Organbidexka Pass, a unique destination for birdwatching in the Basque Country

Whether you are a bird enthusiast , a confirmed ornithologist or a nature enthusiast, the spectacle offered by migratory birds at the Organbidexka pass is unique and fantastic. Every year since 1979, the LPO Aquitaine (League for the Protection of Birds) has organized a special event in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques at the Organbidexka pass, an unmissable encounter with nature. Grab your binoculars to admire thousands of species flying freely!

Cover photo: Observers on the Organbidexka Pass, photo credit ©Serge Barande

The Organbidexka Pass, an exceptional observatory in the Basque Country

Immerse yourself in the heart of the Iraty Forest, the largest European beech forest that reveals the Organbidexka Pass at an altitude of 1,300m. Grassy pastures, rocky ridges, heather moors, and torrents— the landscapes are incredible and diverse depending on the season, with colors that change throughout the year. Keep your eyes peeled for breathtaking views of the Haute-Soule or the Eastern Piedmont, and don't forget to look up to observe the unique ballet of migratory birds between summer and autumn each year. Meet between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Tardet, at the Iraty chalet, which is the starting point for many hikes, including the one leading to the Organbidexka Pass.

Bird migration, an event not to be missed at the Organbidexka Pass

The dates are easy to remember: between July 15 and November 15. This is when you can observe thousands of migratory birds leaving their breeding grounds to reach their wintering grounds between southern Spain or Africa via the Strait of Gibraltar. The invitation to this natural and privileged spectacle is the opening of a study program of the autumn migration of birds across the Pyrenees, a daily monitoring that extends from sunrise to sunset. Free and open to the public, the site allows visitors to observe a multitude of migratory birds including raptors, cranes, storks and pigeons. The presence of the LPO Aquitaine makes it possible to identify the birds, analyze their behavior and understand the importance of protecting these species. Experience an unforgettable moment at the Organbidexka Pass.

Info : The daily news of the observer team is published every week during the migration study period on the LOP Aquitaine Facebook page .

Bird Migration at Organbidexka Pass, a program open to eco-volunteers

No need to be an expert, the LPO Aquitaine accepts ecovolunteers who wish to actively participate in the protection of birds in the Pyrenees. The objective of the mission is multiple:

• Identify, identify and count birds and species
• Save information to the database
• Raising awareness among visitors about bird protection

Accommodation is provided for volunteers who participate in training before settling into the Organbidexka Pass to admire the migratory birds. Interested? Contact the LPO Aquitaine for more information and to become a committed participant .

The Chalet d'Iraty, the house of ornithology at the Organbidexka Pass

The Chalet d'Iraty is the starting point for many hikes in the Iraty forest, or to reach the Organbidexka pass during the bird migration season. Also a house of ornithology, it hosts an exhibition on this natural phenomenon and on biodiversity. On site, games and workshops are organized between July and September to raise awareness among young and old about the importance of species protection. Ask all your questions, the volunteers will be happy to answer them and inform you about the migratory birds of the Organbidexka pass such as kites, honey buzzards, black or white storks, passerines, booted eagles, short-toed eagles, the mythical bearded vulture or the very rare white-backed woodpecker.

Don't forget your binoculars and camera to bring back unforgettable memories of your trip to the Organbidexka Pass.

Each year, an end-of-season report is published in the LPO special migration bulletin.

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