El Cim d'Àligues is a centre specialised in birds of prey.
"Two
main activities can be enjoyed during a visit to Cim
d’Àligues: First, a guided visit to the birds in
the cages
area, and afterwards the flight exhibition.
The
best occasion to clearly see the different characteristics of each
bird, is during the free-flight exhibition, when we can enjoy the
hawk’s fast flight, the eagle’s imposing glide, the
barn-owl's silent flight... all of this together with the
instructor’s explanations.The birds that you will see at the
centre were born in captivity and, since then, have been in contact
with people. This is the reason why they always return to the centre,
their territory, where they are fed. This allows us to look at them
from a very close distance. This not possible in the wild as they
usually have an innate fear towards human beings."
(Sources: official
sites Cim d'Àligues and
Consorci de Turisme del
Vallès Oriental)
How
it all began...
"Cim d’Àligues (Eagle’s Peak) is a centre unique in Spain in its kind, created for the study, breeding, exhibition and free-flight of birds of prey. The idea to create Cim d'Àligues arose from Rafa Farriols who has been passionate about birds of prey since he was a little boy. Time went by and, after visiting several centres throughout Europe, the project began to take shape.
In March 1994, after nearly three years of searching for a place, applying for authorisations, filling forms, and doing preparation work, Cim d’Àligues opened its doors. Although the official opening did not take place until June that year it was the first specialised centre for birds of prey created in Spain.
In the beginning we had a work-team of four and twenty birds of prey. Nowadays six persons work full-time. In addition to this support personnel (instructors) work during the school terms, and we also have some enthusiastic volunteers. We now have about 100 birds of 28 different speciesat the centre, organised in two different zones: the cages and exhibition area, for their exhibition and flight, and the breeding area."
Paratge
del Pi Solitari, s/n
08182 Sant Feliu de Codines
(+34.) 93.866.26.48
(at 15 km of
l'Ametlla and 36 Km from Barcelona)
More information at: Eagle's Peak