Southern Doñana Birding Day Trip

White-headed Duck stronghold

One of the most unknown areas of Doñana is located on the East bank of the Guadalquivir and it is protected as a Natural Park. It extends from the mouth of the river to about 25 km upriver.

We are talking about southern Doñana, in the province of Cádiz, around Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Without any doubt, this is one of the most interesting areas of Doñana for birdwatching, especially during the summer, when other places are completely dry.

This area has a high heterogeneity of landscapes: beach, brackish marshes, pools, fish farms, salt pans, Umbrella Pine forest… Other nearby habitats, such as vineyards, help to further increase the diversity of the region.

This domain is the best to observe two of the most threatened and iconic species of Doñana: Marbled Duck and White-headed Duck.

It is also a prime site for waders (including Collared Pratincole), gulls (Audouin’s, Slender-billed Gull…) and terns (with sometimes rare species like the Lesser Crested Tern).

The seashore offers a chance to seawatch, that might allow us to observe the Balearic Shearwater.

One outstanding sight is the presence of one of the rare European colonies of Little Swift and also the area all over Spain with the highest density of Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin.

Best place all over Doñana for Marbled and White-headed Duck.
Best place all over Doñana for waders, gulls and terns.
Good birding opportunities even during the summer.
To discover the most unknown section of Doñana.

Depending on the time of year and your preferences, we will visit a number of sites, along the way of the Guadalquivir River from Chipiona to Trebujena.  Some of the most notable are: Chipiona, Montijo Beach, Bonanza salt pans (Sanlúcar de Barrameda), Algaida pine forest, Trebujena marshlands and Trebujena vineyards.

We will use low traffic roads and dirt tracks, stopping whenever necessary and taking short walks if you wish.

NOTICE: During the half day trip we only visit the area around Sanlúcar de Barrameda, including salt pans, pine forest and wetlands.

northern doñana - copy

Most wanted birds

RESIDENTS
white-headed duck andalusian birds
White-headed Duck
audouin's gull andalusian birds (2)
Marbled Duck
audouin's gull andalusian birds
Audouin's Gull
slender-billed gull andalusian birds
Slender-billed Gull
lesser short-toed lark andalusian birds
Lesser Short-toed Lark
little swift andalusian birds
Little Swift

+

SUMMER
squacco heron andalusian birds
Squacco Heron
collared pratincole andalusian birds
Collared Pratincole
rufous-tailed scrub-robin andalusian birds
Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin
black-eared wheatear andalusian birds
Black-eared Wheatear
spectacled warbler andalusian birds.png
Spectacled Warbler
western olivaceous warbler andalusian birds
Western 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
ferruginous duck andalusian birds
Ferruginous Duck
bar-tailed godwit andalusian birds
Bar-tailed Godwit
MIGRATION
garganey andalusian birds
Garganey
great spotted cuckoo andalusian birds
Great Spotted Cuckoo
western orphean warbler andalusian birds
Western Orphean Warbler
subalpine warbler andalusian birds
Subalpine Warbler
bonelli's warbler andalusian birds
Bonelli's Warbler
iberian chiffchaff andalusian birds
Iberian Chiffchaff

Gull-billed Tern
Red-necked Nightjar
Pallid Swift
European Bee-eater
Woodchat Shrike
Greater Short-toed Lark
Red-rumped Swallow

Red-knobbed Coot
Greater Flamingo
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Red-crested Pochard
Glossy Ibis
Eurasian Spoonbill
Griffon Vulture
Purple Swamphen
Iberian Green Woodpecker
Lesser Kestrel
Southern Grey Shrike
Calandra Lark
Spotless Starling
Spanish Sparrow

 

   MAIN HABITATS

Marshlands    Saltplants    Sea

 

   TOP BIRDS

White-headed Duck, Marbled Duck, Little Swift

 

   LOCATION

Cádiz province. 80 km from Seville (1 hour) 

 

   DURATION

Full day from Seville: ≈ 10 hours.
Full day from Sanlúcar de Bda: ≈ 8 hours.
Half day (only from Sanlúcar): ≈ 5 hours.

 

   AVAILABILITY

All year round.

   Pick up service in Seville or close to destination point (Sanlúcar de Barrameda-Chipiona area),  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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