After the meeting with the Kentish Plover volunteers, we decided to visit the lagoons in El Puerto de Santa Maria. It was great to see that also here the water levels have risen back to normal and a lot of different species were present.
Just before arriving at the first lagoon I was welcomed by a Glossy Ibis that was feeding in a little shallow marsh. I saw a few more next to the first lagoon (Laguna Juncosa) and was blown away by their beautiful colouration. When you see them flying through the air you might think they're all black, but when you observe them carefully you'll notice they actually have brown and green feathers as well.
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| First Glossy Ibis I saw |
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| Another Glossy Ibis displaying its beautiful colours |
I spotted a pair of very active Marsh Harriers, a species that seems to be resident here. |
| Male Marsh Harrier |
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| The same male Marsh Harrier flying over some shrubs |
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| Female Marsh Harrier |
I also ran into a group of around twenty Collared Pratincole, a migrating wader that I had seen on the ground before but not flying around like these ones.
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| Collared Pratincole |
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| Overflying Collared Pratincole |
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| Cattle Egret sitting on a sheep |
On and around the second lagoon (Laguna Salada) there were also some interesting species on display. Among them Common Shelduck, Pied Flycatcher and Tree Pipit.
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| Female Pied Flycatcher |
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| Tree Pipit |
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| Greater Flamingo flying over the Laguna Salada |
More information about the lagoons of El Puerto de Santa Maria here.
