Barcelona, April 2026

 My partner and I spent a few days in Barcelona in mid-April, enjoying the food, the museums, the Gaudi architecture etc. Amidst the sightseeing I did keep my eyes open for interesting birds. In common with just about every European city, Barcelona was full of Feral Pigeons. However, I was slightly surprised to see so many Collared Doves, particularly as this species is declining in numbers in the UK. Having seen Monk Parakeets on a previous visit, it was no surprise to see them whizzing around the city parks. Yellow-legged Gulls were by far the commonest gull species. Swifts were already present in good numbers (do they double brood here?) and House Sparrows were fairly common.

Yellow-legged Gull, just off 'The Rambla', Barcelona, April 2026

Monk Parakeet, Ciutadella, Barcelona, April 2026

Smaller birds included many that are common in the UK and a few (Serin, Sardinian Warbler, Crag Martin) that are very rare in the UK but very common here. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were plentiful. A single Iberian Chiffchaff was heard (I'm not sure whether this species breeds in the Barcelona area or was just passing through). An unidentified warbler, possibly a Western Orphean Warbler, was heard singing.

Sardinian Warbler, Parc Guell, Barcelona, April 2026

Serin, Parc Guell, Barcelona, April 2026

I was a little surprised to see Cattle Egrets in Ciutadella Park, particularly as there was no sign of cattle there! Had they escaped from the nearby zoo? One bird was seen standing on a litter bin - were they feeding on scraps? Cattle Egrets would, I'm sure, be present in the surrounding countryside. Perhaps they nest in the city and fly out to feed - an unsolved mystery.

Hoopoes are always a delight to see and we were lucky to see one feeding on the side of the road, close to the Miro Museum on the side of the wooded Montjuic Hill. This was the most bird rich habitat that we visited - I'm sure that, with more time, I could have built up a decent bird list here. Butterflies were thin on the ground despite the warm weather, although I did see Speckled Wood, Painted Lady and Red Admiral. No species not to be found in the UK could be identified.

Cattle Egret in Breeding Plumage, Barcelona, April 2026

Hoopoe, Montjuic Park, Barcelona, April 2026

All in all, an enjoyable stay with lots of sightseeing in warm, sunny weather and a few interesting birds along the way.