the small Doñana
The Brazo del Este belongs to the former route of the Guadalquivir river and it is located at the East of the current course of the river, very close to Los Palacios. It was once part of the Doñana marshes but now it is isolated from the main wetland.
This is a small and superb site where we can observe many species of birds. This place is sometimes even better than Doñana. It has the advantage of keeping water in the summer season, when the marsh drains, collecting together a fantastic amount of birds.
It comprises marshland with extensive reedbeds surrounded by farmlands, rice paddies and a veritable labyrinth of drainage ditches.
Brazo del Este shares most of the bird species with Doñana.
Species of special note here include the Marbled Duck, Squacco Heron, Western Olivaceous Warbler and sometimes we may also observe Great Bittern, Ferruginous Duck, Red-knobbed Coot or White-headed Duck.
The reedbed holds good numbers of Savi´s Warbler and Little Bittern and during the migration it attracts different species of crakes.
This is a prime site for Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis, Whiskered Tern and Collared Pratincole.
In the nearby vineyards we can find the Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin in summer time.
Proximity to Seville.
If you have not much time, possibility of making half-day visits.
Presence of most of the characteristic bird species of Doñana.
Good bird watching opportunities during the summer, when most of Doñana is dried out.
We will drive along narrow and dirty roads in the middle of marshes and fields, stopping at the most interesting bird watching hotspots along an old branch of the Guadalquivir River, east of the town of Los Palacios.
Both, half day and full day trips are possible.
Most wanted birds
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Montagu's Harrier
Red-necked Nightjar
Pallid Swift
European Bee-eater
Lesser Kestrel
Woodchat Shrike
Red-rumped Swallow
Red-crested Pochard
Eurasian Spoonbill
Calandra Lark
Lesser Short-toed Lark
Spotless Starling
MAIN HABITATS
TOP BIRDS
Marbled Duck, Squacco Heron, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin
LOCATION
DURATION
Half day tour: ≈ 5 hours.
Full day tour: ≈ 9 hours.
AVAILABILITY
All year round.