December is a special time for observing wintering birds in the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà. On this full-day guided excursion through the Natural Park, we will follow several of its different trails, visiting most of its bird hides and observation points. Along the way, we will learn about the various species of ducks and other waterbirds that winter in the area, eventually reaching Can Comes Beach, one of the best locations to spot small groups of divers, shearwaters, and occasionally auks.
We will also have time to look for resident species such as the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, as well as a good variety of passerines including Reed Buntings, Moustached Warblers, Hawfinches, and others.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Europa and Pericus lagoons, with the option of ending the day at the spectacular roosting site of European Starlings, provided the flocks have already formed for the season.
We will meet at 08:30 a.m. in the Cortalet car park, located at the entrance to the Natural Park, at the following coordinates: 42.224481, 3.091739.
Once the group is assembled, we will begin our walk from El Cortalet, following a route that takes us past several observation hides, the former rice fields of El Matà, La Massona lagoon (including the Gall Marí and Bruel observation points), Can Comes Beach, the mouth of the Fluvià River, and the rice fields of La Gallinera.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Europa and Pericus lagoons, with the option of continuing on to the starling roost if the flocks have already formed. This final part of the day can be a truly spectacular experience when the roost is active.
However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to witness the breathtaking aerial displays and murmurations that take place in the evening, as the timing of the formation of these large flocks varies from year to year.
Only the most relevant species are listed below:
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina, Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula, Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica, Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis, Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan, Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus, Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis, Booted Eagle Aquila pennata, Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata, Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus, Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Common Crane Grus grus, Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus, Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, Dunlin Calidris alpina, Little Stint Calidris minuta, Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, Common Redshank Tringa totanus, Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, Ruff Calidris pugnax, Razorbill Alca torda, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor, Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi, and Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis.
Professional guiding services (Ferran López)
20–60× spotting scope available for shared use
Personal travel insurance
Shared eBird checklists
Parking fee at El Cortalet (€5)
Please remember to bring your own breakfast and packed lunch, as well as warm clothing and suitable footwear for walking on dirt tracks.
We will provide spotting scopes to enhance bird observations.
Mosquito repellent is also recommended.
Aparcament El Cortalet
RELATED REPORTS