Dates: November 1st to 4th (Spanish All Saints holiday), reception from afternoon of October 31st.

Target species: Lammergeier, Black Vulture and Griffon Vulture.

Secondary species: Golden Eagle, Wallcreeper, Alpine Accentor, Citril Finch, Crossbill, Woodpeckers.

Workshop description:

The workshop is given by prestigious photographer Antonio Liébana and will take place at installations owned by the well known Catalan biologist Jordi Canut in the village of Buseu (Lleida). Here there are two spectacular photography hides for 5 people, specially prepared for the photography of Lammergeiers and other scavenging birds.

These facilities also include an Observatory sympathetically restored in a beautiful, deserted village of Lleida in the Pyrenees.

The course is eminently practical and will focus on the photographic techniques for obtaining pictures of birds in flight and on the ground from a hide. On a good day, it is not uncommon to see more than 10 different Lammergeier less than 15 m away.

Photographers attending the workshop shall be entitled to access the Lammergeier hides on two of the four days of the course, where they will remain throughout the day. Therefore, not all the participants will enter the hides simultaneously, with a maximum of four people each day.

The rest of the group will have other hides available for forest passerines or may choose to go and photograph high mountain birds.

In the evening after dinner, there will be a one hour workshop of photographic theory with time after to review your photographs.

Meeting point:  

Buseu (Pallars Sobira, Lleida). On October 31st the Observatory will be open for dinner; guests that are unable to come on this day will be received on November 1st. We can collect you from the airport, contact us to find out more. Another option for foreign customers must fly to Barcelona airport and rent a car. Buseu is a 3 hour drive from Barcelona.  

Necessary equipment:

 -Photographic material: digital SLR camera with zoom or fixed lens of at least 300 mm. Flashes.

-Recommended clothing: comfortable clothes and footwear for trekking, warm clothing (anorak, mountain coat, hat).

 -Other: the temperature in the llodging remains pleasant all day and night, and a basic service of bedding is provided but the use of sleeping bag is recommended.

Lodging:

Accommodation is in a picturesque restored mountain house, with bathrooms, kitchen, fireplace and meeting room. The sleeping room is equipped with bunk beds.

Food:

All food included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in the Buseu Observatory House. Guests who will spend the day in hides will have a full packed lunch.

Group size: up to 8 people.

Leader/Guide: Antonio Liébana.

Language: English and Spanish.

Tips: two full days in the hide can be tiring, and guests are therefore welcome to relax in the hotel whenever they please, so you may appreciate the beautiful views across to Aigüestortes and Estany San Maurici National Park and the local wildlife.

The price includes a health care and accident insurance.