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Ornithological tourism is booming, and thanks to the location of Spain, the country has excellent conditions to develop this activity. Find out which are the best places to watch birds in Spain. We present them in First Minute Transfer so that you are encouraged to discover the species in our territory.
Bird watching in Spain
Bird watching is one of the activities to do in Lanzarote, and in many other destinations in Spain. This activity is known as ornithological tourism. It offers the opportunity to connect with nature respectfully.
In Spain, the interest in this activity is growing, and there are various sites throughout the territory where birds can be observed. The location of the country, the climate and its geography make it a unique destination for this type of tourism.
There are more than 650 Special Protection Areas for Birds (ZEPA) in Spain, several of them are in Lanzarote. There you will not only observe sedentary birds, but also migratory ones, since Spain is on its way between Africa and Europe.
For birdwatching fans, visiting these places is significant. Here you can learn more about bird behaviour and sharpen your senses as you search for the species you want to see.
There are places where the conditions for this type of tourism still need to be improved. And, above all, it is necessary to educate visitors more to encourage the protection of birds.
Birdwatching is observing birds in its natural environment, without disturbing them. This activity favors the protection of the different species.
Tips for bird watching
If you want to carry out this type of activity, take note of the following recommendations:
- Bring the necessary equipment, such as binoculars, a camera, and a notebook, to keep track of your observations.
Respect the animals, keep a safe distance, and do not alter the environment in which they live. - Open your senses to observe and identify the species you see. This way, you will more easily identify the sounds they make, their colours and shapes.
- Anywhere is a good place to start bird watching. Even in the city, you will have the opportunity to see some species.
- Join birdwatching communities. In them, you will find people with the same interest in birds as you.
- Find the observation guides. There are places that have created their own bird watching guides to help you identify the species in the area. They have information such as the characteristics of the birds, where they are, the best time to find them, or if they are in danger.
Best places to watch birds in Spain
Below, we mention some of the places in Spain that you can visit for bird watching. If you practice ornithological tourism or want to get started in it, dare to visit them.
Anyone can do birdwatching. You don’t need any scientific experience to do it, just a real interest in learning about the world of birds.
Lagoons of Villafáfila, Zamora
This nature reserve is one of the bird protection zones. It is located in the northeast of the province and consists of three main lagoons, as well as other smaller ones.
There is a wide variety of waterfowl such as the stork, cranes, lapwings, grebes, geese, among others.
Ebro Delta, Tarragona
It is located in Catalonia, and in this natural park there are at least 325 species of birds, including flamingos, cormorants, grebes and more.
Mouth of the Guadalhorce, Malaga
If you are looking for a place to observe migratory birds, this natural area is ideal for it. Here is the mouth of the Guadalhorce River and a series of artificial lagoons that have become a great point for ornithological tourism.
You will be able to observe birds such as the osprey, the booted eagle, gannet, kingfisher, etc.
Atlantic Islands, Galicia
In the National Park of the Atlantic Islands, you will find several observation points from which you can enjoy the birds that have their colonies here. For example, the crested sea raven or the shag.
You will not only see sedentary birds, but also migratory birds, such as the tern or the gannet.
Being a protection zone, this space is important for ornithology, and there are sites for the breeding of these animals.
L’Albufera, Valencia
The L’Albufera Natural Park is another important place to observe aquatic and migratory birds. Due to its coastal location, it is a passageway area for species during migration. It also has areas for breeding.
The little grebe, the ducks, the sandpiper tern and the gray heron are some of the species that you will have the opportunity to observe in this place.
Chinijo Archipelago, Las Palmas
It is located north of Lanzarote and is made up of La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste. In addition, it is the marine reserve of Europe.
The islets form a protected area, and in some parts it is possible to observe the largest colonies of seabirds in the Canary Islands. Some of the species that you will find are the marine pelagodroma, the Eleonora’s falcon, and the European storm-petrel.
Famara, Lanzarote
It is classified as a ZEPA and as a Special Conservation Area. Here is the highest point of the island, and you can see birds such as the osprey or the great raven.
Famara is not the only bird watching spot in Lanzarote. All around the island, there are places from which you can see different species. So you can plan your excursions in Lanzarote, and then take some time for bird watching.
Among other important points are El Jable, La Geria, Janubio, Los Ajaches, Timanfaya, Llanos de la Corona and La Mareta.
Which birds are there in Lanzarote?
Apart from those that we mentioned before, there are also other species, such as the common linnet, the hoopoe, the common kestrel, the stone curlew, the European turtle dove, the gray squirrel, the Egyptian vulture and many others.
What is the best time to watch birds?
The busiest times for birds are between 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. In the evening, it is also possible to see them. We must take into account the weather conditions, because if there is a lot of wind, we may not see them, since it makes it difficult for them to fly.
On the other hand, spring and fall are the times most likely to see migratory birds.
These are some of the best places to bird watch in Spain. There are others that are also interesting if you want to do this type of activity.
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