Reader
Well-known member
I have also posted a shorter version in the White-backed Woodpecker thread.
I am about to start a long two month trip with my dog in my small Motorhome. Along the way I have at least three target birds, White-backed Woodpecker, Grey Headed Woodpecker and Eagle Owl (all lifers). Tengmalm's Owl would be good to (another lifer) but I doubt if I would get that.
My route will be from Calais on Nov 6th. My route will be using no toll roads and looks like going via Rouen, Dreux, Limoges and I will be stopping for a night at Uzerche. From there I will go to a camp site in Franquevielle (near Saint-Gaudens) and should be there by about Nov 10th, or earlier, for a few days hopefully looking around the Gavarnie area.
From there I will be travelling around Spain via Lleida, Bechite, Tarifa, via Ronda, then to Brazo del Este, Trujillo then to Arrazola where Steve West's report states is a good area for the White-backed.
Any info for any of the above species would be greatfully received, especially the White Backed. I did get to within a few feet of one that was calling in Akseki, Turkey, a few years ago but it was in deep vegitation and we heard it fly off but never got to see it.
I would also like to know if I am likely to encounter any weather related problems in the higher locations I will be visiting within that period and also if dogs are not allowed in any of those areas (I know they are not allowed in the Parc National Des Pyrenees).
Are there any good sites along my route down and back. Coming back from Arrazola should bring me relatively close the the Atlantic areas and I will be catching the Shuttle back on Dec 21st.
Any help and advice on any of the above would be appreciated.
John
I am about to start a long two month trip with my dog in my small Motorhome. Along the way I have at least three target birds, White-backed Woodpecker, Grey Headed Woodpecker and Eagle Owl (all lifers). Tengmalm's Owl would be good to (another lifer) but I doubt if I would get that.
My route will be from Calais on Nov 6th. My route will be using no toll roads and looks like going via Rouen, Dreux, Limoges and I will be stopping for a night at Uzerche. From there I will go to a camp site in Franquevielle (near Saint-Gaudens) and should be there by about Nov 10th, or earlier, for a few days hopefully looking around the Gavarnie area.
From there I will be travelling around Spain via Lleida, Bechite, Tarifa, via Ronda, then to Brazo del Este, Trujillo then to Arrazola where Steve West's report states is a good area for the White-backed.
Any info for any of the above species would be greatfully received, especially the White Backed. I did get to within a few feet of one that was calling in Akseki, Turkey, a few years ago but it was in deep vegitation and we heard it fly off but never got to see it.
I would also like to know if I am likely to encounter any weather related problems in the higher locations I will be visiting within that period and also if dogs are not allowed in any of those areas (I know they are not allowed in the Parc National Des Pyrenees).
Are there any good sites along my route down and back. Coming back from Arrazola should bring me relatively close the the Atlantic areas and I will be catching the Shuttle back on Dec 21st.
Any help and advice on any of the above would be appreciated.
John
