the top birding tour of Doñana
Marbled Duck
Wetland
8-9 hours
Spain
Andalucia
Huelva and Seville
Trip through the marshland in the north of the National Park of Doñana between the provinces of Huelva and Seville.
Birds & Photos
Day out in one of Europe’s major wetlands
The best places to watch birds in Doñana are in the surroundings of the National Park. We get to the northern Doñana area by driving past farms, paddy fields and marshlands in the delta of the river Guadalquivir. There is a long way to Valverde’s Bird Centre by unmetalled roads but it is worth it, especially in the wet season. Then we go to the “Dehesa de Abajo” near the rice fields where several species of waterfowl can be spotted, including Marbled and White-headed Ducks.
Northern Doñana is a paradise for birders and we have designed the best guided tour possible to get an extensive bird list and we have the possibility to focus on special species.
Possible birds for the checklist:
Residents: Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Cattle Egret, Night Heron, Flamingo, Squacco Heron, Red-crested Pochard, Hoopoe, Red-knobbed Coot, Stone Curlew, Spanish Sparrow, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. You may also catch a glimpse of the rare Spanish Imperial Eagle, White-headed Duck, Marbled Duck and Bittern.
Winter Birds: Greylag Goose, Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon, Great Egret, Osprey, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Crane, Black-tailed Godwit, Black Stork.
Summer Birds: Short-toed Lark, Purple Heron, Bee-eater, Little Bittern, Gull-billed Tern, Short-toed Eagle, Black Tern, Collared Pratincole, Roller, Isabelline Warbler, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin.
Migrants: Garganey, Temminck´s Stint, Winchat, Redstart, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper.
Introduced: Common Waxbill, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Black-headed Weaver, Red Avadavat.
Route locations
We go through the area above the National Park of Doñana in between the provinces of Huelva and Seville in the west of Andalucia. Dehesa de Abajo Nature Reserve is located 30 minutes to the south-west of Seville City and one hour from Huelva City. The visit to Valverde’s Bird Centre involves a long journey on dirt roads that are exceptional for birding though.
Duration time
The duration of the trip depends on the meeting point, the numbers of birds that come across and the interest in the special species. Normally we will spend between 8 and 9 hours although it take us 10 hours sometimes.
Price
Private trip
1 to 3 people 250 Euro.
4 or more people 70 Euro per person.
Open-group trip
70 Euro per person.
Availability
All year round although the area might be too dry in the summer as well as in periods of drought.
Please mind it can be extremely hot in the summer and very cold in the winter.
Multilingual
All our guides speak fluent English and the tour can be done in French, Portuguese or Catalan on demand.
Checklist available in different languages.
Logistics
Pickup can be arranged from any accommodation or any meeting point within the provinces of Huelva and Seville. For long distances, a fuel fee might be charged.
We use vehicles according to the group size. Usually a 9-seater minibus for up to 8 customers although larger groups can be taken in small coaches and buses.
