Spain
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula and has some of Europe's most varied landscapes. The interior is dominated by the high Meseta, crossed and surrounded by mountain systems including the Pyrenees, Cantabrian Mountains and Sierra Nevada. Mediterranean woodland, dehesa, steppe-like plains, wetlands and semi-arid landscapes contrast with the greener Atlantic north. Major river basins include the Ebro, Tagus and Guadalquivir, while extensive coastlines face both the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Spain also includes the Balearic and Canary Islands, the latter forming a volcanic subtropical archipelago off northwest Africa. Climate ranges from cool and wet in the north to Mediterranean and strongly arid conditions in parts of the southeast.
Overview
Spain is one of Europe's premier birding destinations, particularly for raptors, steppe birds and wetland species. Extremadura and Monfragüe are famous for Spanish Imperial Eagle, Cinereous Vulture and Griffon Vulture, while open plains support Great and Little Bustards, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse and Calandra Lark. Doñana is one of Europe's most important wetlands, attracting huge numbers of waterbirds and migrants. The Pyrenees offer Lammergeier and Wallcreeper, while the Strait of Gibraltar concentrates spectacular raptor migration. The Canary Islands add endemics including Tenerife Blue Chaffinch, Canary Islands Chiffchaff and Laurel Pigeon. Spain has excellent roads, numerous reserves and a highly developed birding-tourism sector, making independent travel straightforward. Its exceptional habitat diversity and combination of European, Mediterranean and Macaronesian birds make it one of the continent's most varied birding countries.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula | 45.7% | 44.7% | 47.9% | 50.8% | 52.3% | 52.6% | 53.3% | 43.7% | 35.9% | 35.0% | 40.8% | 45.6% | 45.5% |
| House Sparrow Passer domesticus | 45.5% | 41.2% | 43.7% | 47.0% | 50.6% | 51.8% | 54.2% | 53.3% | 43.0% | 37.7% | 40.0% | 42.1% | 41.4% |
| Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus | 38.9% | 32.1% | 36.3% | 41.0% | 44.3% | 45.2% | 47.3% | 46.5% | 42.1% | 35.1% | 34.6% | 31.4% | 30.2% |
| European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis | 33.5% | 28.0% | 29.5% | 36.6% | 42.0% | 39.1% | 38.9% | 37.1% | 29.8% | 26.7% | 30.7% | 32.8% | 30.6% |
| Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor | 32.8% | 31.7% | 33.3% | 34.8% | 37.4% | 38.8% | 34.9% | 27.9% | 26.1% | 30.4% | 32.0% | 33.3% | 32.5% |
| Eurasian Magpie Pica pica | 32.6% | 36.3% | 36.2% | 36.3% | 32.5% | 31.2% | 31.2% | 28.3% | 24.7% | 28.0% | 33.0% | 36.6% | 36.5% |
| European Robin Erithacus rubecula | 32.2% | 44.0% | 39.5% | 35.1% | 22.0% | 19.0% | 21.0% | 18.6% | 19.3% | 21.2% | 43.8% | 54.0% | 48.9% |
| White Wagtail Motacilla alba | 31.0% | 43.6% | 39.8% | 34.2% | 21.8% | 18.3% | 19.6% | 22.5% | 22.1% | 22.9% | 34.6% | 46.7% | 46.3% |
| Great Tit Parus major | 29.2% | 30.6% | 35.3% | 36.2% | 36.1% | 30.0% | 25.2% | 21.4% | 21.9% | 24.2% | 29.3% | 30.3% | 30.1% |
| Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs | 28.7% | 36.2% | 34.5% | 32.3% | 25.6% | 26.9% | 30.1% | 21.8% | 18.2% | 15.2% | 26.6% | 38.6% | 38.2% |