Birding Spots

Here we will give you a list of the best birding spots in the area. The geographic area we cover includes not only the protected sites in the Doñana region but also those located to the west of it in Huelva province. We also consider some areas and spots which although not protected, offer some good quality birding chances. For example, large extensions of the marshes transformed into cereal and rice fields are excellent for birding.

Most of the spots are located in the triangle between the cities of Huelva, Seville and Jerez. (If you click on the number you will be taken to the a short description of the spot)

 DOÑANA NATIONAL PARK                                                                                           

1.- La Madre The Mother of the Marshes, this is how locals call the marshes next to the village of El Rocío. They are just the westernmost ponds of the vast Guadalquivir marshes. They are considered to be one of the best birdwatching spots in Spain. Easily reachable from the village, you just have to walk on the promenade which goes all along. The western side, next to the road, is specially recommended at the end of the day with the sun behind you.

2.- Coto del Rey A well preserved Stone Pine wood north of the National Park. Introduced hundreds of years ago, the Stone Pine has adapted perfectly to Doñana's sandy soil. Today the pine forest spreads over hundreds of hectares in the region and support a large community of Raptors and Passerines, along with the most dense population of the most  endanger species of wild cat in the world:  the Iberian Lynx. Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Tawny Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, Hoopoe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wood Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Crested Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Short-toed Treecreper, Azure-winged Magpie.

3.- Matasgordas The best preserved Cork Oak wood in the park. Here, we can see a good example of the natural Mediterranean forest in Doñana. Its name means "big bushes" and it comes from the huge mastic trees that spread all over the area.  It houses a large number of Booted Eagles and Black Kites, along with Griffon Vultures, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Wood Larks. The closest way from El Rocío to the northern marshes. Only permit holders are allowed through.

4.- Hinojos Marshes Visiting this endless ecosystem several times along the year is well worth it. A look along this northern natural marshes will produce some very long and different list of birds at different  times of the year. Spanish Imperial Eagle, Merlin, Stone Curlew, Kentish Plover, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark, Spectacled Warbler will probably be on it.

5.- Cerrado Garrido The largest heronry in the area, just next to Jose Antonio Valverde Visitors' Centre. Thousands of Glossy Ibis, Purple, Squacco and Night Herons, Cattle and Little Egrets, and Little Bittern concentrate during several months in spring. This is a place you shouldn't miss in your visit in Spring time. Also easily found there are Marbled Duck, Water Rail, Spotted Crake, Purple Gallinule, Zitting Cisticola, Savi's Warbler, and Great Reed Warbler.

6.- Lucio del Lobo The largest "lake" in the northern marshes. At the end of Spring or beginning of Winter, when water concentrates in lower areas, this very conveniently located pond is specially attractive. Black-necked Grebe, Pintail, Shoveler, Marbled Duck, Garganey, Short-toed Eagle, Crested Coot, Black -Tern, Short-eared Owl, Lesser Short-toed Lark.

7.- Lucio del Cangrejo The southernmost allowed point in the north route. It is an old "lucio" located  today inside the "entremuros" stripe. Don't try it if you don't have a 4WD or the floor is wet and soft !. It supports species like Spoonbill, Osprey, Purple Gallinule, Avocet and Short-toed Lark.

34.- La Rocina Stream One of the few natural sources of surface water for the western marshes. Marsh Harrier, Purple -Gallinule, Water Rail, Wren and many small warblers. A set of hides on the southern bank and a 10 km long sandy track along the northern bank. There is an information center next to the entrance.

35.- El Acebrón Woods A very attractive mosaic composed by a Mediterranean wood with Pines and Cork Oaks and a thick, wet and impenetrable woodland with Sallows, Ferns and Sedges. A paradise for Passerines like Golden Oriole, Long-tailed Tit, Cres-ted Tit and Firecrest. An unusual looking house shows an exhibition about traditional uses of the land in Doñana.

49.- El Acebuche Lagoon The main National Park Visitors Center offers a series of wooden hides overlooking a large lagoon. Marsh Harrier, Ferruginous Duck, Thekla Lark, Sardinian Warbler and one of the best spots in the area for Azure-winged Magpie.

50.- National Park South Route A tour that will take you along a virgin 30 km long sandy beach and across the marching sand dunes. Good, specially in the spring time, for the Spanish Imperial Eagle and Waders and Gulls along the beach in the winter. We use the services of the only authorized company for this route. Vehicles with 18 or 21 seats.

 DOÑANA NATURAL PARK                                                                                                   

8.- Entemuros The new course of the Guadiamar River. Today it flows in between two elevated  tracks, called "muros" (walls) in the area. The new water system saved Doñana from mayor damages in 1998´s mine spill. Along the western bank we can find species like Great White Egret, Bittern, Greylag Goose, Marsh Harrier, Purple Gallinule, Kingfisher, Bluethroat.

9.- Caño Guadiamar The old course of the Guadiamar River which was moved eastwards at the beginning of the 20th century to allow the drainage of large parts of the marshes.  Its partial regeneration is contemplated in the Doñana 2005 project . Great White Egret, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Red Crested Pochard,Short-toed Eagle, Marbled Duck, Purple Gallinule, Crested Coot, Avocet, Collared Pratincole, Kingfisher, Red-rumped Swallow.

10.- Hato Ratón Rice Fields The easternmost rice fields. Excellent birding area on the harvesting season and later in the Winter. Squacco Heron, Black Storke, Common Crane, Kingfisher,  Penduline Tit.

16.- Palacio del Rey An impressive old hacienda on the edge of the pine wood. Its White Stork colony is a good reason to visit it. Black and Red Kite, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Cuckoo, Spotless Starling, Woodchat Shrike.

22.- Cantarita Rice Field The southernmost fields and the southern section of the Brazo de la Torre, inlcuded in the Natural Park. Amazing flocks of Black-tailed Godwit and hundreds of Black Stork in Autumn.

.23.- Veta la Palma A huge fish farm with large concentrations of birds all year round, access is restricted.

29.- El Puntal Marshes Some old salt pans next to the river. Osprey, Greater Flamingo, Slender-billed Gull. Marbled Duck. (A plus of 20€ to cover petrol expenses will apply to this destination)

30.- Bonanza Salt Pans Large shallow ponds ideal for flamingoes, sea gulls and waders. The best spot for the Slender-billed Gull. (A plus of 20€ to cover petrol expenses will apply to this destination)

31.- El Tarelo Lagoon An artificial small lagoon that gives shelter to a good number of White-headed Ducks, Crested Coots and other. (A plus of 20€ to cover petrol expenses will apply to this destination)

46.- Abalario Lagoons A part of a rosary of coastal lagoons, surrounded by thick Pine Woods.

47.- El Alamillo Woods A vast Pine forest and open fields that shelter some interesting species like Black-shouldered Kite, Booted Eagle, Stone Curlew, Azure-winged Magpie, Red-necked Nightjar, Thekla Lark, Wood Lark, Black-eared Wheatear, Dartford Warbler and Golden Oriole.

48.- El Asperillo A nice mixture of Pine and Juniper wood, stabilized sand dunes, sandy cliffs and long sandy beaches. Perfect for exploring walks, mammal prints and passerines.

 OTHER PROTECTED SITES  IN THE REGION                                                                 

13.- Guadiamar Green Corridor A new protected area thought to be a corridor between the low lands and the hills in the north. Purple Heron, Great White Egret, Glossy Ibis, Black-shouldered Kite, Osprey, Purple Gallinule, Barn Owl, Temminck’s Stint, Collared Pratincole, Kingfisher, Spanish Sparrow. Reed Bunting.

Quema Ford and open lands, La Tiesa scrublands and forets, Don Simón Ford and low lands, Los Vaqueros Ford, Vuelta la Arena reed beds and riverbanks all along the corridor are good spots for birds.

17.- Dehesa de Abajo Protected Site One of the largest White Storke colonies in Spain. There is also a small reservoir housing water birds.  Flamingo, Avocet, Crested Coot, Bee-eater, Great Spotted Cuckoo.

24.- Brazo del Este and Olivillos Island Natural Site An old branch of the Guadalquivir River zig-zagging across the rice fields on the eastern bank. Little Bittern, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Great White Egret, Purple Heron, Black Stork, Glossy Ibis, Marbled Duck, Black Kite, Hen Harrier, Purple Gallinule, Collared Pratincole, Kentish Plover, Golden Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Sand Martin, Bluethroat, Sedge Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti’s Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Olivaceous Warbler, Penduline Tit, Spanish Sparrow, Golden Bishop, Common Waxbill.

26.- Espera Lagoons Natural Reserve Some interesting small lagoons half way down to Jerez. White-headed Duck, Crested Coot, Purple Gallinule. (A plus of 20€ to cover petrol expenses will apply to this destination)

33.- Medina Lagoon Natural Reserve The largest natural lake in Cádiz province today after the lost of La Janda. White-headed Duck, Crested Coot, Pintail, Red-crested Pochard. (A plus of 20€ to cover petrol expenses will apply to this destination)

41.- Odiel Marshes Natural Site The second most important protected area in Doñana region consists of a large saltmarsh complex with sandy spits and beaches, located just next to the industrialized city of Huelva. It’s especially important for passing and wintering waders and waterbirds. Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Shelduck, Red-breasted Merganser, Osprey, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Crested Coot, Avocet, Kentish Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Whimbrel, Audouin’s Gull, Caspìan Tern, Whiskered Tern, Little Tern .

43.- Huelva Pier A 7 km long pier that goes deep into the Atlantic Ocean and is a part of the Odiel Natural Site. Specially good in the winter time.

42.- El Portil Lagoon Natural Reserve not far from the marshes, is a little coastal lagoon which offers a few interesting species along with the always impressive chameleon. White-headed Duck, Ferruginous Duck, Audouin’s Gull, Crested Coot, Black Tern.

44.- Estero de Domingo Rubio Natural Reserve next to La Rábida Monastery. This tideland of the Tinto River holds an important population of Herons and Waders.

45.- Palos and Las Madres Lagoons Natural Reserve Some small lagoons remaining from what in times was a long rosary of coastal lagoons that connected Odiel with Guadalquivir marshes. Crested Coot, White-headed Duck, Black Tern, Red-crested Pochard, Little Bittern, Purple Gallinule. 

OTHER BIRDING SPOTS IN THE REGION                                                                         

There are a good number of well worth birding spots, close to these protected areas, which will improve your bird list both in quantity and quality.

11.- Partido Resina The northernmost cereal fields in the transformed marshes. A good example of how good the farm land around the parks can be for birding purposes. Bittern, Montagu's Harrier, Common Crane, Little Bustard.

12.- Dehesa de Pilas A stripe of land stolen to the old course of the Guadiamar River. Montagu's Harrier, Stone Curlew, Collared Pratincole, Golden Plover, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Spanish Sparrow.

14.- Mancho Zurillo Lagoon An Egret rust place that offers a free spectacular performance every evening . In the dry season egrets move to other places in the area. Osprey, Black-shouldered Kite, Cuckoo.

15.- San Lazaro Lagoon A temporal lagoon surrounded by pine trees. Cuckoo, Tree Sparrow.

18.- Isla Mínima Rice Fields The northernmost fields. Herons and Waders.

19.- Brazo de la Torre Northern section of one of the old branches of the Guadalquivir River. A stripe of natural vegetation surrounded by farming land. Herons, Egrets and Waders.

20.- Isla Mayor Rice Fields A huge extension where you can get easily lost. Good from July to February. Large concentrations of Waders, Gulls and Storks from October to December during the harvesting season.

21.- Veta de Alí Marshes An "island" of semi transformed marshland. The largest flocks of Collared Pratincole in the Summer

25.- Isla Menor Rice Fields The fields on the eastern banks of the Guadalquivir River. Many  Black Storks and hundreds of  White Storks and Glossy Ibis during the harvesting season.

27.- Guadalquivir River The banks of the father of the marshes. A drive along the spoiled road on the eastern banks is well worth it. Herons, Sea Gulls, Waders and Passerines. (A plus of 20€ to cover petrol expenses will apply to this destination)

28.- Adventus Marshes The best preserved marshes on the eastern side of the Guadalquivir River. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Lesser Short-toed and Calandra Lark. (A plus of 20€ to cover petrol expenses will apply to this destination)

32.- Sanlucar Beaches Long sandy beaches facing the National Park from Sanlucar to Chipiona. In low tide they are good for Gulls and Waders. (A plus of 20€ to cover petrol expenses will apply to this destination)

36.- Almonte Vineyards It supports a good number of interesting species like Great Grey Shrike, Little Owl, Cuckoo, Hoopoe, Black-eared Wheatear and some other unexpected surprises.

37.- The village of La Palma del Condado This white village on the verge of the northern sierras holds one of the best Lesser Kestrel colonies in the area.

38.- Tinto River This bizarre looking river houses some large Bee-eater colonies and supports other species like Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Montague's Harrier, White-rumped Swift, European Bee-eater, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Rock Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Sparrow.

39.- El Andévalo and the Northern Sierras A large area covering the north of the province of Huelva. They keep the most important Black Vulture and Great Bustard colonies in Andalucía. (A plus of 25€ to cover petrol expenses will apply to this destination)

The Andévalo steppes

This region spreads just in between the low lands and the northern mountain ranges in the province of Huelva. Flat steppe fields alternate with rocky low hills resulting in the appropriate habitat for species as interesting as: Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Little Bustard, Great Bustard, Stone Curlew, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Eagle Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, Green Woodpecker, Rock Trush, Black-eared Wheatear.

Sierra Pelada

Located at the westernmost  ranges of Sierra Morena, this high hills overlooking the whole region hold one of the most important breeding colonies of Black Vulture in Europe. Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodlark, Crag Martin, Black-eared Wheatear, Melodious Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Golden Oriole, Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting.

40.- The village of Niebla The roman walls and castles in this historic village are the perfect home for one of the most spectacular Lesser Kestrel breeding colonies in the region.