Thanks to its geographical and climatic characteristics, Catalonia hosts a wide range of native animal species. Seeing wild animals in Catalonia is not as difficult as it may seem: it is just a question of knowing where to go. This post makes it easy for you to find the best places to see animals in Catalonia.
Watching and photographing wildlife is an exciting activity we recommend you to do with your friends or family. Before starting with the list of the best spots to see animals in Catalonia, let’s refresh our memory about some of the most common and representative mammals you may find in the Catalan forests: wood grouse, roe deer, deer, chamois, fallow deer, otter, fox, hare and birds of prey such as bearded vulture and common vulture.
If you go on reading, you will discover the habitat of all these species. But when you visit their home, nature, please be stealthy and respectful!
Pallars Jussà
Let’s start with a Pyrenean region that has an extended mountain area where nature won’t leave you unmoved: Pallars Jussà. Its geolocation, that rhymes with forests, meadows and rocky areas, is perfect to watch deer and large birds of prey. If you want to contemplate Boumort’s wild nature and ecosystem, we recommend you to do it with the wildlife experts of Salvatgines, definitely! They will take you to watch the high mountain wildlife and to discover the most emblematic animals in the region with the help of binoculars and telescopes.
Pallars Sobirà
In a lovely spot located in Àneu Valleys, you will find MónNatura Pirineus, a nature centre of Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera that offers different stays and activities aimed at taking the visitors closer to nature to discover the essence of the Pyrenees. It also has a wildlife centre where you can find out about the most emblematic animal species in the Pyrenees, such and the bearded vulture and the lynx.
Solsonès
If you head to the Solsonès region, you can visit the Zoo of the Pyrenees, a wildlife shelter that takes abused or wounded animals under its wing. Once cured, these are taken back to their natural habitat. If that can’t be, the zoo become their new home. The visit of this shelter is an unforgettable experience. You won’t regret it!
The Zoo of the Pyrenees allows you to do these two main activities: birds of prey display and Toca-Toca, an activity in which you can stroke and feed nine domesticated wild animals.
Alt Urgell
Located in the middle of a series of valleys, Alt Urgell is a region of Lérida province that is characterized by the richness and the variety of its natural sites. Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, Alt Pirineu Natural Park and Alinyà Mountain make it a privileged territory to enjoy the local natural sites and landscapes.
Alinyà Mountain is known for its wide populations of chamois. Aubèrria offers different trips to go and watch them and to discover the Wild Alinyà. If you prefer birds and want to know more about their behaviour, you can go to the Mirador of Turó Galliner, the only one in Catalonia aimed at watching migratory birds of prey. And if you like vultures, go straight to the Vultures Mirador. Both interpretative trips are very interesting!
Segrià
The last place we recommend you to visit to enjoy wildlife in an original way is Segrià. Our friends form Ornithos offer some workshops, trips and training sessions that will take you deeper to the animal world. The first activity we suggest is the Workshop on wildlife shelters, in which you will have the opportunity to build shelters/toughs/feeders for different animal species based on the “6R” concept (Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Recover, Repair and Rethink).
The second activity we recommend is to go for one of the guided hikes to discover the Natural Heritage of the Segre-Cinca-Ebre confluence, where you can watch the birds that live in Ponent natural areas. And if you also like birds, you can join a specific training course for ornithologists and bird ringers!
This was our list of the best places to watch wild animals in Catalonia. Which ones do you know? Which one would you like to discover? Please write some comment and share this article on your social networks!
