Earlier this year I spent a week in Navarra, Spain. I was invited by Ferdinand Purroy to test drive the hides that he owns together with his brother. Hides Navarra offers a large number of hides attracting many different bird species from Golden eagle to Orphean warbler and anything in between. Specialities of Hides Navara are without a shadow of a doubt the secretive Pine marten and the fantastic Golden eagle set up. I photographed them on both occasions when I visited the hides.
The hides are all located around the town of Izco in Navarra. Navarra is a district in Northern Spain close to the Pyrenees. The landscape is absolute beautiful and very different from other parts of Spain like Andalucia.
The hides are all of high quality. Well built, spy glass and can easily accommodate 2-3 photographers. Distances from the hotel to the various hides (There are more than 8 hides currently and more hides are being added) is just a short car drive away.
The hotel in Lumbier is comfortable, caters for vegetarians and has a very good menu. Ferdinand and his brother will drive you from the hotel to the hides , back to the hotel for lunch after which they pick you up for afternoon sessions till dusk.
Depending on the time of the year, you will start your hide sessions around 06.30 till 12.00. Followed by a lunch break and a second sessions from around 15.00 onwards.
You will need to fly to Bilbao. I flew from Gatwick airport with Vuelling ( Cost return flight £195 at the time, no issues with had luggage/camera backpack) . You could also take the ferry from Portsmouth but it’s a long journey and not cheap. You can either rent a car and drive to Larrasvana from Bilbao airport or Ferdinand will be happy to pick you up from Bilbao airport for a transfer fee.
Spring and summer are excellent periods as many birds will visit the various hides. You can visit Hides Navarra throughout the year but of course not all hides will be active . Ferdinand can inform you which hides are active in which period.
Focus and destination: Bird and mammal photography from hides.
You can expect to photograph depending on the season: Black restart, Dipper, Kingfisher, Wren, Marsh harrier, Stone chat, Partridge, Rock sparrow, Griffon vulture, Red kite, Black kite, Egyptian vulture, Red backed shrike, Orphean warbler, Mistle thrush, Eurasian jay, Crested tit, Crossbill, Nuthatch, Golden eagle (superb setting) Pine marten, Fox, Flycatcher, Buzzard, Goshawk and of course there are always surprises!
Hides: there are currently 10 hides active and new hides are being added. Ferdinand can inform you about which hides are active and what to expect depending on the time of the year you want to visit the hides. The sole organisation of the trips to these hides is with Hides de Navarra.
Equipment: I used during my visit, a Nikon Z400mm F2.8 with converters as well as a 100-400. A zoom lens like a 200-600 would be excellent as well. Short lens like a 24-70 or wider for landscapes.
Cost: The cost for 5 full days, 10 hide sessions including 6 days of hotel accommodation in a single room including breakfast is EURO 960. Excluding flights, personal expense, lunch, diner, car rental or transfer.
Shorter stays are of course possible as well. Please contact Ferdinand.
Pick/up drop off is possible. Please contact Ferdinand for details. Car hire is available at Bilbao airport alternatively another option well considering is the bus!
You really do not need a car as you will be taken to the hides and back to the hotel throughout your stay. The bus runs from Bilbao to Pamplona. The first bus leaves Bilbao at 07.00 in the morning and the last one leaves Bilbao 20.30 in the evening. Cost for the bus is EURO 20 one way. The bus will arrive in the centre of Pamplona, where Ferdinand will pick the participant(s) up at a cost of Euro 40 one way. Transfer time from Bilbao is roughly 3 hours. A cost effective and comfortable option. Contact Ferdinand for details.
Payment: Euro 100 deposit is required. To be paid to hides Navarra. feel free to contact Ferdinand direct with any questions. His email address is fpurroysanz@gmail.com or send me an email. Happy to help!
Website for Hides Navarra is www.hidesnavarra.es
