Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community within the kingdom of Spain; part of the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages. It is situated on the Spanish north coast facing the Cantabrian Sea (Mar Cantábrico, the Spanish name for the Bay of Biscay) and covers 10,604 km2 (4,094 square miles). Asturias is bordered on the east by Cantabria, on the south by Castilla y León, on the west by Galicia, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea. The population is around 1,010,000 people. It is divided into eight counties and the administrative capital is Oviedo with about 220,000 inhabitants, although the largest city is Gijón with over 270,000.
The Cantabrian Mountains (Cordillera Cantábrica) form Asturias’s natural border with the province of León to the south. In the eastern range, the Picos de Europa National Park contains the highest and arguably most spectacular mountains, rising to 8,688 feet at the Torrecerredo peak. Other notable features of this predominantly-limestone range are the Parque Natural de Redes in the central east, the central Ubiñas south of Oviedo, and the Parque Natural de Somiedo in the west. The Cantabrian mountains extend some 200 kilometres in total, as far as Galicia province to the west of Asturias, and Cantabria province to the east.
Playa de Torimbia – ©Stefan Trauth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Asturian coastline is extensive, with hundreds of beaches, coves and natural sea caves. Notable examples include the Playa del Silencio (Beach of Silence) near the fishing village of Cudillero (west of Gijón), as well as the many beaches surrounding the summer resort of Llanes, such as the Barro, Ballota and Torimbia (the latter a predominantly nudist beach). Most of Asturias’ beaches are sandy, clean and bordered by steep cliffs, on top of which it is not unusual to see grazing livestock.
Picos de Europa – ©jgfabregas GPL via Wikimedia Commons
The key features of Asturian geography are its rugged coastal cliffs and the mountainous interior. The climate of Asturias is maritime, as with the rest of northwest Spain, is more varied than that of southern parts of the country. Summers are generally humid and warm, with considerable sunshine, but also some rain. Winters are mild with some very cold snaps. The cold is especially felt in the mountains, where snow is present from October till May. Both rain and snow are regular weather features of Asturian winters.
Asturias features short, fast-flowing rivers rich in biodiversity and salmon, primarily draining into the Cantabrian Sea. The longest is the Nalón at about 140 km, followed by the salmon-rich Narcea and the Sella. Other major rivers include the Eo, Navia, Esva, and Deva.
Birding Asturias
Asturias is well endowed with protected nature. There are 7 Biosphere Reserves, 39 Natural Monuments, 13 Special Protection Areas for Birds (ZEPA), 1 Integral Natural Reserve and 6 Partial Natural Reserves, 2 Protected Landscapes (in process another 8 more) and 2 Wetlands of International Importance. A good part of this ecological fortune revolves around 5 large natural parks and a National Park; clearly delimited spaces, with sufficient management to guarantee conservation.
The mountainous character of the region dictates the avifauna with main montane specialities like Alpine Chough, Wallcreeper, Citril Finch, eagles & vultures etc., and the Cantabrian race of Capercaillie. For woodland species the Muniellos Biosphere is excellent.
Bosque de Muniellos – ©Javier Pérez CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
There are some coastal wetlands, notably the Eo and Villavicisa estuaries with a variety of waders and Spooonbill. The sea cliffs are good for the usual European cliff nesters like Puffin, Razorbill, Gannets etc. Punya la Vaca is the most favoured spot for sea-watching.
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Wikipedia
GNU Free Documentation License
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asturias
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Number of bird species: 437
(As at April (2026)
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Avibase
PDF ChecklistThis checklist includes all bird species found in Asturias , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them. -
eBird
Illustrated ChecklistIllustrated Checklist
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Aves de Asturias: Guía de Identificación
By Mario Arce, Victor M Vazquez & Gonzalo Gil | Mundi-Prensa | 2014 | Paperback | 355 pages, 750 colour illustrations, distribution maps | Spanish Text | ISBN: 9788484766650 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Where to Watch Birds in Northern & Eastern Spain
By Ernest FJ Garcia & Michael Rebane | Helm | 2017 | Edition 3 | Paperback | 384 pages, 30 b/w illustrations, 125 b/w maps | ISBN: 9781472936752 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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NP Parque Natural de Redes
WebsiteSatellite ViewA multitude of contrasts and landscapes cover its 38,000 hectares. -
NP Picos de Europa
WebsiteSatellite ViewSpain's oldest National Park (1918); and the second largest in size, the Picos de Europa extends over three provinces: Asturias, Cantabria and León. This remarkable limestone range is Atlantic Europe's most extensive and is famous for its vertiginous slopes that go from 225ft above sea level to the highest peak, Torre Cerredo, 8100ft. These different altitudes and its proximity to the sea give rise to an impressive variety of flora and fauna. -
Natural Parks of Asturias
WebsiteSatellite ViewThe network of Asturian natural spaces today adds 7 Biosphere Reserves, 39 Natural Monuments, 13 Special Protection Areas for Birds (ZEPA), 1 Integral Natural Reserve and 6 Partial Natural Reserves, 2 Protected Landscapes (in process another 8 more) and 2 Wetlands of International Importance. A good part of this ecological fortune revolves around 5 large natural parks and a National Park; clearly delimited spaces, with sufficient management instruments to guarantee the conservation and custody of all the territories they comprise.
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eBird
SightingseBirding This Month
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BirdWatch Asturias
Local GuidingThe Council of Ponga, in Asturias, is bordering to the East with the Sella River. -
Birding Picos de Europa
Local Tour OperatorBirding Picos de Europa is a birdwatching enterprise located in the Picos de Europa National Park (northern Spain) and its immediate surroundings. -
Into Asturias
Day TripsOur birding trips and guided tours in Asturias and Northern Spain allow you to discover new species in the beautiful Northern Spanish nature! -
JayHill Travel
Tour OperatorAsturias Wildlife Tour – 7 days -
Naturetrek
Tour OperatorAn 8-day holiday to the little-known western end of Spain's Cordillera Cantábrica, home to Bears, Wolves and a rich flora and birdlife. We will enjoy this wildlife on mountain walks through the spectacular Somiedo Natural Park. -
Trogon Tours
Tour OperatorTravel across the Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve visiting nature protected areas in Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia for wildlife observation.
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2017 [09 September] - Kath & Mick Claydon - Mammals, birds and butterflies of Asturias & Cantabria
PDF ReportA 10-daytailor-madetrip arranged for us by Steve Westof Birding in Spain(www.BirdingInSpain.com)to look for wildlifein SomiedoNatural Park (Asturias) and aroundRiañosouth of thePicos de Europa. On this trip we were notconcentrating on birds, wehoped to see a bear (reasonable chance) and perhaps a wolf(much more difficult)but our interests are varied and we look at everything.
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Birding Picos de Europa
WebpageFrom our lodge, in the outskirts of the small village of Llonín (Asturias. Spain), we have easy access to the most important birdwatchings places of the National Park and its sorroundings, from the cantabrian coast to the alpine zone.
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Birdwatch Asturias
WebsiteObservación e Identificación de Aves