bird watching tours spain

Now taking bookings for autumn migration tours & winter trips for Spain & The Gambia

Book now for birding trips in 2024 & 2025

Welcome to Ebro Delta Birding - Bird watching tours in Spain

We offer expertly guided birding experiences for small groups in the Ebro Delta, other areas of northern Spain & beyond!

Overview of Ebro Delta Birding

Who are we and what services do we offer....

Ebro Delta Birding is a family run enterprise led by Al Henderson, providing multi-day guided bird watching holidays or, alternatively, birding day trips. We are based in the Ebro Delta but also extend our tours into surrounding areas of northern Spain and even further beyond. We specialise in bookings for small groups of typically 2 - 4 people, allowing us to tailor our tours to meet your specific goals; be that general bird watching , high level bird photography or maybe searching out an elusive rarity for your birding life list! We are more than happy to cater for bird watchers & bird photographers of all  levels of expertise - ranging from novice right through to aficionado.

Founder & Lead Guide, Al Henderson

Al originally hails from Ilkley, West Yorkshire in the UK, and has been an avid bird-watching fanatic since childhood. He has been living in the Ebro Delta region for more than 24 years. During this time, many hours have been spent observing the amazing bird-life of the zone - and learning where to find even the most elusive of them at different times of the year. In early 2018, Al made the decision to turn his passion for bird watching into a profession - and Ebro Delta Birding was founded with the intention of passing on his local expertise to fellow birders keen to discover this bird watching paradise.

What type of Birding Tours do we offer?

• Multi-day birding holidays in Spain , we have itineraries of different duration to suit  your requirements. Our long birding tours include private airport transfers from Barcelona, accommodation at carefully selected properties around our routes and, of course, well researched and varied birding locations to maximise possibilities of seeing a huge variety of different species. Our multi-day itineraries visit great birding sites beyond the Ebro Delta, with excursions to some of Catalonia & Aragon's other outstanding birding habitats of mountains and Steppe lands including:  Lleida steppes, Els Ports mountains, Laguna de Gallocanta , Sierra de Guara, Monegros plains and Catalonian Pyrenees.
• Birding day trips in the Ebro Delta. We also cater for clients who are visiting the Ebro Delta region and are looking for an expert to show them around on a bird watching day trip. We currently have 3 different birding day tours available to choose from; a classic birding day trip around the Ebro Delta by car & foot, a bird watching boat tour of the Ebro river on our privately owned Skiff, or a mountain bird watching day trip to the nearby Els Ports natural park which includes a Vulture feeding experience at the excellent Mas de Bunyol observatory.
• Escorted Bird photography tour of The Gambia. Al has been a regular visitor to this west African bird watching paradise since 2019, and has now teamed up with local guide Fansu Bojang to create an incredible week-long bird photography adventure. This tour offers a perfect opportunity to experience the very best of this amazing destination and photograph a mind boggling array of spectacular tropical bird species, with Al & Fansu guiding you along a route which takes in the country's very best locations.

Why book with Ebro Delta Birding?

Are you looking for more from your birding experience than being just another number crammed into the back of a minibus? If the answer to this is yes, then our bird watching tours may well appeal to you! We aim to be client led and offer flexibility in terms of your objectives for the day. Small group sizes provide a great dynamic and ensure all our clients receive the attention they deserve. By catering for small parties & private groups we do not find ourselves having to 'balance'  different needs of different clients so you won't get 'lost in the crowd'. Our mission at Ebro Delta Birding is to provide memorable bird watching experiences for clients of all knowledge levels at affordable & realistic price points.

All photography / video content contained within the website © Al Henderson / Ebro Delta Birding , unless stated otherwise.

Al Henderson, leading a guided bird watching boat trip on the Ebro Delta

Current Birding Tour Options - 2024 & 25

Multi day bird watching holidays in spain.

Multi-day birding tours where we will discover the best of the Ebro Delta before extending the trip to some of northern Spain's other outstanding zones of plains and mountains.

Birding day trips around the Ebro Delta

Are you in the Ebro Delta region and looking for an expert guide to show you around? Check out our 3 bird watching day trip options - a classic day tour by car & foot, birding boat trip of the riverbanks or Vulture feeding in nearby Els Ports mountains.

Escorted birding tours to The Gambia

Looking for something slightly more exotic? Join Al Henderson as he teams up with local Gambian guide Fansu Bojang to experience a truly unforgettable birding & bird photography adventure in the tiny west African country The Gambia!

UPCOMING TOUR SCHEDULE 2024 & 25

Autumn 2024 - september & october.

Exceptional birding opportunities at the Ebro Delta and surrounding areas of NE Spain. The autumn season show cases the south bound migration, the rice harvest spectacle on the delta and the arrival of wintering species.

Ebro Delta Experience (5 night / 4 day birding):

• September 1st to 6th - 4 places available
• September 16th to 21st - 2 places available
• October 14th to 19th - 4 places available

South Catalonia Showcase (7 night / 6 day birding)

• September 8th to 15th - 3 places available

Winter 2024 / 25 - November & January

Fantastic winter birding in varied habitats of wetland, plains and mountains for target birds including Bluethroat, Wallcreeper & Lammergeier.

Winter Wonders of N Spain (7 night / 6 day birding):

• November 3rd to 10th - 4 places available
• January 19th to 26th - 4 places available

Winter 2024 / 25 - November & February

Due to popular demand our amazing birding tour to The Gambia will now be running twice.

Escorted Birding & Bird Photography in The Gambia (7 night / 6 day birding):

• November 18th to 25th - 1 place available
• February 10th to 17th - 4 places available

Expertly guided packages & day tours of the Ebro Delta!

The ebro delta - what is it & where is it.

The Ebro Delta is one of the most famous river deltas in Europe and is situated in North Eastern Spain on the Mediterranean coastline, approximately midway between the cities of Barcelona and Valencia.

 It is primarily a wetland location containing 320 square kilometers of Natural Park with a wide variety of aquatic environments. Different habitats include river, lagoons, sand dunes, salt marshes, beaches, woodland and agricultural zones. These diverse locations provide micro habitats for a huge abundance and variety of bird-life , and it is a key breeding site for many rare species of birds. For people planning their bird watching holidays, the Ebro Delta is an area that demands your attention!

What type of birds will I see?

The Ebro Delta has a recorded species list in excess of 360! perhaps the question should be what birds won't I see...

Book your bird watching excursion with Ebro Delta Birding and we will get you into the best locations to see a huge abundance and diversity of birds throughout the four seasons. The delta has fantastic access across the whole region, with a network of agricultural tracks allowing us to explore the entire area to our heart's content. Our exclusive boat tour allows us to offer our clients the opportunity to see some of the regions best bird watching zones which are completely inaccessible by foot to the general public.

Click the image of this fishing Great Egret for a comprehensive over view of the birds you are likely to encounter on your bird watching tour.

Booking system - how do I reserve a birding trip?

Multi-day bird watching tours . Our extended birding holidays are available to join on fixed start date itineraries, or can alternatively be booked privately on demand. To see the latest start dates for trips running in 2023, click this sunset image of Glossy Ibis returning to their roost.

Bird watching day trips . Any of our 3 birding day tours are available to book throughout the year on demand. You can choose to book a private tour, or there is also the option to make an open reservation for other people to join.

As featured in:

The times top 25 secret mediterranean escapes.

Our bird watching tours of the Ebro Delta and surrounding area have been selected by The Times travel supplement as one of their top 25 secret Mediterranean escapes, click through below to read the full article..

Latest videos from our bird watching tours

Bee-eaters arrive spring birding 2024.

It's that time of the year already! The European Bee-eaters announce their arrival with that trademark bubbly chatter, as groups are spotted on north bound migration. Enjoy footage from the 2023 season at a breeding colony just 10 minutes drive from our birders Guest House.  

Gambia Birding Tours - Kotu Creek highlights!

An atmospheric 5 minute video of the magical canoe trip from the legendary Kotu bridge in The Gambia . Close up footage of spectacular species like Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black Heron (Umbrella bird), Senegal Thick-knee, Little Bee-eaters and more. Find out more about our escorted birding & bird photography tours to The Gambia in 2024 / 25 here: 

Our most popular video on YouTube with over 230k views! - Nightingale in full voice

Perhaps the most vocal bird to arrive in spring here at the Ebro Delta is, of course, the Common Nightingale . These wonderful songsters can be found along the banks of the Ebro in their favored breeding quarters. Click through to watch our most popular video of the Nightingale in full voice!

Covid 19 update - Ebro Delta birding

Book with 100% confidence.

• Deposit payments for trips disrupted by Covid-19 will be kept on record as indefinite credit towards future dates when re-scheduling is possible.
• All members of the Ebro Delta Birding team are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (triple dose).
• Social distancing will be observed at any bird watching hides / platforms we use during the tours. Hand sanitizer always available in the tour vehicle. 

Our Privacy Policy

https://app.termly.io/dashboard/website/16d126df-6e24-4ca5-ab40-44c62e36df9e/privacy-policy

Copyright © 2024 Ebro Delta Birding, Spain - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Compliance with the Covid-19 regulations on Ecotourism

Spain Tours

Overseas Tours

Private Trips

Birdwatching & Wildlife Tours

Accredited and specialist travel company since 1999

Spain Tours 2024

This is our scheduled tours selection to main birding and wildlife sanctuaries in Spain

DOÑANA & EXTREMADURA: Best of Southern Spain

EXTREMADURA: Raptors and steppe birds in Western Spain

EXTREMADURA & GREDOS: Eagles and Bluethroats!

SPANISH PYRENEES: ... and Ebro River steppes

PICOS DE EUROPA: Summer in the Cantabrian Mountains

STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR: Migration to Africa

Overseas tours 2024.

All inclusive international destinations

05/04/2024 - 14/04/2024

See the most recent posts of our Blog

News, trip reports, videos… please visit our Blog if you want to keep yourself updated about all we do in the field

The flight of the Spanish Imperial Eagle

Spainbirds Nature Tours practices a responsible tourism

Birds of Ciudad Real II (Wetlands)

What our clients say about us.

Nancy and I want to thank you for such a super birding trip in the Pyrenees. We really had a great time, saw some great birds, and fell in love with Spain. You run an excellent trip, just the right pace, and the food was fabulous. We also really liked the Hotel Uson.

Spanish Pyrennes, June 2012

Charles & Nancy Bell (USA)

Many thanks for your expert help on a great birding tour. Both Dave and yourself made this trip me an unforgettable experience. I recorded 55 new sightings!!!!!! One of the best for me was the Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush. Hope to see you at the Bird Fair in August.

Extremadura, April 2008

Deryck Leivers (UK)

Many many thanks for the most memorable trip to your wonderful country. The birding was better than I hoped for, the company was wonderful, and the food and accommodation was excellent. Again “Muchas gracias y nos vemos el año que viene”!

Central Spain, April 2016

Barry Dursley (UK)

• DESTINATIONS
• SEARCH FOR TOURS or QUICK LINKS
• TOUR CALENDAR
• REPORTS & PHOTOS
• BIRDS OF A FEATHER SERIES
• PHOTO GALLERY ARCHIVE
• GUIDES & STAFF
• LATEST NEWS
• HEALTH PROTOCOLS
• CONSERVATION SUPPORT
• PRIVATE TOURS
• JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
• ABOUT FIELD GUIDES
• INFO & POLICIES
• TRAVEL RESOURCES
• GUIDING CAREERS

La Mancha, Coto Donana & Extremadura

Spain is among the most popular birding destinations in Europe. Our journey through the country's heartland will take us first to the bird-rich lagunas of La Mancha and the National Park of Tablas de Daimiel, where Eurasian Penduline-Tit, Bearded Reedling, Montagu's Harrier, Collared Pratincole, and the endangered White-headed Duck nest. Then we'll travel south to the Parque Natural de Sierra de Andujar where we will search for the endangered Iberian Lynx, Spanish Imperial Eagle, and the Iberian Magpie. After a cultural visit to the impressive Mezquita of Cordoba we will drive west to the magnificent Parque Nacional de Donana (Coto Donana), one of the largest and most important wetlands in Europe, covering an area of almost half a million acres, where Greater Flamingo, Western Swamphen, Audouin's and Slender-billed gulls, and Red-crested Pochard are among the exciting possibilities.

From Donana we'll venture north to wildest Extremadura and the unique Spanish steppes—a harsh land of wide, rolling plains and rugged sierras, birthplace of the conquistadors and a stronghold of the spectacular Great Bustard. Nowhere else in Europe do birds of prey breed in such numbers or such variety. Species to look for include the immense Cinereous (Black) Vulture and Eurasian Griffon, the elusive Eurasian Eagle-Owl, and the locally rare Black-winged Kite, while many other fast-declining species are also dependent on the survival of this disappearing habitat.

We'll finish up in the beautiful Sierra de Gredos, where we'll stay at a lovely parador with Western Bonelli's Warbler, Citril Finch, and a number of other birds as possibilities.

Select the KEY INFO tab or click here for our itinerary plus space requests, status, fees, limits, and guides for any departure.

Client comment "A good experience. Lots of birds and very agreeable company. This tour had good range--shore to high plains to mountains--and the tour leaders, Chris Benesh and Godfried Schreur, were what I expected, i.e. good company who know their birds (and butterflies, and lizards and plants and ...). I would definitely travel with them again. Office service was good, as expected. Field Guides is well organized, which is why I use it." M.M., SPAIN 2019

ITINERARIES • TOUR STATUS • DETAILS • SPACE REQUESTS

• 2024 sample (PDF)
• 2025 (PDF expected Jul 2024)

DEPARTURES • We have 2 departures currently scheduled through 2026, with details including limits, guides, fees, and space available listed below.

Apr 19 - May 1, 2025 Guided by: Godfried Schreur & Willy Perez Tour Manager: Ruth Kuhl Tour Limit: 12 Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available - The itinerary has not been finalized for this tour. The trip has provisionally filled but, if you are interested, we can waitlist you for the trip. As we do not require deposits until the itinerary and price are finalized, we often have folks drop off a tour when the deposit is required, and so space opens up! Click below to be waitlisted for this tour with no obligation; if you are waitlisted, we will also notify you in case of an added departure of this tour. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2024=$5850 REQUEST WAITLIST OR MORE INFO

Apr 18-30, 2026 Guide: TBA Tour Manager: TBA Tour Limit: 12 Status: Open - Space is still available on this tour, and we are accepting provisional bookings. No deposit is required until you receive the itinerary. Click below to book space. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2024=$5850 REQUEST SPACE OR MORE INFO

Enjoy looking through the 5 most recent Field Guides triplists for this tour linked below!

• 2023 (Apr departure guided by Godfried Schreur)
• 2022 (Apr departure guided by Godfried Schreur)
• 2019 (May departure guided by Chris Benesh & Godfried Schreur)
• 2017 (May departure guided by Chris Benesh & Godfried Schreur)

Birding The Strait

Birding in spain and morocco.

Birding The Strait  is a Travel Agency based in  Tarifa ,  Andalucia . We are specialized in organizing tours for  birding in Spain and Morocco , two countries with outstanding scenery and biodiversity. We arrange both scheduled and tailor-made tours for private groups and international tour operators.

In addition to our tours, we offer  birding day trips from Tarifa . With us you will find spectacular numbers of birds, all year-round raptor migration and superb birding hotspots.

If you are passionate about birdwatching, whether you are a beginner, advanced or a pro birder, you can join our  bird guides  for a phenomenal Nature Experience!

BIRDING DAY TRIPS

From tarifa.

If you are visiting  Tarifa , the  Strait of Gibraltar  or the province of  Cadiz , consider joining  Birding The Strait  on a private birding and nature tour that fits your schedule and interests. Explore the rolling hills, beautiful ridges and extensive farmland and learn about the wildlife, flora and history of the region with one of our knowledgeable local guides. This is a fantastic way to do a half day or a full day trip, either on your own or with your family.

PRIVATE TOURS

Birding and wildlife photography trips for every level.

• Are you looking for an easy birding trip for nature enthusiasts or beginner birdwatchers?
• Do you have an extensive knowledge on the regional birds and need to find some difficult species?
• Are you more interested on taking great pictures of the birds and wildlife than getting a big list of species?

Featured birdwatching tours

Featured tour

Birdwatching in the canary islands tour.

Dates:  Jan 12-18, 2025 Price:   1850€ p/p in double occupancy (single sup: 365€) Places available:

Strait of Gibraltar Birding Tour

Dates:  Sept 5-11, 2024 Price:   1725€ p/p in double occupancy (single sup: 350€) Places available:

Tarifa Birding Tour

Dates:  Nov 1-4, 2024 Price:   695€ p/p in double occupancy (single sup: 115€) Places available:

We run birdwatching tours in Spain, one of the most popular birding destinations in the world, offering the perfect combination of Nature, Culture and History! We also regularly arrange birding and wildlife tours to Morocco and other destinations. Check out the tours that we are offering!

For the Best Birding in Spain

Tailor-made birding trips and Nature travel

Wildlife photography opportunities

Superb birdwatching and wildlife viewing opportunities

Small groups for a personalized experience

Passionate and knowledgable guides

Conservation-minded travel

Detailed-oriented customer care

Greatly rewarding travel experience

What customers say about Birding the Strait

This is the third time my wife and I participated on an excursion with Birding The Strait! Both guides are a true delight and did everything in their power to organize the trips according to our wishes! These tours have been unforgettable highlights and being enthusiastic ornithologists ourselves, we are looking forward to our next chance to discover the Spanish birds in the province of Cadiz with Birding The Strait! PS – Zurich, Switzerland

I can thoroughly recommend Birding the Strait. A friendly and highly professional company. Javi was very efficient in making the arrangements and we had two excellent days of migration and other birdwatching with Yeray. He is highly knowledgeable with excellent id skills, clearly imparted to the clients. He has a flexible and pleasant attitude, matching well to our requirements. His local knowledge, contacts and guiding greatly enhanced our experience of the area. HM – Woking, UK

We have been out with Javier 3 times now and each trip has been Fantastic. Each time he has found all the birds that we wanted to see including Common Bulbul, Rüppell’s Vulture, Little Swift, lots of Common Cranes, Red Necked Nightjar, Lesser and Greater Spotted Eagle, etc. Javier’s raptor identification skills are second to none and you could not find anyone better to teach you. Javier has worked very hard to ensure we enjoyed our times with him. JK – Slough, UK

Recent Blog Articles

• Excellent birding in well-established network of nature reserves and national parks that occur across Spain.
• Dramatic scenery, fascinating history and diverse cultures; this is a fine time to be in Spain with warm and pleasant days and breeding season for birds.

Tour Overview

Our Spain birding tour takes in the wonderful steppes, woodlands and mountains of Sierra de Gredos and Extremadura with its incredible birdlife, especially the high concentration of raptors at Monfrague, the wetland wilderness of the Cota Doñana, and the charming hills and valleys of the Serrania de Ronda, renowned for its lush and diverse fauna and flora.

We take in towns steeped in medieval culture, the Atlantic shores at Tarifa at the Straits of Gibraltar, and picturesque white limestone communities nestled on mountainsides.

Wildlife highlights will be many – Greater Flamingo, several eagles – Spanish Imperial, Golden, Booted and Bonelli’s, both Great and Little Bustards, egrets, herons, ibis including the introduced Northern Bald, Collared Pratincole, Iberian (Azure-winged Magpie), sandgrouse, several larks, wheatears and rock-thrushes, warblers, shorebirds, choice gulls – the list goes on.

Dates & Prices

Dates & prices, what's included, tour price includes.

• All accommodation,
• Ground transportation
• All park, conservation and entrance fees
• 4 - 5 participants with one guide, 6 - 10 with two guides and two vehicles

Tour Price Does Not Include

• Flights to and from start/end locations
• Travel Insurance
• Items of a personal nature

Day 1: Arrival in Malaga

Our Spain birding tour starts when we meet for supper at our hotel in Malaga. Close to the hotel could be common species such as Red-rumped Swallow, Crested Lark, the endemic Spotless Starling, Eurasian Collared Dove, and the introduced Monk Parakeet. Night in Malaga

Day 2 : Guadalhorce River, Sierra de las Nieves National Park and Ronda

Our first destination is the Rio Guadalhorce National Park, very close to our hotel. This area is a complex of freshwater ponds and low scrub between two arms of the Rio Guadalhorce, at the estuary into the Mediterranean Sea, and has a diverse avifauna. We will amass an impressive list of birds, from Greater Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Little and Greater Ringed Plovers, Kentish (Snowy) Plover, and several shorebirds and gulls to Cetti’s, Reed, Sedge and Sardinian Warblers, Serin, Stonechat and the introduced Common Waxbill. Purple Swamphen and White-headed Duck are possible, as is Eurasian Kingfisher.

We leave Malaga and we drive west and then north through the Sierra de las Nieves. The Los Quejigales access road passes through stands of pines and firs, open areas and dense scrub, supporting Black and Black-eared Wheatears, Subalpine and Dartford Warblers, Rock Bunting, Firecrest, several species of tits – Crested, Great, Blue and Coal, Alpine Swift, and Bonelli’s Eagle.We then head to the Serrania de Ronda for a one-night stay. The town of Ronda is bisected by the deep El Tajo gorge, and from the southern walls of the old town one can view the gorge and its nesting Lesser Kestrel, Red-billed Chough, Black Redstart and Crag Martins. Night close to Ronda.

Day 3: Rio Guadiaro and transfer to Tarifa

In the morning, we visit the Rio Guadiaro valley for a wide selection of species, from Red-legged Partridge to Golden and Short-toed Eagles, Eurasian Honey-Buzzard, Alpine Swift, Spotted Flycatcher, Sardinian Warbler, Serin and Cirl Bunting. The town of Grazalema, one of the more attractive “white villages”, is an excellent spot for Black Wheatear as well as several warblers including Melodious, Red-billed Chough, shrikes, nightingales and Stonechat. We then leave the Serrania de Ronda and head west to Tarifa for a three-night stay.

Days 4 & 5: Tarifa

At Tarifa, along the coast, we should find Yellow-legged and Audouin’s Gulls, Sandwich Tern, migrant shorebirds such as Little Stint, Sanderling, Dunlin, Common Redshank and Greenshank and residents like Black-winged Stilt and Pied Avocet. Zitting Cisticola and Greater Short-toed Lark can be seen from the boardwalk. We also have a chance for Little Swift, an African species that spills across the Straits of Gibraltar here. This area is famous for raptor migration, and we will watch the skies for migrating birds, perhaps European Honey Buzzard or Short-toed Eagle. Depending on weather, we may take a 2 to 2.5 hour whale-watching trip into the Straits of Gibralter where we could expect to see several cetaceans and seabirds, including Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters and Northern Gannet. Nights in Tarifa.

Days 6 & 7: Parque Nacional de Doñana

We leave Tarifa and head to the fabulous Coto Doñana. On the way we plan to stop in the town of La Barca de Vejer, to look for the recently introduced Northern Bald Ibis which occupy a cliff face at the entrance to the town. We also visit the nearby Barbate saltmarshes to search for Collared Pratincole, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Thick-knee, Audouin’s Gull, Squacco Heron, and Caspian Tern. A wetland along the Rio Brazo near the small community of Pinzon hosts Black-headed Weaver, an African species newly established in Spain, as well as water birds that includes Marbled Duck, Greater Flamingo, spoonbill, egrets, herons, Glossy Ibis, Purple Swamphen, and a nesting colony of Whiskered Terns. The Laguna de Medina has convenient boardwalks and bird blinds for viewing Great Crested and Eared Grebes, Tufted Ducks, nightingales and several warblers.

We then travel on to world famous Parque Natural de Donana, and our accommodation in the historic town of El Rocío, home of the Virgen del Rocío, for the next two nights. Our hotel is located on the shores of the marismas, where Greater Flamingos, Eurasian Spoonbills and Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns forage within sight of our rooms. Reed beds hold Great Reed and Savi’s Warblers, and Squacco Heron, Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis and Little Bittern feed along the shoreline, and Western Marsh Harriers quarter the marsh.

During our stay, we visit an array of different habitats, from woodlands to open grasslands, beaches and extensive wetlands. One such place is José Antonio Valverde Visitor Center, for Purple Herons and Black-crowned Night-Herons, Great, Little and Cattle Egrets, and various waterfowl, grebes and shorebirds including Pied Avocet, Ruff and Little Ringed Plover, while drier areas support Greater and Lesser Short-toed Larks. Trails at El Acebuche and La Rocina pass through woodlands and wetlands that support Red-crested and Common Pochards, Eurasian Bee-eater, European Roller, Short-toed Treecreeper, Common Nightingale, Iberian Chiffchaff, and Cetti’s Warblers. Salt pans sometimes have Red-knobbed Coot, Tawny Pipits occur close by, and a night-time foray could turn up Eurasian Scops-Owl and Red-necked Nightjar. Collared Pratincoles and Red-rumped Swallows hawk insects, Spanish Imperial Eagles nest in the open savannas, and we have a chance at several mammals - Red Fox, Iberian Red Deer, Fallow Deer, and Wild Boar, and with great good luck the Iberian endemic Pardel Lynx. Nights at El Rocío.

Days 8 to 10: Parque Nacional de Monfragüe

We leave El Rocio and Andalusia and head north to Extremadura for our next three nights. The western province of Extremadura is an area of open grasslands, steppes and Cork Oak forests (“dehasas”), renowned historically for explorers such as Francisco Pizarro and Hernán Cortés. We visit the rolling pasture country around Santa Marta de Magasca, for specialties of the region – both Great and Little Bustards, Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Eurasian Hoopoe, European Rollers nesting in nest boxes, Calandra Lark, Woodchat and Southern Gray Shrikes, Eurasian Thick-knee, Corn Bunting, and Common and Great Spotted Cuckoos. The dehasas hold many choice species – Melodious and Sardinian Warblers, Blackcap, Eurasian Golden Oriole and Iberian (Azure-winged) Magpie.

North of Trujillo is the magnificent Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, and we spend much time in this superb park, nearly 110 square kms of dehasas, cliffs, riparian vegetation and woodlands. Monfrague is internationally acclaimed for its density of birds of prey – we have a chance at finding a dozen species including Red and Black Kites, Short-toed, Booted and Spanish Imperial Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Kestrel, and many Cinereous (Black), Egyptian and Eurasian Griffon Vultures, especially at Peña Falcon, where Rio Tajo has cut through the Sierra de Corchuelas, a high cliff face providing constant thermals and updraughts for these large birds to soar effortlessly. Black Stork and Eurasian Eagle-Owl also nest in the park, along with Thekla and Wood Larks, Subalpine Warbler, Blue Rock-Thrush, Rock Petronia, Spanish Sparrow, and Common Nightingale. Nights near Parque Nacional de Monfragüe.

Day 11: Sierra de Gredos

Our morning depends upon how well we have done on previous days. We may revisit Monfrague, perhaps out onto the steppes, or spend time walking the ancient cobbled streets of Trujillo where Lesser Kestrels and Pallid Swifts nest. We then head north, admiring the White Stork nests atop historic buildings, and looking for Black-shouldered Kites and Montagu’s Harrier, to the scenic Sierra de Gredos, the southern boundary of Spain’s Cordillera Central.

We first visit the Reserva Natural de Gredos, a spectacular park situated below the rugged 2600 m Pico Almanzor. Here we walk along trails, looking for Eurasian Buzzard, White-throated Dipper, Western Yellow and Gray Wagtails, Black Redstart, Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, Stonechat, Eurasian Crag and House Martins, European Goldfinch, Ortolan and Rock Buntings, and with luck Bluethroat, and we make extra effort to find the magnificent Spanish Ibex. Our parador is located in a beautiful setting overlooking pine forest, home to several forest species - Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Coal and Crested Tits, Firecrest, Pied Flycatcher, Chaffinch, and perhaps even Citril Finch and Red Crossbill. Rock walls in gardens support the Ocellated Lizard, a striking reptile of emerald green dappled with blue spots. Night in the Sierra de Gredos.

Day 12: Drive to Madrid

We spend the morning in the Sierra de Gredos, looking for species not already found - perhaps Common Swift, Common Raven, Booted Eagle, Eurasian Hobby, Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Ortolan Bunting, Long-tailed Tit, Citril Finch and others. We then head east to Madrid. Night in Madrid.

Day 13: Departure

Our Spain birding tour ends today. You can depart for flights home anytime today.

What to Expect

Spain offers fantastic birding and botanizing in spectacular landscapes scattered with historic towns. It also is a country with a rich historical and cultural heritage. In order to see as wide a variety of species as possible, and especially the specialties, during our Spain birding tour we visit different habitats over much of central and southern Spain. En route we also encounter sites of historic and cultural interest. To maximize time in the field there will be early morning starts and pre-breakfast journeys, though some of these will be optional. In general the tour is not strenuous: pace will be slow allowing time for us to fully enjoy fauna and flora, and the places we visit, and there will be some gentle hiking occasionally over moderately rough or steep terrain. Mosquitoes are present in some areas, therefore bring insect repellant. Most days we will have a box or picnic lunch in the field or call in at a local restaurant.

The weather should be warm and sunny but can be cool at night and early morning, and rain is possible. Some warm clothing for evening and a light waterproof jacket should be brought as should stout walking shoes or boots. The hotels in Spain are of very good quality. In the evenings we will eat at the hotel or a nearby restaurant, where we will enjoy a fine meal, review the day’s bird list and discuss the itinerary for the next day.

Eagle-Eye Tours birding tour to Spain 2019

Watch more tour videos and subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Featured Wildlife

While we cannot guarantee sightings of the birds or mammals listed below, we believe that encountering these species is quite likely during this tour.

• Great Bustard
• Little Bustard
• Eurasian Griffon Vulture
• Black (Cinereous) Vulture
• Black-bellied Sandgrouse
• Eurasian Bee-eater
• Spanish Imperial Eagle
• Iberian (Azure-winged) Magpie
• European Roller
• Bonelli’s Eagle
• Black Wheatear

Past Tour Checklists

View the list of birds and other wildlife we encountered on our past tours.

• Spain species list 2024 (eBird)
• Spain species list 2023 (eBird)
• Spain species list 2022 (pdf)
• Spain species list 2019
• Spain species list 2014
• See More...
• Spain species list 2010

Trip Reports & Inspiration

Tour reviews, connecting tours.

England Birds & Gardens: Southwest

You might also like.

Scotland Slowly Cruise

The Netherlands & Belgium: Birds, Art &

England Birds & Gardens: Southeast

• Conservation
• In the media
• Birding blog
• How to book
• Booking FAQs
• Plan your trip
• Land Tour FAQs
• Insurance FAQ

WHERE WE GO

• Mexico & Central America
• South America
• Australia & New Zealand

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy

Spain is considered one of the top birding destinations in all of Europe. Naturalist Journeys is pleased to offer Spain birding tours with expert local guides, accompanied by Naturalist Journeys' hosts. Learn more about our Spain birdwatching tours or other European birdwatching tours by selecting a tour below.

Guided Group Tours

Group travel is rewarding and fun! With more eyes you see more species. Travel Planners of Naturalist Journeys have been creating memorable journeys for 40+ years. We offer you small-group birding and nature tours, limited to just 8-13 persons led by expert guides. Learn and explore with like-minded people, enjoy local food and culture, and immerse yourself in birding and nature.

Like what we do?

Sign up for our weekly enews to stay up to date, get to know our favorite destinations each week. we promise no spam..

Spain Birding Tours

Birding Ecotours has some exciting Spain birding tours which visit this fantastic European birding destination during spring and autumn, giving us the opportunity to target its resident specials and many other migrating species too. Our Spain birding tours however do not only focus on birds as we also look for charismatic wildlife such as the most-wanted Iberian Lynx . The Kingdom of Spain (“Spain” hereafter) forms the bulk of the Iberian Peninsula and is one of the principle bird watching countries of the western palearctic. It is a large country by European standards of some 195,360 square miles (505,990 square kilometers), which makes it larger than the US state of California. It has a population of 47.43 million people and with a population density of 243.5 people/square mile is considered to have a fairly low population density. Spain borders Portugal on its west side, France  and Andorra to the northeast, and shares a border with Gibraltar, a  United Kingdom  overseas territory, near the southern tip of the country. The Mediterranean Sea envelops the east and south sides of Spain, while sections of its west coast (north of the Portugal border) are met by the Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, it is only a stone’s throw to the south, across the Straits of Gibraltar (8 miles/14 kilometers) to the North African country of  Morocco .

Spain’s capital, Madrid, is in the center of the country and has a population of 6.79 million people. It is a city of culture and history, ripe for exploration. Spain was established as a kingdom in 1516 AD from the union of the crowns of Castille and Aragon. Prior to this, Spain and its original Iberian people had been controlled by many factions, such as the Greeks, Carthaginians, Germanic Goths, and Islamic Arabs of North Africa, between the 9th century BC and the 15th century AD. In modern times the Spanish Empire conquered huge areas of the Earth, especially in the  New World , before gradually losing them over the next 400 years. It was during this period that they conquered the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and the African-based enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which have remained under Spanish control to this day. In the 20th century AD, Spain remained neutral during the First World War before seeing its own civil war from 1936-1939 between the Republicans and Francisco Franco’s nationalist movement which ended with Franco seizing power (1939-1975) before the transition to the rule of King Juan Carlos thereafter. Spain officially joined the European Union in 1993.

Read More About Spain

Spain runs from 27 o  to 44 o  N in latitude and 19 o  W to 5 o  E in longitude. Its northeastern border with  France  consists of the mighty Pyrenees mountains while the Sierra Nevada range in the south contains Spain’s highest mainland peak of Mulhacén at 11,411 feet (3,478 meters). Spain’s coastline is rugged, with imposing cliffs in the northwest and vast sandy beaches in the south and east. Spain also has major rivers such as the Tagus, Ebro, and Guadalquivir, some of these will be visited on our tours. Spain has many island territories with Tenerife (in the Canary Islands) being the most populous at 917,841 people and the island also contains Spain’s highest mountain, Mount Teide, at 12,198 feet (3,718 meters).

Three main climate zones are recognized in Spain: the Mediterranean climate with its hot, dry summers, the semi-arid climate of the southeast of the country, and the oceanic climate of the north of the country. The size, topography and climate of Spain lends to its huge habitat diversity, which is widely protected, with 27% of the country included in national parks, wildlife reserves and other protected areas. On our mainland Spain tour we will visit many of the aforementioned protected areas as well as several  Important Bird Areas (IBA)  including  Guadalquivir Marshes  (including Doñana National Park which is also listed as a  Ramsar site ) and  Monfragüe . Such is the importance of Spain for birds that the country has 469 IBAs. Our mainland tour takes us right across the breadth of Spain from the marshlands of the southwest, through the central plains and steppes, to the mountains of the Pyrenees, before finishing in yet more wetlands, those of the Ebro Delta near Barcelona (this wetland is also regarded as an  IBA  by BirdLife International and is listed as a  Ramsar site  too). The variety of habitats visited on this tour gives you the best opportunity to see the wonder of the Spanish mainland in all its glory.

Following  International Ornithological Congress (IOC)  taxonomy the Spain bird list stands at  659 species  (IOC v10.2 in January 2021), of which 40 are globally threatened and 8 are endemic (though one of these – Canary Islands Oystercatcher – is now extinct). We have two exciting bird holidays in Spain, one in spring and the other in fall, both outlined below:

Spain: Spring Birding Extravaganza

The list of species our spring tour regularly records is extensive, typically around 220 species. Some of the specials include  Marbled Duck ,  Ferruginous Duck ,  White-headed Duck ,  Red-necked Nightjar ,  Little Swift ,  Great Bustard ,  Little Bustard ,  Great Spotted Cuckoo ,  Pin-tailed Sandgrouse ,  Black-bellied Sandgrouse ,  Audouin’s Gull ,  Black Stork , 23 raptor species including ( Egyptian Vulture ,  Cinereous Vulture ,  Spanish Imperial Eagle ,  Bonelli’s Eagle , and  Lesser Kestrel ),  Iberian Green Woodpecker ,  Iberian Grey Shrike ,  Iberian Magpie ,  Dupont’s Lark ,  Moustached Warbler ,  Western Olivaceous Warbler ,  Western Orphean Warbler ,  Wallcreeper  (a highly sought-after monotypic family),  Common Rock Thrush ,  Blue Rock Thrush ,  Black Wheatear ,  White-throated Dipper ,  White-winged Snowfinch ,  Alpine Accentor , and  Citril Finch . There are of course many more great species possible (see the detailed tour itinerary) and this trip really is one of our most diverse European tours. It has also been designed to be accessible to the beginner and experienced birder alike and we are sure you will fall in love with this country as much as we have.

In addition to the overall bird, list this tour marvels in the exciting spectacle of spring visible migration as birds fly north from North Africa, with large numbers of a wide range of species from families such as raptors. bee-eaters, and storks all possible, as well as the opportunity for something unusual to drop in! We will also be in the realm of the Endangered (IUCN)  Iberian Lynx  and we will spend some time looking for this elusive apex predator with an estimated population of only 156 in 2012 when the latest population survey was published.

Spain: Birding Andalusia in Fall

This exciting 11-day tour takes in the best of western Andalusia and its fabulous wildlife, both on land and at sea. On this tour we will also witness the stunning southerly migration that occurs in western Europe at this time of year. We will target a range of migratory birds of prey including  Booted Eagle ,  Short-toed Snake Eagle ,  European Honey Buzzard ,  Black Kite ,  Montagu’s Harrier , and  Egyptian Vulture , plus rarer species like  Cinereous Vulture ,  Bonelli’s Eagle , and  Eleonora’s Falcon . We may even get lucky and see the Critically Endangered ( BirdLife International )  Rüppell’s Vulture .

Away from the migrant hotspots we will enjoy a vast range of other key bird species including  Marbled Duck ,  White-headed Duck ,  Little Swift ,  White-rumped Swift ,  Red-knobbed Coot ,  Western Swamphen ,  Little Crake ,  Baillon’s Crake ,  Slender-billed Gull ,  Audouin’s Gull ,  Lesser Crested Tern ,  Black Stork ,  Northern Bald Ibis ,  Black-winged Kite ,  Spanish Imperial Eagle ,  Iberian Grey Shrike ,  Eurasian Penduline Tit ,  Lesser Short-toed Lark ,  Thekla’s Lark ,  Savi’s Warbler ,  White-throated Dipper ,  Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin ,  Blue Rock Thrush , and  Black Wheatear .

We will also have two exciting pelagic trips for seabirds and cetaceans with bird targets including  Great Skua ,  Parasitic Jaeger  (Arctic Skua),  Wilson’s Storm Petrel ,  European Storm Petrel ,  Cory’s Shearwater ,  Great Shearwater , and  Balearic Shearwater . Cetacean targets will include  Short-beaked Common Dolphin ,  Striped Dolphin ,  Sperm Whale ,  Fin Whale , and (if we are lucky!),  Killer Whale .

Spain: Birding Andalusia in Fall September 2024/2025/2026

Spain: Spring Birding Extravaganza April 2025/2026

Download Spain Itineraries

Spain gallery.

Great Bustard

Wallcreeper

Northern Bald Ibis

Black-winged Kite

Long-eared Owl

Common Firecrest

European Roller

Griffon Vulture

Egyptian Vulture

Alpine Accentor

European Bee-eater

Montagu's Harrier

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin

Bailon's Crake

Black Stork

Testimonials from our spain birding tours.

The Spain: Spring Birding Extravaganza itinerary is superb. We travelled the breadth of Spain through major habitat changes that allowed us to see a magnificent variety of birds. This was a particularly wet year for Spain and we walked through wildflower meadows and green fields, through rock-covered trails by rushing water and city streets filled with people (to see an owl). We had long distances to travel but frequently stopped for birdwatching, so the drives were more than manageable. Our views of birds was often magic. We were taken to vantage points that allowed us to view raptors at eye level or even above eye level so looking at the markings was textbook. We also walked toward monuments in isolated countryside and found small birds, raptors and brilliant scenery in a windswept and lush environment. We were incredibly lucky with our weather; while often chilly to cold, we only really encountered rain. On one truly memorable morning we walked through snow in the Pyrenees seeing some birds but since we were in the oldest forest in Europe, with a guide that knew the flora as well as the fauna, it was a magical experience. The hotels were varied from simple to modern. I wouldn’t change any of them since the simplest had the best food and the most modern put us close to where we needed to be to get to the birds quickly the next morning. Breakfast and dinner were good to wonderful. Our lunches were a bit boring but we were so often away from any kind of town that picnics were required and usually in places where we got great birds as a result of the stop. Because dinner in Spain is late it allowed us to birdwatch until early evening to maximize our opportunities to see good birds. Because sunrise was later, we only had a couple of days with early starts. It worked well.

All Rights Reserved, Birding Ecotours

Join our newsletter for exclusive discounts and great birding information!

• Ascension Island
• Tristan da Cunha
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Congo Republic
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eswatini (Swaziland)
• Guinea Bissau
• North Sudan
• São Tomé & Príncipe
• Sierra Leone
• Eastern Cape
• KwaZulu Natal
• Northern Cape
• Northwest Province
• Western Cape
• South Sudan
• Western Sahara
• Afghanistan
• British Indian Ocean Territory
• Heilongjiang
• Inner Mongolia
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Andhra Pradesh
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Chhattisgarh
• Himachal Pradesh
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Lakshadweep
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Uttar Pradesh
• Uttarakhand
• West Bengal
• Indonesian Borneo
• Lesser Sundas
• Kuala Lumpur
• Peninsular Malaysia
• Sarawak & Sabah
• North Korea
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Timor-Leste
• Turkmenistan
• Netherlands Antilles
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Caribbean Netherlands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Puerto Rico
• Saint Lucia
• St Vincent & Grenadines
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• Turks & Caicos
• South Ossetia
• Republic of Croatia
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
• Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
• Hauts-de-France
• Île-de-France
• Nouvelle-Aquitaine
• Pays-de-la-Loire
• Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
• Baden-Württemberg
• Brandenburg
• Lower Saxony
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
• North Rhine-Westphalia
• Rhineland Palatinate
• Saxony-Anhalt
• Schleswig-Holstein
• Liechtenstein
• Lake Skadar
• Netherlands
• Central Russia
• Eastern Siberia
• Northwest Russia
• Russian Arctic
• Russian Far East
• South Russia
• Western Siberia
• Basque Country
• Fuerteventura
• Gran Canaria
• Castilla y Leon
• Castilla-La Mancha
• Extremadura
• Switzerland
• Avon & Bristol
• Bedfordshire
• Buckinghamshire
• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
• Gloucestershire
• Greater London
• Greater Manchester
• Herefordshire
• Hertfordshire
• Isle of Wight
• Isles of Scilly
• Leicestershire & Rutland
• Lincolnshire
• Northamptonshire
• Northumberland
• Nottinghamshire
• Oxfordshire
• Staffordshire
• Warwickshire
• West Midlands
• Worcestershire
• Yorkshire – East
• Yorkshire – North
• Yorkshire – South
• Yorkshire – West
• Isle of Man
• Angus & Dundee
• Clyde Islands
• Dumfries & Galloway
• Isle of May
• Moray & Nairn
• North-east Scotland
• Orkney Isles
• Outer Hebrides
• Perth & Kinross
• Upper Forth
• Brecknockshire
• Caernarfonshire
• Carmarthenshire
• Denbighshire
• East Glamorgan
• Meirionnydd
• Montgomeryshire
• Pembrokeshire
• Radnorshire
• Vatican City
• Vancouver Island
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Saskatchewan
• Aguascalientes
• Baja California
• Baja California Sur
• Mexico City
• Quintana Roo
• San Luis Potosí
• St Pierre & Miquelon
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Rio Grande Valley
• West Virginia
• American Samoa
• Christmas Island
• Coral Sea Islands
• New South Wales
• Norfolk Island
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Cocos Islands
• Cook Islands
• French Polynesia
• Marshall Islands
• New Caledonia
• Stewart Island
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Papua New Guinea
• Wallis & Futuna
• Buenos Aires City
• Buenos Aires State
• Santiago del Estero
• Tierra del Fuego
• Espírito Santo
• Federal District
• Mato Grosso
• Mato Grosso do Sul
• Minas Gerais
• Rio de Janeiro State
• Rio Grande do Norte
• Rio Grande do Sul
• Santa Catarina
• Easter Island
• Northern Ecuador
• French Guiana
• Saudi Arabia
• Farne Islands
• Birding Tour Companies
• Bird Fairs & Festivals
• Trip Report Repositories
• Weather & Tides
• Rarity Alerts
• Ornithological Journals
• Birding Magazines
• Websites with Mega-links
• Books for Birders
• Bird Book Publishers
• Software, DVDs, Recordings etc.
• Bird Writers
• Bird Art & Artists
• Digiscoping
• Photos, Photography & Photographers
• Webcams & Nestcams
• #12348 (no title)
• #11964 (no title)
• Bird Watching Books
• Bird Watching Telescopes
• Birdfeeders, Birdhouses etc
• Optics Retailers
• Optics Companies
• Outdoor Clothing for Birders
• Other Birding Equipment & Accessories
• Tripod Companies
• Banding or Ringing
• Study & Bird Behaviour
• Birders & Ornithologists
• Threatened & Extinct Species
• Conservation
• Ornithology Courses
• Identification
• Invasive Species
• Taxonomy & Bird Names
• Acanthisittidae – New Zealand Wrens
• Acanthizidae – Australasian Warblers
• Acrocephalidae – Reed & Brush Warblers Etc.
• Aegithalidae – Bush Tits
• Aegithinidae – Ioras
• Alaudidae – Larks
• Arcanatoridae – Dapple-throat & Allies
• Artamidae – Woodswallows, Butcherbirds & Currawongs
• Atrichornithidae – Scrub-birds
• Bernieridae – Malagasy Warblers
• Bombycillidae – Waxwings
• Buphagidae – Oxpeckers
• Calcariidae – Longspurs & Snow Buntings
• Callaeidae – Kokako & Saddlebacks
• Campephagidae – Cuckooshrikes, Cicadabirds, Trillers & Minivets
• Cardinalidae – Cardinals, Grosbeaks & Allies
• Certhiidae – Treecreepers
• Cettidae – Bush Warblers, Tesias & Allies
• Chaetopidae – Rockjumpers
• Chloropseidae – Leafbirds
• Cinclidae – Dippers
• Cisticolidae – Cisticolas, Prinia, Tailorbirds & Allies
• Climacteridae – Australasian Treecreepers
• Cnemophilidae – Satinbirds
• Coerebidae – Bananaquit
• Conopophagidae – Gnateaters
• Corcoracidae – Australian Mudnesters
• Corvidae – Crows, Jays, Magpies & Allies
• Cotingidae – Cotingas, Fruiteaters & Allies
• Dasyornithidae – Bristlebirds
• Dicaeidae – Flowerpeckers
• Dicruridae – Drongos
• Donacobiidae – Donacobius
• Dulidae – Palmchat
• Elachuridae – Spotted Wren-babbler
• Emberizidae – Buntings, New World Sparrows & Allies
• Erythroceridae – Yellow Flycatchers
• Estrildidae – Waxbills, Munias & Allies
• Eulacestomatidae – Ploughbill
• Eupetidae – Rail-Babbler
• Eurylaimidae – Broadbills
• Formicariidae – Antthrushes
• Fringillidae – Finches, Seedeaters, Euphonias & Allies
• Furnariidae – Ovenbirds
• Grallariidae – Antpittas
• Hirundinidae – Swallows & Martins
• Hyliotidae – Hyliotas
• Hylocitreidae – Yellow-flanked Whistler
• Hypocoliidae – Hypocolius
• Icteridae – Oropendolas, Orioles, Blackbirds & Allies
• Ifritidae – Blue-capped Ifrit
• Incertae Sedis – Uncertain Families
• Irenidae – Fairy-bluebirds
• Laniidae – Shrikes
• Leiothrichidae – Turdoides Babblers, Laughingthrushes, Barwings & Sibias
• Locustellidae – Grassbirds & Allies
• Machaerirhynchidae – Boatbills
• Macrosphenidae – Crombecs, Longbills & African Warblers
• Malaconotidae – Bushshrikes, Tchagras, Puffbacks & Boubous
• Maluridae – Australasian Wrens
• Melampittidae – Melampittas
• Melanocharitidae – Berrypeckers & Longbills
• Melanopareiidae – Crescent-chests
• Meliphagidae – Honeyeaters
• Menuridae – Lyrebirds
• Mimidae – Mockingbirds, Thrashers & Allies
• Mohoidae – O’os
• Mohouidae – Whitehead, Yellowhead & Brown Creeper
• Monarchidae – Monarchs, Paradise Flycatchers & Allies
• Motacillidae – Longclaws, Pipits & Wagtails
• Muscicapidae – Old World Flycatchers
• Nectariniidae – Sunbirds & Spiderhunters
• Neosittidae – Sitellas
• Nicatoridae – Nicators
• Notiomystidae – Stitchbird
• Oreoicidae – Australasian Bellbirds
• Oriolidae – Old World Orioles, Pitohuis & Figbirds
• Orthonychidae – Logrunners & Chowchilla
• Pachycephalidae – Whistlers & Allies
• Panuridae – Bearded Reedling
• Paradisaeidae – Birds-of-paradise
• Paramythiidae – Painted Berrypeckers
• Pardalotidae – Pardalotes
• Paridae – Tits & Chickadees
• Parulidae – New World Warblers
• Passeridae – Old World Sparrows
• Pellorneidae – Fulvettas, Ground Babblers & Allies
• Petroicidae – Australasian Robins
• Peucedramidae – Olive Warbler
• Philepittidae – Asities
• Phylloscopidae – Leaf Warblers & Allies
• Picathartidae – Rockfowl
• Pipridae – Manakins
• Pittidae – Pittas
• Pityriaseidae – Bristlehead
• Platysteiridae – Wattle-eyes & Batises
• Ploceidae – Weavers, Widowbirds & Allies
• Pnoepygidae – Wren-babblers
• Polioptilidae – Gnatcatchers
• Pomatostomidae – Australasian Babblers
• Prionopidae – Helmetshrikes
• Promeropidae – Sugarbirds
• Prunellidae – Accentors
• Psophodidae – Whipbirds, Jewel-babblers & Quail-thrushes
• Ptilogonatidae – Silky-flycatchers
• Ptilonorhynchidae – Bowerbirds & Catbirds
• Pycnonotidae – Bulbuls
• Regulidae – Goldcrests & Kinglets
• Remizidae – Penduline Tits
• Rhagologidae – Mottled Berryhunter
• Rhinocryptidae – Tapaculos
• Rhipiduridae – Fantails
• Sapayoidae -Sapayoa
• Scotocercidae – Streaked Scrub Warbler
• Sittidae – Nuthatches
• Stenostiridae – Fairy Flycatchers
• Sturnidae – Starlings, Mynas & Rhabdornis
• Sylviidae – Sylviid Babblers, Parrotbills & Fulvettas
• Tephrodornithidae – Woodshrikes & Allies
• Thamnophilidae – Antbirds
• Thraupidae – Tanagers & Allies
• Tichodromidae – Wallcreeper
• Timaliidae – Babblers
• Tityridae – Tityras, Becards & Allies
• Troglodytidae – Wrens
• Turdidae – Thrushes
• Tyrannidae – Tyrant Flycatchers
• Urocynchramidae – Przevalski’s Finch
• Vangidae – Vangas
• Viduidae – Indigobirds & Whydahs
• Vireonidae – Vireos, Greenlets & Shrike-babblers
• Zosteropidae – White-eyes, Yuhinas & Allies
• Accipitridae – Kites, Hawks & Eagles
• Aegothelidae – Owlet-nightjars
• Alcedinidae – Kingfishers
• Alcidae – Auks
• Anatidae – Swans, Geese & Ducks
• Anhimidae – Screamers
• Anhingidae – Darters
• Anseranatidae – Magpie Goose
• Apodidae – Swifts
• Apterygidae – Kiwis
• Aramidae – Limpkin
• Ardeidae – Herons, Egrets & Bitterns
• Balaenicipitidae – Shoebill
• Brachypteraciidae – Ground Rollers
• Bucconidae – Puffbirds
• Bucerotidae – Hornbills
• Bucorvidae – Ground Hornbills
• Burhinidae – Thick-knees & Stone Curlews
• Cacatuidae – Cockatoos
• Capitonidae – New World Barbets
• Caprimulgidae – Nightjars & Nighthawks
• Cariamidae – Seriemas
• Casuariidae – Cassowaries
• Cathartidae – New World Vultures
• Charadriidae – Plovers, Lapwings & Dotterels
• Chionidae – Sheathbill
• Ciconiidae – Storks
• Coliidae – Mousebirds
• Columbidae – Doves & Pigeons
• Coraciidae – Rollers
• Cracidae – Chachalacas, Curassows & Guans
• Cuculidae – Old World Cuckoos
• Diomedeidae – Albatrosses
• Dromadidae – Crab Plover
• Dromaiidae – Emu
• Eurypygidae – Sunbittern
• Falconidae – Falcons, Kestrels & Caracaras
• Fregatidae – Frigatebirds
• Galbulidae – Jacamars
• Gaviidae – Divers or Loons
• Glareolidae – Coursers & Pratincoles
• Gruidae – Cranes
• Haematopodidae – Oystercatchers
• Heliornithidae – Finfoots & Sungrebe
• Hemiprocnidae – Treeswifts
• Hydrobatidae – Northern Storm Petrels
• Ibidorhynchidae – Ibisbill
• Indicatoridae – Honeyguides
• Jacanidae – Jacanas
• Laridae – Gulls, Terns & Skimmers
• Leptosomatidae – Cuckoo Roller
• Lybiidae – African Barbets
• Megalimidae – Asian Barbets
• Megapodiidae – Megapodes
• Meropidae – Bee-eaters
• Mesitornithidae – Mesites
• Momotidae – Motmots
• Musophagidae – Turacos, Plantain-eaters & Go-away-birds
• Numididae – Guineafowl
• Nyctibiidae – Potoos
• Oceanitidae – Austral Storm Petrels
• Odontophoridae – New World Quails
• Opisthocomidae – Hoatzin
• Otididae – Bustards, Floricans & Korhaans
• Pandionidae – Ospreys
• Pedionomidae – Plains Wanderer
• Pelecanidae – Pelicans
• Pelecanoididae – Diving Petrels
• Phaethontidae – Tropicbirds
• Phalacrocoracidae – Cormorants & Shags
• Phasianidae – Pheasants, Grouse, Partridges & Allies
• Phoenicopteridae – Flamingos
• Phoeniculidae – Wood Hoopoes & Scimitarbills
• Picidae – Woodpeckers
• Pluvianellidae – Magellanic Plover
• Pluvianidae – Egyptian Plover
• Podargidae – Frogmouths
• Podicipedidae – Grebes
• Procellariidae – Petrels, Diving Petrels & Shearwaters
• Psittacidae – African & New World Parrots
• Psittaculidae – Old World Parrots
• Psophiidae – Trumpeters
• Pteroclidae – Sandgrouse
• Rallidae – Rails, Crakes, Gallinules & Coots etc.
• Ramphastidae – Aracari, Toucans & Toucanets
• Recurvirostridae – Avocets & Stilts
• Rheidae – Rheas
• Rhynochetidae – Kagu
• Rostratulidae – Painted Snipe
• Sagittariidae – Secretarybird
• Sarothruridae – Flufftails
• Scolopacidae – Woodcock, Snipe, Sandpipers & Allies
• Scopidae – Hammerkop
• Semnornithidae – Toucan Barbets
• Spheniscidae – Penguins
• Steatornithidae – Oilbird
• Stercorariidae – Skuas or Jaegers
• Strigidae – Owls
• Strigopidae – New Zealand Parrots
• Struthionidae – Ostriches
• Sulidae – Gannets & Boobies
• Thinocoridae – Seedsnipe
• Threskiornithidae – Ibises & Spoonbills
• Tinamidae – Tinamous
• Todidae – Todies
• Trochilidae – Hummingbirds
• Trogonidae – Trogons & Quetzals
• Turnicidae – Buttonquails
• Tytonidae – Barn & Grass Owls
• Upupidae – Hoopoes
• Big Days & Bird Races
• Apocryphal Birding Stories & Urban Myths
• Bird Humour
• Listing & Listers
• Twitching & Twitchers
• Hints & Tips
• Angling & Birds
• Gardening For Birders
• Birding Blogs
• Accessible Birding
• Birding Organisations
• Birds on Stamps
• Fatbirder’s Birding Advice

Kingdom of Spain

Birding Spain

The impressive abundance of birds that can be found in Spain is due both to its geographical location (it is a natural route between the European Continent and Africa) and its varied landscapes and climates. Over 456 different species of birds are quoted – 285 breeding – some of them having here their last European strongholds. This is the case with Purple Gallinule (3,500 pairs); White-headed Duck (1,164 individuals) and Marbled Teal (250 pairs); and they are on the increase in most of the Iberian wetlands. Other species, like raptors, are also recovering: Lammergeier (+80 cc.); Griffon Vulture (16,590 cc.); Golden Eagle (+1,200 cc.).

For local places to stay, organisations, reserves, reading etc. see the Spanish regional pages below…

SpainBirding

| [email protected]

Marcial Yuste Blasco

| [email protected]

Number of bird species: 613

Number of endemics: 7, spain (africa), spain (europe).

Birds of Spain

The birds of the iberian peninsula, where the birds are in northeast spain, where to watch birds in northern & eastern spain, where to watch birds in southern & western spain, where to watch birds in spain, wild spain: a traveller's guide, museo national de cienias naturales csic, grupo de anillamiento pit-roig, proyecto avis, sociedad espa.

Abbreviations Key

National Parks

Birdwatch-spain, rare birds in spain, territorio natural, axarquia birding tours - guided bird walks, barcelona birding point, birding ecotours, birding trekking & nature, birding in spain, boletas birdwatching - birding in north east spain, iberian wildlife tours, natura indomita, oriole birding, rockjumper birding tours, spain birds, walks in spain, wingspan bird tours, 2014 [11 november] - mike neale, 2015 [05 may] - chris benesh & godfried schreur - la mancha, coto donana & extremadura, 2015 [05 may] - david erterius, 2015 [06 june] - stijn raymaekers & carlo vanderydt - mallorca – spain – corsica, 2015 [06 june] - zaragoza steppe, spanish pyrenees & picos de europa, 2016 [03 march] - oriole birding, 2016 [05 may] - mark beevers & alberto bueno, 2016 [10 october] - mark graham - bay of biscay, 2016 [11 november] - mike neale - pyrenees etc, 2017 [04 april] - ne spain, 2017 [11 november] - pau lucio, 2018 [02 february] - valentin moser, 2018 [05 may] - rob williams, 2019 [04 april] - emma juxon - northern spain, 2019 [04 april] - emma juxon - souththern spain, 2019 [05 may] - martin heindl - north eastern spain, 2019 [05 may] - naturalist journeys, 2019 [07 july] - mike may - belchite plains and solsona pre-pyrenees, 2020 [10 october] - julian bell, 2021 [05 may] - birding spains wild west, 2022 [04 april] - birding ecotours, 2022 [04 april] - carlos sanchez, 2022 [09 september] - manuel morales, 2023 [04 april] - birding ecotours, 2023 [05 may] - carlos sanchez, boletus birdwatching centre - pyrenees, birds in spain, carduelis carduelis, enciclopedia virtual de los vertebrados espanoles - museo national de cienias naturales csic, group of banding bird in spain, iberia nature, alejandro sanj. car - pico y plumas, alfonso rodrigo - extreme birding espa, alfonso rodrigo - extreme birding espana, andy paterson - guiri-pajarero-suelto, aroximacio a l'ornitologia, aves de aqu, aves de españa, birding the costa, carmen azahara - only birds, césar vidal rodríguez - aves do val minor, inaki oliveros - hegaztiblog, joan goy - fent l'aleta, lluc semis gasol - tierra de aves (land of birds), noroeste ibérico, ricardo rodriguez - aves, steve west - birding in spain, victor ortega - a través del telescopio, bird photography spain - nathan boxem, frank droge, gallery - asedi, gallery - fotografia de aves y otros seres vivos, photographer - daniel meraviglia.

Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide... Wildlife Travellers see our sister site: WAND

Birding and nature tours in Seville & beyond

Bespoke wildlife experiences in spain, departures from sevilla, el rocío, jerez or anywhere in western andalusia, private and small groups, highly customizable day trips and holidays, family friendly: free kids pass.

We are enthusiastic birdwatchers and naturalists based in Seville, offering day trips in Western Andalusia and bird watching holidays around Spain. In addition to birdwatching tours, we offer other outdoor experiences such as Iberian Lynx watching, nature photography , botanic tours  and hiking . Feel free to tell us your needs and we will be delighted to help you.

Why birdwatching from Seville?

Seville is really close to the  Doñana National Park , the greatest european wetland. This is home to endangered birds such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Marbled Duck or Red-knobbed Coot. On the other hand, Seville is not far from the Strait of Gibraltar , one of the best spots in the world to observe the migration of raptors.

In addition, Seville is surrounded by diverse habitats where we can virtually find all the typical Andalusian birds, including the endemic and near endemic ones. The central and prominent position of Seville close to the best destinations for birdwatching in Western Andalusia, ensures that the city is an excellent starting point for a full  day trip or even a half day visit. The schedule allows you to return to the city early in the evening to continue enjoying the andalusian culture, stunning sights and great food – and of course the fantastic weather.

Sevilla is also very close to Extremadura and have excellent road links. This means that we can organise tours (even day trips) from Seville to this renowned wildlife watching destination.

We can also organise pick-up in Jerez de la Frontera , El Rocío or anywhere in Western Andalusia.

RECOMMENDED BY

BEST DOÑANA TOURS. Nobody runs tours (for exceptional bird watching) quite as well as Doñana Wings, based in Sevilla. ANDALUCÍA 2023 – LONELY PLANET (11TH EDITION)

MOST POPULAR!

WHITE-HEADED DUCK STRONGHOLD

  4/10 hours

Southern Doñana Birding Day Trip

Around the mouth of the Guadalquivir, this is one of the best areas to see some of the most endangered species of Doñana. Prime site for waders, terns and gulls.

RAPTOR PARADAISE

  5/10 hours

Sierra Norte Birding Day Trip

In this route the five Spanish eagles: Imperial, Golden, Bonelli’s, Booted and Short-toed can be spotted. Also the Black and Griffon Vulture…and a lot of mediterranean passerines.

ONE OF THE MOST ENDANGERED CATS

Iberian Lynx Tour in Doñana

We will look for the Iberian lynx in areas of Mediterranean forest in and around Doñana. This area holds a good density of lynx thanks to the abundance of rabbits.

BIRDWATCHING DAY TRIPS AND HOLIDAYS

Enjoy with us birdwatching day trips from Seville or anywhere in Western Andalusia, and birding holidays to the best hotspots in southern Spain, Extremadura and beyond.

IBERIAN LYNX TOUR

Doñana and its surroundings holds one of the most important Iberian Lynx populations. Explore the best areas for lynx with us, while also learning about the mediterranean forest ecosystem.

TAILOR-MADE PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS

Are you dreaming about the perfect photo of the sunset over the marshlands or is there a particular species you’re interested in photographing? Tell us what do you want and we will design a tailor-made extra long day trip to cover the moments with the best light.

WILD ORCHIDS

Andalusia is host to a great botanical diversity due to its situation between Europe and Africa, and to the diversity of climates, soil and elevations. One of the most interesting groups are the orchids, of which there are about 65 species in Andalusia.

HIKING DAY TRIPS

Discover with us the ever wild Andalusian mountains, spending a day out enjoying nature and breathtaking sceneries.

CLIENT GALLERY & TRIP REPORTS

DOÑANA NATIONAL PARK

TOP 60 ANDALUSIAN BIRDS

Donana is a birding paradise with a huge number of species and great diversity. There can be no one better guide to take you around than Vicent from Donana Wings. Vicent loves birds (he has been birding since he was 10!) and knows Donana intimately. With his encyclopaediac knowledge he can identify any species in the park and he knows all the best spots to find even the rarest. Worth adding that my partner who is not a birder loved our day in Donana. Top day!

My husband and I were recently in Spain for 10 days and had a wonderful time. A highlight of my visit was the 1/2 day birding trip I arranged with Donana Wings. It was fantastic! I am a novice birder (only a couple of years of birdwatching) and we saw 45 species in about 5 hours. My guide, Vicente, was incredibly knowledgable & very professional and personable. I learned a lot frorm him. I highly recommend this for birders and really anyone who enjoys nature and wants to experience Spain outside of the (wonderful) cities.

Vicent is an excellent guide. He found all of the species I was looking for, quickly would set up his spotting scope so I got great looks at secretive warblers and other passerines, knew where all of the wetland birds were, and had info on local plants and culture. It was a wonderful birding trip!

In early march birding pals Andreas and me, Heiko, booked a trip with Vicent to explore the Northern Donana area. Right from the beginning we could add species to our list as Vicent knew every corner where a stop was useful. It was not just an excellent day for raptors like Imperial Eagle, Black Shouldered Kite, Bonelli´s Eagle, Snake Eagle, Merlin, Lesser Kestrel and others but also waders and hundreds of egrets ans ibisses completed our bird list. Thanks for this great day out! We really recommend Vicent to any interested birder!

What a great way to spend a day when in Seville. If you are interested in birds or just nature I can fully recommend Donana Wings. Thanks to his knowledge of the region and bird life Vicent drove and walked me around wetlands and paddy fields expertly spotting and identifying a wide variety of bird life. We were able to identify over 65 different species including flocks of flamingo, black stork, white stork and glossy ibis. My favourites for the day were the Marbled Teal, Squacco Heron and Black-headed Weaver. Thank you so much for a great day.

We did a 4 days tour in Donana with Vicent mid September. We enjoyed it very much. I am a true bird lover and I appreciated every minute of this tour. Vicente knows perfectly each corner of Donana and where to found the various species.  I made lots of photos. Vicent prepared a book of Andalusian birds checklist in english, scientific name and in french and he noted the species we saw day by day. Vicent is really easy to leave with and he knows a lot of information about Andalusia. These four days were wonderful. I highly recommend this great bird watching tour.

I am a novice birder and did a private 1/2 day tour with Vicente and it was really fantastic. He picked me up at my hotel and we were off. We saw 45 species that morning/early afternoon, including a couple of rare species (e.g. the marble duck). Vicente is incredibly knowledgable and personablel. I learned a lot from him. He knows the area and the birds so well - and can find and spot birds that I never would have found on my own. I was in Spain for 10 days and this was my favorite activity! Highly recommend!

I had such a wonderful experience on this half day trip! My only regret is that I didn't have more time for a longer tour. Vicent went out of his way to make sure we saw as much as possible. I got great looks at a variety of birds, and he always made sure I got scope looks when possible. I highly recommend any of the tours!

Finding myself in Seville for a conference, I wanted to visit and bird the famous Doñana National Park. I establishing a responsive email interexchange with Vincent Esteller, and we arranged for one day birding adventure. He sent me the list of possible birds, which I review for targets, and he designed a specific itinerary to maximize our chances. Vicent drove us from place to place systematically seeing well all the species that I had listed. He is a knowledgeable and effective birding guide and a most enjoyable person. I highly recommend his guiding service.

For the best birding in Spain Catalan Bird Tours offers birding holidays, bird watching breaks and guided day tours whenever you want .

To skip browsing this website simply e-mail me for a friendly no hassle, no obligation reply to any query the reasons i get the incredible success rates above are: fixed accommodation - no hotel swapping this unique approach offers invaluable flexibility to schedule each day according to the weather forecast, local bird news, etc. 4x4 vehicle - again a unique approach to maximise deep country access and bird-proximity, ideal for photography. local guide - although a native english speaker, i've been over 20 years birding in spain all year round, feeding from and into its local bird news networks. plus, catalonia's terrific range of habitats and geographical position on two major migration routes affords it a greater variety of bird species than anywhere else in europe. and the price is unbeatable. for example, any birding break for a group of three is under €145 per person per day. that's 7 days for €999 each all the best, stephen christopher, "i've been on over 40 birdwatching tours in europe and stephen's trip, which we highly recommend, gave us the best trip list and, more important, over 65 species photographed. he's an excellent leader who really knows his birds and where to find them." grant demar, photographer/bookseller, uk, "stephen is a fantastic bird guide. i had limited time and wanted difficult species. he knew exactly where to go and was extremely knowledgeable about bird habitats, behavior and vocalisations." ron lockwood, usa, "our second trip with stephen and we had a fabulous time...excellent host, enthusiasm, remarkable ability to locate and help you differentiate between species. don't hesitate, book him" adrienne & ian lancaster, uk, spain birding tours notices , how to find dupont's lark and other steppe birds, birding tours 2019/2020 tour shares and exclusive trips available all year round dupont's lark, wallcreeper, snowfinch, lammergeier, eagle owl, bustards, sandgrouse, raptors, etc. email me for more details, all year round spain birding holidays , of five, six, seven or more days, invite you to journey through up to 8 of the best bird watching sites in catalonia, typically recording 200 species in a week without rushing... read more, "a wonderful trip. your precise knowledge about locations for specific birds was remarkable." k.b., india, "we had a superb week. i would recommend anyone to contact steve for a week or few days birding." jan scheeres, wales, "from the first few minutes at llobregat i knew it would be a great trip. i've got so many fantastic memories." declan savage, ireland, birding quick break (3 days / 2 nights). if you have limited time available or fancy a little weekend birding then this all year round birdwatching short break covers all the main habitat types and can record up to 165 species... read more, mediterranea bird tour (4 days / 3 nights). for a more thorough experience of the region's bird life this all year round birding short break out-birds the quick break, recording 180 species typically, with an extra day in the ebro delta... read more ., " a sensational trip - wonderful varied habitats, some great views and lots of new birds. i enjoyed every moment of it.” peter kemmis betty, david linstead, uk, “thank you for an amazing birding holiday.  i've never known anyone with such an ability to find birds - you spotted everything and we got some great photos.” alister lynn, blair morrison, scotland, whether you're on a business trip in barcelona, a self-birding tour through catalonia or even holidaying with family, make the most of the little time you have... read more, “i loved birding with stephen. great guide, friendly and flexible... and lots of birds" jory langner, u.s.a., "without your guidance i certainly would not have got within three yards of a nightjar." andy strouthous, uk, "stephen not only knew all their calls but had a knack for helping me see them well. i'm looking forward to a return visit." elwood hain, u.s.a., check existing guided birding day tours or book your own , click the above logo to view john fox's photo trip report from a customised tour to find wallcreeper, lammergeier and great bustard in november 2010, i pride my self on designing customised birding short breaks and holidays to suit my clients' exact needs and i provide friendly quotes without obligation or pressure. so email me with your plans, however vague, and get the ball rolling... read more sharers i specialise in linking up like-minded birders to share costs, especially those travelling alone, so just let me know some rough details - e.g. time of year, length of trip or target species - and i'll see what i can do. see more, " thank you for your wonderful guiding and expertise. you really made the trip fantastic for everyone... brilliant guide got us all the birds that i hoped to see together with many more." " such an exciting trip. it’s difficult to imagine a guide being so keen, hard working and efficient, and such good company.” john fox, dermot mccabe, billy quinn plus 6 others, birdwatch ireland (tolka branch), to find a sharer, testimonials..., “ it was a cracking birding trip you took us to some amazing places to see some wonderful birds.” adam hudson, uk, "stephen is good company and a very knowledgeable guide - he knows his birds and locations very well. i saw red-necked nightjar, lammergeier, little bustard, both sandgrouse and dupont's lark. moreover, his house is very comfortable to stay at and is located ideally for some after-hours birding. i can only recommend his services" sander pieterse, netherlands, “stephen is one of the best birders i've had the pleasure to meet. his birder’s eye and ears are exceptional. he showed great determination, has a wealth of local birding knowledge and we thoroughly enjoyed his company. i recommend a trip. brilliant joan & neil foster, uk, “we enjoyed the tour immensely. and what a way to start - two red-necked nightjars” laura & wayne wathen, usa, “the combination of a wonderful area, a great variety of birds, superb guiding and great company made this one of the most enjoyable birding trips i've been on. you achieved a 100% hit on my target list and i should very much like to come again." dave pearson, uk, “it was an amazing array of birds for such a short space of time and really perfect views - totally unforgettable. it was a great pleasure and i will certainly try to schedule another trip in the not-too distant future.” dermot cooper, uk, “we enjoyed the entire trip. spain really has a lot going for it. we appreciated your expertise in the field, you've obviously put in a lot of time and effort and have a great passion for what you do." joan & jim adair, usa, “a wonderful four days of birding it's been an exciting and interesting experience for me.” aleksey pavlushkin, russia, “another great trip, we thoroughly enjoyed it and have been regaling friends with all the birds you found and telling them how good you are at seeing and hearing them.” frank & shelagh mawby, uk, "thanks for a great day in the pyrenees. it felt like it was with the usual gang back home. you and [the others] were great company." deb ferguson, usa, "lots of wonderful birds. stephen, thanks for another great birding trip". allen moore, uk, april / march, “ great birding - the pace and intensity was perfect with time to enjoy the birds. stephen has put a lot of work into learning where the key birds are. we would thoroughly recommend him and i'm sure we'll be back.” phil hardwick, mike crutch, uk, “thanks a million stephen for a brilliant birding trip that we both thoroughly enjoyed." ciaran meegan, ireland, “we thoroughly enjoyed the birding trips and appreciate how hard you worked to tick off the birds on our list." carl hitt, vernon jones, usa, “i enjoyed the week extremely, it was very memorable i want to thank you for that. you'll definitely see us again.” andreas engelhard, netherlands, “a really great birding week . not only did stephen know everything about the birds in catalonia, their behaviour and distribution but exactly the best chances for seeing them. so no fleeting glimpses but detailed and repeated excellent observations of species like little crake, (etc.) ... y our tours offer great opportunities for photos., stephen's enthusiasm, knowledge and reliability made him an excellent guide and great company as well. we will be back for more, may be a winter trip" bauke kortleve, netherlands, “quite an experience. stephen's knowledge of the many species we saw, their habitats and their migration patterns, made our bird watching even more enjoyable and informative than we expected. thank you.” dianne & kent pointon, canada, “i had a most wonderful bird watching trip under your fantastic guidance. your great expertise and passion was deeply appreciated. i look forward to another visit in the not too distant future. thanks for the experience.” ky thong, hong kong, “ i'm just back from a shared birding trip with stephen and can recommend his tours. he is very knowledgeable and good company and the packed lunches are also very good. i fully intend another trip with catalan bird tours.” alex barr, uk, “thanks so much, i really enjoyed my self. forty-three great bustards. amazing." simon keizer, australia, “ you were an absolute star. your knowledge of birds and localities was amazing to the point of being supernatural (like an ornithological version of derren brown with your ability to predict what birds we would be seeing and when). and you were excellent at patiently explaining how to distinguish between similar species., it's not easy to say what the high point was when there were so many to choose from... the wallcreeper, the lammergeier, the dupont's lark in the early morning steppe light, the flocks of sandgrouse or sixty-three truly astonishing great bustard., finally can we say how much we enjoyed your company, the week bird watching with you was a real pleasure and i would recommend you to anyone. we have pencilled in another trip for may 2014." adrienne & ian lancaster, uk, “three marvellous days' birding.” peter kemmis-betty, uk, archived trip reports and photos (2006/07) on this website by location:.

The 8 Best Places for Birdwatching in Spain  

Are you looking for your next big birding adventure and need help determining where to visit? Spain is an excellent option because this warm-weather country has many beautiful bird species and various amenities for birders. The European birding community is one of the biggest and most exciting in the world.

If you plan to check out this country, visit the areas listed below. You’ll see many fantastic species at each of these destinations and fill out your birding book accordingly. Furthermore, you’ll get the chance to enjoy a beautiful country with many friendly residents.

1. Parque Regional Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar

• Address: Between Mar Menor and the Mediterranean Sea
• Hours: Sunrise to sunset
• Birds You’ll See: Greater Flamingos, Shelduck, Black Necked Grebes, Seagulls, Black Winged Stilts, Godwitts, Sandpipers, and Dunlins

Parque Regional Salinas y Arenales de San Pedro del Pinatar is a gorgeous park with 856 hectares of land between San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar. Its broad range of land ensures you’ll see many birds, particularly some of the most popular in the area. It also includes multiple walkways with sandbanks and unique sitting areas to check out birds.

The park does ask visitors to avoid letting their pets off a leash and to minimize excess noise when visiting. However, that’s likely not a huge issue for birders because most want to catch birds in their natural environment without disturbing them.

Related post: Best Birdwatching Locations in Scotland

2. Santomera Reservoir

• Address: Within Santomera on Autovia del Mediterraneo
• Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
• Birds You’ll See: White-faced whistling-duck, Fulvous whistling-duck, Bar-headed goose, Mute swan, Common nighthawk, Red-necked nightjar

The Santomera Reservoir is a beautiful outdoor destination in Santomera that includes multiple hiking routes. In addition, there are several dirt parks where you can sit in your car while walking through the winding hills of this region. You’ll typically find a variety of common Spanish birds here while exploring, which gives this park a high popularity level among the European birding population.

The region also includes over 3,500 acres of land to explore, with wetlands, plains, rolling hills, gentle streams, and even rivers winding through the area. This unique concentration of attractive viewing areas means you should find many places to check out birds in the area. Note that there may be campgrounds available in and around the reservoir, so check carefully before visiting.

You might also want to explore the best spots for birdwatching in Guatemala !

3. RockJumper Birding Tours

• Address: Varies depending on the tour
• Hours: Varies depending on the tour
• Cost: $2,600 to $5,600
• Birds You’ll See: Great bustards, little bustards, red-necked nightjars, Iberian magpies, Western swamphen, red kites, black kites, Boreal owl, red-legged partridge

Are you interested in taking a birding tour with a guide? RockJumper is one of the world’s most prominent birding tour groups and has multiple options for Spain. These include their Best of Birding tour, which covers habitats like coastal wetlands, cork-oak forests, deciduous woodlands, and even mountains. The tour typically takes place in warmer weather, though not excessively hot.

This multiple-day trip should cover many acres of land and potentially expose you to 250 different animal species, including many birds. You’ll stay in comfortable guest houses and hotels and get easy access to attractive and exciting regions. The guides for these trips include enthusiastic professionals who genuinely love what they do, ensuring you get an excellent experience for the money you pay.

Include Alaska in your birding bucket list! Check out the best places for birdwatching in Alaska !

4. Parque Natural Cabo de Gata y Nijar

• Address: Southeast corner of Spain
• Cost: Free (though tours cost more)
• Birds You’ll See: Flamingoes, Cory’s shearwaters, Balearic Shearwaters, many storks, multiple gulls and tern species, Trumpeter Finch, Dupont’s Lark (rare), Lesser Short-Toed Larks.

This beautiful national park stretches over 340 square kilometers and provides a beautiful background for birding. There are many gorgeous rock formations, exciting forests, steep hills, and gorgeous beaches. In fact, if you love swimming, this park is one of the best-kept secrets in Spain. Few people have yet to discover these sandy areas, so make sure you keep them to yourself while traveling.

Even better, you’ll have plenty of time to see attractive birds of many species, including some of the most popular in the world. If you’re into water birds, you’re in particular luck because there are many that live around this area. While camping can be limited depending on the season, it’s not too far away from multiple cities and villages with cozy cottages and hotels where you can stay for the night.

Related post: Best Birdwatching Spots in Maine

5. Wings Birding Tours

• Address: Varies based on trip day
• Hours: Between April 29 to May 13
• Cost: $4,450
• Birds You’ll See: Booted eagles, Griffon vultures, Black Kite, Balearic Shearwater, Yellow-legged Gulls, Short-toed eagles, Migrant Passerines, Dupont’s lark

Wing’s Birding Tours is a worldwide bird tour firm that offers a late-spring tour that covers over two weeks of traveling. It’s a great trip to see as many destinations as possible throughout Spain and improve your chances of seeing birds. Each day on the trip includes different nesting destinations and comfortable amenities, such as food, drinks, seating, hotels, and other spots to stay.

While the tour takes place over two weeks and includes a lot of traveling, it retains a relatively low-key and leisurely pace. While there are rides between 5-6 hours on a few days, you’ll usually have lots of time to explore the environment and see many birds. The species you’ll see include just about every possible bird in Spain, except for rarer birds that live in protected environments outside the scope of this tour.

More birdwatching go-to’s in: Best Places for Birdwatching in Oregon

6. Famara, Lanzarote

• Address: Off of LZ30
• Birds You’ll See: Eurasian Kestrel, Cattle Egret, Eurasian Hoopoe, Rock Pigeon, Yellow-Legged Gull, Cory’s Shearwater, Rise-Ringed Parakee, Spanish Sparrow, Common Raven

Famara is located on the northwest coast of Lanzarote and is considered a Special Conversation area or ZEPA. It’s one of the highest locations in the region and, as an island, is an obvious destination for sea birds. Many stop here on their flights to rest, feed, or even nest here. It’s safe from various predators, which attracts them to settle here and raise their young. As a result, you can find many species here.

Famara splits into two sections, including bungalows built in the 1990s and a beautiful traditional Spanish fishing village. Thankfully, the area is well-settled and includes surf schools, tapa bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. There are even a few places to stay or camp if you like. As a result, it’s something of a hidden treasure among European birding fans.

Delaware has some great birdwatching places to offer their visitors. Find them here .

7. Naturalist Journeys

• Address: Varies based on the tour day
• Hours: April 24 to May 7
• Cost: $5,490
• Birds You’ll See: Multiple species of Larks, Eurasian Spoonbill, Squacco Heron, Collard Pratincole, Spanish Ibex, Ortolan Bunting, Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, Greater Flamingo

Naturalist Journeys takes you on a 14-day trip through many of the most beautiful parts of Spain. Each day includes many destinations and potential bird species, including up to 20 different raptors. You’ll also see many water birds and explore many areas, including mountains, plains, forests, and more. However, you’ll also get the chance to learn more about Spanish culture.

For example, you’ll learn more about Romanesque and Moorish architecture while visiting Sevilla, enjoy Flamenco music in multiple destinations, and check out the La Mancha marshes, where the infamous literary figure Don Quixote roamed. In addition, this comprehensive tour will help you spot many bird species and expand your appreciation of this beautiful country.

Related post: Best Locations for Birdwatching in Vermont

8. Field Guides Birding Tours

• Address: Varies based on the tour
• Hours: April 27 to May 9
• Cost: $5,250
• Birds You’ll See: Iberian Magpie, Iberian Lynx, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Western Swamphen, Audouin, Slender-Billed Gulls, Red-Crested Pochard, Cincerous Vulture, Eurasian Griffin, Black-Winged Kite

Field Guides Birding Tours provides unique and highly effective trips for birdwatchers. These unique destination experiences introduce you to multiple species throughout La Mancha and other popular Spanish areas. This trip includes a week of fast-paced travel, where a professional guide will showcase attractive and engaging birds, including many living only in and around the Iberian Peninsula.

Each tour seeks to find some of Spain’s rarest and hardest-to-find birds, like the Eurasian Griffin and Black-Winged Kate. All your accommodations are handled during this trip, including booking hotels and food. In addition, you’ll work with two tour guides who can help you identify the best birding destinations. They’ll also give you tips and suggestions for taking photos without disturbing rare birds.

Ready for your birding trip. Review the birdwatching rules and etiquette !

FAQ For Birding in Spain

Before jumping on a plane and flying to the Iberian Peninsula for your next big birding adventure, read through these critical suggestions. They cover things like preparing for your trip and listing any birds and wildlife you might see while in Spain.

What Time of Year is Best for Birding in Spain?

Spain is a reasonably warm country that usually provides excellent birding most of the year. In fact, the hottest months of the year, July and August, are the worst because the intense Spanish heat will keep them sluggish. So instead, try for earlier in the summer or late fall to improve your chances.

We strongly suggest visiting in April and May because the milder temperatures make birds far more active. Furthermore, the temperatures will be more comfortable for you and anyone who comes with you. Often, the best birding tours in the country take place during these months.

What Kinds of Birds Are Common in Spain?

Spain has a very active birding scene because it’s home to many beautiful and hard-to-find species. For example, the Iberian Imperial Eagle is found primarily in Spain and is the country’s national bird. However, it’s a large raptor that is very rare: only 350 individual birds are known in the wild.

Other birds you’ll see include the white-headed duck of Spain, house sparrow, bearded vulture, sandhill crane, domestic canary, Iberian crested lark, pin-tailed sandgrouse, and the little bustard. These attractive species should keep you busy while visiting this peninsula country.

What Other Wildlife Will I See in Spain?

While you’re in Spain, you’re likely to see many different animals, including the Admiral butterfly, many bat species, brown bears, Catalan sheepdogs, centipedes, codling moth, frogs, crows, many deer species, donkeys, bulls, cormorants, multiple spiders, flying squirrels, and foxes.

Spain is also home to multiple lizards, salamanders, and frogs. This diversity of animals makes it a trendy destination to check out many species in Europe. Just as importantly, Spain is very welcoming to guests and includes guided tours for seeing animals in wild areas.

What Tips Should I Consider When Birding in Spain?

When visiting Spain, bring summer clothes because most of the peninsula remains warm year round. Keep yourself well hydrated with regular water breaks and spend time learning the area. Practice some simple Spanish to ensure you can get around quickly when traveling.

Ensure you also bring safety gear for hiking mountains because much of this region is elevated. Finally, don’t forget anti-venom protection to stay safe from Spain’s many snakes and lizards. Though few are aggressive, they’ll defend themselves if you get too close.

What Gear Should I Bring Birding in Spain?

When birding in Spain, bringing everything you’ll need for your trip is essential. It would be best to buy a backpack to hold your gear, a birding guide, a birding checklist, binoculars, snacks while on the trip, a good camera, and equipment to keep you safe from the environment, like hats.

You can also expand your bird call app that helps you identify their songs, a video camera, a spotting scope, and GPS devices that keep you from getting lost. Some people even bring bird feeders, though this step is rarer and even discouraged in national parks and other public areas.

Am I Safe Birding in Spain?

Spain is a very safe country for most people, though you’ll need to take some precautions. These include watching your gear while in the wild and avoiding taking food or drinks from strangers. These simple steps should protect you from potential issues and ensure your trip goes smoothly.

Related post: Find the Best Birdwatching Places in Cancun

References:

• https://www.birdquest-tours.com/birding-tours/spain/
• https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/locations-travel/featured-destinations/best-places-to-watch-wildlife-in-spain/
• https://rove.me/to/spain/birdwatching
• https://www.firstminute-transfer.com/blog/en/best-places-to-watch-birds-in-spain/
• https://fatbirder.com/world-birding/europe/kingdom-of-spain/andalusia/
• https://www.alltrails.com/spain/murcia–3/birding
• https://birdwatchinghq.com/spain-birding-tours/
• https://www.spanishbirdguides.com/spanish-birds/
• https://a-z-animals.com/animals/location/europe/spain/
• https://worldbirds.com/bird-watching-tips/
• https://learnbirdwatching.com/essential-bird-watching-gear/

Valencia Birding

Pincha aqui para visitar nuestra pagina en Castellano

Bespoke Guided Bird Watching Trips & Holidays from Valencia & Alicante (Eastern Spain) for Individuals, Couples and Small Groups. Established in 2011, we´re based in the autonomous region of La Comunidad Valenciana, Spain, one of Europe´s top birding destinations.  We design and provide tailor-made guided bird watching day-trips, breaks and holidays for individuals, couples and small groups. Based in both the historical town of Xativa and the coastal town of Dénia, this allows us to cover both the Valencia and Alicante regions. This flexibility offers the possibility to visit an incredibly diverse range of habitats and excellent birding sites, many of which are virtually unknown! We cater for all levels of bird enthusiasts from complete beginner to expert, and provide trips for individuals, couples, families and small groups. Our local knowledge ensures that our clients can maximise their time in Spain by depending on us to take them to the best sites whilst providing top levels of care and attention. Thanks to the support of our clients, and the kind reviews that have been posted on Trip Advisor, we are proud holders of the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.  You can read our clients´reviews here .

Our objective is simple…to provide a value-for-money service that is exactly tailored to the wishes, requirements and priorities of our clients, focussing firmly on delivering the best levels of service. Our approach is what makes us different…

Our business model is unlike that of most professional bird watching companies.  We provide our services on an extremely flexible basis, working closely with our clients to design their ideal trip or holiday.  We have a range of single-day trips, but frequently work with our clients to design bespoke breaks and holidays, ranging from 2-day to 8-day packages. We never mix groups – all our trips and holidays are exclusively for the individual, couple or group that make the reservation, and we never add others to the trip.

Blue Rock Thrush

Our pricing structure is competitive, great value and fair… Here at Valencia Birding, we wish to make our guided bird watching trips available to all. Therefore, our pricing structure is thoughtfully and carefully designed to assure maximum value across all group sizes. We clearly understand that some clients will be traveling alone, whilst others will be part of a group.  Therefore we have endeavoured to structure our pricing to provide superb value for smaller groups, couples or even individuals whilst still offering fair and competitive rates for larger groups.  Contact us to discuss options and we´d be very happy to quote specific rates (without obligation).

A professional bird watching guide, David Warrington was born in Sheffield, England and began his fascination with birds as a child in the Peak District National Park.  He moved to Spain in 2006 and was amazed by the natural diversity of the Valencia region, a huge influence in his decision to establish Valencia Birding in 2011.  David is also a founding member of the Association of Birding Guides of the Valencian Community, and regularly works as a consultant to promote sustainable nature tourism.

To view our Privacy Policy, click here .

Birding News

Watching Albufera Grow During the Spring

Continue reading

An Active Spring in Alicante!

A Special Day at One of Valencia’s Coastal Wetlands

Another great day at Albufera.

3-Day Birding Trip from Valencia

Comments are closed.

You appear to be using an old browser Please ensure you update your browser to be able to experience our site properly.

View our Blog For up to date news of day trips, tours and recent trip reports visit our blog. GO -->

Welcome to wingspan bird tours .

Our bird tours are guided bird watching  holidays  they are relaxed, competitively priced, well organised and very enjoyable. We don't miss much! and yet we don't dash around trying to see every bird on the planet! We cater for beginners, we teach not preach and we make your holiday a memorable one for all the right reasons. We have many years of experience and we can provide references and testamonials from happy clients worldwide.

Learn more about our Tours

Day Tours in the UK

We are based on the border of Somerset and Dorset in the UK  and from October until the end of April we offer day trips in both Counties.

Learn more about our UK Day Tours  

Accommodation in Spain

We also offer Self catering, B&B or Full Board Accommodation from July to October in 2 idyllic apartments adjacent to our summer home in the beautiful 'white village' of  Gaucin  situated in the beautiful mountains of Andalucia, Southern Spain.

Learn more about our Accommodation

Day Tours in Spain

We also offer excellent day tours from our home-base in Gaucin, Andalucia. We have a range of itineraries which are seasonally adjusted to cater for bird migration and the weather. These day tours are great value and run from July to October.

Learn more about our Spanish Day Tours  

FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND TO BOOK ANY OF OUR TOURS OR DAY TRIPS PLEASE EMAIL: 

[email protected]

Or call us on 01935-426152, international +44 1935-426152.

BirdingInSpain

• 40 Good reasons for Birding in Spain

Now featuring

BirdingInSpain.com - Birds and Birding Tours in northeast Spain: Plan your Birding trip to Catalonia, Aragon and Navarra

In Birding In Spain you'll find all kinds of information about birds, both common and rare, and plenty of reasons for birding in northeast Spain .

Also featured are Books by Steve West who has birded this region extensively since 1988. Consider, if you like, the possibility of contracting our services as guides/ground agents for a private birding tour,  or simply follow our advice and study the carefully selected itineraries to enjoy some of the   best birding experiences   that the region has to offer .

If you decide to come on a guided tour or just want to follow any of our recommended birding itineraries you really should check our sponsors – quality rural accommodation close to the best birding sites in northeast Spain . Also, there's no reason why you shouldn't bring your family too . If they don't share your interest in birds and don't want to participate in a birding tour then they can be directed to interesting sites of tourism interest nearby, or could even be persuaded to take part in some novel and exciting activities. In other words birding or…ballooning, rafting, cycling, wining and dining, etc.

Professional bird photographers can take advantage of BirdingInSpain.com's unrivalled local knowledge, support conservation initiatives and take home some excellent shots with our Hide Photography Trips .

Birding In Spain also offers a section dedicated to kids, called Kid's Stuff where the younger ones can paint, play a new bird card game and generally discover more about the rare and fascinating bird species found in the northeast of Spain. That's not enough for you? Then visit our Free Downloads section .

Birding In Spain main sections

Why Birding in NE Spain You won't be able to resist after reading it

Sites and Itineraries +40 itineraries to go birding NE spain or Mallorca

Birding In Mallorca Ideal for Birding + Family Holidays

Books Most of our knowledge in one place

Guided Tours Get the most of your time

Bird & Hide For professional photographers

Birding In Spain

What, more questions? Then contact us for a more personalised response.

Clients Feedback - Read all

When to go birding in Spain

When is the best time to go birding in spain.

All birders know the weather is a key factor for the success of your birding holidays. So when to go birding in Spain? Well, we’ll focus on central and southern Spain and here’s the good news: almost any time of the year can be good for birding. Put it this way: anytime except mid summer will offer you something that you can’t find in any other time of the year. Here’s why:

Spring is the best season, when all andalucian birds are active and singing. Most of the summer visitors will be arriving from February. The spring in Andalucia is short, with usually medium to very nice temperatures. Sometimes you can be wearing a T-shirt in March, while April can be rainy but May is generally warm, dry and sunny. We love the late spring because it’s then when the crops and steppes look green and birding journeys can take the whole day. In fact, Álvaro’s favourite time of the year for birding in April. Orchids will be present and add joy to your bird sightings! If you are lookinf for a bird itinerary that covers wonderful sites for spring, have a look at our Best of Andalucía birding tour .

Early June is still ok for birding. However, July and August are very warm months and birdwatching is just possible at dawn and dusk. However, ,there is a lot you can see at this time of the year. Target species such as Red-necked Nightjar and Rufous bush robin are much easier to find in early summer. Also, late migrants such as Collared Pratincoles will be a sure bet! Besides, hide photography on a pond will provide great results at this time of the year. This season is also the best to see butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Quote us for a specialized tour!

September, however, is the best month to witness the bird migration to Africa. Not just in the Strait of Gibraltar but also in some other strategic points in Southern Spain, such as Ronda and some mountain passes. Early september is also a challenging month to identify the big variety of juvenile warblers all over Andalucía, among which certain species look very similar.

The Autumn is also a good season for birding in Andalucia. We receive massive numbers of winter visitors from central and northern Europe, while the days are still long and it’s not cold. So choose autumn for your birding holidays in Andalucia, for you’ll enjoy extraordinayry birding journeys and you won’t find as many tourists around as in summer. For landscape photographers, the autumn will locally bring an unexpectedly large variety of ochre colors, specially when our native Gall Oaks mix with deciduous trees.

Winter is a great season for birding. Unlike in the UK and northern Europe, Andalucia’s weather in winter can be really nice at certains points , such as Doñana and Fuente de Piedra, where hundreds of waders and cranes will gather to spend these -even here- cold months. And not only that, massive numbers of winter visitors stay in Andalucia instead of crossing to Africa, why take the risk of crossing the Strait if you still can find food and shelter in Spain? Winters in Andalucia are generally speaking mild. And we generally don’t get much rain, so birding in winter is highly recommended.

We recommend you this local weather forecast channel for your bird watching trips in Spain. Now that you know when to go birding in Spain, how about checking our birding day trips and birding tours in the south of Spain?

Related articles for birders

Here you will find some extra tips that you may need to know for your birding holidays in Andalucia.

Bird list of southern Spain

The birding hotspots in andalucia, tips for good birding in malaga, a great birding tour in andalucia.

And remember, you can always contact us for friendly and professional guiding services!