An early start (06.00) for a longish drive towards Montana de Riano in the Cantabrian mountains and then another long drive into the mountains along an unmade road. Surprisingly we were at an altitude of around 8000 feet on the edge of the snow line that conveniently showed off a small herd of Chamois on the far side of the valley. Very distant but at least a record shot showing the terrain that these hardy animals inhabit.

And then we parked and made our way up the side of the mountain for  400/500 metres where our guide, Bernado, was setting up a couple of pop-up hides overlooking a large rock. Main target - Rock Thrush - but it was rather windy so anything could happen.

First to show was a male Northern Wheatear

and even a flight shot

That bird popped in and out, obviously taken food back to a nest.

Next to show was a Bluethroat which was surprising since, by then, one of the hides had disappeared in the wind to a new location a few hundred yards down the valley. Never-the-less, the Bluethroat put on a fine display for us.

No Rock Thrush - possibly too windy - so we made our way back, stopping off to try to photogrpah a small group of Chamois moving up the mountainside but the backdrop was much too busy for anything really worthwhile.

So not a total waste of time but disppointing, especially for Bernado who really worked very hard for us.