Birdwatching in Cadiz

Once an extensive wetlands area, then farmland, today La Janda is a mixture of wild olive groves, paddy fields, pastures and marshy canals. Its location makes it a popular resting spot for migratory birds on their way to or from Africa, and millions flock here throughout the seasons. The purple swamphen, black-winged kite and glossy ibis can be seen year-round, while summer birds include Montagu’s harrier, collared pratincole and common quail. In the winter a number of eagle and owl species can be seen, as well as the rare pallid harrier and bittern. In Alcornocales Natural Park, we’ll look out for breeding pairs of Spanish Imperial eagles and ospreys, as well as goshawk and little owls around the reservoir.

Sanlúcar de Barrameda is a picturesque town right on the mouth of the river Guadalquivir, where saltmarshes and salt pan areas teem with birdlife. In the spring, it’s worth a visit to Mesas de Asta – if the area is wet enough for slender-billed and gull-billed terns to nest, there’s a mixed colony. From here, we go through Trebujena, a hill town with fantastic views of the estuary on one side and the impressive dunes of Doñana on the other. As we travel the saltmarsh between Trebujena and Sanlúcar, we might see squacco heron, glossy ibis and calandra lark. If we’re lucky, we’ll tick off pin-tailed sandgrouse, marbled duck and osprey, too. Further down the river, greater and lesser short-toed larks, black stork and spectacled warbler are our main targets. If the road is too muddy, our alternative route through the Algaida pinewood is also good for black kite and booted eagle and usually white-headed and ferruginous ducks. Now in Sanlúcar, we’ll visit Bonanza salt-pan area to watch waders, gulls and terns. On the way back, we can try to find one of the newest birds on the Spanish list – the Little Swift has colonised a few sites in Cadiz on its expansion north from Morocco.

Grazalema Natural Park spans nearly 52,000 hectares of limestone peaks, fir forests and Mediterranean scrub, making it ideal for walkers, birdwatchers and photographers. The park is home to Mediterranean and cork oaks, diverse orchids and butterflies, and an impressive range of birdlife. Raptors are a highlight, with chances to spot Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles, Peregrine, and Goshawk from hilltops such as Puerto de las Palomas. Other species include Eagle Owl, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear, Red-rumped Swallow and Rock Bunting.

Estrecho Natural Park, between Algeciras and Tarifa, combines beaches, cliffs, lagoons, mountains and countryside within its protected land and sea areas. Its position at the Strait of Gibraltar makes it a key migration route, where thousands of birds cross between Europe and Africa each year. Black kites, white storks and honey buzzards are among the most striking species to observe. Key birdwatching spots include Los Lances Beach Nature Reserve, the Palmones marshes and coastal viewpoints such as Cazalla and Punta Camorro, which also offer clear views across to the African continent.