the whole of Doñana
Doñana is the Europe’s biggest ecological reserve, where more than 400 birds species have been there watched. Some of the more remarkable birds are really threatened like the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Red-knobbed Coot, Marbled Duck and White-headed Duck. This makes birding in Doñana an unrepeatable experience. We can also find the Iberian Lynx one of the most threatened felines of the world.
For four days we will visit the best places to birdwatching around the counties of Seville, Huelva and Cádiz. The protected area takes 117.00 ha and within it and their surroundings we can find marshes, rivers, streams, umbrella pine and cork oak forests, meadows, mobile dunes, sandy cliffs, rice paddies and other crops.
Day 1: Brazo del Este
After picking you up at Seville airport or your accommodation in Seville we will head for Brazo del Este (which is located only a few kilometers away from Seville). This place is composed by rice paddies and an extend network of channels and wetlands taking up the former riverbed of the Guadalquivir. Although nowadays it is isolated of the rest of Doñana, it is an excellent site for birdwatching. Some of the outstanding species here are Collared Pratincole (summer), Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis and the Squacco Heron.
In the afternoon we will drive to our hotel in El Rocío, a picturesque white sandy village next to the marshland of the National Park.
Day 2: Northern Doñana
We will drive to Northern Doñana, where we have the best chances to observe the Spanish Imperial Eagle.
Early in the morning we will try to observe the endangered Iberian Lynx, who has one of their largest populations around Doñana. We will visit Dehesa de Abajo (a lake plenty of waterfowl), the rice paddies and we will drive through the limits of the Natural and the National Park to get into José Antonio Valverde visitors center. The Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, the Red-knobbed coot and a extensive list of wetland birds can be observed here.
During the winter big flocks of Common Crane and Grey-lag Geese feed in this area. Good chances for owls, including Little, Barn and Short-eared Owl.
Day 3: Southern Doñana
We will visit Southern Doñana, in the County of Cádiz, where the Guadalquivir river flows into the Atlantic Ocean. In this area the main habitats are marshlands, salt pans and beaches. It is the best place in Doñana to observe two of the most threatened birds of Spain, the Marbled Duck and White-headed Duck. Furthermore in the salt pans and the beaches can be observed a great variety of waders and Slender-billed Gull. Close vineyards are wonderful site to observe Rufous-tailed Scrub-robin in summer time.
Day 4: Western Doñana
We will finish our tour visiting visiting some more areas around El Rocío, in Western Doñana. We will visit by four-wheel drive vehicle restricted areas of the National Park, which will allow us to enjoy the best landscapes of the park and the largest wild beach in Spain. Mammals are easier to see here than anywhere else in the park, including Red Deer, Fallow Deer and Wild Boar.
In the cork tree forest and along the Rocina stream we will be able to see Iberian Chiffchaff (summer), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Short-toed Treecreeper and other forest birds.
The tour ends in the afternoon after saying goodbye in Seville or its airport.
Visit all the habitats of Doñana.
Best option to see all the iconic bird species of Doñana.
Chance to observe the Iberian Lynx.
Accommodation in El Rocío, one of the most picturesque villages in Andalusia.
Most wanted birds
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Black Tern
Ortolan Bunting
Spotted Crake
Tawny Pipit
Bar-tailed Godwit
Eurasian Bullfinch
Merlin
Short-eared Owl
Black-eared Wheatear
European Bee-eater
European Scops Owl
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Greater Short-toed Lark
Gull-billed Tern
Montagu's Harrier
Pallid Swift
Purple Heron
Red-rumped Swallow
Savi's Warbler
Woodchat Shrike
Audouin's Gull
Booted Eagle
Calandra Lark
Eurasian Eagle Owl
Eurasian Griffon Vulture
Eurasian Spoonbill
Great Bittern
Greater Flamingo
Iberian Green Woodpecker
Lesser Kestrel
Lesser Short-toed Lark
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Little Swift
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Purple Swamphen
Red Kite
Slender-billed Gull
Southern Grey Shrike
Spanish Sparrow
Spotless Starling
Squacco Heron
Thekla Lark
MAIN HABITATS
TOP BIRDS
Marbled Duck, White-headed Duck, Spanish Imperial Eagle…
TOUR LEADER
TOUR PARTY
Minimum: 4 pax – Maximum: 7 pax
DEPARTING POINT
Seville.
ACCOMMODATION
We will stay away for the entire tour in a small hotel in the white village of El Rocío, very close to the edge of the marshes.
FOOD
Abundant traditional Andalusian food, with some picnic lunches in the field. Let us know if you have any allergy.
PACE
Most of the birding from the vehicle or near it, with some short and easy walks.
Extra drinks and other items of a personal nature.
Flights (Ryanair & other companies operate daily flight from several UK airports).