October is one of the best times of the year to discover the rich birdlife of the Garraf Natural Park. Situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the plains of the Penedès region, this unique limestone massif becomes a magnificent setting during autumn for observing the migration of numerous bird species.
On this guided excursion, we will explore some of the park’s most interesting locations, combining natural viewpoints, woodland habitats, and open landscapes where we will have the opportunity to observe migrating raptors, small passerines on their post-breeding migration, and several resident species such as Bonelli’s Eagle, Dartford Warbler, and Peregrine Falcon, all of which find refuge in this distinctive Mediterranean environment.
In addition to birdwatching, we will discover the Garraf’s most important natural values, including its unique geology, drought-adapted vegetation, and its role as an ecological corridor for migratory birds. An ideal day to deepen your understanding of nature and enjoy the spectacle of autumn migration.
We will meet in the car park of El Prat de Llobregat railway station, where we will arrange car sharing. Once organised, we will head along the Castelldefels highway to reach one of the access points to Garraf Natural Park, the Rat-Penat residential area.
From there, we will continue to Pla de Querol, where we will leave the cars and begin our walk towards Les Agulles. At an elevation of 552 metres, we will stop to enjoy breakfast while taking in the impressive views and keeping an eye out for migrating birds.
We will then return via Campgràs and the area known as Les Quatre Simes (The Four Sinkholes). Afterwards, we will drive to the La Pleta Information Centre and explore the surrounding area on foot.
Finally, if time permits, we will visit the small quarry at Castelldefels, a reliable site for observing Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting and, occasionally, a few other surprises.
The excursion is expected to finish at around 1:00 p.m.
As post-breeding migration will still be underway at this time of year, we will mention only some of the highlights from what could be a much longer species list:
Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa, Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata, Common Buzzard Buteo buteo, Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus, Stock Dove Columba oenas, Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia, Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops, Thekla’s Lark Galerida theklae, Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris, European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola, Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius, Sardinian Warbler Curruca melanocephala, Dartford Warbler Curruca undata, Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita, Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla, Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus, Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus, Common Raven Corvus corax, Common Linnet Linaria cannabina, Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus, and Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra.
Guiding services by Icaro Birding Experience (Ferran López)
20–60× spotting scope available for shared use
Personal travel insurance
Shared eBird checklist
Please note that suitable walking footwear is essential for exploring the different areas of the park.
Participants should bring their own breakfast, binoculars and, if possible, a camera.
We will provide several spotting scopes to allow everyone to enjoy close and detailed views of the birds encountered during the excursion.
Aparcament estació de tren del Prat de Llobregat
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