Least ConcernCommon Crane
Grus grus
Spain's first national park; an Atlantic limestone massif and the Naranjo de Bulnes
Area
671 km²
Protection category
IUCN II
Parque nacional —
Designated in
1918
Spain's first national park and one of the pioneers in Europe, it was declared in 1918 on the personal initiative of the Marquess of Villaviciosa, Pedro Pidal, under the original name of Montaña de Covadonga. In 1995 it was enlarged to take in all three massifs (Asturias, Cantabria and Castile and León) and in 2014 it reached its present extent. Its name — Picos de Europa — comes, by tradition, from its being the first land sighted by sailors returning from the Americas. Pidal himself was the first to reach the summit of the Naranjo de Bulnes, in 1904, alongside the local guide known as El Cainejo, a feat that founded sport mountaineering in Spain.
Ecosystems found in Spain, where Picos de Europa lies.
What is worth looking out for this month in Spain?
Now is a good time: Common crane wintering at Gallocanta Lagoon (October to March (passage peaks in November and February))
Now is a good time: Soaring bird migration across the Strait of Gibraltar (Spring passage February to May and autumn passage July to November)
Now is a good time: Soaring bird migration across the Strait of Gibraltar (Spring passage February to May and autumn passage July to November)
Which other parks are like this one?
Same country: Spain
Same country: Spain
Same country: Spain
Same country: Spain
Based on what we already know about this park.
Region
Iberian Peninsula
Climate
Arid / desert, Temperate, Mediterranean, Mountain
Best season
All year round
Threatened:,,,,,,,,,,,
Endemic species of Spain:
Now is a good time: Soaring bird migration across the Strait of Gibraltar (Spring passage February to May and autumn passage July to November)
Spain
