We spent the last weekend birding at the Pyrenees. We were based at the small village of Planoles, located at the Ribes Valley. From there we explored the Ripollès disctrict. On Saturday we explored the Campordon valley. Our main goal there was to see and take good pictures of the Rock Ptarmigan, so we went to the Vallter 2000 ski resort (wpt). This is a reliable place to see that bird, specially at the higher parts of the area. We were equipped with snow shoes, but the problem was the wind, which was really strong. We couldn't reach the higher plateau, and so we did not reach the good area. We just saw a few Coal Tits and Eurasian Siskins. Because of the wind we ended early there, and we decided to explore the lower valley. We stopped at the Setcases village (wpt), were a ditry road that goes by a stream offered us the chance to see and take some pictures of a nice White-throated Dipper. We also saw some Eurasian Nuthatches and some Gray Wagtails. Our next stop was on the road between Setcases and Vilallonga de Ter (wpt), were a ditry road that leads to Tregurà starts. However, we parked the car and explored tho surrounding area. There we saw more White-throated Dippers and some Marsh Tits. After having lunch there, we went to Camprodon to try to see the White-throated Dipper which ususally roosts and breeds near its romanesque bridge (wpt). And so we did! We ended the day at the Pantà de Cal Gat Nature Trail (wpt), were nothing special was seen. However, the place is worth visiting, as it can harbour some interesting birds (specially if the feeder at the end is full of food!).On sunday we explored the high Ribes Valley. Our target that day was Snowfinch, and so we decided to explore the road that leads to La Creueta pass (wpt). After parking the car in a couple of places we saw three Snowfinches. It was the first time I saw them in Catalunya! We also saw some Citril Finches, Yellowhammers and many Chaffinches. It was quite early, so we decided to go down the valley and explore a little bit the road that leads to Collet de Barraques. We climbed up that road and we stopped at a certain point where there is a right curve with a dirty road on the left (wpt). We walked the road to its end and we saw a Rock Bunting, Coal Tits, Crossbills and a Hawfinch. We ended our relaxing weekend at the mountains there, so after having lunch we went home.
