Bird photography tour to El Taray Spain

Fancy going on an affordable bird photography trip to Spain?  Either in a group or solo? I have been  a number of times to El Taray (in late spring and early winter) and if you are interested to photograph birds from well laid out hides, off the beaten track, this a great place to be! You will find a lot of information under my diary section on my website. The sole organisation of the trips is with Wildtravel Spain.

Hides de El Taray, Spain

A private estate with a large number of hides for various bird species. The hides are all built to a high standard and can cater for 2 photographers at the time. The hotel is in Villacanas, approximately 15 minutes away from the estate. The hotel is basic, clean and on a small square with some restaurants within walking distance as well as a large supermarket. A typical day would commence at around 6.45.  You will be driven to the estate where the wardens will take you to the  active hides. Normally a session would end by noon the latest. You will be driven back to Villacanas for lunch, a rest, charge batteries and download the images of the morning sessions. You return to the estate around 16.30 for the evening sessions. They normally finish around 21.00.

You fly to Madrid airport. There are regular flights from all major UK and Continental European airports. A flight will cost (give or take and depending when you book) anywhere between £150-£250. Transport from/to Madrid airport for group trip included.

Spring and summer are excellent periods as many birds will have young, so there will be a lot of action . El Taray has a large lake as well. Depending on the water levels you can have a hydro hide sessions . Together with an instructor you will be able to get really close to many water birds.  I photographed Black Eared Grebes with their young, Flamingo’s, Egrets, various duck species, Purple heron and many other water birds.

Focus and destination: Bird photography from hides at the El Taray estate

You can expect to photograph : Stone Curlew, Marsh Harrier, Raven, Black-Red Kite, Lesser Kestrel, Roller, Hoopoe, Spanish Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Great Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Nightingale, Turtle Dove, little Owl, Black Winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Crested lark, Water Rail, Egrets, Grebes, Duck species and  surprises. This year the estate had  Bonelli eagles, black Winged kite and Imperial eagle visiting regularly for example (in winter). Please note that there are NO guarantees what will appear in front of the hides (every year is different) but the birds listed above can be expected with a level of certainty.

Hides: There are 20+ plus hides at El Taray. Generally a week’s stay is sufficient. The program will be decided by Luis Frechilla and the wardens .

Cost and dates for 2025:  29.06.2025 – 05.07.2025. Cost per person EURO 1390. Individual and shorter trips are possible outside periods mentioned.  Check with Luis Frechilla of Wildtravel Spain/Aveshides for details and options. Email Luis direct mentioning my website: frechilla@cauquen.es

Price includes: All transport from/to Madrid airport, transport to/from El Taray to Villacanas, accommodation at Hotel Prickly in a single room with en-suite facilities, basic breakfast  and all hides sessions at EL Taray for the duration of the trip, hydro sessions (water level permitting).

Price excludes: Flights ,  travel insurance,  Cost for lunch , dinner and car rental (if going solo outside group trips) and personal expenses . Around the corner from the hotel is a large supermarket.

Payment: Euro 100 deposit to be paid to Wildtravel Spain-WST Agency code: AV.328.AS. Remainder to be paid 2 weeks before departure . Invoice will be provided by Aves hides.

Feel free to read my trip diary , which you can find under diaries. If any questions feel free to get in touch with  Wildtravel Spain/Aveshide S.L., Luis Frechilla, E-mail: frechilla@cauquen.es or myself.