The most distinctive bird community of this unique area is its steppe birds, specially adapted to open, flat landscapes with sparse, low vegetation.

Bárdenas Reales is a unique semi-desert landscape in Europe. It has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Natural Reserve, Special Protection Area (SPA) and Site of Community Importance (SCI). Its ravines, plateaus and isolated hills create essential habitats for steppe birds and large raptors of high ecological value.

It is a privileged location for observing species such as the Egyptian Vulture, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Golden Eagle and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, in an open environment where light, silence and vast horizons create a deep connection with wild nature.

Best Season: October to Spring

Birds we may see at Bárdenas Reales

Resident Birds

Red-legged Partridge, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Little Bustard, Eurasian Stone-curlew, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Northern Goshawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Great Grey Shrike, Red-billed Chough, Little Owl, Eurasian Skylark, Thekla’s Lark, Crested Lark, Calandra Lark, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti’s Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Spotless Starling, Black Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, European Stonechat, Rock Sparrow, Black Wheatear, White Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Corn Bunting.

Wintering Birds

Northern Lapwing, Carrion Crow, Merlin, Common Starling, Meadow Pipit.

Summer Birds

European Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Alpine Swift, Common Swift, Common Quail, Little Ringed Plover, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Eurasian Hoopoe, European Bee-eater, Woodchat Shrike, Montagu’s Harrier, Dupont’s Lark, Short-toed Lark, Sand Martin, Eurasian Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Common Whitethroat, Spectacled Warbler, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Tawny Pipit.

Passage Migrants

Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Western Jackdaw, Whinchat, Western Yellow Wagtail.

Occasional Species

Eurasian Dotterel.

Birdings in the Wetland Ponds 

Resident Birds

Mute Swan, Mallard, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Grebe, White Stork, Grey Heron, Western Marsh Harrier.

Wintering Birds

Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Eurasian Teal, Great Cormorant, Common Reed Bunting.

Summer Birds

Black-winged Stilt, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron.

Pitillas Lagoon

Located in the Ebro Valley, Laguna de Pitillas is a Biosphere Reserve and a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds. It is a key refuge for migratory, wintering and breeding species, with highlights including the Eurasian Bittern, Bearded Reedling and Purple Heron.

It is the largest endorheic wetland in Navarra and a strategic stopover site along the western Pyrenean flyway.

Location

In Pitillas, Navarra. At 45 minutes from Pamplona airport.

Dos Reinos Lagoon

This small artificial wetland, built in the late 1950s, is located in Carcastillo, near the Bardenas Reales. The Special Area of Conservation covers just over 30 hectares.

Dos Reinos provides habitat for species such as the Eurasian Bittern and Little Bittern, as well as Purple Heron and Grey Heron. It is also home year-round to Mallard, Eurasian Coot, Water Rail and Western Marsh Harrier.

In winter, visitors may observe Eurasian Teal, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Gadwall and Eurasian Wigeon. In recent years, migrating flocks of Common Cranes have also been recorded using the area.

Best Season: All year round, especially from February to November.

Location

In Navarra. At 1 hour from Pamplona airport.