Natural surroundings of the watchpoint

Turó Galliner is a mountain surrounded by secondary Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) forest. Box (Buxus sempervirens) and Pyrenean Broom (Cytisus oromediterraneus) grow beneath and form the understory. The mountain lies 800 m within the boundaries of the Natural Park of Cadí-Moixeró. A mosaic landscape of dry grassland and pine plantations is found around the watchpoint. The observation platform gives a view on the peaks of the sierra de Cadí with extensive Mountain Pine (Pinus uncinata) forests on its slopes.

History of the survey

The survey at Cadí started in 1995, at the nearby “cou de Creus”. Then, the watchpoint shifted to the village of Vilanova de Banat and next to Turó Galliner. Surveys have been regular between 1995 and 2007.

Ornithological interest, target species

This is one of the prime migration sites in Catalonia. The north of the sierra de Cadí and the high valley of the Segre form a bottleneck for Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) and Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus). The survey concentrates on soaring birds: 17 raptor species and two storks.

Calendar

The survey - of variable length – takes place between 20 August and 25 September with on average 25 days a year. Daily counts last from 10h00 to 18h00 (local time) and more recently between 10h00 and 14h00. Hourly count data are standardized and weather data included (visibility, temperature and wind force).

Visitors

You can contact us on our mobile (00 34 689 422 670) or by e-mail (mailto:natura@auberria.cat).

Access

In the upper reaches of the village of Artedó (9 km from la Seu on a paved road) you will find a fairly good forest track to Lletó. Four wheel drive is not necessary but the track is unsuitable for low or big vehicles (caravans, sports cars, etc.). After 4.8 km you will reach a dead end at the mountain pass of Lletó. Park your car near the entrance of the Natural Park of Cadí-Moixeró and continue on foot or by mountain bike. The road closed to motorized vehicles leads to the lookout (1.1 km – 15 minutes on foot). The first part of the uphill walk will take you across fields and ruderal areas with a good view on the sierra de Cadí, whereas the second part penetrates a dense Scots Pine forest.  The height difference between the pass of Lletó and the lookout is 101 m.

Where to stay and where to eat?

In the village of Artedó, there is a bar that serves drinks and sandwiches during summer. In the village of Cerc there is good quality rural accommodation. The nearest important town is Seu de Urgell with many restaurants and hotels.

Contact

Jordi Dalmau Ausàs (mailto:jdalmau@gmail.com, +34629314764)