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Overview
Organbidexka (Le Col D'Organbidexka) Also known as Orgambideska is probably the best-known Western Pyrenees migration watchpoint, situated in high Soule Pays Basque France at 1,284 m altitude close to Pic d'Orhy and Pic des Escaliers. From July to the end of November you can observe many migrating birds on their European southwest passage. It still is a favourite area for local hunters who shoot countless pigeons in this pass. Between 150,000 and 500,0000 Woodpigeons pass in to Spain every Autumn
The site is manned by volunteers and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Raptors are the main attraction with more than 20,000 moving through this pass
Birds
Notable Species
Black Kite and European Honey Buzzard are the most numerous species often with more than 10,000 of each recorded and the peak period for these is the end of August and early September. Also seen here are Red Kite, usually 3-5,000 in October as well as a few locally breeding birds, and Short-toed Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier and Montagu's Harrier, Northern Hobby and Osprey. Common Buzzard and Eurasian Sparrowhawk also move through in October.
In addition to raptors the area sees storks passing through, huge numbers of Wood Pigeon and Swallows. Other passerines include large numbers of Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Chaffinch.
November brings many thousands of Common Crane.
Breeding species include Lammergeier and White-backed Woodpecker.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Black Stork, White Stork, Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, European Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Lammergeier, Short-toed Eagle, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Booted Eagle, Osprey, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Northern Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Common Crane, Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Common Swift, Black Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Western House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Eurasian Blackbird, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
To do
Access and Facilities
Organbidexka is on the Haute-Soule and lies about 10km west of the village of Larrau where there is hotel accommodation. From Larrau take the road towards Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Bayonne and Orthez.
Contact Details
For further information contact OCL 11, Bourgneuf F-64100 Bayonne. Tel. 05 59 25 62 03.
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
