My Blog - Jeff Clarke

Cerdanya Tour 2011 (Iberian Wildlife Tours & Jeff Clarke Ecology)

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All images unless otherwise stated © Jeff Clarke 2011

What memories will our clients have of the recent tour of Cerdanya in the Pyrenees? The fantastically dramatic limestone ridge of the Cadí Moixeró? The Telecabina ride ride to the top of the Tossa d'Alp? Picnicking amongst high alpine forest surrounded by Citril Finches? Watching Apollo butterflies glide by on floppy wings?

The tour began on the 28th June and we arrived back in the UK late on the 5th July. As we approached our base at Prullans the potential of the area was immediately apparent. Our clients rooms in the lovely Hotel Muntanya faced across to the Cadi ridge and superb wildlife could be found with a few minutes walk of the hotel door.

Our first full day found us exploring the limestone plateaux around Orden and Talltendre, here we found a myriad of butterflies, a dazzling variety of meadow and rock garden plants all backed up by some sensational birds, the pick of which was probably the fabulous Rock Thrush. On subsequent days we built an astonishing list of species, but more importantly we were able to enjoy some outstanding wildlife encounters that will remain vivid recollections for years to come. I'm sure those with a botanical interest will bring to mind rummaging around a small gorge on the south face of the Cadí-Moixeró ridge teasing out botanical treasures such as Ramonda & Reddish saxifrages. Butterfly highlights included the iridescent beauty of Scarce Copper and Lesser Purple Emperor. Hidden mountainside meadows bounced lepidopteral abundance and here could be found real prizes like the Mountain Alcon Blue and the Niobe Fritillary.

Day flying moths werew also a feature of the tour, particularly numerous were the various species of burnet moth, but my particular favourite was probably the Scarlet Tiger moth which we found at a number of sites. Down in the wetland areas of the Segre Valley on a particularly hot and steamy day we  enjoyed a great number of dragonflies and damselflies, which darted and skimmed around against the background music of Nightigales Garden Warblers.

So much to see and enjoy but I suspect one image will remain indelible for all of us. The dramatic and wonderful sight of two Lammergeiers cruising along a limestone ridge  before circling low over our heads as we enjoyed one of Teresa's famous picnic lunches. Pure Joy!

If you are interested in hearing about the tour details for 2012 please contact me.