On the trail of flamingos, storks and eagles – Doñana National Park

Doñana is one of the most beautiful parks in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many endangered species can be encountered here: the eagle and the Iberian lynx. Many bird species also rest in this area, on their way from Europe to Africa.

Doñana National Park, or Doña Ana Park

The park is also known as the Doña Ana National Park, or Doña Ana de Mendoza y de la Silva (1540-1592). The park was once a favourite hunting ground for Spanish rulers, including the Duchess of Alba (1762-1802) and Alfonso XIII (1886-1941). The Duchess of Alba, who was often portrayed by Goya, is said to have had Doñana Park shown in the background in her portraits.

For bird lovers

Doñana Park is one of the most beautiful wetlands in Europe. It is a habitat for many bird species and a reserve with very lush vegetation. The park lies on a flyway in the Strait of Gibraltar area, between Europe and Africa. Some of the birds winter here and some stop here on their journey for a while. Storks, well known in Poland, also fly here (another stork route is through the Bosporus Strait), taking a rest before the very difficult, although only 14-kilometre long journey across the sea.

A total of more than 360 bird species have been counted in the reserve, 130 of which have their breeding area here. “Permanent” residents here include great crested coots and marbled murrelets, golden herons and chestnut-crowned ibises, as well as pink flamingos and white egrets. In winter, many species of ducks and geese can also be spotted in Doñana. The park is also home to several endangered bird species, such as the Iberian eagle. As well as a wide cross-section of bird species, the site is also home to more than 20 species of turtle. If you are a fan of admiring the flora and fauna, this is definitely a ‘must see’ place for you during your trip to Andalusia.

Wandering dunes

The park is located by the Atlantic Ocean itself, on large expanses of dunes. A strong wind from the Sahara blows there, shifting the dune bands by about 6m per year. In the valleys between the dunes, water and vegetation appear, becoming more lush over the years. Many species of waterfowl and seabirds can be found in these dunes. The park comes alive in autumn and becomes a breeding ground for thousands of birds in spring – up to half a million arrive here during their seasonal migrations!

Further inland, the park area becomes greener and greener, covered with evergreen meadows. The next regions, called Monte Negro and Monte Blanco, are areas formed by pine and oak forests. The characteristic oak species growing in Doñana Park is the cork oak.

Take your binoculars with you!

The park can be visited independently or by bus tours. Observation houses and wooden walkways have been built for tourists and ornithologists. Accommodation can be found in the town of El Rocio. If you have a rented property in Spain, on the Costa del Sol, you can take a day trip here.

Andalusia is a region with something for everyone – from beautiful sandy beaches, to excellent golf courses and fascinating UNESCO-listed monuments, which you can read more about here.

If you are planning a holiday in Spain or thinking of buying a property here, be sure to take a look at our offer of houses and flats in Spain – for rent or for sale. Contact us and we will surely find an offer tailored to your needs.

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