Natural surroundings of the watchpoint

Set in the southernmost part of the coastal cordillera, this migration watchpoint is near a pass between the two highest mountains of the area, Puig de l'Àliga and Turó de les Tres Partions. The vegetation at the viewpoint consists of bushes and regenerating pine forest with a few clusters of Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis) that survived the latest forest fire. To the north-east, there are rocks and scree slopes.

History of the survey

We started the survey in 1997 and joined the PERNIS project in 2003. The migration watchpoint is located in the Parc du Foix, close to the boundary with the Parc d'Olèrdola. Puig de l'Àliga is part of the latter. Each year, we organize some activities for the general public, including a few days of migration watching and the release of raptors from a bird rescue centre.  

Ornithological interest

The site seems to be at the junction of two migratory routes, a route across the plain of Penedès and a second one along the coast. The most abundant species are (in descending order): Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisus), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) and Hobby (Falco subbuteo). Other species are less numerous : Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Booted Eagle (Aquila  pennata),  Black Kite (Milvus migrans), Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), Red Kite (Milvus milvus), Red-footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus), Merlin (Falco columbarius), Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) and Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae). There are also observations of rare species such as Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), etc... From late September, many passerines can be seen on migration, including Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), Siskin (Carduelis spinus), Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes), Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis), Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), etc... Some passerines are less regularly seen : Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus), Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia), etc.

Calendar

We use the PERNIS methodology. This includes ten observation sessions in as many weekends between mid August and mid October. Whenever possible, we count on Saturdays, but it is also allowed to count on Fridays, Sundays or Mondays. The regular survey takes 4 hours, from 10h00 to 14h00, independent of winter time. Birds watched before 10h00 or after 14h00 are not included in the survey.

See : http://www.ornitologia.org/monitoratge/pernis4.htm (in Catalan).

The number of observers varies between one and four. One of them takes notes and the others help with the field work. We also count on many other days depending on our availability, without a fixed time schedule.  

Visitors

Visitors are most welcome. You can contact us at the email address below.  

Access

Drive from the town of Moja to Daltmar. From here on, the last km is along dirt tracks. On foot, several paths take you to viewpoint from Moja, Santa Margarida i els Monjos, Castellet i la Gornal or Canyelles.

Places to stay and to eat

In Santa Margarida i els Monjos, Castellet i la Gornal,  Vilafranca del Penedès and Vilanova i la Geltrú you will find a wide selection fo places to stay and to eat.  

Contact

Cisco Guasch González: mailto:ciscoguasch@hotmail.com, 977678207