Birdwatching and wildlife tours in Spain
Birding report Doñana
This birding report Doñana was preceded by a tour in Cazorla from March 14-17th.
Day 1. Birding report Doñana
At 9:30 we head off from Cazorla to Doñana. During the journey, numerous Black Kites and a solitary Booted Eagle are seen. Three hours later, we arrive to the lagoons of La Lantejuela. There, we have our picnic while we watch Greater Flamingos, Black-winged Stilts, Black-necked Grebes, Common Pochards, Marsh Harriers, a Cetti’s Warbler and a good number of White-headed Ducks, which is the third lifer of the trip. Katy finds on the floating trunks lots of Spanish terrapins sunbathing.
We continue the trip to our Hotel in el Rocio. After check in, we spend the last hours of the evening birding in the Rocio’s Marshes. Glossy Ibises, Spoonbills, Wood and Common Sandpiper, Common Redshanks, Great Ringed Plover, Little and Cattle Egret, White Storks, Crested Larks and Black Kites are spread all over the marshes. I locate a Grasshopper Warbler and I heard two more.
After that, Greater Flamingos become restless as a herd of Red Deers walk across the marshes, much to everyone’s delight. It makes a sensational picture of the area. A few minutes later, I spot a Spanish Imperial Eagle perched. I quickly got it in the telescope and fabulous views are obtained of this top raptor. I show it to Charlotte as I know she is really keen on seen it. She is over the moon! Finally, as the sun sets a Wild Boar is seen on the opposite site of the marshes.
Day 2. North area of Doñana. Fantastic birding
Today we have focus on the farmland and marshes which surrounds Villanueva and Isla Mayor. It is a superb area to increase the bird list with many species. Our first stop has been in a breeding colony of Spanish Sparrows, the fifth liver for Charlotte, Katy, Joe and James. As they are enjoying them, I spot a pair of Red-rumped Swallow building a nest. Five minutes later, we see a Calandra Lark flying over us displaying and then it is joined by a Short-toed Lark. As Joe rightly said” there is never a dull moment!”.
We follow the road finding Yellow wagtails, Zitting Cisticola and more than 100 Purple-swamp hens together, what an incredible area!. After that, Katy finds a carcass with 4 Griffon Vultures feeding on it. It is lunch time and we stop at JAV visitor centre to have coffee and eat the sandwiches. After that, we continue the journey following the Guadiamar and getting excellent views of Black Stork and Great Spotted Cuckoo. Besides, we watch the three species of sandpipers along the ditches besides the track.
Day 3. Odiel Marshes and South of Doñana
We have started the day searching for an elusive reptile which I know it would really impress the 4 birders I am guiding, the Chameleon. It is thought that they were introduced in the Iberian Peninsula centuries ago from Africa. They have been collected has a pet since then, and for that they are currently located in a very restricted areas in Huelva, Cadiz and Malaga provinces. After 20 minutes of searching, I find one beautiful Chameleon sunbathing in the top of a Broom tree.
Odiel Marshes: Great place for waders and Ospreys
With no more time to spare, we move to the Odiel Marshes and follow the main road towards the sea. Along the salt pans, the waders are abundant. We see Grey Plovers, Turnstones, Sanderlings, Redshanks, Whimbrels, Greenshank, Wood Sandpipers and Curlews. James locates an Osprey perched in a post and a Peregrine flies very low chasing waders. It is midday and we decide to have lunch on the dunes. Migrants such as Northern Wheatear, Hoopoe and two Woodchat Shrikes arrive from the sea.
This year has been drier that an average year, so the Acebuche visitor centre has no water. For that reason we go straight to La Rocina where I immediately pick out two Booted Eagles, one pale and the other dark morph. A Spanish Imperial Eagle along with Marsh Harriers, Black and Red Kites fly all together, making it a perfect chance to observe the features of each species. Approachable Azure-winged Magpies move around the Stone Pines looking for food. From the hides, we manage to watch a group of 6 Purple Heron, a Chiffchaff and a Savi’s Warbler feeding on the reeds.
We have a wonderful 6-days tour to this incredible wildlife-rich area in Europe. Many thanks to the group for making this special tour, one I will remember for a long time.
I hope you find interesting and useful this birding report Doñana. More information about our bird watching tour in Doñana is available in the link. Should you have any question, do not hesitate to contact us or visit our tour calendar.
Purple-swamp hen Bluethroat Spanish Sparrow Squacco Heron
Have a nice day