I arrived just after sunrise at the starting point of today's trip, Marisma de Adventus. I had visited this place before, and still, unfortunately, the little manmade lagoon, part of the 'Misión Posible' project set up by WWF, is not accessible to the public. However, I was very lucky and was given access by a caretaker who happened to be there at the same time. By that time most of the birds had already left. I had taken some photos upon arriving and noticed a few Spoonbills.
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| One of the four Spoonbills I spotted |
Other birds present at this little beautiful place were Black-winged Stilt, Greater Flamingo, Little Egret and Grey Heron, to name only a few.
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| Little Egret |
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| Common Greenshank |
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| Grey Heron |
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| Two Eurasian Coots crossing the road |
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| Spoonbill |
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| A peaceful little oasis in a land of dryness |
Also in the near vicinity of this lagoon, towards the river Guadalquivir, I spotted more interesting birds, like the Little Grebe and Caspian Tern.
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| Caspian Tern |
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| Black-winged Stilt |
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| Magpie |
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| Iberian Chiffchaff |
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| Black-headed Gull flying along the river Guadalquivir |
I continued my route westward on a road that is still in average condition. No problem if you drive carefully but you have to be on the lookout continuously. I had to drive so slowly that many mountain bikers overtook me.
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| Another Iberian Chiffchaff |
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| Male Kestrel |
It was while I was driving along the road (number 2 on the map, see below) that I noticed two hides in a very interesting location near the water. Unfortunately, I saw no way to get to them. I later found by having a look on Google Maps that you might be able to walk to them by going through a small gate next to the main road about 300 metres before. Something to remember for a next visit. I think ut might be well possible to spot an Osprey here.
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| A Stork in the middle of two Grey Herons |
After leaving this road, I crossed a small bridge where a sign said it was another 6 KM to the Bonanza watchpoint, which was actually my main destination for today's trip. I was a bit wary though, because this road was not the one I had seen on Google Earth while preparing the trip. And I was suspicious for a good reason. To get to the watchpoint, you really need a 4x4 or you risk to damage your car or get stuck in the sand. I wish I hadn't taken this road. The only bird I saw driving to the watchpoint was a Booted Eagle that landed not for from the road.
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| Booted Eagle seconds before landing |
It was a complicated task to get to the watchpoint. In other seasons it must be even harder because I'm sure there must be a lot of deep mud. When I finally managed to arrive, the surroundings of the watchpoint were a big disappointment. Everything was completely dry. There were many flamingos and other wader species near, but they were too far to observe from this site.
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| Bonanza Watchpoint - note the small cruise ship on the Guadalquivir on the left |
To get back to the main road was even more disastrous. I took another road in bad condition, ending up blocked by a closed gate. To get out of this perilous situation, I had to drive a few metres back and cross an empty river bed, a manoeuvre that took three attempts to complete and miraculously didn't damage the car. On top of that, the car got filled with dozens of flies. I think Nature must have felt guilty for my suffering and decided to ease the pain a little by sending in a Woodchat Shrike.
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| This Woodchat Shrike brought a smile back on my face |
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| Hundreds of Greater Flamingos, some of them at relatively close distance |
I was happy to get back on the main track and even happier to make it back to our facilities. Not sure if I'd recommend visiting this last watchpoint to anyone. If you do go, make sure you go by 4x4 and keep the flies out. You may also skip the watchpoint and observe the birds from a nearby place. The birds must love this remote site though!
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| 1: starting point Marisma de Trebujena - 2: place near the hides 3: Bonanza Watchpoint |
On the little map, you can see the route I took and also the condition of the road. With a 4x4 you might just ignore the colours, but with a normal car you surely want to avoid the red parts and drive very cautiously on the orange ones. I might go back one day to check out the hides in places 1 & 2.
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| Another of the many Grey Herons |
Happy birding!
Henry.
