Planning trip to Albacete and beyond

[Robert Jaques]

While it isn't the best time of year, in July I'm planning to go to the Albacete region of Spain for a week and then drive back to the UK through the Pyrenees and France. The aim is to see as many species as possible of all taxon. We've managed to get decent information on a lot of the birds we'd like to see but information on reptiles and amphibians in the Albacete area is scant at best.

The high priority species are:
Tree frog (arborea or meridionalis)
Lataste's viper
European and Spanish Pond Terrapin
Sharp Ribbed Newt
Occelated Lizard
Montpellier Snake

Whilst they are all high priority, information on anything would be massively appreciated. I believe we are planning to visit Alicante on the coast as well.

Thank you in advance.

[Peter Oefinger]

In theory, you could find most of these species in that area. But as far as I remember the Albacete area has lots of agricultural monocultures. So you should search some natural areas. In July it will be very hot there, so herping may be difficult.

[Robert Jaques]

Well we are going to try going out at night and after rain to up our chances, but I'm hoping the possible lack of herps while made up for with butterflies and odonata.