There are two combining factors: on the one hand, the environmental pattern of La Hoya de Huesca offers perfect natural opportunities for birds to make their habitats and, on the other, the protected reserves, such as the ZEPAs (protected areas for birds), six in all. This region is therefore nationally and internationally famous for BIRDWATCHING.
Some of the largest groups of rock birds in the whole of Europe inhabit the limestone gorges of La Hoya. Amongst these there are many birds of prey - the carnivorous variety - recognizable by their curved beak and strong gripping claws.
The most numerous are the Griffon vultures and the bearded vulture, threatened with extinction (incidentally, the only bird on the planet that eats bones). It is here, in one of the few European redoubts, that this bird still exists.
The Guara Sierra and what is known as the Syncline Kingdom are authentic paradises for observing rock birds of prey: the Egyptian vulture (boleta in Aragonese), Griffon vultures, eagles, the bearded vulture already referred to, and other species.
In the sky over the rock formations and gorges in the region you can make out the typical silhouettes of each one of these big birds of prey as they glide with expertise on the air currents.At different points in La Hoya, open air or covered areas have been equipped as excellent observatories to study and enjoy watching these birds. These are in Riglos and in Santa Cilia de Panzano.
In Santa Cilia de Panzano there is a bird-watching observatory next to the municipal park.
At The House of the Eagles Interpretation Centre inside the belfry of the church, there are a series of video cameras. If you use these you will be able to see the eagles’ feeding places, the bearded vulture, the Egyptian vulture, the eagle and the Griffon vulture.
In Santa Cilia de Panzano there is a Centre/Naturalist Museum inside the belfry of an old church where you can watch the birds. It is very close to the birds’ feeding place in the area.
The Centre has four glass exhibition cases with light and sound, a large video screen to watch novel scenes depicting eagles around the “A Pedriza” compost heap; this is where hundreds of birds of prey are attracted by the food brought to them by the Friends of the Eagle Fund. You can also see images of other birds of prey from different bird-watching Interpretation Centres in the Web (La Falaise aux Vautours in France and also, quite soon, Arcaz in Riglos).
Golden Eagle
Griffon Vulture
Egyptian Vulture
Boarded Vulture
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