Another Holiday in Catalonia

30th September 2015

As readers of this Blog know we have regular trips to Barcelona, mainly because we have family there, and this visit was special as it was the first opportunity to see our new granddaughter Alba. In spanish/catalan Alba means dawn but also has special gaelic connotations. It was not the time to take long trips away from the family, but I did manage several visits to the Llogrebat reserve and also a day trip up the Costa Brava to Aguamolls, where unfortunately water levels were a bit low. Highlights of the trip included Alpine Swift, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Goshawk, Penduline Tit, Red-backed Shrike and a male Hen Harrier on migration west. I didnt find any lifers but with a trip list of over 80, a number of species were added to my Catalonia list which now stands at 208. Lots of migrants were pushing through and it was great to see Common Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler and even a Willow Warbler. The hides on spanish reserves are always great for photography and I was able to add a number of images which can be seen in the Overseas section of the Gallery.

Bob

THE BOOK

"A glorious little gem"

AMAZON

"A book such as this has to look backwards and the author does so succinctly, looking at the work of several of the pioneering naturalists before picking out the publications of JA Harvie-Brown and the Rev. Hugh Macpherson. I know this book fills a real gap in the information available for the Isle of Skye and it will surely sell well at local bookshops."

Andrew Currie Miscellany West Highland Free Press

"A total of 238 species have been recorded, with 14 of those 'red listed' as of high conservation concern ... another innovation has been the inclusion of Gaelic names for some birds. While this is not uncommon in a few other books, the addition of some regional Gaelic names is very unusual and very welcome."

Ray Collier Country Diary 'Up in the Skye' The Guardian

"Illustrated with beautiful photographs of current birdlife on the island, the publication also features sketches by Jean Thomas of The Little Gallery, Portnalong, stimulating the reader's interest further and allowing them to identify species they encounter on Skye."

The Hebridean