Northern Doñana Birding Day Trip

the best of Doñana

Doñana is considered Europe’s biggest nature reserve and it was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

A big part of the national park and natural park of Doñana, are located in the province of Seville. Here we find a good representation of the different habitats of Doñana (except for the coast), and a great diversity of birds throughout the year, just a few miles from Seville.

This area is typified by lakes, marshlands, Umbrella Pine forest, Wild Olive forest and paddy fields.

The most interesting species of this zone are birds as threatened as the Red-knobbed Coot, Marbled Duck (or teal) and Ferruginous Duck. More occasionally, we may also observe White-headed Duck and the Great Bittern.

It is a great area for raptors, among which we can highlight the Spanish Imperial Eagle. Different species of owls are particularly easy to observe during the winter, including Little, Barn and Short-eared Owl.

Important concentrations of waterfowl exist in northern Doñana throughout the year. One very special feature are the flocks of Greylag Geese and Common Crane in winter time. Greater Flamingo can be find all year round in good numbers.

Proximity to Seville.
If you have not much time, possibility of making half-day visits.
Presence of most of Doñana’s iconic bird species.
Chance of seeing large mammals (Red Deer, Fallow Deer, Wild Boar…)
Possibility to combine with the lynx tour. (See “More info”).

We will drive along minor tracks looking for the most interesting birding points. Short walks are also possible if you wish, but not essential to see most species.

During the half day tour we will visit Doñana Natural Park, where the main hotspot is the lake located at Dehesa de Abajo. We will also visit the Umbrella Pine forest and the rice fields, which will allow us to observe a large number of species.

In addition to this, during the full day tour, we will arrive at the José Antonio Valverde Visitor Center, at the northern edge of the Doñana National Park. Some of the areas we will visit along the way are Entremuros and Caño del Guadiamar. This will allow us to extend the list of observed species even further and reach the best areas for birds of prey and owls.

Blog: Top 10 birds of Doñana

Both, half day and full day trips are possible. (During the half day trip we only reach the Natural Park of Doñana, and during the full day trip both, Natural and National Park of Doñana).

Although it is sometimes possible to observe the Iberian Lynx on this birdwatching tour, combining it with the Lynx tour (it is possible to do them on the same day) increases the options considerably.

northern doñana - copy

Most wanted birds

RESIDENTS
Marbled Duck
Marbled Duck
ferruginous duck andalusian birds
Ferruginous Duck
red-knobbed coot andalusian birds
Red-knobbed Coot
greater flamingo andalusian birds
Greater Flamingo
great bittern andalusian birds
Great Bittern
spanish imperial eagle andalusian birds
Spanish Imperial Eagle

+

SUMMER
purple heron andalusian birds
Purple Heron
gull-billed tern andalusian birds
Gull-billed Tern
collared pratincole andalusian birds
Collared Pratincole
european bee-eater andalusian birds
European Bee-eater
red-necked nightjar andalusian birds
Red-necked Nightjar
western olivaceous warbler andalusian birds
Olivaceous Warbler

+

WINTER
osprey andalusian birds
Osprey
black-shouldered kite andalusian birds
Black-winged Kite
black stork andalusian birds
Black Stork
common crane andalusian birds
Common Crane
little bustard andalusian birds
Little Bustard
richards pipit andalusian birds
Richard's Pipit

+

MIGRATION
garganey andalusian birds
Garganey
egyptian vulture andalusian birds
Egyptian Vulture
european roller andalusian birds
European Roller
western orphean warbler andalusian birds
Western Orphean Warbler
bonelli's warbler andalusian birds
Bonelli's Warbler
iberian chiffchaff andalusian birds
Iberian Chiffchaff

+

Tawny Pipit
Subalpine Warbler
Ortolan Bunting
Black-eared Wheatear
Spotted Crake

Short-eared Owl
Merlin

Great Spotted Cuckoo
Pallid Swift
Greater Short-toed Lark
Black-eared Wheatear
Woodchat Shrike

Red-crested Pochard
Glossy Ibis
Eurasian Spoonbill
Squacco Heron
Eurasian Griffon Vulture
Red Kite
Purple Swamphen
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Eurasian Eagle Owl
Iberian Green Woodpecker
Lesser Kestrel
Southern Grey Shrike
Iberian Magpie
Thekla Lark
Calandra Lark
Lesser Short-toed Lark
Red-rumped Swallow
Spectacled Warbler
Spotless Starling
Spanish Sparrow

 

   MAIN HABITATS

Wetlands   Rice fields   Forests

 

   TOP BIRDS

Spanish Eagle, Marbled Duck, Red-knobbed Coot

 

   LOCATION

30 km from Seville (30 min) 

 

   DURATION

Half day tour: ≈ 5 hours.
Full day tour: ≈ 9 hours.

 

   AVAILABILITY

All year round.

   Pick up service in Seville or close to destination point (free of charge). For long distance pick up a supplement fee will be applied.

   Local guide fluent in English.

   Paper checklists of the birds to observe.

   Free access to identification guides and quality optical materials.

   All taxes.

   Doñana Wings is included in the Tourism Registry of the Andalusian Government as an Active Tourism company (AT/SE/00129) and holds a Liability Insurance (82168675) and Accidents Insurance (82164529) with AXA SEGUROS Company.

    Meals and drinks.

    Accomodation.

If you have to cancel the tour due to reasons related to COVID-19 (impediments to travel, infection…) you will be reimbursed 100% of your booking, no matter when you cancel. In other cases:

– Cancellations at least 7 days before the tour: 100% of the amount will be refunded.

– Cancellation due meteorological conditions: 100% of the amount will be refunded.

– Cancellations from 7 days before the tour until 2 days before the tour: 50% of the amount will be refunded.

– Cancellations less than 48 hours before the tour or “No show”: 0% of the amount will be refunded.

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