Birdwatching in Huelva

It will be the hillsides of the Sierra Pelada and the olive trees of Andevalo that form the backdrop to today’s birdwatching excursion. The Sierra Pelada is an undulating wooded region and home to an eclectic array of specially protected bird species, including one of Iberia’s largest black vulture colonies. After also keeping our eyes out for eagles, bustards, and buntings we’ll head to the agricultural farmlands of Andevalo. Covering a vast area of countryside, this is where we’ll find one of Andalucía’s most important environments for breeding raptors. Kites, harriers, and lesser kestrels can all be found here making the most of the fields of sunflowers, cereal and cork woods.

Today we’ll be exploring two important wetland areas: the marshes of Odiel and the freshwater lagoon of Portil. The biodiverse Odiel marshes are of international importance and home to over 200 species of bird including black necked grebes, flamingos and Europe's most important colony of Eurasian spoonbills. The Portil Lagoon Protected Area is the perfect place to see a mix of woodland and water birds including terns, ducks, herons and snipes. Also, as the coast is close by, a great many seabirds can also be seen in and around the sand dunes.

This UNESCO site and Biosphere reserve provides an ideal environment for ibis, spoonbills, egrets and grebes as well as the rarely seen marbled teal. As the first ever project of the World Wildlife Fund, the protected area has grown in population and now boasts more than 30, 000 breeding water birds. Also, thanks to Doñana’s location on the migratory superhighway, winters are filled with feathers as more than 400,000 birds arrive from colder climes.

Explore in the southern reaches of Doñana National Park and you’ll find some fantastic nature trails dotted with bird hides and wildlife watching platforms. It’s a really important wetland area and home to a host of freshwater lakes where migratory terns, swamp hens and ducks come down to mingle with resident ibis and spoonbills. From egrets and sandpipers to elusive otters and genets, this wonderfully wild lake district is where we’ll complete our week of birdwatching in Huelva.