INTRODUCTION
Having stayed east of the Donana at Sancti Petri in June 2004 and seen a wide and exciting list of birds we were eager to return to the area. This time we had chosen east of the Donana at Punta Umbria in the Province of Huelva. Both area have long streatchs of sand beach and enjoy a warm climate on the coast, but very hot if you travel inland. Temperatures varied from a very pleasant 24/25c on the coast to a very hot 35c inland in the Donana and surrounding countryside. Travelling to this area in Spain meant a flight to Faro in Portugal and a coach journey of 2.5 hours to the resort!
ARRIVAL IN FARO AIRPORT.
We arrived in Faro airport to cloudy and cool morning. Common Swift were everywhere, a Marsh Harrier was quartering the airfield. The journey to the hotel was slow, but not without birds, White Storks were much in evidence nesting on electricity pylons, while  a Southern Grey Shrike gave a close view near Isla Christina. Further into Spain at El Rompido, the first of many Whiskered Terns were seen. Â
HOTEL AND GROUNDS.
The Hotel Barcelo Punta Umbria lies near the mouth of the Rio Odiel and has a strip of Parc natural dunes vegetation stretching 3 Kilometres west along the coast. The hotel although fairly new has breeding House Martin,Spotless Starling and regular overhead Pallid Swift,in addition to this across the road Red-rumped Swallows were daily gathering mud from a builders Site! On the edge of the hotel in the Dunes system Serin were abundant and Sardinian Warbler ,Crested Lark and Magpie common. Â
SITES VISITED
PARC NATURAL PUNTA UMBRIA.
A varied area of vegetation, Stone Pine, Juniper and other scrub made up a dunes system habitat next to the hotel. A 30 minute walk daily in this habitat produced a number of interesting species. Crested Tit were common, so was small flocks of Azure Wing Magpie,other Species like Hoopoe and Green Woodpecker were also easy to locate. Woodlark and Firecrest were also seen.
El PORTIL LAGUNA
This is a Laguna about 10 minutes away from the hotel and should not be missed. Viewing is very easy with a purpose built viewing platform by the main road. The Laguna was full of ducks, and huge numbers of Coot and Gadwalll. Also Common Pochard and 6 pairs of Red Crested Pochard,Spoonbill, White Stork, Black-winged Stilt were all present, up to 20 Black Tern were also seen. The highlight at this site was 2 male White Headed Duck, they were often swimming close to the viewing platform. On the edge of the laguna were Hoopoe and Woodchat Shrikes.
MARISMAS ODIEL
A superb area of Freshwater and salt marsh with a amazing long peninsular - the area is about 15 minutes from the hotel. The Salt lagoons were the first port of call, with a flock of 70 Flamingo. The disused saltpans were a great attraction for waders, mostly in summer plumage, highlights included Little Stint, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper,these waders mingled with Kentish, Little Ringed and Ringed Plovers. Outstanding with these was a Dotterel.The marismas salt water lagoons, close to the Atlantic shore were attractive to terns and gulls, small groups of Caspian Tern fished there along with Gull-billed, Common, Sandwich and Little Terns,a few pink flushed Slender Billed Gulls also roosted on the shore. Further along the Spit was a pool behind fencing, here a roost of  20 Adult and immature Audouins Gulls were present. Raptors over the Marismas included Common Buzzard,Marsh and Montague’s Harriers.
LAGUNAS DE PALOS Y LAS MADRES
These are a series of Laguna’s lying back off the N 442,the laguna at 13km is good for a short visit, here Purple Heron and Squacco Heron were common, warblers included Great Reed, Moustached, Reed, Melodious and surprisingly Iberian Chiffchaff. Overhead were regular Common Pratincole. Whiskered Tern was numerous. The laguna at 15.6 km is found by driving about 600mtrs to the farm. Ask the farmer for permission to walk to the laguna, its well worth it. Osprey fished regularly, while Little Ringed and Kentish plover bred near the Laguna edge on small islands. Iberian Yellow Wagtail were abundant,House, Tree and Spanish Sparrow were feeding among the strawberries. A small marsh adjacent to the laguna held Purple, Grey and Squacco Heron.Little Bittern were seen close up feeding young. Also very visible were Purple Swamphens feeding young. There is also a small Bee-eater colony here..
WESTERN PINEWOODS: COTO DONANA
The Coto Donana is vast and can look devoid of birds, however a trip to the western pinewoods can produce some of the Donana woodland birds. We travelled into the pinewoods from the N442 and drove up track HF6244,this immediately produced many Bee-eater on wires, stopping at the first fire tower about 3kms,there is a fresh water laguna, a short stay produced Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Subalpine and Dartford Warblers. After this point there are sandy tracks that take you into the heath areas.Thekla Lark become very visible, and near the stream Arroyo de la Rocina, which crosses the road, Golden Oriole was breeding. Ravens drifted over the open heaths at regular intervals and we were fortunate to get a close up view of a Lesser Kestrel hovering.
COTO DONANA INFORMATION CENTRES/EL ROCIO
The information sites at El Acebuche and El Rocina in the Coto Donana are attractively layed out, although many of the hides viewing openings are to low for proper use, and without seats can be difficult to use. Unfortunately at this time of year there were not that many birds to be seen. At Acebuche Melodious, Dartford, Savi’s and Great Read warblers were evident. Also singing Golden oriole and Nightingale.At El Rocina,Spotted Flycatcher, Common Cuckoo,Olivaceous warbler and Blackcap were added to the list. Birds of Prey were always very evident near El Rocio bridge, Red Kite and Black Kite were common and Booted Eagles always in the sky. On the La Madre de las Marismas the air was thick with Whiskered Terns, Purple and Grey Herons stood next to each other, while Cattle and Little Egret fed near the edges.
EL TELMO-SIERRA PELADA
Travelling inland from the Punta Umbria via the A 495 takes you through farmland and Orange Groves where Calandra Larks were fairly common, and Red Kite and Montague’s Harriers hunted close to the road. The diagnostic calls of Quail could also be heard. San Telmo lies at the base of the Sierra Pelada hills, it’s a small village and just on the edge of it there is a disused open mine now filled with water. This is marked by a sign and indeed is being made available to public access. This is a great view point allowing observation of the forested hills for raptors! Immediately around the cliffs of the mine Crag Martins were hunting insects, while as many as four Blue Rock Thrush sang. Black-eared Wheatear were very common,but the stars of the area were the Vultures. We counted six Black Vulture and over a hundred Griffon Vulture. They came over the hills and landed in the Pine woods north of the mine, finally using thermals they drifted off over the surrounding countryside. From this location we took the H120 Valdelmusa scenic road. Black Redstart perched on some wires and at the El de Cueva Mora we were surprised by a Rock Thrush flying over the road.
SUMMARY
Although Bird watching was a prominent part of the Holiday mainly in the mornings and evenings, there was also a time for general relaxing and with temperature reaching 35c on some days it was foolish to be out in the hot sun. Punta Umbria is well placed to visit sights near by and with the Parc Natural next to the hotel, gentle walks would always produce birds, but a car was essential to see the variety of species that this area has to offer. A total of 138 species were seen on the holiday. Â Derek and Lynne Lister
GREAT CRESTED GREBE - 2 pairs with young at Laguna Palos throughout, also at El Rocio Coto Donana
LITTLE GREBE - common at the Palos Lagunas
CORMORANT - 1 adult t Palos laguna las Madras
SHAG - 2 off lighthouse El Espigon
GREY HERON - common in the Palos Lagunas.
PURPLE HERON - common in the Palos Lagunas
SQUACCO HERON - fairly common in all Lagunas
LITTLE BITTERN - present at the Palos lagunas, young seen on 26/5
LITTLE EGRET - common in all wetland areas
CATTLE EGRET - very common in fields,
SPOONBILL - common especially on Odiel Marismas max 40 1/6
WHITE STORK - breeding throughout the area,common
GREATER FLAMINGO - present in the Marismas Odiel saltpans max 70 on 27/5
MALLARD - common in wetland areas.
POCHARD - common in Lagunas
RED CRESTED POCHARD - common at Laguna El Portil,max 8.
GADWALL - very Common in Lagnunas
GARGANEY - female and 6 chicks seen Laguna Palos 3/6
WHITE HEADED DUCK - 2 Males at El Portil Laguna 2/6-6/6.
SHELDUCK - 1 at Marismas Odiel 5/6
GRIFFON VULTURE - 100+ at San Telmo quarry.4/6
BLACK VULTURE - 6 at La Sierra Pelada at San Telmo quarry. 4/6
BOOTED EAGLE - common in the Donana max 4 scan at one time.
SHORT TOED EAGLE - 1 in the northern Donana 28/5,1 near Rocinia 2/6
OSPREY - 1 at Palos Laguna 26/5
BLACK KITE - common max 17 in the air atDonana 3/6
RED KITE - common in the Donana
BLACK SHOULDERED KITE - 1 near Pozo del Camino 7/6
MONTAGUS HARRIER - fairly common in field outside Huelva and on the Marismas del Odiel
MARSH HARRIER - common in the Marismas Odiel
BUZZARD - common throughout the area.
KESTREL - fairly Common near Huelva and Donana
LESSER KESTREL - 1 male in northern Donana 3/6
PEREGRINE - 1 at at Marismas Odiel 28/5
MOORHEN - resident in Lagunas
COOT - resident in Lagunas
PURPLE GALLINUE - fairly common in all Lagunas max 5 Palos de le Madras
KINGFISHER - 1 at Palos Lagunas 26/5
BLACK WINGED STILT - common Donana visitor sites/Marisma Odiel
AVOCET - common in habitats with Black Winged Stilt.
KENTISH PLOVER - common Marisma Odiel/Donana
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER - common in Lagunas Palos
RINGED PLOVER - 10 in Marismas Odiel 2/6
GREY PLOVER - 1-2 present Marismas Odiel throughout.
DUNLIN - up to 20 at old saltpans Marisma Odiel
LITTLE STINT - 2 at the old salt pans Marisma Odiel 27/5
KNOT - 6 most visits old salt pans Marisma Odiel
TURNSTONE – 1-2 on the sea Lagoons Marisma Odiel
CURLEW SANDPIPER - 2 at the old Salt Pans Marisma Odiel 28/5
REDSHANK - common Marisma odiel throughout
GREENSHANK - 1 Marisma Odiel 27/5
WHIMBREL - max 22 Marismas Odiel 27/5
CURLEW - present throughout Marismas Odiel 2/3
BLACK TAILED GODWIT - up to 10 seem Marismas Odiel on five dates.
DOTTEREL - 1 adult Marismas Odiel 5/6
BAR TAILED GODWIT - 2 at Marimas Odiel 27/5
AUDUOUINS GULL - 20 at a pool El Espigon 4/6 (imms/adults)
SLENDER BILLED GULL - 2 Adults Marismas Odiel 29/5,1 imm 3/6
BLACK HEADED GULL - 1 imm Marismas Odiel 5/6
YELLOW LEGGED GULL - very Common
LESSER BLACK BACKED GULL - 2 max 3 Marismas Odiel 29/5
GULL BILLED TERN - 7 max Marismas Odiel 3/6
SANDWICH TERN - max 3 Marismas Odiel 2/6
COMMON TERN - common Marismas Odiel throughout.
CASPIAN TERN - found in the Marismas Odiel,max 7 2/6
BLACK TERN - max 20 El Portil 2/6
WHISKERED TERN - very common in Lagunas and El Rocio marsh,max 40 on 3/6
LITTLE TERN - common Marismas Odiel/Lagunas Palos
COLLARED PRACTINCOLE - 3 at Palos Lugunas 28/5. 2 north Huelva 2/6
RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE - common in Pinewoods Parc Natural Punta Umbria
QUAIL - calling close by in fields north of Huelva 2/6
WOOD PIGEON - common
COLLARED DOVE - very common
TURTLE DOVE - common
GREEN WOODPECKER (sharpei) - found resident at Parc natural Punta Umbria.
CUCKOO - 1 Calling around Donana 5/6
COMMON SWIFT - abundant
PALLID SWIFT - common around Huelva/Punta Umbria
BEE-EATER - common in the Donana.
HOOPOE - common near hotel and Donana
GOLDEN ORIOLE - breeding in the western Donana wooded stream area,also Acebuche
CRESTED LARK - abundant,
THEKLA LARK - found on sandy heaths west Donana pine woods
SHORT TOED LARK - 2 found in sand dunes area Mazadon 3/6
CALANDRA LARK - several on the road north to St Telmo 4/6
WOODLARK - singing near hotel Parc Natural Punta Umbria 6/6
SWALLOW - very common,
RED RUMPED SWALLOW - common, breeding near hotel and around hotel pool!.
CRAG MARTIN - 2 at the mine San Telmo, also by bridges in Sierra Pelanda 4/6
HOUSE MARTIN - very common
SPANISH YELLOW WAGTAIL - common Marisma Odiel/Donana.
WHITE WAGTAIL - 1 most days around the hotel.
WREN - 1-2 in denser undergrowth Parc Natural Punta Umbria
NIGHTINGALE - common Lagunas/Donana
STONECHAT - common in North Donana
BLACK REDSTART - 1 female near Valdelmusa 4/6
BLACK EARED WHEATEAR - common in Sierra Pelanda
BLUE ROCK THRUSH - 4 at the San Telmo mines 4/6
ROCK THRUSH - 1 over the road at A 488 E de Cueva de la Mora Sierra Pelada 4/6
BLACK BIRD - fairly common
CETTIS WARBLER - common at Lugunas,
GREAT REED WARBLER - common El Portil, Donana visiting centres, Lagunas Palos.
REED WARBLER - singing at Luganas, El Portil
SAVIS WARBLER - 2 singing Acebuche centre 2/6
FAN TAILED WARBLER - common in fields and wetlands.
MOUSTACHED WARBLER - singing at Palos Laguna on four visits
BLACKCAP - 1 singing El Rocina centre 5/6
OLIVACIOUS WARBLER - 1 singing El Rocina centre 5/6
MELODIOUS WARBLER - fairly Common, Donana visiting centres, Lagunas,Parc Natural Punta Umbria.
SUBALPINE WARBLER - fairly common, North Donana and El telmo
DARTFORD WARBLER - common western Donana.
SPECTACLED WARBLER - 1 at Parc Natural Punta Umbria 28/5
SARDINIAN WARBLER - very common
IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF - 1 singing at Palos Lagunas 2/6
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER - at El Rocina
BLUE TIT - common
GREAT TIT - fairly common
LONG TAILED TIT - small number max 7 in Parc Natural.
PENDULINE TIT - 1 by upper reach of Laguna Palos Madras 26/5
FIRECREST - 2 by hotel edge most days.
SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKE - 1 El Rompido
WOODCHAT SHRIKE - common near to hotel and in Donana
JACKDAW - 2 seen near Neidla
CARRION CROW - 2 seen near Ayamonte
RAVEN - singles on all visits to the Donana, five occasions
MAGPIE - common
AZURE WINGED MAGPIE - common especially by hotel, up to 12 seen.
SPOTLESS STARLING - very common breeding in the hotel.
HOUSE SPARROW - common
SPANISH SPARROW - small numbers on the Donana and Palos Lagunas
TREE SPARROW - 3 at Luganas Palos madras 27/5
SERIN - abundant near hotel and in all suitable habitats.
CHAFFINCH - common
GREENFINCH - common
GOLDFINCH - very common
LINNET - fairly common
CIRL BUNTING - seen on the roadside route to El Telmo
CORN BUNTING - common
138 Species