High in the Pyrenees

Up early this morning and south to La Preste and up to the Prats de Mollo Nature Reserve.

The weather forecast was good but again we felt let down as cloud covered the nearest peaks.  A quick snack in the picnic area did produce some birds. A juvenile Lammergeier hugged a rocky ridge just under the clouds and later a lone Griffon Vulture crossed the skies.  In the forests behind us a Black Woodpecker called stridently and a male Crossbill sang from a distant conifer.  Finally 2 Crested Tits made a brief appearance with a flock of Coal Tits.




Griffon Vulture


We decided to brave the cloud and drive up to 1900 metres along the rough track.  Birds were hard to find although a Raven made its presence known with its raucous calls.  A splendid male Stonechat flitted from bush to bush and a Rock Bunting was singing from a single tree.  Looking down to a small meadow a Red Fox was resting on a single rock.




Rock Bunting


Finally the cloud got lower and we left to return home.