Brazo del Este Natural Reserve

The Brazo del Este “Eastern Branch” Nature Reserve is located 18 kilometers south of Seville, where the main channel of the Guadalquivir River is divided into many tributaries. Brazo del Este was the original largest east branch of the main channel that zigzags now through rice paddy fields, although it is still recognizable by the natural vegetation that grows along it.

It is an outstanding ornithological site, where over 230 species of birds have been recorded. It is noteworthy for its high numbers of waterfowl in winter and spring, and especially in times of drought birds from the nearby Doñana National Park flock here. 

The Brazo del Este has a high ecological value because of its almost continuous year round water availability, rich vegetation composed for Bull Rush, other rushes and reeds, and vast surrounding rice paddy fields. This supports a diverse avifauna such as Marbled teal, Squacco and Purple Herons, Glossy Ibis, Black Stork, Whiskered Tern, Purple Swamphen and Collared Pratincole.