Page 190 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

188  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

Flora and Fauna of Parque Nacional
de Ordesa y Monte Perdido

With some of the most dramatic mountain Esparceta (sainfoin),
scenery in Spain, the Parque Nacional de an important honey-
Ordesa y Monte Perdido makes excellent yielding and fodder
plant, is commonly
walking country. The most popular trails are found in the alpine
the Camiño del Soaso, Senda de los Cazadores meadows of the park.
and Faja de las Flores. Some of the animal This long-lived perennial,
species found here are in danger of becoming reaching a height of
60 cm (24 in), produces
extinct but the park offers natural protection clusters of pretty pink
for the mountain eagle, capercaillie, chamois, or carmine flowers.
deer, wild boar, marmot and vulture. As well
as an abundance of gentians, orchids and The rocky massifs border
gentle hills covered in dwarf
belladonna, there are lush pine and fir forests mountain pines.
and many birch, beech and wild cherry trees.

The horses grazing in
the alpine meadows
have vivid colouring.

The meadows are
home to many species
of flora and fauna.
The viper is a poisonous snake that lives in cold
places, avoiding direct sunlight. It hunts for mice,
birds and frogs.

Birds of the Parque Nacional de Ordesa y
Monte Perdido
Dunnock Owl
This small bird, There are several
also called the species of owl in
hedge sparrow, lives the Pyrenees. In
a secretive life among the park you’ll find
low vegetation. It is the low-flying barn
found in forests from the owl, the eagle owl,
lowlands to the Pyrenean dwarf- the brown owl, which
pine belt, where its rapid flute- eats small rodents, as
like trill can be heard. well as the charming
long-eared owl.
Jay A View of the Park
The jay’s sharp, Blue Tit The stunning mountain
screeching call can This graceful bird is peaks and rare species of
often be heard in also bold, making flora and fauna make Ordesa
the park. It it easy to spot. It one of the most frequently
flies inhabits sparse visited parks in the Pyrenees.
ponderously, woodland, The park can only be visited
due to its slow-flapping wings, making its nest in low hollows. fully after the snow melts in
which are beautifully coloured It feeds on berries and seeds, spring, and even then much
and easily recognizable to orni- as well as small insects, spiders of it has to be explored
thologists and amateurs alike. and snails.
on foot.

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