Urdaibai Bird Center
Bird-watching and information centre in the Urdaibai marshes, with an exhibition, audiovisuals, a viewing tower and hides.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Urdaibai Bird Center is located in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, on the edge of the Oka river marshes, and is run by the Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi. It is a centre devoted to research and scientific outreach on birds, their migrations and the habitats in which they live, and visitors can learn at first hand about the monitoring projects carried out there.
The building itself works as an observatory of the marsh. The route includes a map of bird migrations, exhibition rooms, an audiovisual room and viewpoints with telescopes from which the birds using the wetland can be observed, as well as a tower with wide views over the area. The visit can be complemented with audioguides.
The centre runs studies involving bird ringing and GPS tracking, including the project on the osprey in Urdaibai, and keeps a daily bird census at the Orueta lagoon. It also aims to serve as a gateway for other centres interested in the study of wetland birds along the East Atlantic migratory route, and runs an educational programme for schools.
Highlights
- Map of bird migrations
- Viewpoints with telescopes over the Urdaibai marshes
- Tower with views over the reserve
- Audiovisual room and audioguides for the visit
- Free-access marsh hides on the birdwatching trail
Permanent exhibition
- Exposición del centro – Route with a map of bird migrations, exhibition rooms, an audiovisual room and viewpoints over the marsh.
- Founded
- 2012
- Operated by
- Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Zelaieta (Gauteguiz-Arteaga)
Bus on the Bilbao – Hospital de Galdakao – Gernika-Lumo – Ea – Lekeitio line; stop 1855 “Zelaieta (Gauteguiz-Arteaga)”, code A3513.
By car
Parking available
The centre's own car park, reached by a signposted access road.
The centre is about 4.5 km from Gernika-Lumo. From Gernika take the road towards Lekeitio as far as the Kortezubi roundabout; about 700 m further on, on the left, the signposted access to the car park begins.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
There is a shop in the centre. The Wi-Fi mentioned on the website is that of the rooms rented for meetings.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 50 guests.
Rooms with views over the marsh for company meetings, lectures, courses and seminars, with video projector and Wi-Fi. Meetings for up to 25 people and conferences for up to 50.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audioguides are available for the visit. Guided visits must be arranged in advance and carry an additional charge. From the car park a birdwatching trail leads to two free-access bird hides, open every day except when occasional maintenance work is carried out on the marsh. For school groups, booking is by phone during office hours. |
