The spectacle of thousands of birds at El Rocio marshes from our hotel room, amazing views of Red-necked Nightjar on the road in front of the car, and stunning views in the mountains with raptors circling overhead were some of the highlights of 10 days spent in Southern Spain in April 2005.

Our party comprised Anne and Alan Miller, and Anne and Geoff Wall.

Itinerary

Transport and Travel

We travelled to Malaga airport on a Jet2.com scheduled flight from Leeds/Bradford airport. Outward flight on 20th April was 08.35 hrs departure, 12.30 hours arrival. Return flight on 29th April was 13.10 hours departure and 15.05 hours arrival back in the UK. (all times local - Spain 1 hour in front of BST) The flights were booked over the Internet in October 2004. The service was clean and efficient, running on time.

We booked a Ford Focus Estate over the Internet from Malagacar.com. We were met at the airport and taken the short distance to collect our car. The hire was fully inclusive with no insurance excess. Arrangements to collect and return were quick and efficient.

Accommodation

In El Rocio we stayed B&B at the Hotel Toruno and had rooms overlooking the marsh. The booking was made on our behalf by John Butler of Donana Bird Tours who offers this service through his website www.donanabirdtours.com, e-mail john@donanabirdtours.com. No deposit was required. Breakfast was taken in the Hotel. The hotel restaurant for evening meals was in a separate nearby building. On two evenings we ate at Aires de Donana Restaurante that overlooks El Rocio Marsh and is highly recommended.

At Grazalema Natural Park we stayed at El Tejar, a superb B&B owned by Guy Hunter-Watts in the picturesque village of Montecorto. Details were found on the Internet at www.andalucia.com/accommodation/eltejar and booked by e-mail at eltejar@mercuryin.es. Some evening meals were available at El Tejar cooked by Paqui using local Andalucian recipes. Montecorto supported three restaurants.

Weather

Throughout our stay we had fabulous weather with clear blue skies and unbroken sunshine. Daytime temperatures were in the mid to high 70's.

It was light enough for birding about 7.45am and darkness fell about 9pm

Spring had been very dry in Southern Spain. This, together with land management work in Cota Donana National Park meant that much of the northern marshland had dried out.

Research and Guides

A number of trip reports were posted on the Internet at www.birdtours.co.uk and www.surfbirds.com, which were useful. Also www.donanabirdtours.com had a section on Donana birds which acted as a good base for compiling a trip list.

For bird clarification we carried Collins Bird Guide (Mullarney, Svensson, Zetterstrom & Grant). For butterflies we carried Collins New Generation Guide, Butterflies and Day-flying moths of Britain and Europe, and for flowers Wild Flowers of the Mediterranean by Marjorie Blamey and Christopher Grey-Wilson 

Daily records were kept and at the end of the holiday I totalled 148 species.

More details can be obtained by contacting the author on 'alanmiller@electric-magic.co.uk'.

Daily Highlights

Wednesday 20th April

After a perfect landing at Malaga Airport, our first sightings were around the terminal buildings and included Barn Swallow, House Martin, House Sparrow, Kestrel and Collared Dove.

We couldn't believe it when our cases were first onto the carousel and minutes later we were collecting our hire car and heading off to Cota Donana. Enroute we stopped for a picnic at Mirador Cerro del Palo overlooking Laguna de Fuente de Piedra. On the lake were Purple Swamphen, Greater Flamingo and Gull-billed Tern whilst around the Mirador were Crested Lark, Stonechat, Spanish Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Swift and Swallow.

We arrived at El Rocio at 5pm. After quickly unpacking and enjoying a refreshing beer we finished the day viewing the marsh. The star bird was a Long-billed Dowitcher that had been found two days earlier and showed well. Other sightings included Black-winged Stilt, Collared Pratincole, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, White Stork, Spoonbill, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, Snipe and Greylag Goose.

Thursday 21st April

Pre and post breakfast views over El Rocio marsh added Little Egret, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Ruff, Little Stint, Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Lesser Black backed Gull, Great Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Spotless Starling and Spanish Yellow Wagtail.

After breakfast we walked along the sandy track west from El Rocio and to the north of El Rocina. Sightings included European Bee-eater, Egyptian Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Pallid Swift, Hoopoe, Nightingale, and Woodchat Shrike.

After a late lunch we drove to the Visitor Centre Reserve at El Acebuche where IberianAzure-winged Magpie were abundant around the car park. On the reserve we saw Iberian Green Woodpecker, White Wagtail, Reed Warbler, WesternOlivaceous Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Short-toed Treecreeper, Pied Flycatcher and Serin. The reserve was a good example of the typical habitat of the area, with extensive areas of umbrella-shaped Stone Pine giving an open undercover with a range of shrubby aromatic plants, many of which were in flower. These included a wide range of the cistus family, French lavender and broom.

A last look over El Rocio marsh on the way back to the hotel produced Garganey,Marbled Duck, and Whiskered Tern,

Friday 22nd April

We'd booked a day's guided birding with John Butler from Donana Bird Tours to show us the northern marshes. We were collected from our hotel at 09.00 hours.

First stop was Arroyo de Santa Maria where we were soon ticking Zitting Cisticola, Greenshank, Redshank, Red-rumped Swallow, and Wood Pigeon.

After a stop to view a White Stork colony at Villamanrique we went to Laguna de Mancho Zurillo and Corredor Verde where we added Booted Eagle, Osprey, Tree Sparrow, Spanish Sparrow, Sardinian Warbler, Raven, Melodious Warbler, Buzzard, Iberian Chiffchaff and a splendid Black-shouldered Kite. We also came across three Helmeted Guinefowl (Cat. E birds).

Our lunch stop was a picnic at Dehesa de Abajo which turned up Northern Wheatear, Little Owl, Jackdaw, European Bee-eater, Shoveler and Mute Swan.

We called into Jose Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre and around the pools visible from the Centre building we picked up Little Crake, Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Greater Flamingo, Whiskered Tern and Gull-billed Tern.

Enroute and returning to El Rocio we added Marsh Harrier, Montague's Harrier, Short-toed Eagle, Great-crested Grebe and Red-crested Pochard.

We were dropped off back at Hotel Toruno about 6.30pm.

Saturday 23rd April

We spent the day on foot at El Rocio marsh and walking around the nearby El Rocina reserve. A new bird at El Rocio was Shelduck whilst at El Rocina we added Crested Tit, Long-tailed Tit, and Blackcap. Overhead we had a splendid Spanish Imperial Eagle, our only sighting of the trip.

Before our evening meal we drove along the dead-end road from the gates of El Rocina to El Acebron Visitor Centre. Hunting over the scrub next to the road was a Black-shouldered Kite. We revisited the road at 11.00pm after dinner and came across Red-necked Nightjar sitting on the road which allowed us to view for 10 minutes using the car headlights and to drive to within a few feet before flying. This was one of the many birding highlights of our trip.

Sunday 24th April

Although designated a travelling day as we were moving to Grazalema Natural Park area, we made a detour via Huelva to visit Laguna Batuca which held Red-knobbed Coot. Whilst there we also added Yellow-legged Gull and Little Bittern.

Enroute we saw Red-legged Partridge and when we stopped for tapas at Utrera we were treated to Lesser Kestrel around the church. Montecorto greeted us with Griffon Vulture, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blackbird and Stonechat

Monday 25th April

A walk before breakfast revealed Wren, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Corn Bunting, Nightingale and Blackbird

After breakfast we drove to Zahara and up to the viewpoint at Puerto de las Palomas. Enroute we saw Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Hoopoe, European Bee-eater and Southern Grey Shrike. At the viewpoint we added Black Redstart, Black Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Chough and Rock Bunting.

Stops near Grazalema produced Golden Oriole, Nuthatch, Serin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Serin, and Woodchat Shrike; whilst at Puerto de Montejaque we heard Quail.

Tuesday 26th April

An early walk at El Tejar added Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler and Cuckoo.

After breakfast we drove through Zahara adding Jackdaw, Raven, Blue Rock Thrush and Lesser Kestrel before setting out on a walk down the valley of Llano del Rabel. Please note that a permit from the Park Office in Zahara is required before setting out on this path. The valley was wooded and at the bottom a pleasant meadow area before a final loop amongst pine trees - this being one of the very few remaining areas of an ancient Spanish Pine - Pinsapos, the reason for the protected status of this beautiful valley.

We added Firecrest, Bonelli's Warbler, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Jay and Cirl Bunting. At the bottom of the valley we saw Scare Swallowtail and Spanish Festoon butterflies, and on the return leg found Yellow Bee, Bee and Pyramidal Orchids.

Wednesday 27th April

We drove to Benaojan Railway Station and walked a path down the valley alongside a stream and the railway line to Jimera de Libar. The valley was alive with birds including Nightingale, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Serin, Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler, Firecrest, Subalpine Warbler, Jay and Golden Oriole. On the stream we saw a Common Sandpiper and a pair of Mallard. Along one stretch we saw literally dozens of dead fish on the water surface. We also saw a Bee Orchid with distinct white sepals. We lunched at Quercas Restaurant located in a converted engine-shed at Jimera station before catching the train back to Benaojan station.

We stopped near Benaojan to scan the mountains and were treated to Bonelli's Eagle, Golden Eagle, Chough, Blue Rock Thrush, Swift, and Alpine Swift.

Thursday 28th April

A day to visit some tourist sites. We started at the roman amphitheatre at Acinipo. Around the remains we had Linnet, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Black-eared Wheatear, Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush whilst overhead Griffon Vulture, Buzzard, Booted Eagle and Kestrel.

Next stop was for lunch in the semi-troglodyte village of Setenil. As we ate tapas we watched Swift, Swallow, House Martin and Crag Martin.

Last stop was at Ronda. Kestrel, Chough, Blue Rock Thrush,Crag Martin and Feral Pigeon circled the gorge and rock faces. There were also some 'genuine-looking' Rock Doves.

Friday 29th April

Necessity meant no time for birding but enroute to the airport sightings included Little Egret, Mallard, Hoopoe, European Bee-eater, Corn Bunting and Crested Lark.

SIGHTINGS

1. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Seen daily at El Rocio marshes. High count 12 on 22nd.

2. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
1 at Branzo de la Torre on 22nd

3. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
1 at Laguna Batuca, Huelva on 24th

4. Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
2 at Jose Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre and 3 nearby on 22nd

5. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
1 at Jose Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre on 22nd
2 at El Rocina on 23rd

6. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
6 at El Rocio marshes on 21st and 23rd
80 near Jose Antonio Valvarde Visitor Centre on 22nd

7. Great White Egret Egretta alba
1 at Brazo de la Torre and 1 nearby on 22nd

8. Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Seen regularly around El Rocio and the Northern Marshes. High count 25 on 22nd
1 near Malaga on 29th

9. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Seen daily around El Rocio and the Northern Marshes. High count 12 on 22nd and 23rd

10. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
1 at El Rocina on 21st
2 at El Rocio Marshes and 2 at Dehesa de Pilas on 22nd
2 at El Rocio Marshes and 2 at El Rocina on 23rd

11. White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Widespread and abundant around Cota Donana

12. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Seen regularly at El Rocio Marshes. High count 22 on 21st
20 at Dehesa de Pilas on 22nd

13. Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Seen regularly around El Rocio. High count 100+ on 22nd and 23rd

14. Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
200+ at Laguna de Fuente de Piedra on 20th
200+ daily at El Rocio Marshes

15. Mute Swan Cygnus olor
2 at Dehesa de Abajo on 22nd

16. Greylag Goose Anser anser
10 at El Rocio Marsh on 20th

17. Shelduck Ardeola ralloides
1 at El Rocio Marsh on 23rd

18. Gadwall Anas strepera
Seen daily at El Rocio Marshes. High count 10 on 23rd

19. Teal Anas crecca
1 on 22nd and 2 on 23rd & 24th at El Rocio Marsh

20. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Widespread around Cota Donana. 40 seen on 22nd & 23rd
2 near Benaojan on 27th
1 near Malaga on 29th

21. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
8 on 22nd and 2 on 23rd at El Rocio Marshes

22. Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris
2 at El Rocio Marsh on 21st

23. Garganey Anas querquedula
2 at El Rocio Marsh on 21st

24. Common Pochard Aythya farina
Seen daily at El Rocio and the Northern Marshes. High count 12 on 22nd, 23rd & 24th

25. Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
1 at Corredor Verde on 22nd
2 at El Rocio Marsh on 24th
2 at Laguna Batuca, Huelva on 24th

26. Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus
2 at Corredor Verde on 22nd
1 between El Rocina and El Acebron on 23rd

27. Black Kite Milvus migrans
Seen regularly around El Rocio and the Northern Marshes. High count 40 on 22nd

28. Red Kite Milvus milvus
6 near Seville on 20th
2 from track north of El Rocina on 21st
2 at El Rocio Marshes on 22nd

29. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
2 from track north of El Rocina on 21st

30. Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus
1 at El Rocio Marshes on 23rd and 24th
Seen daily around Grazalema Natural Park. High count 30 on 26th 

31. Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus
1 at Dehesa de Pilas on 22nd

32. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
1 at El Rocio Marsh on 21st
2 at Dehesa de Pilas on 22nd
1 at El Rocina on 23rd

33. Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus
2 near Branzo de la Torre on 22nd

34. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
2 at Corredor Verde on 22nd
2 near Montecorto on 24th
1 at Acinipo on 28th

35. Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti
1 over El Rocina on 23rd

36. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
1 near Benaojan on 27th

37. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
1 on 20th & 2 on 21st at El Rocio Marshes
8 around the Northern Marshes on 22nd
2 near Zahara on 25th
1 near Benaojan on 27th
1 at Acinipo on 28th

38. Bonelli's Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus
1 near Benaojan on 27th

39. Osprey Pandion haliaetus
1 at Laguna de Mancho Zurillo on 22nd

40. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
6 at Utrera (around church and castle) on 24th
1 near Zahara on 25th  & 2 on 26th

41. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Seen regularly around Cota Donana and Grazalema N.P.
Highest counts 4 on 22nd around the Northern Marshes and 6 on 28th around Setenil 

42. Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa
2 near Villamanrique on 22nd
2 near Utrera on 24th
1 near Zahara on 25th 

43. Quail Coturnix coturnix
1 heard from Puerto de Montejaque on 25th

44. Little Crake Porzana parva
1 at Jose Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre on 22nd

45. Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Widespread and abundant around Cota Donana
20 at Laguna Batuca, Huelva on 24th

46. Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata
2 at Laguna Batuca, Huelva on 24th

47. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Widespread around Cota Donana

48. Purple Swamp-hen Porphyrio porphyrio
40 at Laguna de Fuente de Piedra on 20th
Seen daily at El Rocio Marsh. High count 40 on 22nd

49. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
Seen daily at El Rocio Marsh. High count 36 on 24th

50. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Widespread and abundant around El Rocio and the Northern Marshes 

51. Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
200+ seen daily at El Rocio Marsh

52. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
1 at El Acebuche on 21st
3 at Entremuros on 22nd 

53. Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
50+ seen daily at El Rocio Marsh

54. Dunlin Calidris alpina
1 at El Rocio Marsh on 20th and 50 on 23rd & 24th

55. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
50+ seen daily at El Rocio Marsh

56. Little Stint Calidris minuta
50 at El Rocio Marsh on 21st and 1 on 23rd

57. Knot Calidris canutus
20 at El Rocio Marsh on 21st 

58. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
1 at Entremuros on 22nd

59. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Seen daily at El Rocio Marsh. High count 10 on 21st
1 near Benaojan on 27th

60. Redshank Tringa totanus
Seen daily at El Rocio Marsh. High count 20 on 21st
2 at Arroyo de Santa Maria on 22nd

61. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
1 at El Rocio Marsh on 20th, 23rd & 24th

62. Greenshank Tringa nebularia
4 at El Rocio Marsh on 21st and 23rd
1 at Arroyo de Santa Maria on 22nd

63. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Seen daily at El Rocio Marsh. High count 50 on 23rd

64. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

1 at El Rocio Marsh on 20th  

65. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
12 at El Rocio Marsh on 20th 
1 at Dehesa de Pilas on 22nd 

66. Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Seen daily at El Rocio Marsh. High count 50 on 21st

67. Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus
1 at El Rocio Marsh on 20th 

68. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
2 at Laguna Batuca, Huelva on 24th

69. Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
6 at Laguna Batuca, Huelva on 24th  

70. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsi
2 at El Rocio Marsh on 21st and 3 on 23rd
2 at Matalascanas on 21st
4 at Laguna Batuca, Huelva on 24th  

71. Western Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
2 at Laguna Batuca, Huelva on 24th  

72. Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
2 at Matalascanas on 21st

73. Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
20 at Laguna de Fuente de Piedra on 20th
8 at El Rocio Marsh on 22nd and 2 on 23rd
2 at Jose Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre on 22nd

74. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
Up to 20 seen daily at El Rocio Marshes
6 at Jose Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre on 22nd

75. Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon Columbia livia
Seen daily. Some 'genuine-looking' Rock Doves at Ronda on 28th 

76. Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus
6 at Arroyo de Santa Maria on 22nd
2 at El Rocina on 23rd
1 at Llano del Rabel on 26th
1 near Benaojan on 27th

77. Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Heard more than seen in both Donana and Grazalema N.P.
1 seen at Corredor Verde on 22nd
2 seen near Montecorto on 25th and 1 on 27th 

78. Little Owl Athene noctua
2 at Dehesa de Abajo on 22nd

79. Red-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis
2 on road between El Rocina and El Acebron on 23rd

80. Alpine Swift Apus melba
4 near Benaojan on 27th

81. Common Swift Apus apus
50 at Laguna de Fuente de Piedra on 20th
Up to 40 seen daily around Donana and Grazalema N.P.

82. Pallid Swift Apus pallidus
2 near El Rocio on 21st and 1 on 24th

83. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
Up to 40 seen daily around Donana
12 seen between Acinipo, Setenil and Ronda on 28th

84. Hoopoe Upupa epops
Seen almost daily, up to 4 around Donana and singles at Grazalema N.P.  

85. Iberian Green Woodpecker Picus viridis sharpie
1 near track north side of El Rocina on 21st

86. Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
1 near Grazalema on 25th

87. Crested Lark Galerida cristata
Seen daily. High counts 20 around the Northern Marshes on 22nd and 12 around Grazalema N.P. on 28th

88. Thekla Lark Galerida theklae
3 at Acinipo on 28th

89. Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Up to 100 seen daily around Donana

90. Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris
1 near Benaojan on 27th
12 at Setenil on 28th

91. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Seen daily. Up to 50 around Donana and 20 around Grazalema N.P.

92. Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
2 at Arroyo de Santa Maria on 22nd
2 at El Rocina on 23rd & 24th
1 near Zahara on 25th

93. House Martin Delichon urbica
Seen almost daily. Up to 50 around Donana and 20 around Grazalema N.P.

94. Spanish Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae
Up to 8 seen daily around Donana

95. White Wagtail Motacilla alba
2 at El Rocio Marsh on 20th and 1 on 21st
1 near Zahara on 25th
1 at Benaojan Station on 27th

96. Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
1 at El Rocina on 23rd
1 resident at El Tejar, Montecorto

97. Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Heard daily. Good views on 23rd at El Rocina and on 26th at Llano del Rabel

98. Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Seen almost daily. Singles around Donana but up to 12 daily around Grazalema N.P.

99. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
3 at Puerto de las Palomas on 25th

100. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
2 at Dehesa de Abajo on 22nd 

101. Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica
1 at Puerto de las Palomas on 25th
1 near Acinipo on 28th

102. Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura
2 at Puerto de las Palomas and 1 at Grazalema on 25th
2 at Acinipo on 28th

103. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius
1 at Zahara on 26th
4 near Benaojan on 27th
2 at Acinipo and 1 at Setenil on 28th

104. Blackbird Turdus merula
Seen daily. Up to 4 around Donana and 8 around Grazalema N.P.

105. Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti
1 seen daily at El Rocio Marsh
1 at Corredor Verde on 22nd
Heard on 27th near Benaojan and on 28th at Setenil

106. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
3 at Arroyo de Santa Maria on 22nd

107. Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
1 at El Rocio Marsh on 21st
2 at El Rocina on 23rd

108. Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Seen daily at El Rocio Marsh. 8 around the Northern Marshes on 22nd

109. Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaemus
1 at El Rocio Marsh on 23rd

110. Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta
Singles seen almost daily

111. Western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais opaca
1 at El Acebuche on 21st

112. Western Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans cantillans
1 at Llano del Rabel on 26th
1 near Benaojan on 27th

113. Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala
Seen regularly. Up to 2 at Donana and up to 5 at Grazalema N.P.

114. Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
2 at Llano del Rabel on 26th

115. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
1 at El Rocina on 23rd
1 at Grazalema on 25th
4 at Llano del Rabel on 26th
1 near Benaojan on 27th

116. Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli
2 at Llano del Rabel on 26th

117. Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus
1 at Corredor Verde on 22nd
1 at Montecorto on 25th

118. Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
2 at El Rocina on 23rd

119. Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
2 at Llano del Rabel on 26th

120. Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus
1 at Llano del Rabel on 26th
2 near Benaojan on 27th

121. Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
1 at El Acebuche on 21st

122. Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
2 at El Rocina on 23rd
2 near Benaojan on 27th

123. Crested Tit Parus cristatus
2 at El Rocina on 23rd

124. Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
Seen almost daily around Donana and Grazalema N.P. 

125. Great Tit Parus major
Seen daily around Donana and Grazalema N.P.

126. Nuthatch Sitta europaea
1 on 26th near Grazalema

127. Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla
1 on track to north of El Rocina on 21st
1 at El Rocina on 23rd
1 at Llano del Rabel on 26th

128. Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
1 near Villamanrique on 22nd
1 near Grazalema on 25th
2 near Benaojan on 27th

129. Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator
Up to 6 seen daily around Donana and Grazalema N.P.

130. Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis
1 at entrance to Garganta Verde on 25th

131. Jay Garrulus glandarius
1 near Grazalema on 25th
1 at Llano del Rabel on 26th
1 near Benaojan on 27th

132. Iberian Azure-winged Magpie Cyanopica cyanus
6 at El Acebuche on 21st
8 around the Northern Marshes on 22nd

133. Common Magpie Pica pica
4 near El Acebuche on 21st
4 near El Rocio on 22nd

134. Western Jackdaw Corvus monedula
8 at Dehesa de Abajo on 22nd
1 at Zahara on 25th and 3 on 26th

135. Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
50 at Puerto de las Palomas on 25th
3 at Llano del Rabel on 26th
20 near Benaojan on 27th
8 at Ronda on 28th

136. Common Raven Corvus corax
4 at Laguna de Mancho Zurillo on 22nd
1 at Llano del Rabel on 26th

137. Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor
Seen daily. Up to 8 around Donana and 6 around Grazalema N.P.

138. House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Widespread and abundant

139. Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
Large breeding colony at Dehesa de Pilas on 22nd

140. Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
4 at Laguna de Mancho Zurillo on 22nd
1 at El Rocina on 23rd

141. Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Seen almost daily. 1's or 2's around Donana, up to 4 around Grazalema N.P.

142. Serin Serinus serinus
Seen daily. Up to 8 around Donana, 6 around Grazalema N.P.

143. Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Seen daily. 1's or 2's around Donana, up to 4 around Grazalema N.P.

144. Goldfinch Carduelis Carduelis
Seen daily. Up to 12 around Donana and 10 around Grazalema N.P.

145. Linnet Carduelis cannabina
8 at Acinipo on 28th

146. Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus
1 at Llano del Rabel on 26th

147. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia
1 at Puerto de las Palomas on 25th

148. Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
Seen daily. Up to 12 around both Donana and Grazalema N.P.

BUTTERFLIES
Small White                   Pieris rapae               Donana on 20th and Grazalema N.P. on 27th
Bath White                    Pontia daplidice                        Donana on 23rd  
Wall Brown                   Lasiommata megera                Grazalema N.P. on 25th 26th & 27th
Swallowtail                   Papilio machaon                      Grazalema N.P. on 25th
Scarce Swallowtail       Iphiclides podalirius                 Grazalema N.P. on 26th
Orange Tip                   Anthocaris cardamines              Grazalema N.P. on 27th
Moroccan Orange Tip  Anthocaris belia euphenoides   Grazalema N.P. on 25th 26th & 27th
Brimstone                     Gonepteryx rhamni                    Grazalema N.P. on 26th
Spanish Festoon           Zerynthia rumina                        Grazalema N.P. on 26th
Large White                 Pieris brassicae                          Grazalema N.P. on 27th
Clouded Yellow          Colias crocea                              Grazalema N.P. on 27th

REPTILES
Viperine Snake                   Natrix maura                Donana 23rd
Iberian Wall Lizard Podarcis hispanica  numerous sightings Donana and Grazalema N.P.
Spiny-footed Lizard    Acanthodactylus erythrurus  Donana 23rd
Moorish Gecko                  Tarentola mauritanica  Donana on 21st & 23rd
European Pond Tortoise     Emys orbicularis          Donana on 21st
Spanish Terrapin                Mauremys leprosa        Grazalema N.P. on 27th

AMPHIBIANS
Iberian Waterfrog               Rana perezi              Grazalema N.P. on 27th

MAMMALS
Common Rabbit  Oryctolagus cuniculus numerous sightings Donana and Grazalema N.P.
Fallow Deer          Dama dama                       Donana on 20th
Brown Rat            Rattus norvegicus              Grazalema N.P. on 26th

OTHER INSECTS
Rhinoceros Beetle     Copris lunaris              Donana 21st & 23rd
Grasshopper sp. (large, grey/brown colour)   Donana and Grazalema N.P.