Whether 'winter only' species or seasonal supplements to native populations, millions of birds from north-west Europe seek refuge in Spain's mild winter, making Catalonia a top destination for birding short-breaks and holidays.

Mergansers and grebes gather off the coast, ducks and waders seek out the wetlands and passerines flock to the forests and farmland. And there's an ever-growing list of summer breeders such as Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Black-winged Stilt, Whiskered Tern and Wood Sandpiper choosing to stay over.

And of the locals making it easier to observe them? Rock Bunting to Great Bustard form winter flocks, Eagle Owl begin their 'bu-hu' courtship and Wallcreeper and Snowfinch migrate laterally to lower ground. And all this activity whilst the Lammergeier, unphased, continues to coolly marshall the skies overhead.

After picking you up at Barcelona airport, we'll immediately get a feel for birding in Catalonia with a relaxing visit to the adjacent wetland reserves on the Llobregat Delta, where Moustached Warbler, Balearic Shearwater, Audouin's Gull, Temminck's Stint, Penduline Tit, Waxbill and Kingfisher are all much more common in winter.

Sit back and enjoy a restful spectacle of ducks, waders and herons, including Great Bittern, as well as wintering Bluethroat, Stone-curlew and, in November, passage Common Crane before we move on to the villa, on the edge of the Garraf Natural Park, where you can settle in, unpack and have a glass of Penedés vino or a refreshing cava.

If you fancy it, you can take an easy stroll through the local woodland, vineyards and scrub before eating yourselves through the evening at an ocean-side restaurant.

"Thanks for a wonderful birding trip. Your precise knowledge about locations for specific birds was remarkable.

Coupled with your deep knowledge about the birds and their calls - made the trip most enjoyable and the birding experience truly enriching."

Dilys and Eric Powell, UK, 2 - 7 January 2009

A short trip south along the coast lies the best of Europe and a place that will remain in your thoughts forever, the Ebro Delta.

After the first day's practise, you won't be over-whelmed by the circus of herons, warblers and shorebirds but there is more on offer here with 'all year round' Audouin's Gull, Glossy Ibis, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Moustached Warbler and Caspian Tern hosting a winter influx of thousands of ducks, divers and waders.

Throw in Great Bittern, Bluethroat, Booted Eagle, Water Rail, the occasional Osprey and an increasing number of 'new' over-wintering birds such as Whiskered Tern, Wood Sandpiper and Little Bittern, and you won't want to stop for the picnic lunch.

"We would like to thank you for a really great trip [their second birding short break, after coming in September 2007] and we both hope to bird with you again in the future."

Mark Dawson and Lorna, UK, 11th-15th February 2008

Catalonia's unique range of habitats is demonstrated no more so than by this rocky peninsular and the spectacular oceanic and mountain birds it has to offer.

Where else, given the right weather conditions, can you watch Balearic and Yelkouan Shearwaters without the aid of binoculars? And Northern Gannet and Razorbill dive-in from their respective heights too.

Turn around and, against a backdrop of such astounding beauty, the pallete is completed with Bonelli's Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler and Crag Martin as well as Alpine Accentor and may be even Wallcreeper.

Time for a little local-patch 'birding in Spain', with the Garraf mountains providing the setting for the easily accessible wintering Wallcreeper, Alpine Accentor and Hawfinch.

Swarming flocks of Rock Bunting, Rock Sparrow and other passerines characterise the region at this time of year but Southern Grey Shrike and Firecrest (left) also increase in number and we'll have plenty of time to search out the resident Bonelli's Eagle, Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush before a relaxing sea-watching session to encounter Balearic Shearwater, Audouin's Gull, Gannet, Razorbill and desmarestii Shag.

A late afternoon wander around the Llobregat roosts may tie up the birding day unless that is you fancy retiring to the garden with a glass of Penedes to watch Black Redstart, Blackcaps and Crested Tits and Siskin on the garden feeders.