Every winter thrushes arrive in Spain from northern Europe to overwinter. That is why, from November to February, organisers offer guided thrush-hunting trips of three, four or five days that include accommodation, meals and local guides.
The typical landscape is olive groves. Thrushes feed on the olives and move between the rows at fairly regular times and along fairly regular lines, which is what makes stand hunting so popular here.
The main quarry is the song thrush, together with the redwing. Depending on the area and the organiser, trips can also include fieldfare and wood pigeon, and many programmes combine thrush hunting with pigeon shooting.
Dates are not the same across Spain. Each autonomous community publishes its own order every year, and in some regions dates change by province or by type of ground. As an example, the published calendars for the 2025-2026 season indicated:
| Region | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Andalusia | 16 November to 1 February | thrushes and common starling, every day (Almería: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays) |
| Extremadura | 1 October to 8 February (song thrush), to 31 January for the other species | from fixed stands, bag limit of 40 thrushes per hunter per day; hunting days depend on the type of estate |
| Castilla-La Mancha | 8 October to 31 January | bag limit of 30 thrushes and 3 woodcock per hunter per day |
These dates are indicative and refer to that season. Before booking, ask the agency for the dates and limits that apply this year and in the area you will visit. In practice, organisers run their trips from November to February.
Thrush hunting in Spain is almost always done from a stand, among the olive trees. The pattern of a day is similar on most organised trips:
Good shooting counts, but so do patience and keeping quiet at your stand. The ground is often open with little low cover, which makes it easier to find the birds you shoot.
Organised trips are concentrated in three areas of central and southern Spain: Andalusia, Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha. These are landscapes of olive groves, oak woodland and open fields, usually two to three hours by road from Madrid.
In Andalusia, for example, there is the province of Jaén: from Venta de los Santos, a little over 275 km from Madrid, you can reach estates such as those of El Campillo.
The rules are set by the authorities and depend on where you live, so always check with the agency. In general, organisers ask for:
Rules on cartridges also vary: how many you may carry and how they must be transported should be checked before you travel. Many agencies sell cartridges on site.
If a package does not say which of these documents are included, ask the agency: it will tell you exactly what you need to bring for your nationality and your gun.
If you would rather skip the paperwork for taking a gun abroad, you can rent a shotgun on site. Rental is charged per day and is usually available in 12 or 20 gauge. Many organisers also rent an off-road vehicle.
Before comparing prices, check what each package includes:
At the end of this article you will find the thrush-hunting packages in Spain currently available on Wildoora. You send a booking request and the agency contacts you: there is no online payment.
When can thrushes be hunted in Spain? Seasons change by region and every year. Organisers run trips from November to February, but the exact dates must be confirmed for the current season.
Which thrush species are hunted? Mainly song thrush and redwing. In some areas you may also find fieldfare and wood pigeon.
Do I need a Spanish hunting licence? Yes. In some packages it is included, in others it is paid separately as an extra cost per hunter.
Can I rent a gun? Yes, most organisers rent guns by the day, and often an off-road vehicle too.
How much does a thrush-hunting trip to Spain cost? It depends on the length and on what is included. Compare the packages at the end of this article: each one lists price, nights, meals and extra services.
This article is a general guide and does not replace the official rules. Opening and closing dates, bag limits and hunting days are set every year by the Spanish autonomous communities, and the rules for bringing guns and ammunition abroad depend on your country and on current law. Always ask the agency organising your trip to confirm.