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.
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.
Most wanted birds
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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
TOP BIRDS
Spanish Eagle, Marbled Duck, Red-knobbed Coot
LOCATION
DURATION
Half day tour: ≈ 5 hours.
Full day tour: ≈ 9 hours.
AVAILABILITY
All year round.