Natural surroundings of the watchpoint
L'Enclusa is the highest point of the municipality of Taradell. The mountain pass lies between the plain of Vic and the forest of Guilleries, slightly north of the massif of Montseny. The watchpoint is located on a rocky outcrop. This was a notorious haunt of bandits and tales of highwaymen are rife. The forest has shrubby Mediterranean vegetation with Evergreen Oaks (Quercus ilex), Strawberry-trees (Arbutus unedo) and taller Sessile Oaks (Quercus petraea). The area is good for mammals. We may find tracks of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Genet (Genetta genetta), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Badger (Meles meles) or Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and with some luck, even see these animals. We may also observe reptiles such as the Ocellated Lizard (Lacerta lepida) and the Western Green Lizard (Lacerta bilineata) as well as some snakes including the Aspic Viper (Vipera aspis). This is also typical habitat for the Two-tailed Pasha (Charexes jasius), a spectacular diurnal butterfly with twin tails and striped underside markings. The whole area was devastated by a forest fire in 1983 and the vegetation has been regenerating since. By now, the area has recovered its role as a recreational zone for the people of Taradell, on foot, on horseback, by bike, in search of mushrooms, etc. Unfortunately, a power line was constructed including a pylon less than 100 m from the watchpoint. A few raptors use the pylon as a roost site but this is only a poor consolation: it damages the landscape.
History of the survey
The watchpoint joined the Pernis project from the very start. It was selected because it is well positioned to survey the bottleneck between the range of Montseny and the Collsuspina cliffs. We mainly observe migratory birds that cross the plain or avoid the Montseny range by the north. The survey started in 2003 and until 2003 we accumulated 280 hours in the field and over 1,000 raptor observations. The number of observations is fairly constant. We observe raptors at each session, but rarely in important numbers. We see between 5 and 40 raptors a day. Volunteers of the Naturalist Group of Osona participate in the survey.
Ornithological interest, target species
Except for Black Kite, an early migrant, all other regular migratory species in Catalonia can be seen during the observation season. Honey Buzzard is the predominant species with many flocks at the end of August. Other common species include Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Osprey and Hobby have been seen more regularly during the last few years. Until early September, local breeding birds such as Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Goshawk and Sparrowhawk are seen. Great Cormorants can also be seen on migration.
Calendar
Since 2003 10 observation sessions are organized each autumn. These coincide with 10 consecutive Saterdays between 15 August and 15 October.
Visitors
You can contact us year round by e-mail or by phone. Visit our blog : http://http: // pernisenclusa.blogspot.com
How to get there?
The watchpoint is about 70 km north of Barcelona. Take the C-17 between, Barcelona, Vic, Ripoll and Puigcerdà and take the exit near la Malla (signposted l'Esclat de Malla). Drive to Taradell by the BV-5306. At Taradell, take the road towards Viladrau (B-520). About 5 km beyond the junction, park at a slightly higher car park on the right of the road near a road bend. Continue on foot along a path on the left of the road for about 15 minutes until you reach the Catalan flag at the lookout.
Where to stay and where to eat?
There is a first category camp site at Taradell and some nice rural tourist accomodation. If you prefer a hotel, you should continue to Santa Eugènia de Berga, at 7 km or Vic, at 11 km. The latter offers more choice. Nearby, we recommend the restaurant la Masia la Roca with a fine local cuisine. In the region, there are restaurants for all tastes.
Places to stay :
Restaurants:
Restaurant Masia La Roca
C. de Santa Fe, 2. (Urb. La Roca)
08552, Taradell (Barcelona)
Tel. 34 938 127 083
Contact
Josep Mª Prat (mailto:josep.prat@gmail.com, Phone +34689765510)
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