Spain's Camino De Santiago & Its Natural History

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History

Naturetrek Tour Report 20 – 27 September 2015

Report & images compiled by Richard Cash

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Tour Participants: Richard Cash, Peter Rich (leaders) with a group of Naturetrek clients

Introduction

This was a fantastic week of hikes tracing the Camino de Santiago in the Aragonese Pyrenees, seeing a huge range of plants, birds and discovering the fascinating history and life of this area. All of the group were keen and fit hikers so we were able to walk some beautiful and out-of-the-way trails into the mountains.

Accommodation and food was excellent at Casa Sarasa and, as always, thanks to Mel and Pete for their hospitality.

Day 1 Sunday 20th September

The flight arrived on time and we were soon on our way north, doing the short transfer from Zaragoza towards the Pyrenees. On the way we saw a Hen Harrier, Red and Black Kites and several White Storks.

Once at Casa Sarasa, the guests were shown their very nice rooms and then we had a short introductory briefing and a drink before dinner. It was good to meet everyone and we had a convivial dinner talking about our travels, nature and getting to know each other.

Day 2 Monday 21st September

After breakfast, we made a brief stop in Berdún village where Pete explained a little about the village and its history and architecture. It´s quite a place, with some quite grand houses and a history going back into Ibero- Celtic times, 2500 years or more ago.

We then drove up to the Aragón valley and over the border into France where we started our first walk, climbing the last part of the Camino de Santiago in France from Peyranère up to the Somport Pass. There were many Autumn Crocus in the grass, and the Beech and Fir forest was just beginning to take on autumn colours. Water Pipit called along the stream and there were quite a few wild mushrooms including Parasol (Macrolepiota sp.) and Puffballs (Lycoperdon sp). There were Grass-of-Parnassus flowers in the boggy stream fringes and plenty of Rosebay Willowherb. Once at the border, we had a quick coffee and loo break at our friend Perico´s bar and then continued along the Camino down into Spain. The first part of the trail downhill is always full of interest and we saw plenty – carpets of Devil´s-bit Scabious, Eyebright, and Greater Burnet-saxifrage, while a Dipper flitted down the stream. Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and a few Turquoise Blue butterflies were busy nectaring. In the Willows and bushes were Wood Warblers, Blue and Great Tits, Yellowhammer and Dunnock. We spied Citril Finch and Coal Tits in the Mountain Pines and Dipper and Grey and Pied Wagtail along the stream. At the ruins of Santa Cristina, a medieval monastery and pilgrims’ refuge, Pete explained some of the history of the Camino de Santiago in Aragón. This was a main route of the Camino de Santiago used by pilgrims coming from Eastern France, and it follows the route of the Roman road built 2000 years ago to unite northern Spain with Gaul.

We continued down along the Camino and, once across the road, soon came to a good picnic spot in a meadow. Here we had the first of many good picnics of salad, local sausage, cheese and fruit, before hiking the last part of

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

the trail down to Canfranc through meadow and forest. The Rowan and Whitebeam trees put on a spectacular show of red berries, there were Griffon Vulture soaring overhead, Kestrel were hunting above the fields and we put up a Green Woodpecker. We spotted Crested Tits and it was great to find Pyrenean Solomon´s-seal by the path.

Eventually we came to Canfranc and decided to explore the old railway yard. Canfranc is a sleepy village these days, but from the 1920’s to the 1970’s was a thriving railway and border town as there was a rail tunnel between Spain and France. The tunnel was closed in the 70´s and the huge area of sidings and massive engine sheds is being steadily reclaimed by nature. It´s an amazing place, quite melancholy and really evocative. We also saw the remains of bunkers and gun emplacements built during the 40´s and 50´s when Franco set himself up with the Americans as the last defensive line against a possible Russian invasion of Europe.

After a drink in the village we drove back to Berdún and went over our lists – quite long already! – Before dinner. An excellent first day!

Day 3 Tuesday 22nd September

Today was full of variety, starting with a short walk today from Castiello along the Camino to Jaca, the first major centre for pilgrims when they arrived in Spain. Along the trail we saw Rock Bunting, Short-toed Treecreeper, Ravens, Crag and House Martins, Common Buzzards and Red Kites. Purple-shot Coppers, Speckled Wood and Silver-spotted Skipper butterflies and Firebugs were also seen. Once in Jaca we walked around the impressive17th Century Citadel , still used by the Spanish army, and saw the Red Deer which live in the moat. We then looked around the fascinating Diocesan Museum and Romanesque cathedral. The exhibits here of Romanesque frescoes and sculptures, contemporary with the Camino’s golden age in the 12th Century, help put the pilgrimage into a historical context and add a bit of magic to the walks, when you imagine the pilgrims and locals of 1000 years ago, who trod the same paths as we are walking now.

After a welcome beer – it was hot again today - we drove to a hide above Santa Cilia to see Griffon Vultures come into a muladar - a traditional enclosure where dead livestock is put out for the vultures to dispose of. Today wasn´t especially busy - sometimes you can see hundreds of vultures there- but we saw a few Griffons plus some Red Kites patrolling very close by.

Day 4 Wednesday 23rd September

Before leaving today, we spotted a Tiger Moth and saw Black Redstart and Spotless Starlings. We drove up to the high Hecho Valley to follow another branch of the Camino through beautiful alpine pastures and Beech/Silver Fir forest. Again the walking was far from strenuous, so we were able to really take our time observing birds, flowers and stunning landscapes. On the way to the Hecho Valley we saw our reliable Roller, and Colin was able to get some good photos of it. We also saw many Common Buzzards and Red Kites along the road. We stopped to look for Green Lizards near the Boca del Infierno gorge. They were all hidden away but we did see Dipper in the Aragón Subordán river, while Crag Martins flitted along the gorge and Griffon Vulures soared above us. We drove up the valley as far as we could, and then walked up to Aguas Tuertas. We saw and heard Marmots close by and also saw Yellowhammer, Wood Warbler, Chiffchaff, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Northern Wheatear and Dunnock. We were soon rewarded with the sight of a pair of Lammergeier patrolling

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Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

along the hillside near one of their regular nesting sites (this year they nested just over the border in France). They landed together on a ledge and then flew down the valley. It was a fantastic sighting and Robert´s first-ever Lammergeier.

Once in Aguas Tuertas, we saw Welsh Poppies, some late specimens of Dragonmouth and Autumn Crocus. There were many Red-billed Chough around, plus House Martins about to leave their cliff nesting sites for warmer climes. In the beautiful Aguas Tuertas valley, horses and cattle were grazing – an idyllic sight against the backdrop of mountains and the meandering river.

On the way down the valley we spotted a Short-toed Eagle perched on a dead tree, and Colin was able to sneak up close for some excellent photos of this very distinctive eagle with its almost owl-like face. A few minutes later Colin spotted a young Griffon Vulture close to the track. At this time of year, the young ones can get stranded by ending up in a place from where they can’t take off easily. Again, he got some good photographs.

Going back through the gorge we saw another Dipper, a Camberwell Beauty butterfly and Coal Tit. Further down the valley we saw Spotless Starlings perched on the backs of sheep. Once back at Casa Sarasa, a rest and a good dinner set the seal on an excellent day.

Day 5 Thursday 24th September

Having discovered and investigated some Firebugs in the garden, we set off for San Juan de La Peña - a conglomerate mountain south of the main range of the Pyrenees, which is the site of a 12th Century monastery which was an obligatory stop along the Camino. For much of the Middle Ages it was the home of what was considered the Holy Grail. Above the early church there is a later Baroque monastery. San Juan de la Peña is also a great area for seeing birds of prey, Black Woodpeckers and many other birds. We stopped at a lookout on the way up the mountain and had impressive, close views of Griffon Vultures flying in and out of their nests in the cliffs below. We also spotted a Lammergeier soaring above the hills. In the forest by the new monastery, we saw Short-toed Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Coal, Long-tailed and Great Tits and Tree Pipit, and heard Black Woodpecker. Having our picnic in the meadow we saw a pair of Northern Wheatear. There were few butterflies – just a few Graylings and Speckled Wood.

We had a look around the atmospheric old monastery with its ancient church and cloister with beautifully carved capitals, without a roof but sheltered by a huge rock overhang. A fascinating piece of history set in a beautiful spot. We then walked down through the forest to the village of Santa Cruz de las Seros. At this stage it was pretty hot so there weren’t many birds around: a few Red-billed Choughs, Red Kites and a Hobby.

In the village, we had a look around this pretty settlement, with its stone slab roofs and two more churches, one dating from the 900’s. We had a very welcome cold drink, before headed back to Berdún, seeing a Booted Eagle on the way.

Day 6 Friday 25th September

Today, with the agreement of the group, we altered the itinerary to fit in another high-mountain trip, to see more birds and to escape the heat of the lower hills. We drove up the Biniés Gorge and, half way up the valley, had a

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

good sighting of seven Honey Buzzards, on migration south, and a Spotted Flycatcher. We had a quick look around the pretty village of Ansó and then continued up to the high Roncal Valley with its Karstic limestone, Beech and Fir forest and some excellent bird life. Up on the border, we looked for Alpine Accentor without any luck, but had good sightings of Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, Alpine Chough, Black Redstart, Wood Warbler, and a Golden Eagle in the distance. Dropping down into France, we had great views of a family of Crossbill: parents and two youngsters eating pine kernels in the Mountain Pines. We also saw Crested Tit and Coal Tit.

On our way back to Berdún, we stopped at the wonderful David Nash sculptures near the village. This modern day Stonehenge, made of burned and carved oak trunks (from Wales!), looked wonderful lit up by the setting sun against a dark background of clouds.

Day 7 Saturday 26th September

Today we followed the itinerary, following a little known branch of the Camino from the Monastery of the 11,000 Virgins - in the 9th century an outpost of Christians, hidden away from Muslim Spain to the south. The path traces a beautiful route above the Biniés Gorge. We stopped at an isolated farmhouse, now abandoned but an interesting record of the life of subsistence farmers up in these hills until 25 years ago or so.

It was a hot day and there was little stirring. We just saw Spotted Flycatcher and Griffon Vultures which nest in the cliffs of the gorge. There were Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies, and Pyrenean Saxifrage growing from the limestone. The path took us through old fields and through mixed forest full of lichens, and Mistletoe growing on the Scots Pine. It then comes out above the Biniés Gorge, with spectacular views of the cliffs and the vultures on their ledges. We then descended a cliff-side path down to the gardens and orchards below Biniés where we had lunch by the Veral river. After that, we returned to Casa Sarasa fairly early to relax and pack our bags before having a really good final dinner.

Day 8 Sunday 27th September

As we had until the evening to catch the flight back to the UK, we were able to make a full day of it. After breakfast, Pete drove us down to the River Aragón near Berdún for a walk and to observe the wildlife there. We saw Great Egrets on the river, Grey Heron, Spotted Flycatcher, Red Kites and Yellow-legged Gulls. It was fascinating to see American and European Crayfish together on a weir - the American ones appeared slightly bigger than the European ones. We were lucky to see a Southern (Iberian) Grey Shrike, and also saw a Penduline Tit nest hanging over the river.

We then returned to Casa Sarasa, said our farewells and headed off towards Zaragoza, stopping first at the Mallos de Agüero – a beautiful outcrop of rocks in Mediterranean garrigue country, next to one of the most picturesque villages in the area. Here we saw Egyptian Vulture (which had already left the higher mountain areas a couple of weeks earlier) plus the usual Griffon Vultures and, after a fair amount of chasing around the scrub following its call, we saw a Dartford Warbler perched all too briefly on a Juniper bush. Colin got photographic proof – blurred but unmistakable with its red eye ring. We looked for Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush but didn´t see any, despite scanning the cliffs for a long while.

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Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

After walking around the village of Agüero, admiring some beautiful old houses and the church with its 12th Century sculpted doorway, we moved on to Loarre Castle – the finest Romanesque castle in Europe and contemporary with the heyday of the Camino de Santiago. We were really taken by the way the castle seems to grow out of the rock itself and, looking around, were impressed by the chapel with its Byzantine style dome and amazingly carved capitals. After a coffee in the bar there, we drove on down to Zaragoza and arrived in time for a bite to eat before saying our farewells and catching the homeward flight.

All in all an excellent week!

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Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants Scientific name Common name Location

GYMNOSPERMS CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Cypress Family Cupressus sempervirens Italian Cypress Agüero Juniperus communis Common Juniper All mountain and valley areas Juniperus oxycedrus Prickly Juniper Juniperus phoenicea Phoenician Juniper Agüero

Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus halepensis Aleppo Pine Foothills Pinus nigra Austrian Pine Hecho/Roncal Valley Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine All mountain and valley areas

ANGIOSPERMS FLOWERING PLANTS Dicots Dicotyledons

Anacardiaceae Sumach Family Pistacia lentiscus Mastic Tree Murillo

Apiaceae Carrot Family Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Bupleurum falcatum Sickle-leaved Hare's-ear Conopodium denudatum Conopodium Daucus carota Wild Carrot Dry fields throughout Dethawia splendens Dethawia Hecho Valley Eryngium bourgatii Pyrenean Eryngo Somport Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo Martes Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Widespread Laserpitium latifolium Broad leaved sermountain Pimpinella major Greater Burnet-saxifrage Binies Sanicula europaea Sanicle Selinum pyreneaeum Pyrenean Angelica Somport

Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera helix Ivy

Apocynaceae Periwinkle Family Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Swallow-wort Hecho Valley

Asteraceae (Compositae) Daisy Family Achillea millefolium Yarrow Hecho Valley Arctium minis Lesser Burdock Artemesia herba-alba Pyrenean Wormwood Martes Bellis perennis Daisy Carlina corymbosa Clustered Carline Thistle High pastures Carlina acaulis Silver thistle High pastures Carduus nutans Musk Thistle S. Juan Catananche caerulea Cupid's Dart Dry S. Juan Centaurea diffusa Diffuse Knapweed Agüero

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Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Cichorium intybus Chicory Helichrysum stoechas Curry Plant Murillo Leucanthemum vulgare Oxe-eye Daisy Pallenis spinosa Pallenis Murillo Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear Hawkweed Santolina chamaecyparissus Murillo dry Erigeron glabratus Variable Fleabane Solidago virgaurea Goldenrod Staehelina dubia Staehelina Murillo Tussilago farfara Colt's-foot leaves Hecho Valley

Betulaceae Birch Family Betula pendula Silver Birch

Boraginaceae Borage Family Borago officinalis Borage Gardens Berdún Echium vulgare Viper's-bugloss widespread

Brassicaeae Cabbage Family Cardamine heptaphylla Seven-leaflet Bittercress Beech forests Murbeckiella pinnatifida Murbeckiella Hecho valley Sisymbrium austriacum Austrian rocket High pastures

Buxaceae Box Family Buxus sempervirens Box widespread

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula persicifolia Peach-leaved Bellflower widespread Campanula trachelium Nettle-leaved Bellflower Binies Campanula rotundifolia Harebell widespread

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera caprifolium Perfoliate Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Biniés Lonicera pyrenaica Pyrenean Honeysuckle High valleys Sambucus racemosa Red berried / Alpine Elder Hecho valley Sambucus ebulus Dwarf Elder Sambucus nigra Elder Viburnum lantana Wayfaring Tree All valleys

Carophyllaceae Pink Family Dianthus deltoides Maiden Pink Dianthus monospesalanus Fringed Pink Hecho valley Paronychia argentea a Paronychia widespread Paronychia capitata a Paronychia widespread Petrocoptis hispanica Petrocoptis Biniés Saponaria ocymoides Rock Soapwort Biniés and San Juan de La Peña Silene nutans Nottingham Catchfly San Juan de La Peña Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Silene acaulis Moss Campion Anso valley , leaves

Celastraceae Spindle Family Parnassia palustris Parnassus Flower Somport

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Cistaceae Rockrose Family Fumana ericoides Fumana San Juan de La Peña Helianthemum nummularium Common Rockrose San Juan de La Peña H.nummularium subsp. pyrenaicum Pink Rockrose San Juan de La Peña

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Convolvulus cantabrica Pink Bindweed San Juan de La Peña Cuscuta campestre Field Dodder Cuscuta epithymum Dodder San Juan de La Peña

Cornaceae Dogwood Family Cornus sanguinea Common Dogwood

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum acre Biting Stonecrop Sedum album White Stonecrop Sedum dasyphyllum Thick-leaved Stonecrop Sedum sediforme Pale Stonecrop Murillo Sempervivum (Jovibarba) globiferum Hen-and-chickens Houseleek Sempervivum montanum Mountain Houseleek Aguas Tuertas Umbilicus rupestris Navelwort widespread

Cucurbitaceae Cucumber Family Bryonia dioica White Bryony Martes

Dipsacaceae Teasel Family Cephalaria leucantha White Scabious Dipsacus fullonum Teasel Knautia arvensis Field Scabious Scabiosa cinerea Pyrenean Scabious High valleys Succisa pratensis Devil's-bit Scabious Somport

Ericaceae Heath Family Arbutus unedo Strawberry tree Murillo Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry Calluna vulgaris Ling Erica vagans Cornish heath Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry Hecho Valley

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia characias subsp. characias Large Mediterranean Spurge Biniés Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge San Juan de La Peña

Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Pea Family Bitumaria bituminosa Pitch Trefoil Echinospartum horridum Echinospartum All valleys Lathyrus latifolius Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea Lotus alpinus Alpine Bird's-foot Trefoil Somport Melilotus altissima Tall Melilot Dry Ononis ornithopodioides Bird's-foot Restharrow Murillo Trifolium montanum Mountain Clover Ansó Trifolium repens Common clover Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Biniés

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Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Vicia pyrenaica Pyrenean Vetch Somport

Fagaceae Oak Family Fagus sylvatica Beech High valleys Quercus coccifera Kermes Oak Agüero Quercus faginea Portuguese Oak All valleys Quercus ilex Holm Oak All valleys Quercus pubescens Downy Oak Hybridises with Q.faginea

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Centaurea erythraea Common Centaury Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow-wort Martes dry Gentiana angustifolia Narrow-leaved Gentian Somport Gentiana pyrenaica Pyrenean Gentian Gentianella campestris Field Gentian

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Geranium purpureum Little Robin Geranium pyrenaicum Hedge Crane's-bill Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Biniés

Gesneriaceae Gloxinia Family Ramonda myconi Ramonda Biniés dry

Hypericaceae St. John's-wort Family Hypericum perfoliatum Perforate St. John's-wort

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Galeopsis angustifolia Red Hemp-nettle Hecho valley Horminum pyrenaicum Dragonmouth Hecho Valley Lavandula angustifolia Lavender Biniés Melittis melissophyllum Bastard Balm Origanum vulgare Marjoram Near Berdún Phlomis herba-venti - Agüero dry Phlomis lychnitis - Berdún dry Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary Agüero Salvia pratensis Meadow Clary Satureja montana Winter Savory Stachys recta Yellow Woundwort Scutellaria alpina Alpine Skullcap Ansó valley Thymus pulegioides Large Thyme Biniés Thymus vulgaris Perennial Thyme All valleys

Lentibulariaceae Butterwort Family Pinguicula grandiflora Greater Butterwort remnants Hecho valley Pinguicula vulgaris Common Butterwort Hecho Valley

Linaceae Flax Family Linum catharticum Purging Flax Anso Linum narbonense Beautiful Flax San Juan de La Peña

Malvaceae Mallow Family Malva alcea Cut leaved Mallow Hecho valley

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Malva neglecta Common mallow

Moraceae Mulberry Family Ficus carica Wild Fig Agüero

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash All valleys Ligustrum vulgare Privet Olea europaea Olive Agüero

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Euphrasia sp. an Eyebright Aguas Tuertas Lathraea clandestina Purple Toothwort Anso Beech forest Orobranche hederae Ivy Broomrape Binies Orobanche alba Thyme Broomrape Agüero Melampyrum pratense Common Cow-wheat San Juan de La Peña Rhinanthus minor Yellow Rattle

Oxalidaceae Oxalis acetosella Common Wood-sorrel

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Meconopsis cambrica Welsh Poppy Hecho Valley

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Antirrhinum majus Snapdragon Hecho Valley Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Village walls Linaria alpina Alpine Toadflax Plantago arenaria Branched Plantain Somport Plantago media Hoary Plantain Veronica beccabunga Brooklime

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family Armeria alpina Mountain Thrift Anso

Polygalaceae Milkwort Family Polygala vulgaris Common Milkwort

Polygonaceae Dock Family Rumex scutatus Rubble / French Sorrel Hecho Valley

Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis subsp. foemina Blue Pimpernel

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Actaea spicata Baneberry Aguas Tuertas Aquilegia vulgaris Common Columbine Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold Clematis vitalba Traveller's Joy Consolida regalis Forking Larkspur Helleborus foetidus Stinking Hellebore Hecho Valley Helleborus viridis Green Hellebore Somport Hepatica nobilis Hepatica Somport

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Nigella arvensis Love-in-a-mist Ranunculus lanuginosus Woolly Buttercup Aguas Tuertas

Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Rhamnus alpinus Alpine Buckthorn Hecho Valley

Rosaceae Rose Family Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Geum urbanum Wood Avens Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble All valleys Sanguisorba minor Salad Burnet Sorbus aucuparia Mountain ash Sorbus domestica (True) Service-tree Sorbus aria Whitebeam

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw Galium verum Ladies Bedstraw

Salicaceae Willow Family Populus tremula Aspen Populus nigra Lombardy poplar Salix retusa Retuse leaved willow Aguas Tuertas Salix caprea Goat willow

Santalaceae Mistletoe Family Viscum album subsp austriacum Mistletoe On Scots Pine

Sapindaceae (Aceraceae) Maple Family Acer campestre Field Maple Biniés, Hecho, Acer monspessulanum Montpelier Maple Biniés, Hecho

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Saxifraga cuneifolia Spoon-leaved Saxifrage Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage Hecho Valley Saxifraga longifolia Pyrenean Saxifrage All valleys Saxifraga paniculata Paniculate Saxifrage Hecho Valley

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Scrophularia alpestris Nettle leaved figwort Aguas Tuertas Verbascum nigrum Dark Mullein Verbascum pulverulentum Hoary Mullein Somport

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet

Thymelaceae Daphne Family Daphne mezereum Mezereon Aguas Tuertas Daphne laureola Spurge Laurel Ansó forest

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Urticaceae Nettle Family Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-wall Urtica dioica Common Nettle All valleys

Valerianaceae Valerian Family Centranthus ruber Red Valerian Berdún

Verbenaceae Verbena Family Verbena officinalis Vervain

Monocots Monocotyledons

Amaryllidaceae Daffodil Family Allium ampeloprasum Wild Leek Binies dry

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Asparagus acutifolius Wild Asparagus Martes Polygonatum odoratum Scented Solomon's-seal San juan

Colchicaceae Autumn Crocus Family Colchicum autumnale Autumn Crocus Somport C. montanum (Merendera pyrenaica) Merendera Somport

Iridaceae Iris Family Crocus nudiflorus Autumnal crocus Iris xiphiodes Pyrenean iris Ansó

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Epipactis helleborine Broad-leaved Helleborine Ansó Spiranthes spiralis Autumn Lady's-tresses Martes

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS

Asplenium ceterach (C.officinarum) Rusty-back Hecho Valley Asplenium ruta muraria Wall-rue San Juan de la Peña Asplenium septentrionale Forked Spleenwort Hecho Valley Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Widespread on walls Athyrium filix-femina Lady-fern Hecho Valley/Somport Blechnum spicant Hard-fern Hecho valley Cryptogramma crispa Parsley Fern Hecho Valley Dryopteris felix-mas Male-fern Hecho Valley Polypodium vulgare Common Polypody Hecho Valley Pteridium aquilinum Bracken High valleys

Birds

Red-legged Partridge, Alectoris rufa Egyptian Vulture, Neophron percnopterus Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea Osprey, Pandion haliaetus White Stork, Ciconia ciconia Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos Great Egret, Ardea alba Short-toed Snake Eagle, Circaetus gallicus Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus Booted Eagle, Aquila pennata Eurasian Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus Red Kite, Milvus milvus

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Black Kite, Milvus migrans Common Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita Western Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus Western Bonelli's Warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix Common Buzzard, Buteo buteo Eurasian Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes European Honey Buzzard, Pernis apivorus Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca Eurasian Hobby, Falco subbuteo Great Tit, Parus major Yellow-legged Gull, Larus michahellis Eurasian Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Columba livia Coal Tit, Periparus ater Eurasian Collared Dove, Streptopelia decaocto European Crested Tit, Lophophanes cristatus Long-eared Owl, Asio otus Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus Little Owl, Athene noctua Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea European Nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus Short-toed Treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla European Roller, Coracias garrulus Southern Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis Black Woodpecker, Dryocopus martius Common Magpie, Pica pica Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major Eurasian Jay, Garrulus glandarius Common Skylark, Alauda arvensis Red-billed Chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Crested Lark, Galerida cristata Alpine Chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus Eurasian Crag Martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris Carrion Crow, Corvus corone Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica Northern Raven, Corvus corax Common House Martin, Delichon urbicum Spotless Starling, Sturnus unicolor Water Pipit, Anthus spinoletta Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris Tree Pipit, Anthus trivialis House Sparrow, Passer domesticus White Wagtail, Motacilla alba Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea Common Rock Sparrow, Petronia petronia White-throated Dipper, Cinclus cinclus Common Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs Dunnock, Prunella modularis Common Linnet, Linaria cannabina European Robin, Erithacus rubecula Red Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra Black Redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros European Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis Northern Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe Citril Finch, Carduelis citrinella Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos European Serin, Serinus serinus Mistle Thrush, Turdus viscivorus Corn Bunting, Emberiza calandra Common Blackbird, Turdus merula Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla Rock Bunting, Emberiza cia Dartford Warbler, Sylvia undata Cirl Bunting, Emberiza cirlus

Mammals,

Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes Alpine Marmot, Marmotta marmotta Red Squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris Wood Mouse, Apodemos sylvaticus

Amphibians & Reptiles,

Common Frog, Rana temporaria Common Wall Lizard, Podarcis muralis Pyrenean Frog, Rana pyrenaica Iberian Wall Lizard, Podarcis hispanica Iberian Water Frog, Pelophylax perezi Common European Adder, Vipera berus European Green Lizard, Lacerta viridis Slow Worm (dead in scat!), Anguis fragilis

2 © Naturetrek

Spain's Camino de Santiago & its Natural History Tour Report

Butterflies,

Swallowtail, Papilio machaon Camberwell Beauty, Nymphalis antiopa Large White, Pieris brassicae Small Tortoiseshell, Aglais urticae Bath White, Pontia daplidae Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta Berger's Clouded Yellow, Colias australis Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui Clouded Yellow, Colias crocea Two-tailed Pasha, Charaxes jasius Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Boloria euphrosne Purple-shot Copper, Lycaena alciphron Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria Long-tailed Blue, Lampides boeticus Great Banded Grayling, Brintesia circe Turquoise Blue, Polyommatus dorylas Rock Grayling, Hipparchia alcyone Chalkhill Blue, Polyommatus coridon Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina Spanish Chalkhill Blue, Lysandra albicans Silver-spotted Skipper, Hesperia comma Southern Brown Argus, Aricia cramera Large Skipper, Ochlodes venatus Mountain Argus, Aricia ataxerxes

Moths,

Six-spot Burnet, Zygaena filipendulae Silver Y, Autographa gamma Fausta Burnet, Zygaena fausta Vestal, Rhodometra sacraria Humming-bird Hawk-moth, Macroglossum stellatarum Gothic, Naenia tipica Spurge Hawk-moth (larva), Hyles euphorbiae Orange Underwing, Noctua orbona Chestnut, Conistra vaccinum Tiger Moth, Cymbalophora pudica Pine Processionary, Thaumetopoea piyocampa Passenger, Dysgonia algira Angle Shades, Phlogophora meticulosa

Other Invertebrates,

Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa violacea Blue-winged Grasshopper, Oedipoda caerulescens a Bee, Anthophora plumipes Praying Mantis, Mantis religiosa Red-tailed Bumblebee, Bombus lapidarius Emperor Dragonfly, Anax imperator Oil Beetle, Meloe sp Firebug, Pyrrhocoris aptera Dung Beetle, Aphodius sp Harvestman spider, Leobunum rotundum Common Field Grasshopper, Chorthippus bruneus