Doñana and Marismas del Odiel

The huge Doñana National Park is the largest wetland nature reserve in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Biosphere reserve, covering 1300 square kilometres in total. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this Park for wildlife , and in particular for ornithologists. Over 30,000 water birds breed here and more than 500,000 spend a part of their winter here as it is located on the “superhighway” for migratory birds from Africa to Europe. The park is also famous for the Iberian Lynx and the Imperial Eagle , both very scarce and emblematic of Spanish conservation’s protected species programme.

The list of bird species to spot is almost endless but includes the following :-

Flamingo, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Red.knobbed Coot, Imperial Eagle, White-headed Duck, Purple Swamphen, Lesser short-toed Lark, Stone Curlew, Red-crested Pochard, Marbled Duck and Bittern.

On migration or in summer they include Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Short-toed Eagle, Black Tern, Collared Pratincole and Red-necked Nightjar. These are by no means the full lists

Las Marismas del Odiel Biosphere reserve is the 2^nd largest wetland area in Huelva after Doñana and one of the most important saltmarshes in Europe. The salt of the two rivers – Odiel and Tinto – make the estuary a paradise for birdlife.

Flamingos, Ospreys,Spoonbills and Stilts can be observed at very very close quarters, along with a multitude of Waders, Terns,Warblers and rare Gulls.

Short-breaks in Andalusia offer specialist all-inclusive ornithological trips from 3 to 7 days length with professional local guides to accompany you throughout your trip.