Urdaibai, Biosphere Reserve

Urdaibai is one of the most unique natural areas in the Basque Country — a mosaic of marshes, estuary, Cantabrian holm oak forests and dramatic cliffs. A truly unique experience.

It is easy to observe waders and wildfowl, raptors soaring over the hills, small passerines in the trees, and seabirds resting along the coast.

Urdaibai is ideal whether you are new to birdwatching or already an experienced birder.

Birds You May See

Resident Birds: Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Little Grebe, White Stork, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Common Buzzard, Common Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti’s Warbler, Common Firecrest, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Black Redstart, European Stonechat, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, European Serin.

Wintering Birds: Osprey, Common Shelduck, Northern Pintail, Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Woodcock, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Greater Flamingo, Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-winged Kite, Western Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Crag Martin, Common Chiffchaff, Redwing, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Brambling, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting.

Summer Birds: Common Swift, Common Cuckoo, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Melodious Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Spotted Flycatcher, Iberian Chiffchaff, Common Nightingale, Western Yellow Wagtail.

Passage Migrants: Pied Avocet, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Bluethroat, European Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Common Linnet.

Occasional Species: Garganey, Tufted Duck, Jack Snipe, Wood Sandpiper, Great Bittern, Great Reed Warbler, Mistle Thrush, Hawfinch, Eurasian Bullfinch.