Cota Donana

[russkie]

hi all
well a change of destination for next week - instead of st lucia weve decided on northwest spain - cota donana.
Reading up in where to watch birds in southern spain it looks like the granddaddy of all european birding spots.
so itll be luggage overload with scope bins and new camera equipment but hopefully lots of pics.
if anyone has been there and has tips please let me know .
we will be staying at chipiona so it looks like the ideal base.
cheers
nigel

[Eagle]

There are lots of reports for birding in SW Espana!!

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=38214

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=35580 (thats mine!!)

Also John Butler a member of BF has all the latest info...look at his website too.

[Steve G]

Donana is a great area however last winter was very dry in southern Spain & its been a long hot summer so far with the result that some of the "classical" areas might be quite dry. Up to date local knowledge will make a huge difference in what you see & what you miss as many birds will be congregating around the ricefields outwith Donana NP. If you can fit it in & John is available I would suggest you go on a daytrip with John Butler- that way you are guaranteed to see the best of whatever is about.

[john-henry]

hi all
well a change of destination for next week - instead of st lucia weve decided on northwest spain - cota donana.
Reading up in where to watch birds in southern spain it looks like the granddaddy of all european birding spots.
so itll be luggage overload with scope bins and new camera equipment but hopefully lots of pics.
if anyone has been there and has tips please let me know .
we will be staying at chipiona so it looks like the ideal base.
cheers
nigel


Nigel

The salt pans at Bonanza, near Sanlucar de Barrameda, only a short drive from Chipiona, is a definate must to visit. At this time of year it should be absolutely 'heaving' with birds, anything and everything is possible here.

From here head for La Algaida area, more saltpans etc, then work the tracks along the Rio Guadalquivir for as far as you want to, covering the marshes, rice fields etc.

have a good holiday

john-henry

[Barred Wobbler]

I'm off to Spain on Tuesday, staying near Marbella, but these saltpans and the marshes to the northeast of them are definitely on my list of places to visit. A long drive, but worth the trip. I was there this time last year and the only disappointment was the lack of azure-winged magpies when I passed through the algaida forest.

On the salt-marsh, try the samphire - delicious.

[russkie]

Alan
im going on Friday so may bump into you.
looking at where to watch birds I may not even need to go into Donana as there is such a lot of habitat near where we are staying.
will be just outside Rota on the Costa Ballena.
Cant wait and it looks a great time to go
Nigel

[Alan G]

I'm heading to Donana myself in a few weeks- prefering the Brazo del Este / Pinzon side as opposed to the Western/El Rocio side due to better access, not only the route from Malaga/Tarifa but access around the site itself.

Would appreciate some update on how your trips went.

Here's to a good trip.

B (:

Alan

[jforgham]

Hi,
Check out my local club reports from our trips there. Click on trip reports and then Donana etc. Have a good time /www.fly.to/bsbg
Jono

[crown]

Hi,

information about Doñana in this link.

http://www.discoveringdonana.com/Index.htm


José Luis.

[James Lowther]

Nigel,
just one thing - although chipiona is near to donana as the crow flies - it is a very long drive (via seville!!) from the visitor centres at acebuche etc. There are plenty of very good areas on the eastern bank however which will be a lot closer, and you should be able to get a boat trip across the river from sanlucar de barrameda if you want to visit the national park proper,
james

Edit; just realised this is an old thread, hope you enjoyed your holiday!!

[russkie]

Nigel,
just one thing - although chipiona is near to donana as the crow flies - it is a very long drive (via seville!!) from the visitor centres at acebuche etc. There are plenty of very good areas on the eastern bank however which will be a lot closer, and you should be able to get a boat trip across the river from sanlucar de barrameda if you want to visit the national park proper,
james

Edit; just realised this is an old thread, hope you enjoyed your holiday!!
cheers James
yeah we realised that when we arrived. did the bonanza salt pans which were excellent. In Sanlucar we saw a ferry taking 4wd vehicles across the river to Donana so we thought- great we'll do that.
next day when I enquired I was told only official vehicles . By the way Sanlucar - although small - is a nightmare to drive in and out of.
Next day we decided to do San Fernando - near Cadiz - but Rita saw how close Tarifa was so we kept driving,
We fell in love with Tarifa area - great raptor country - specially in fall. Decided to stay in that area for a couple of nights - and a group led by a Spanish Guide took us under their wing and helped us id thngs. Many thanks to them - a great advert for the enthusiasm and openness of fellow birders. {I have a card from the guide - he has a guest house in the Pyranees for tours/stays -wallcreeper/lammmergeier - so if anyone wants his details just PM me].
Anyway. never did make Donana - but had a great trip.
Nigel