Mirador del Principe, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Puerto de Somiedo and Rio Sil, Asurias and Castillo de Leon.

1st day in the rolling hill and wild flower meadows of south of Somiedo.

Somiedo Day Six.

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We got up to a thick layer of low cloud over the village, I had a quick walk before breakfast but only picked up Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica) and Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone).

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We had breakfast and then loaded up and headed out eventually coming up to the cloud and just before the village of La Peral we drove through it in to a beautiful sunny day seeing a small family party of Bullfinches (Camachuelo Común / Pyrrhula pyrrhula) which flew up from the roadside and called as we drove slowly by.

Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera).

We parked at the car park below the small village and we walked up through the houses passing several of the traditional thatched barns known as Teitos, some of which were in nice condition. 

Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea).

As we walked up towards the start of the track out to the Mirador we had views of Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), White Wagtail (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and just as we started the breezy walk out we heard a calling Yellowhammer (Escribano Cerillo / Emberiza citronella). 

We reached the view point at the end of the track after seeing our first Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea) on the way, we soon found several more spikes just below the Mirador along with several spikes of Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora) and just down a nearby bank half a dozen spikes of the stunning Lizard Orchid (Himantoglosum hircinum), as well as Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
There were some buttreflies on the wing by the time things warmed up and they included Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera), a smart Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron), Small White (Pieris rapae), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and Common Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines).

Bob photographing the Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea).

Down the slopes from the Mirador we could hear and then saw a couple of Common Whitethroats (Curruca Zarcera / Sylvia communis), Dunnock (Acentor Común / Prunella modularis) which saw again heard and then seen, a nice male Rock Bunting (Escribano Montesino / Emberiza cia) which eventually sat up and gave some nice views, Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula) and a flock of medium sized birds which we got brief views of a couple of time and eventually ided them as Mistle Thrushes (Zorzal Charlo / Turdus viscivorus).

Looking back to La Peral from the view point.

As we walked back along the track towards the car we heard the first of the days Tree Pipits (Bisbita Arbóreo / Anthus trivialis) and had several Small Tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae).

Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron).

We walked through the village and made a stop at a water spout before going for a coffee where we had views of Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris), a good sized flock of Red-billed Chough (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and high up on the grassy slopes a couple of Roe Deer (Corzo / Capreolus capreolus) off to our right and a group of Chamois (Rebeco / Rupicapra rupicapra) way off in the distance to the left.

Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea).

As we walked back to the van we had several fritillary butterflies which after looking at the books later turned out to be Meadow Fritillary (Mellicta parthenoides) in the same area we also had Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea) and Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni).
Our next stop was just a few KMs further on at El Puerto and as we pulled in we added a fine adult Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) to the day list and soon had good views of a male Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros) and several summer plumaged Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta) which showed better than they had on the mountain tops at the Pico's.
On the marshy roadsides we found 100s of spikes of what looked like Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) but as everyone knows marsh orchids are not always what they appear to be, Water Avens (Geum rivale), carpets of Bog Bean (Menyanthese trifoliata) leaves, Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) and Marsh Ragwort (Senecio aquaticus) and a single Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius).
A couple of KMs down the road towards Meroy at Puerto de Somiedo we made a stop when we saw a female Whinchat (Tarabilla Nortena / Saxicola rubetra) sat on a roadside fence with a beak full of grubs and on the opposite side a couple of Spotless Starling (Estornino Negro / Sturnus unicolor).

Man Orchid (Orchis anthropophora).

Just a few more meters down the road we parked on an area of roadside grass / scrub land which had several piles of fairly strong smelling manure, we had a walk up hill and then off to the right seeing Linnet, Serin, Common Whitethroat, Dunnock, a fine male Yellowhammer, the first male Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Roquero Roja / Monticola saxatilis) which showed niced but briefly on a wire, Feral Pigeon (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia), a Rock Sparrow (Gorrión Chillón / Petronia petronia) which the group got but I missed, another Tree Pipit which showed nicely after bathing in a small stream and in several fields calling Common Quail (Codorniz Común / Coturnix coturnix). There were also some good wildflowers including which need names, others included Agimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Hedgerow Cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum).
we continued on out to the small stream and then turned around, we had good views of a nice male Common Stonechat (Tarabilla Común / Saxicola torquata), Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), several Common Chaffinches (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), singing Corn Buntings (Triguero / Emberiza calandra), White Wagtails, Mistle Thrushes and Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes).

Lizard Orchid (Himantoglosum hircinum).

We continued on down the road again and had lunch in a bar in Vega de Viejos before following a nearby side road following the Rio Sil as far as we could, one of the first species we saw was a beautiful male Red-backed Shrike (Alcaudón Dorsirrojo / Lanius collurio) which flew across in front of us and landed on a bare branch close on our left but unlike most it stayed there long enough for me to get a few shots.
A little further on we parked and walked along a grassy trail which was lined on both sides by nice dry stone walls, we walked out as far as the Arroyo Fuexo, birds included a fine male Montagu's Harrier (Aguilucho Cenizo / Circus pygargus) which was quartering a middle distance ridge.
We also had Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla) as well as several Large Red Damselflies (Pyrrhosoma nymphula), Common Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines), lots of Marbled Whites (Melanargia galathea), Chestnut Heath (Coenonympha glycerion), Cleopatra (Cleopatra / Gonepteryx cleopatra), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Holly (Celastrina argiolus) and several Amanda's Blues (Polyommatus amanda).

Jo having a drink from the local spring.

At the far end of the walk we were forced to turn around as the track was flooded by a couple of swollen irrigation channels but we got good views of a nice Lizard in a rock pile and found several spikes of Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalia) in fields which were full of Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor).
On the walk back we saw a wandering male Blue / Common Emperor (Anax imperator), High Brown Fritillary (Fabriciana adippe), Musk Mallow (Malva moschata), Meadow Saxifrage (Saxifraga granulata), Round-headed Leek (Allium sphaerocephalon), Rusty-back Fern (Ceterach officinarum), Yellow Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium), Soapwart (Saponaria officinalis) and a tiny little Violet which I am fairly sure is Viola saxatilis.
We drove on and made a stop in a gorge further up and then had a walk for a while up stream along the Rio seeing lots of butterflies including the trips first Apollo (Parnassius apollo) of the day and wildflowers, one of the best flowers was Erodium daucoides which was flowering on the rocks at the bottom of the cliffs along with a nice Yellow Antirrhinum which still needs a name, Rock Cinqufoil (Potentilla rupestris), Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Yellow Stonecrop (Sedum acre), a nice Dianthus species and a couple of Heath / Heather species.

Bob also having a drink from the local spring.

Just before we reached the village of La Cueta we stopped at the bottom of a large area of scree where I managed to get some shots of a lovely Apollo Butterfly which sat nicely. We also saw Provence Orange-tip (Anthocharis euphenodes) and a Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae) both of which were firsts for the trip.
We turned around in the village and started to make our way back down the valley adding Garden Warbler (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin) and a calling Common Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común / Phylloscopus collybita) to the list along with another Tree Pipit, Common Kestrel (Cernicalo Vulgar / Falco tinnunculus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), Long-tailed Tit (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).
Once we reached the main road again we turned back towards Somiedo seeing several more Red-backed Shrikes along the roadside before going back to the hotel.
We freshened up and then we down into the village again and went to another one of the local bars as the one we had been to the night before was shut. Unfortunately this bar was not good, the food and service were were very poor indeed.

A fine Chicked House.

Meadow Fritillary (Mellicta parthenoides).

The Group.

Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata).

Water Avens (Geum rivale).

Red-underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius).

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Lizard Species.

Red-backed Shrike (Alcaudón Dorsirrojo / Lanius collurio).

Red-backed Shrike (Alcaudón Dorsirrojo / Lanius collurio).

Erodium daucoides

Rock Cinqufoil (Potentilla rupestris).

Yellow Antirrhinum

Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae).

Apollo (Parnassius apollo).

Fuente De and the drive to Palo de Somiedo, Asturias.

Back into the hill and then the drive to Somiedo.

Pico´s and Somiedo Day Five.

Immature Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

It was looking more promising this morning so we decided to go up on the cable car and head out for the hills again but before breakfast I managed to get some shots of an immature Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) in one of the trees from my hotel room.

Immature Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

Whilst all seven of us were waiting to get the cable car we heard and saw Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius), Black Redstart (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), Blue (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Coal (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater) and Great Tit (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and the trips only Short-toed Treecreeper (Agateador Común / Certhia brachydactyla) which was calling regularly but remained unseen.

Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) in the car park.

We got the cable car up to the top station and started to walk out towards the crags, on the way we had good views of an adult Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) and a soaring Short-toed Eagle (Culebrera Europeo / Circaetus gallicus), several Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), a cronking Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and the usual parties of Red-billed (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and Alpine Choughs (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus).

The stunning mountains.

Wild flowers on the side of the path included both Snow (Gentiana nivalis) and Pyrenean Trumpet Gentian (Gentiana occidentalis), Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola), Iberian Greenweed (Genista legionensis), Matted Globularia (Globularia repens), Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima ssp. alpina), Pink Sandwort (Arenaria purpurascens), Purple Gromwell (Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum), Malling Toadflax (Chaenorhinum origanifolium), Fairy Foxglove (Erinus alpinus), Rock Jasmine (Androsace villosa), Yellow Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium), Matthiola fruticulosa, Erysimum duriaei, Navel-wort (Omphalodes commutata), Pyrenean Germander (Teucrium pyrenaicum), Rock Basil-thyme (Clinopodium alpinum) and Pyrenean Squill (Scilla liliohyacinthus).

Pyrenean Trumpet Gentian (Gentiana occidentalis).

As we walked out we had views of several Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), a fine male Northern Wheatear (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe) the first of several, small groups of Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina), Black Redstarts, Crag Martins (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and as we turned the corn at the junction and started the walk along the scree slopes we had the first of a few Snowfinchs (Gorrión Alpino / Montifringilla nivalis).

Iberian Greenweed (Genista legionensis).

We continued on along the screes checking the slopes for birds and had views of a couple of Alpine Accentors (Acentor Alpino / Prunella collaris), Rock Doves (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia) and down at the side of the path Alpine Toadflax (Linaria alpina ssp. filicaulis) and a couple of Small Tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae).

Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

As we reached the area of snow where we had ended the walk last time we soon had incredable views of a Wallcreeper (Treparriscos / Tichodroma muraria) as it moved around on nearby cliffs and then dropped down to the lower area of the slope and spent ages dust bathing and through Judy and Mike's brilliant scope. 

Higher up.

On the slope we also had good views of a Chamois (Rebeco / Rupicapra rupicapra) as it was feed and scratching, it gave us great views and was still there when we started to walk back down towards the Cable Car.

Wallcreeper (Treparriscos / Tichodroma muraria).

On the way we had more good views of Snowfinch, Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus) and a very smart purple Toadflax / Linaria species right by the cafe which remains unidentified at the moment.

Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola).

We dropped down to the Hotel again seeing the regular male Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and then headed straight off for the longish drive to Somiedo, we called in once more for a quick successful look for both Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus) and Middle-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Mediano / Dendrocopos medius) on the way and also had Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) along with Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina ssp hispulla), Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) and Large White (Pieris brassicae).

Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus).

Later we were heading up to and along the coast and then dropping down to the next hotel. On the way a few more species were added to the days list including Mallard (Anade Azulón / Anas platyrhynchos), Yellow-legged (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) and Black-headed Gull (Gaviota Riedora / Larus ridibundus), Bob had a Grey Heron (Garza Real / Ardea cinerea), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalia) and both Iberian Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthameli) and Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus).

We arrived in Somiedo, checked in and then went out for a really nice meal in a village bar called El Meirel.

Matthiola fruticulosa.

Chamois (Rebeco / Rupicapra rupicapra).

Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus).

Matthiola fruticulosa.

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Linaria species.

Erysimum duriaei.

Snow Gentian (Gentiana nivalis).

Pyrenean Squill (Scilla liliohyacinthus).

Natural Cider Cooler.

Road to Potes and around to the North of the Picos and Fuente De, Asturias.

A bit of a mixed day with some rough weather.

Pico´s Day Four.

The early morning view up to the hills behind the Hotel.

Pink Flax (linum Viscosum).

On an early morning stroll I picked up a family party of Middle-spotted Woodpeckers (Pico Mediano / Dendrocopos medius) and a calling Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei) which was further down the valley.

Around the village.

Purple Gromwell (Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum).

In the trees around the hotel I also had Collared Dove (Tórtola Turca / Streptopelia decaocto), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula) and Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius).

Around the village.

Rusty-back Fern (Ceterach officinarum).

We had planned to go back up the Cable car today as the five of us who had gone up yesterday had enjoyed it and it also gave Bob and Sophia the chance to catch up with some of the important species but the weather was not good so we decided to head out to Potes and then up and around to the North west far as Cavadonga where we found that the road up to the lagoons we had wanted to visit was now blocked with barriers.

Our first stop was at the lovely little village Los Llanos, next to the spot where we had seen Middle-spotted Woodpecker (Pico Mediano / Dendrocopos medius) a few days earlier. We parked and walked around the towards the village, in the way we again had views of a couple of Middle-spots as the flew away and also caught up with our first Bonelli's Warbler (Mosquitero Papialbo / Phylloscopus bonelli), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), Common Treecreeper (Agateador Norteño / Certhia familiaris) and quite a few wildflowers including Purple Bugloss (Echium plantagineum), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca), Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa), White Stonecrop (Sedum album) and lots more.

The Village.

During the rest of drive out we had views of Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Common Magpie (Urraca / Pica pica), an unexpected Yellow-legged Gull (Gaviota Patiamarilla / Larus Michahellis) along the river near Panes, Common Swift (Vencejo Común / Apus apus), Black Kite (Milano Negro / Milvus migrans), Common Buzzard (Busardo Ratonero / Buteo buteo), Griffon Vulture (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

We reached the barriers and Bob went to have a word about getting the bus up to the lakes but the guy in the hut selling the tickets said it ws all covered in thick cloud and would be a waste of the €9 each to go.

Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum).

After having a coffee back lower down the road we started the return trip and made several stops along the Rio Cares on the way back and had good views of a couple of Iberian Chiffchaffs (Mosquitero Ibérico / Phylloscopus brehmii), one of which showed very well and called nicey clinching the ID. 

Large-flowered Butterwort (Pinguicula grandiflora).

During one of the breaks in the rain we had a walk along one of the side roads which went up over the River seeing Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Blackcap, Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major), Long-tailed (Mito / Aegithalos caudatus) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Common Treecreeper as well as Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), Pellitry of the Wall (Parietaria officinalis), Mexican Fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus), Common Daisy (Bellis perennis), Purple Gromwell (Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum), Chicory (Cichorium intybus), Hedgerow Cranesbill (Geranium pyrenaicum), Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus), White Flax (Linum perenne), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca), Red (Silene dioica) and Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris), Common Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), Pink Flax (linum Viscosum), Rusty-back Fern (Ceterach officinarum), Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) and Elder Flower (Sambucus nigra).

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes).

Further along the river at one of the larger crossings we made another stop and Mike found a Dipper (Mirlo Acuático / Cinclus cinclus) on a stretch where we did not expect to find one as it looked to deep and fast moving. 

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris).

On the banks the flower list grew with Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Dwarf Elder (Sambucus ebulus), Musk Mallow (Malva moschata),  Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Malling Toadflax (Chaenorhinum origanifolium), Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris), Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) and on a very damp cliff face there were lots of the leaves of the paracitic Large-flowered Butterwort (Pinguicula grandiflora) but no flowers, we also had the first Spotted Flycatcher (Papamoscas Gris / Muscicapa striata) of the trip which was picked up on the opposite bank by Bob.

Large-flowered Bugle (Prunella grandiflora).

Another couple of stops were made along the river with scree slopes on the far bank which we scanned for birds, we added Garden Warbler (Curruca Mosquitera / Sylvia borin) in the trees along the river and both Chamois (Rebeco / Rupicapra rupicapra) and Mouflon (Ovis orientalis) as well as Small White (Pieris rapae), Clouded Yellow (Colias Común / Colias corcea), White Wagtail, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Rock Dove (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia).
We got back to the hotel we went and had a walk out to the hawthorn woods behind and above towards the crags getting nice views of a stunning Red-backed Shrike (Alcaudón Dorsirrojo / Lanius collurio) which showed well for us.
In amongst the trees we had Clouded Yellow, Hoary Plantain (Plantago media), Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), Yellow Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium), Large-flowered Bugle (Prunella grandiflora), Pyrenean Germander (Teucrium pyrenaicum), Red (Trifolium pratense) and White Clover (Trifolium repens), Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Field Eryngium (Eryngium campestre) and Large-flowered Bugle (Prunella grandiflora) which was very common.

Rock Basil-thyme (Clinopodium alpinum).

We also had an adult Egyptian Vulture (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus) overhead as well as Barn Swallow (Golondrina Común / Hirundo rustica) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major).

Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans).

The original Cable Car support, not liking the look of that 😁😁😁

Matted Globularia (Globularia repens).

Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys).