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⭐ Raptors Of The Pyrenees Photo Tour Highlights – March 2026

  • Mar 31
  • 3 min read

Updated: 22 hours ago


I've recently completed a couple of Raptors of the Pyrenees photography tours, with groups based in an enchanting medieval hilltop village in the Spanish province of Lleida. With many of our hides just minutes from our accommodation, we were able to immerse ourselves in one of Europe's finest raptor photography destinations.


Late winter and early spring is a wonderful time to be here. Resident birds are becoming increasingly active, and the first spring migrants, including Egyptian Vultures and Lesser Kestrels, begin to arrive. Over the course of the week we photographed an incredible variety of birds of prey, each hide offering a completely different experience.


Our first full day was spent in the mountains with the vultures. Griffon Vultures arrived throughout the day, creating a constant spectacle of interaction as they squabbled over bones and fed just metres from the hide. From behind one-way, we were able to observe birds behaving naturally without disturbance, at remarkably close range.
Our first full day was spent in the mountains with the vultures. Griffon Vultures arrived throughout the day, creating a constant spectacle of interaction as they squabbled over bones and fed just metres from the hide. From behind one-way, we were able to observe birds behaving naturally without disturbance, at remarkably close range.
Their characters are endlessly entertaining, and photographing them at eye level allows you to appreciate every feather and expression.
Their characters are endlessly entertaining, and photographing them at eye level allows you to appreciate every feather and expression.
But the real prize of this hide-based wildlife photo tour is always the Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier). Few birds leave such an impression. Seeing one glide across the mountains before dropping into the feeding area is a genuinely unforgettable experience.
But the real prize of this hide-based wildlife photo tour is always the Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier). Few birds leave such an impression. Seeing one glide across the mountains before dropping into the feeding area is a genuinely unforgettable experience.
"We always wanted to photograph these vultures, and Paul delivered. He listened to exactly what we wanted. It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, a beautiful place, and we're already looking at doing another photo trip with him" - Kevin & Miranda
Watching these magnificent birds carrying and swallowing bones reminds you just how specialised they are. The surrounding mountain scenery also allowed us to work on wider flight photographs, showing these enormous birds against the mists and dramatic Pyrenean landscapes.
Watching these magnificent birds carrying and swallowing bones reminds you just how specialised they are. The surrounding mountain scenery also allowed us to work on wider flight photographs, showing these enormous birds against the mists and dramatic Pyrenean landscapes.
One of the strengths of this tour is the sheer variety. Our drinking pool hide produced a constant stream of visitors throughout a gloriously sunny day, including Black & Red Kites, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, and Goshawk. We were particularly fortunate with rich golden light all day every day, while strong shadow gave these gorgeous harriers a wonderfully dramatic feel.
One of the strengths of this tour is the sheer variety. Our drinking pool hide produced a constant stream of visitors throughout a gloriously sunny day, including Black & Red Kites, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, and Goshawk. We were particularly fortunate with rich golden light all day every day, while strong shadow gave these gorgeous harriers a wonderfully dramatic feel.
Want to experience the sensational raptors for yourself? → Find out more about my Raptors Of The Pyrenees photography tour
Because these hides sit low to the ground with big open views, every photographer came away with different images, scenes and moments.
Because these hides sit low to the ground with big open views, every photographer came away with different images, scenes and moments.
By mid-March, one of the tour's seasonal highlights begins to arrive - the Egyptian Vulture. These strange-looking birds don't feature on my February departures, making the March tour particularly special. This year we enjoyed several close encounters at our hide near the village. Their bright yellow faces, expressive crests and inquisitive personalities make them an ideal subject for moody, low-key images like this one above.
By mid-March, one of the tour's seasonal highlights begins to arrive - the Egyptian Vulture. These strange-looking birds don't feature on my February departures, making the March tour particularly special. This year we enjoyed several close encounters at our hide near the village. Their bright yellow faces, expressive crests and inquisitive personalities make them an ideal subject for moody, low-key images like this one above.

Not every star of the week was a large bird of prey. Our resident Little Owl pair once again performed beautifully at both dawn and dusk.
Not every star of the week was a large bird of prey. Our resident Little Owl pair once again performed beautifully at both dawn and dusk.
"I enjoyed the Pyrenees tour and in particular the opportunity to photograph Lammergeiers and Egyptian Vultures up close. Both Paul's spotting and photographic expertise were very good indeed. This obviously helped to ensure that we returned home with an impressive list of photographs and sightings." - Peter
Watching the first sunlight creep over the old stone wall as the owls stretched, yawned and gradually woke for another day produced some wonderfully intimate moments. Sometimes the quietest encounters become the most memorable.
Watching the first sunlight creep over the old stone wall as the owls stretched, yawned and gradually woke for another day produced some wonderfully intimate moments. Sometimes the quietest encounters become the most memorable.

There are very few places in Europe where you can spend a week photographing so many birds of prey at close range, in such beautiful landscapes, and under such consistently good light. Whether it's your first Lammergeier or your hundredth Griffon Vulture, the spectacle never loses its impact.


A big thank you to everyone who joined this year's Raptors of the Pyrenees tour.


Paul Alistair Collins

Want to photograph Spain's raptors and vultures for yourself? Learn composition, flight photography and portraiture → See upcoming dates!

Species Highlights: Lammergeier, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Black Vulture, Black Kite, Red Kite, Montagu's Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Short-Toed Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Little Owl, Eagle Owl

 
 
 

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