Turismo de Galicia

Key points on the route:

1. The route starts in Chaguazoso (1), where spotless starlings can be seen. From there, take the road to A Esculqueira. In the first stretch (2), woodlark and common kestrel are usually present in the scattered trees. A few kilometres further, an area with rocks and low scrub provides an excellent opportunity to find montagu's harrier and rufous-tailed rock thrush. Before reaching A Esculqueira, there are pine plantations on the left (3) that are home to western bonelli's warbler and red crossbill.
2. After crossing A Esculqueira towards the north, on the right are black poplar plantations (4), which provide a home for iberian chiffchaff and golden oriole. Continuing along the OU-0906, we cross an exceptional steppe area (5) where it is possible to see montagu's harrier and southern grey shrike.
3. Take the turnoff to the left towards O Tameirón and, upon reaching a rocky area around the road (6), watch out for tawny pipit and northern wheatear.
4. In O Tameirón take the route to O Canizo (7), with eyes open for possible sightings of montagu's harrier and subalpine warbler.
5. Once on the N-525, continue to the right through O Pereiro, approaching A Vilavella and A Canda. In this town, turn to the right and go up one of the paths that reaches the highest point of Monte de Portela (8), covered by dense growths of Scots pine. In this area it is possible to spot the red crossbill and there are records of firecrest and citril finch. The southern foot of the mountain (9) has broom thickets perfect for watching bluethroats in breeding season.

Key points on the route:

1. The route starts from the village of Pentes (1), where it is possible to find iberian chiffchaff and short-toed treecreeper. Follow the road to Barxa, travelling through areas with substantial scrub coverage (2) hosting red-legged partridges and rock buntings.
2. The valley of O Rigueiro da Ribeira (3) is a good location for watching european honey buzzards and european bee-eaters.
3. A few kilometres further, when the road starts to descend and Barxa is glimpsed, a dirt road opens to the left. Take this road for about 100 m to reach the O Rigueiro mill (4). This place is ideal for watching white-throated dippers and subalpine warblers.
4. On the descent towards the village of Barxa (5) eurasian wrynecks and common swifts can be spotted. If you pay attention, you may also spot a pallid swift.
5. While crossing Barxa towards the south, follow a path parallel to the river that ends at the border with Portugal (6). Keep watch out for western bonelli's warblers and iberian chiffchaffs on the way.

Key points on the route:

1. This curious route starts from the village of Cádavos and ends at the 'twin' villages of Castromil. In the beginning, keep your eyes out for european bee-eaters and eurasian nuthatches.
2. Follow the road to Castromil crossing a chestnut grove with good-sized specimens (2). The tawny owl and common redstart can be seen here.
3. While advancing, we will cross an area of fields (3) where eurasian skylarks can be spotted and which are an excellent place to look for greater short-toed larks in spring.
4. At the end, a stretch of open bush begins with large granite rocks (4) on which rufous-tailed rock thrushes and southern grey shrikes can be seen.
5. A few kilometres further we reach the Galician Castromil (5), which is separated from the Zamora Castromil by a stream where iberian chiffchaffs and western bonelli's warbler can be seen. eurasian wrynecks and common redstarts breed in the chestnut grove on the Zamora side.