Pechar
Serra de Candán and Brañas de Xestoso
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Pechar
Serra de Candán and Brañas de Xestoso
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Pechar
Serra de Candán and Brañas de Xestoso
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Pechar
Serra de Candán and Brañas de Xestoso
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Serra do Candán and Brañas de Xestoso

Not far from Pontevedra and, even closer to Lalin and A Estrada, the heights of the Serra do Candán -exceeding 1000 metres- jut out before us. In its large areas of fields and scrub watchers can enjoy a selection of birds that are rare in other parts of Galicia, such as the northern harrier. It is easy to find many forest birds in its still extensive oak groves.

Stunning mountains

Se trata de una amplia área de la zona centro-suroeste de Galicia, que incluye parte de las sierras de O Cando y O Candán, así como el ramal montañoso de las Brañas do Xestoso. A lo largo de las dos sierras, de altitud media, se extienden grandes áreas de matorral y praderas junto con robledales.

This is an extensive area of the centre-west region of Galicia, which includes part of the mountains of O Cando and O Candán and the mountainous branch of the Brañas do Xestoso. Throughout the two mountain ranges, of middle elevation, there are large areas of scrub and grassland with oak groves.

The routes
Mapa de Serra do Candán and Brañas de Xestoso
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Route by car: O Irixo - Pena Pixín

BEST TIME

Spring

DISTANCE

27 Km

DURATION

3 hours

DIFFICULTY

None

COUNCILS

Forcarei, Lalín, O Irixo

PATH

O Irixo - Zobra - Pena Pixín

Mapa de Route 1
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Key points on the route:

  1. The path starts with sightings of eurasian nuthatch and spotless starling in O Irixo (1).
  2. From there climb up to A Ermida 82) to spot iberian chiffchaff and rock bunting.
  3. Further up, in Campo da Cruz (3), red-legged partridge and northern wheatear can be seen in migration.
  4. Next, take a road to the left towards Zobra to spot european honey buzzards and short-toed snake eagles. In Zobra, follow the way to Portela and A Trigueira (4) in an attempt to spot Dartford and melodious warblers.
  5. Before reaching A Trigueira, take the trail to the wind farm (5), which we will follow to the south end at Pena Pixín while spotting northern and montagu's harriers and short-toed snake eagles.

Route by car: Cerdedo - Lagoa Sacra de Olives

BEST TIME

From November to June

DISTANCE

23 Km

DURATION

2 hours

DIFFICULTY

None

COUNCILS

Cerdedo, Forcarei, Silleda

PATH

Cerdedo - Lagoa Sacra de Olives

Mapa de Route 2
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Key points on the route:

  1. The route begins in the town of Cerdedo (1), where spotless starlings can be seen.
  2. Follow the road to Folgoso (2). On the way look out for eurasian nuthatch and iberian chiffchaff.
  3. After passing through Cachafeiro (3) and noting red-backed shrike and rock bunting, the route reaches Aciveiro, where there are red-legged partridge, red-backed shrike and yellowhammer.
  4. Taking the left turn to Pereira and A Grana de Umia (5) look out for red-legged partridges and melodious warblers.
  5. Continuing towards Xestoso (6), a number of eurasian skylarks can be seen in the fields, the prelude to O Coto do Espiño, which is accessed from Xestoso to see black redstart and spotless starling.
  6. In O Coto (7) is the Lagoa Sacra of Olives where, with some luck, watchers can see northern harrier, merlin and short-eared owl and, in migration, waders such as the european golden plover and numerous passerines.

Route on foot or by bike. Forcarei fields

BEST TIME

Between August and December

DURATION

2-3 hours on foot and 1-2 hours by bicycle

DIFFICULTY

Low

COUNCILS

Forcarei

PATH

Forcarei fields

Mapa de Route 3
Open interactive map

Key points on the route:

  1. This is an interesting circular route, especially for watching birds in the agricultural environment. It starts at Dúas Igrexas (1), where little owls and spotless starlings can be seen.
  2. Next, take the EP-7201. While passing Quintelas (2) iberian chiffchaff and eurasian bullfinch can be found.
  3. In the open fields of Capeludos and Pena Queixeira (3) groups of larks can be seen
  4. Later, turn right towards A Pereira and the old Andón bridge (4). Grey wagtail and white-throated dipper can be seen there. On arriving at Andón, connect with the PO-534 through an open area in which red-backed shrike and rock bunting can be found. At Km 27 on this road turn right toward A Costiña to return to Dúas Igrexas.
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensis
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Dartford Warbler
Sylvia undata
The birds

In spring in O Candán watchers can see raptors, such as northern harriers and montagu's harriers, the european honey buzzard and the short-toed snake eagle. Also making an appearance are the yellowhammer, red-backed shrike and eurasian bullfinch. With more luck, watchers can see more rare or irregular birds in Galicia, such as the short-eared owl, little bustard and even the eurasian eagle-owl. In winter, the groups of larks eurasian skylark] and european golden plovers may surprise bird watchers. Lastly, with a little luck, watchers might have the chance to see a merlin hunting.

Tips and resources

  • Avoid walking around the wind farm on icy days, since there is a risk of falling ice from the blades.

  • Pay special attention to high muddy areas in April and May since ring ouzel can be seen and in August and September there are Eurasian dotterel and western yellow wagtail.

Arriba