As with many aspects of tourism in Andorra, the government publishes excellent colour guides to all the flora and fauna of the country. The sightings most sought-after by visitors are of our native mountain chamois (isard), the bearded falcon (falcó mostatxut), wild boar (porc fer), common vulture (voltor fulvus). If you are very lucky you might just glimpse the Pyrenean Brown Bear (os bru) reintroduced recently just the other side of our border with France. Other animals such as the marmot (marmota), mountain fox (guineu) and a whole host of smaller creatures and game birds are to be found all over Andorra. You can even volunteer to help our countryside wardens (banders) count the chamois every year up in the high mountains during high summer. Hunting is only permitted for one week a year (from Sept 8-15) and licences are difficult and expensive to obtain for visitors.

You might not have been aware that Andorra has more species of wild mountain flowers than any other country in Europe. Wild orchids and narcissus abound and the full range is too large to detail here. Spring and early summer are perfect for viewing some of our indigenous species such as the glorious red wild rhododendron, iris, dianthus and gentian violet. Lilies, ranunculus (known in Catalan as egg-yolks or rovells d'ou) are also to be seen widely. More information can be obtained from parish and government tourist offices and the English-speaking International Club of Andorra has a very active and helpful nature study group.