Seville, Coto Doñana and Gibraltar

[HarryR]

Hi everyone.

I was thinking of taking a trip to Seville some time soonish – April, maybe, if I can organise it – and I took one look at the map and thought "hang on a minute, that's right by the Coto Doñana. And not far from Gibraltar". I'm only an occasional birder, but I can't ignore a possibilty like that.

My ideal would be to try and fit in all three - five days in each perhaps. The main problem is that I don't drive. Presumably that won't be a problem in Gib. For CD, I assume the best thing to do would be to stay somewhere like El Rocío and go birding on foot.

My main question is about logistics; does anyone know if going to all three is practicable, without driving? And if not, and I went to Seville plus one of the others, which would you suggest? And does anyone have any bright ideas generally about what I should do?

As I say, I'm a bit of a lightweight in birding terms, so I'm thinking of a nice trip which includes some birding rather than trying to chase down every species in Andalucía.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Harry

[Steve G]

Hi everyone.

I was thinking of taking a trip to Seville some time soonish – April, maybe, if I can organise it – and I took one look at the map and thought "hang on a minute, that's right by the Coto Doñana. And not far from Gibraltar". I'm only an occasional birder, but I can't ignore a possibilty like that.

My ideal would be to try and fit in all three - five days in each perhaps. The main problem is that I don't drive. Presumably that won't be a problem in Gib. For CD, I assume the best thing to do would be to stay somewhere like El Rocío and go birding on foot.

My main question is about logistics; does anyone know if going to all three is practicable, without driving? And if not, and I went to Seville plus one of the others, which would you suggest? And does anyone have any bright ideas generally about what I should do?

As I say, I'm a bit of a lightweight in birding terms, so I'm thinking of a nice trip which includes some birding rather than trying to chase down every species in Andalucía.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Harry
Sign up for a full day's trip with John Butler (assuming he has vacancies). I would suggest that this April (there has been lots of water in the Donana area recently) will be very good in the Donana area. Booted Eagles, Red, Black & probably Black-shouldered Kites, Montagu's Harrier, Collared Pratincoles, Squacco, Night, Purple Heron, Little, Cattle & possibly Great White Egret, White Stork, passage Black Stork, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbills, Marsh Terns, Flamingoes, Bee-eaters, Hoopoes,........the list goes on & on. Spanish Imperial Eagle is also a fair possibility. If John can't take you (transport is a necessity) the perhaps he may have alternative suggestions.
Here is a link to his Bird Forum profile which includes his website details: www.birdforum.net/member.php?u=3706

[John Butler]

Hi Harry.


I was thinking of taking a trip to Seville some time soonish – April, maybe, if I can organise it – and I took one look at the map and thought "hang on a minute, that's right by the Coto Doñana. And not far from Gibraltar". I'm only an occasional birder, but I can't ignore a possibilty like that. My ideal would be to try and fit in all three - five days in each perhaps. The main problem is that I don't drive. Presumably that won't be a problem in Gib. For CD, I assume the best thing to do would be to stay somewhere like El Rocío and go birding on foot.

If you are thinking of going to Sevilla, then Doñana is certainly a strong possibility and a good option, even if you don't drive. El Rocío is only 75 kilometres away and takes about 90 minutes by bus. The cost is only a few euros.

As Steve G has mentioned, there is plenty of water in the marshes at El Rocío and there is a lot of birding that can be done very locally to the town, such as the Arroyo de las Cañadas, the Boca del Lobo and the La Rocina nature park. You can even sit with your bino's or 'scope on the sun terrace of a bar that overlooks El Rocío marshes and count 40 - 50 species whilst you enjoy a beer and some tapas. Now that is civilized birding!


My main question is about logistics; does anyone know if going to all three is practicable, without driving? And if not, and I went to Seville plus one of the others, which would you suggest? And does anyone have any bright ideas generally about what I should do?

Do not miss Sevilla. It is a beautiful city and well worth visiting for the sights of the city, but there are also lots of birds to be seen. Lesser Kestrels live in large numbers around the cathedral and these will be joined by Pallid Swifts from late March onwards. Lots of good birding can also be done in the Maria Louisa gardens, less than a km from the historic centre of the city.

At that time of year the mass northward migration (Arfica to Europe) will be in full swing and time spent along the Strait of Gibraltar would be very rewarding as there will be thousands of Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Griffon and Black Vultures, Lesser Kestrels, Montagu's Harriers, Sparrowhawks, White and Black Storks, Hoopoes, Rollers, Bee-eaters, warblers, larks, wheatears, swifts, swallow, martins, etc. etc. crossing the strait. Estimates put the number as high as 6 million birds crossing each spring and they are very visible.

Tarifa, which is about 10 kms west of Gibraltar, would be a much better option than Gib itself as this offers the shortest sea crossing between the two continents. It is, I believe, also easily accessible by bus from Sevilla


As I say, I'm a bit of a lightweight in birding terms, so I'm thinking of a nice trip which includes some birding rather than trying to chase down every species in Andalucía.
Harry.

In Doñana and Tarifa you will not have to work hard to have tremendous birding.

If you want more info, e-mail me and I will try to help out.



Hi Steve.

Sign up for a full day's trip with John Butler (assuming he has vacancies). SteveG

Thanks for the plug Steve, but every day between the 20th of March and the 12 of May is now booked, although there are a few days left when I can include one or two extra people onto a tour.

[HarryR]

Thanks both of you. It does all sound fabulous. I get overexcited just thinking about all those birds.

John - thanks a lot. That's very reassuring; you never quite know what transport links are going to be like. It sounds like I should be able to have a good trip by means of public transport and foot. Maybe some other year I'll be planning far enough in advance to book a trip with you – it seems like you're the person to go to. Thanks for the offer of further help - I may be emailing you yet.

Thanks again

Harry