland.
Our apartment is equipped with comfortable private en-suite bedrooms, a communal kitchen and lounge area, washing facilities, heating and wifi.
The botiga restaurant and artisanal shop downstairs sell high quality Catalan food.
T H E H I D E S
Our hides are located in breathtaking locations - from the mountains above Montsonis, to the Lleida plains and the Pyrenean peaks. These diverse habitats offer some of the best raptor viewing in the whole of Europe.
The hides are fitted with high quality one-way glass, meaning you are invisible to the birds, increasing your chances of photographing their natural behaviours at close range. Some hides also support Go-Pros and remote wide-angle setups for unique close-up shots. Equipped with toilets and ample seating. Tripods are recommended for action shots.
The Scavenger Hide
The Bearded Vulture is the ultimate highlight for any raptor photographer visiting the Pyrenees. This majestic bone-crushing bird must be seen to be believed!
Our two mountain feeding-station hides in the Boumort Reserve offer an incredible opportunity to photograph multiple Bearded Vultures soaring and feeding alongside the more common Griffon and Cinereous Vultures. Capture vultures up close, at eye level or in flight, against a stunning backdrop of mountains and open scrubland.
If you visit just one hide, make it this one.
Capacity Seats up to 4 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm.
Timing Full day session.
Raptor Reflection Pool
This hide offers the widest variety of raptor species in one place. It has been dug into the ground to offer a water-level view across a reflection pool, where harriers, kites and goshawks come daily to hunt and drink. Throughout the day, you should see a steady stream of visitors with frequent interactions. And in the quieter moments, you'll be kept entertained by finches, warblers and passerines using the pool to bathe.
Capacity Seats up to 3 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm. Wide-angle possible.
Timing Morning, afternoon or full day session depending on opportunities.
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.
Capacity Seats 1 to 3 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm. Wide-angle possible.
Timing Morning or full day session depending on opportunities.
Golden Eagle
A mountain hide just a short drive from our accommodation, visited by a pair of Golden Eagle, and occasionally other raptors. Tree and rock perches, with a stunning vista of mountain-top ridges.
Capacity Seats 1 to 3 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm. Wide-angle possible.
Timing Morning or full day session depending on opportunities.
Goshawk
Opportunity to photograph Goshawk in a woodland setting near Montsonis.
N.B. If this hide is closed due to low activity in the season, the Raptor Reflection Pool is a good alternative for observing the Goshawk in action.
Capacity Seats 1 to 3 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm. Wide-angle possible.
Timing Morning.
Sparrowhawk
Opportunity to photograph Sparrohawk in a woodland setting near Montsonis.
Capacity Seats 1 to 3 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm. Wide-angle possible.
Timing Morning.
Little Owl
Opportunity to photograph a pair of Little Owls in an agricultural setting near Montsonis.
Capacity Seats 1 to 3 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm. Wide-angle possible.
Timing Afternoon/Dusk.
Remote Wide-Angle Photography
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!
Capacity Seats 1 to 3 people.
Lens 10-20mm or Go-Pro.
Timing Morning or all day session.
P R A C T I C A L I N F O R M A T I O N
F A Q
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.