What was just intended as a quick afternoon stroll ended up in an amazing observation tour with some unexpected sightings. The Lagoon in the south of Jerez truly is a wonderful place for birdwatching! Much to my delight the Council has planted more young trees along the track that surrounds the lagoon, so in the future birds will probably thrive even more.
I had secretly hoped to run into another Bluethroat, but I guess I was just very lucky the other day. Instead I saw large groups of Spanish Sparrows, Goldfinches and Cormorants. I counted 40 different species, a surprisingly high number and a new single observation record!
 |
| Goldfinch |
If you walk around the lagoon you are very likely to find a flock of Goldfinches. In spring they are present in high numbers, but also today I saw many of them. I found a tree in which almost twenty of them were gathering, such a colourful sight!
 |
 |
| Goldfinches gathering in a tree |
Blackbirds can be difficult to photograph. At times they are quite shy and fly off as soon as they hear something or notice any movement. However when they are singing on top of a tree or when they have found an interesting feeding spot, they become approachable. I saw one singing a serenade and stopped for about ten minutes to listen to his enchanting song.
 |
| Singing Blackbird |
I spotted a Kestrel hunting in the hills and showing its hovering skills in the air.
 |
| Hovering Kestrel |
 |
| Kestrel overflying the fields |
 |
| Barn Swallow performing acrobatics in the air |
 |
| Barn Swallow |
 |
| Crag Martin |
 |
| Stork |
There were probably a few dozens of White Wagtails. I spotted one that seemed to be drowning in the water of the lagoon, but when I had a closer look it became clear that the bird was knew what it was doing, probably bathing, I had never seen this behaviour before in a Wagtail.
 |
| White Wagtail |
 |
| One White Wagtail seemed to be swimming |
 |
| ..and walking on the water |
Fortunately I did not need to jump in the water to rescue it... just a very confident little bird!
 |
| A less adventurous White Wagtail |
 |
| European Serin |
 |
| A Grey Heron amidst a group of Cormorants enjoying the afternoon sun |
 |
| Cormorant |
 |
| Colony of Spanish Sparrows. Can you spot the House Sparrow? |
I have been seeing a lot of Spanish Sparrows recently. I don't know whether that means the species is doing better than before or if I have learnt to spot them better.
 |
| Male Spanish Sparrow eating tree buds |
 |
| Male Spanish Sparrow |
 |
| Spanish Sparrows having a sand bath |
 |
| Spanish Sparrow with a House Sparrow flying by |
 |
| Greenfinch |
 |
| Female Stonechat |
 |
| Male House Sparrow |
 |
| Not all Gulls land in an elegant way |
 |
| Marbled Duck |
Just before I left I saw two Marble Ducks, a species categorised as Vulnerable.
Although the Torrox Lagoon is mainly popular as an area to walk or do sport, it is definitely worth a visit for birders, and will be so even more in the future.
 |
| One of the two lakes |
 |
| Part of the recently renewed path |
Find out more about this great birding location here.