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.

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.

Pink Flax (linum Viscosum).

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.

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.

Purple Gromwell (Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum).

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. 

Around the village.

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.

Rusty-back Fern (Ceterach officinarum).

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).

The Village.

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 was 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 nicely 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) and Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus).

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes).

Plant wise we saw 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 Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris).

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. 

Large-flowered Bugle (Prunella grandiflora).

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.

Rock Basil-thyme (Clinopodium alpinum).

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 croceus), White Wagtail, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and Rock Dove (Paloma Bravía / Columba livia).

Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans).

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.

Matted Globularia (Globularia repens).

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.

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

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).

High mountains of Fuente De, Asturias.

A stunning day in a stunning location.

Pico´s Day Three.

Before breakfast I had a short walk around the car park and up by the Cable Car huts where I heard and then saw an adult Middle-spotted (Pico Mediano / Dendrocopos medius), Great Spotted (Pico Picapinos / Dendrocopos major) and

Packed in on the way up.

Iberian Green Woodpecker (Pito Real / Picus sharpei), Firecrest (Reyezuelo Listado / Regulus ignicapillus), Robin (Petirrojo Europeo / Erithacus rubecula), Song Thrush (Zorzal Común / Turdus philomelos), Coal Tit (Carbonero Garrapinos / Parus ater), White (Lavandera Blanca / Montacilla alba) and Grey Wagtail (Lavandera Cascadena / Motacilla cinerea), Woodpigeon (Paloma Torcaz / Columba palumbus), Common Redstart (Colirroja Real / Phoenicurus phoenicurus), House Sparrow (Gorrión Común / Passer domesticus), Nuthatch (Trepador Azul / Sitta europaea) and Common Chaffinch (Pinzón Vulgar / Fringilla coelebs).

After breakfast just five of us headed out to get the cable car up to the top station at Fuente De as Bob was unwell and Sofia stayed back to look after him, we had hoped to get there before the crowds but found we were second in the Que behind a guide who was buying tickets for a group of 40 or so kids, best laid plans and all that.

As we stood there we heard and saw Firecrest, Serin (Verdecillo / Serinus serinus), Carrion Crow (Corneja Negra / Corvus corone), Great (Carbonera Común / Parus major) and Blue Tit (Herrerillo Común / Parus caeruleus), Blackbird (Mirlo Común / Turdus merula), Wren (Chochin / Troglodytes troglodytes), Blackcap (Curruca Capirotada / Sylvia atricailla), House Martin (Avión Común / Delichon urbica), Jay (Arrendajo / Garrulus glandarius) and Goldfinch (Jilguero / Carduelis carduelis).

Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax).

I got talking to the guide and the head teacher with the group and they very kindly let the 5 of us plus another UK birder jump in front of them so we could get a head start on the noisy kids.

Pink Sandwort (Arenaria purpurascens).

We got on the first gondola and we were soon out on the beautiful high level areas amongst some stunning wild flowers and with a good number of Alpine (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus) and Red-billed Choughs (Chova Piquirroja / Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) around us just as we walked out of the door on to the track. 

Pyrenean Trumpet Gentian (Gentiana occidentalis).

On the rocky track sides we found an amazing number of wild flowers including the bueatiful blues of both Snow (Gentiana nivalis) and Pyrenean Trumpet Gentian (Gentiana occidentalis), Purple Gromwell (Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum), Malling Toadflax (Chaenorhinum origanifolium), Fairy Foxglove (Erinus alpinus), Rock Jasmine (Androsace villosa), Iberian Greenweed (Genista legionensis), Matted Globularia (Globularia repens), Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima ssp. alpina) and Pink Sandwort (Arenaria purpurascens).

Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax).

We walked further on and soon added the first of several Northern Wheatears (Collalba Gris / Oenanthe oenanthe), a fly over Raven (Cuervo / Corvus corax), several Black Redstarts (Colirrojo Tizón / Phoenicurus ochruros), a couple of nosy but elusive Water Pipits (Bisbita Alpino / Anthus spinoletta), Peregrine Falcon (Halcón Peregrino / Falco peregrinus), a group of grounded Griffon Vultures (Bultre Leonado / Gyps fulvus) which walked up to a cliff edge and lept off along with at least three Egyptian Vultures (Alimoche Común / Neophron percnopterus).

Mountain Cow.

Then we had the first flight views of one of the main target birds for the day when a stunning Snowfinch (Gorrión Alpino / Montifringilla nivalis) flew passed us and on up to a distant scree slope where we later had good views and found a nest site in the crags.

Rock Jasmine (Androsace villosa).

As we continued on we took the left hand track and followed the bottom of the scree slope right down to an area of lying snow, on the way we found the stunning a couple of Snow Voles (Chionomys nivalis) which scampered between rocks, Alpine Toadflax (Linaria alpina ssp. filicaulis), Imbricate Sandwort (Arenaria tetraquetra), the yellow flowered Linaria supina,  what I think was Saxifraga praetermissa but still need to confirm it, Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola) and the only butterfly of the da a single Small White (Pieris rapae).

Purple Gromwell (Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum).

We had more views of the Snowfinches as we walked along the track, Crag Martin (Avión Roquero / Ptyonoprogne rupestris) and added a couple of Alpine Accentor (Acentor Alpino / Prunella collaris) but they were always distant, then on one of the lower crags I heard the first calling Wallcreeper (Treparriscos / Tichodroma muraria) of the day.

Looking for Snowfinch (Gorrión Alpino / Montifringilla nivalis)

After a while two birds flew off from the crags and landed further along on another area of cliffs, as we walked towards this spot we had several more Alpine Choughs come close and way above the distant pecks the first of two sightings of the very impressive Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus).

Pyrenean Trumpet Gentian (Gentiana occidentalis).

We reached an area of boulders where the track again split and up on the crags in front of us we saw a photographer who was obviously trying to get shots of the Wallcreepers but he was sat just too far round the crags as we were getting great views just around the corner, just above him we had a single Chamois (Rebeco / Rupicapra rupicapra).

Alpine Toadflax (Linaria alpina ssp. filicaulis).

Later one of the birds flew across the track and showed well for us in amongst the boulder scree and allowed us to get Judy and Mikes superb Swarovski BTX Binocular Telescope on to it giving us great views.

Alpine Toadflax (Linaria alpina ssp. filicaulis).

The weather had threatened and just as we started to walk back it started to rain, Jo and Brian shot off and headed for the cafe, whilst the rest of us took it a bit slower finding the Alpine Accentor again as well as the Snowfinch, Alpine Chough, Water Pipit and Linnet (Pardillo Común / Carduelis cannabina).

Fairy Foxglove (Erinus alpinus).

Eventually we also reached the cafe and had a coffee and a cake before getting the Cable Car back down to the hotel where we had an early finish as we were all pretty knackered. At the evening meal we were very pleased to see Bob was much better and would bae back with us.

Wallcreeper (Treparriscos / Tichodroma muraria).

Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus).

Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus).

Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus).

Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus).

Alpine Chough (Chova Piquigualda / Pyrrhocorax graculus).

Photographing the Alpine Choughs was not so difficult.

Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus).

Snowfinch (Gorrión Alpino / Montifringilla nivalis) a very bad shot.

A view up to the crags where the Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture (Quebrantahuesos / Gypaetus barbatus). was seen.

Looking back along the scree and crags we have just checked out.

Judy and Mike at the first split in the track.

Matted Globularia (Globularia repens).

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Just before we reached the cafe.

A view from the upper Cable Car Station.

Down to the Lower Cable Car Station and the single length of cable all the way down.