It’s always a soothing sight watching birds soar through the sky; wings spread wide, beak cutting through the wind and not a worry in the world. The sight of these avian beauties almost makes us wish we could swap places with them. We can’t do that for sure but what we can do is go on bird-watching holidays to spend some time with these feather winged friends to see them in their natural habitat. Europe is one of the best places for you to fulfill this wish as it is home to several species of birds owing to its diverse climate and gorgeous landscape. So ruffle your feathers and get ready to pack your travel bags, for we have curated just the perfect list just for you of some of the best bird-watching destinations in Europe.
1. Extremadura, Spain
Extremadura shares its border with Portugal and is a great holiday locale not just for bird-watching but also for a glimpse into varied cultures that the place is home to. You will be able to spot a good number of endemic as well as migratory birds here. Some names that might excite you include Peregrine Falcon, Black Stork, and the Golden Eagle. Bee-eaters, Hoppoes, Golden Orioles, Black and Griffon Vultures can easily be spotted here in a good number. Do not miss the ‘foam bath’ display of Great Bustards as it is something you might not be able to see elsewhere.
2. Coto Donana National Park, Spain
Coto Donana National Park is home to an extremely large number of bird species and is also a UNESCO Heritage site. Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River in Andalusia, this marshland is the wintering site for almost half a million ducks. African and Mediterranean birds like Spoonbill and Greater Flamingo visit the park every spring. This national park allows you to see some incredible bird species like the Azure-Winged Magpie, Marbled Teal, Crested Coot, Collared Pratincole and Spanish Imperial Eagle. But that’s not all that you are going to see here, for the park is also an asylum to several mammals like the Wild Boar, Red and Fallow Deer and Iberian Lynx.
3. Mallorca, Spain
Mallorca is a popular spot for bird-watching in Europe. It is home to the iconic Black Vultures, the only island-breeding variety in the world. If this hasn’t piqued your interest enough, let us tell you that these mountains house large colonies of Purple Gallinule and Herons. There are almost 230 species of birds to watch out for here amidst a magnificent landscape. This place is known for Balearic Warbler and Balearic Shearwater which are endemic species. Firecrest, Crossbills, Balck Rock Thrush, Little Bittern and Cirl Buntings are some names that make ornithologists and avid bird-watchers flock to Mallorca. Spring here sees Eleonoras Falcons arriving in big numbers. Mallorca now also has breeding Griffon Vultures which makes this place even more interesting.
4. Madeira, Portugal
The island of Madeira must be on your list if you love watching birds and relaxing in the lap of nature. This is one of the most beautiful locations not just for bird-watching but for enjoying a relaxing vacation. You will be able to see as many 46 species of birds here and this number includes birds that you can see only on this island, like the sea breeding Pterodromas which is quite rare. While planning your itinerary you can also club Porto Santo and Desertas Islands along with Madeira.
5. North Yorkshire, UK
And the United Kingdom makes it to the list with North Yorkshire! Great Gray Shrike, Black-Necked Grebe, and Purple Sandpiper await you here along with Fulmar and Kittiwake in their breeding colonies. Middlesbrough, York, and Harrogate are some of the well-known spots in North Yorkshire for bird-watching. North York National Park is a favorite haunt of Merlin which the smallest bird of prey in Britain.
6. Nin, Croatia
The landscape and terrain of Nin in the Zadar region of Croatia are unique with its salinity and plantation creating a habitat for some specific species of birds. Kentish Plover, Little Egret, and Black-winged Stilt are some birds that flock to this region. You can opt for a guided tour of the place to get detailed information about the flora and fauna of Nin. A guided tour also helps you locate the perfect spots for bringing out the wildlife photographer in you and capturing these birds in candid poses. Lake Vrana Nature Pak and the island of Pag are two places that you must make a part of your bird-watching tour for this region.
7. Lake Myvatn, Iceland
If ducks waddling in icy-cold waters make you go all mushy then Lake Myvatn will not disappoint you at all with its fifteen species of ducks including rare species like Barrow’s Goldeneye and Harlequin Duck. One of the interesting features of this shallow lake is that it gets heated geothermically, making it adequate for duck species like Scaup and Common Scoter among others. Ptarmigan, Great Northern Diver and Slavonian Grebe are few other exotic bird species that interest ornithologists and bird-watchers.
8. Danube Delta, Romania
Danube Delta is hands down one of the best places in Europe to find fish-eating birds like Dalmatian Pelican. The vast delta land is lined with colonies of Pelicans, Herons, Glossy Ibises, Egrets, Whiskered Terns, and Pygmy Cormorants. You would find a major share of Europe’s aquatic populace here that sustains almost 330 species of birds. 174 species out of these birds breed in the delta region making it a great spot to observe them closely
9. Pripyat River, Belarus
Fancy watching a Great Spotted Eagle or an Aquatic Warbler? Head onto Pripyat River in Belarus for an adventure that takes you on a bird-watching trail to see almost two hundred-odd species of birds, including a good number of European woodpeckers. The Azure-Tit, also known as Alan Curry, is a bird that is a rare sighting elsewhere in Europe but can be easily spotted feasting on a worm alongside the river. The place has rightly earned itself the moniker ‘Amazon of Europe’!
10. Svartedalen ( Sweden)
Also known as the Black River Valley, Svartedalen is located close to Stockholm. It is one of those locales where you will find several types of owls like Great Grey Owl, Tengmalm’s Owl, Pygmy Owl, and Hawk Owl. The list doesn’t end here since you will find some other amazing birds in Svartedalen like Little Gull, Black Tern, Spotted Crake, and Common Rosefinch. If you have a good eye you might even spot the Three-Toed and Grey-Headed Woodpecker.
Europe is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the world and when it comes to bird-watching, the magnificent landscape adds to the charm of the whole experience. Time to book your tickets and fly!