Boatbirder.com: 📖 Salinas de Bonanza: 06/05/26

A Morning at Salinas de Bonanza - If you’re a birdwatcher or a photographer visiting Southern Spain, you quickly learn that the "Doñana" name covers a massive, complex landscape. While the National Park core is the stuff of legends (and strict permits), the Salinas de Bonanza in Sanlúcar de Barrameda is the open secret for those who want world-class views without the red tape.

Technically part of the Doñana Natural Park—the vital buffer zone—these salt pans sit on the left bank of the Guadalquivir River. It’s a landscape of shimmering water, crusty salt flats, and, most importantly, thousands of birds that are surprisingly relaxed around visitors.

Kentish Plover

The beauty of Bonanza is its accessibility. We spent the morning utilising the "Mobile Hide" strategy: staying inside the car as we navigated the tracks between the pans.

Because the local birdlife is so accustomed to vehicles, they don’t see a slow-moving car as a threat. The moment you open a door or step out, the "flush" happens—but stay behind the glass, and you’re treated to front-row seats for behaviour you’d usually need a 600mm lens to capture from a distance.

The wader flocks were out in force today, providing a fantastic "search and find" challenge. We spent a few hours picking through the mixed groups and recorded Ringed, Grey, and the delicate Kentish Plover. Clouds of Dunlin mixed with Curlew Sandpipers, along with the energetic Sanderlings, Avocets, Redshank and leggy Black-winged Stilts.

Non-Breeding Curlew Sandpiper

Another highlight was a Slender-billed Gull. Getting close to one is a rare treat. This particular bird, however, lacked the subtle pink wash they’re usually known for. Also of note, and perhaps a little unexpected, we also recorded a pair of Marbled Ducks flying through

Slender-billed Gull

While your eyes are usually glued to the mud, the air above the Salinas is never empty. Among the Barn Swallows and occasional Common Swift, a constant flow of Glossy Ibis moved overhead, along with several Black Kites, and two Marsh Harriers were very active. Little Terns and Gull-billed Terns were fishing, and a few Little Egrets, Spoonbills & Night Herons moved through, plus a lone Purple Heron. Yellow-legged Gulls were also about, and we recorded 8 during our stay. At one point, we watched White Storks high up, enjoying the thermals.

Black Kite - Numerous in the area

The perimeter fencelines and scrub provided a nice change of pace from the waterbirds. We spotted a Western Yellow Wagtail, a few Crested Larks, 5 Stonechat and a similar number of Sardinian Warblers, plus a single Common Waxbill.

A Few More Images From the Visit...