Access

From Barbastro, take road A-1226 towards Monesma (16 km). In Monesma take the dirt track leading to Selgua (NE) until you cross another track opposite to the rice fields where are located the Cranes roosting sites. At that observation spot, park your car and keep on walking on foot if you want to come closer to the rice fields.

Route description 

The route begins in Monesma, taking road HU-V-8742  towards Selgua (NE),  across lucerne, corn and rice fields. In a short course of about 4 km, we can observe, at different times of the year, waders such as the European Golden Plover, Hen Harrier, Merlin and Lapwing. After just 2,1 km, at a junction where we can park the car, it is possible to observe a Common Crane roost, in southeast direction among the rice fields. From there, you can come back on foot bordering these fields, in case you want to get closer to the Cranes.

Main Species

Representative bird: Common Crane (Grus grus)

Residents: Mallard, Grey Heron, Cattle Egret, Eurasian Buzzard, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel, Long-eared Owl, Little Owl, Red-legged Partridge, Eurasian Stone-curlew, Common Sandpiper, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti’s Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Rock Sparrow, Linnet, Goldfinch, European Serin, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, Corn Bunting.

Summer migrants: Purple Heron, Black Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Eurasian Hobby, Quail, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Eurasian Scops Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Nightingale, Subalpine Warbler, Black-eared Wheatear, Melodious Warbler, etc.

Winter visitors: Great White Egret, Eurasian Bittern (rare), Hen Harrier, Merlin, Red Kite, Common Crane, Song Thrush, European Robin, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting.

Passage migrants: Greylag Goose, Anatidae, Black Stork, European Golden Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, etc.

Photo gallery

Map