Today was one of those days that you don't feel like going out on a trip, but you know that in the end it's gonna be worth it. I wanted to see what I could find around the lagoons of El Puerto de Santa Maria. After the heavy rainfall of the last couple of days, I expected to find some water, but my hopes were in vain. In the first lagoon that I visited, Laguna Juncosa, there wasn't a single drop. Nor did I see any bird, apart from some that flew over my head or a few smaller songbirds hiding in the bushes. No trace of any waterbird.
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| A pair of Spoonbills wading through the shallow water later in the afternoon |
Several wooden structures have been installed to offer a good view over the lagoon here, but I doubt if they will ever be useful, as apparently a lot of plants seem to have grown, creating a visual barrier.
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| Laguna Juncosa - the water is supposed to be behind the green plants |
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| Sardinian Warbler |
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| Some landscape photography, due to lack of birds |
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| White Stork flying in front of the moon at around noon |
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| One of the songbirds in the bushes: a Chiffchaff |
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| Well, okay, another one... Black Redstart |
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| This White Wagtail walked me towards the second lagoon |
Rather disappointed I walked towards the second lagoon, Laguna Salada, which is the largest in this area. The recent rain had caused the ground to be muddy, but it was far from enough to bring the water in this lagoon to a decent level. I did spot some Yellow-legged Gulls, Mallards and also six Lapwings, but they were too far away to photograph.
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| Photo taken from where I should be in the water up to my knees |
With only a handful of decent photos I was driving back to our facilities, when I noticed several Buzzards. One was flying high in the sky in circles, another three were on the lookout from different posts next to the road.
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| Common Buzzard next to the road |
It was as if they didn't want me to go home yet, and instigated by their graceful presence, I decided to give the day another chance. Maybe I would see more around the Adventus Marshes near Trebujena, only half an hour away!
Barely had I parked when I saw a Marsh Harrier flying over the marshes, very soon followed by a Spoonbill. Before entering the wetland area which is still being restored, sponsored by WWF and fizzy drink giant Coca Cola, I decided to walk a few hundred metres back, because I thought I had seen a Great Egret, a bird I don't see that frequently. My eyes had not deceived me, there were even two of them.
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| Great Egret |
I already felt more satisfied after spending five minutes in this location than during my whole two-hour visit earlier to El Puerto de Santa Maria. It was now time to enter the well-protected wetland area not so far from the Guadalquivir river. This zone is not open to the public yet, but you can easily observe the birds from the road with a good pair of binoculars or a telescope. If you want to get inside, bear in mind that you need permission or that you have to be a VIB (Very Important Birder).
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| Information board next to the entrance to the wetlands reserve |
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| Little Egret showing me the way |
There were fewer birds present than when I visited this place in September 2022, but I did not regret driving another extra half hour west: finally some waders! I saw Greater Flamingos, Shovelers, Pied Avocets and Common Ringed Plovers. But the biggest attraction without any doubt were the three Spoonbills!
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| Common Ringed Plover |
Of course I had seen and photographed many Spoonbills before, but I think this was the closest I could ever get to them, or should I say, the closest they would ever get to me. In order to take full advantage of this unique location, I knew I had to go down and dirty. Armed with my binoculars and two cameras, I threw myself on top of some shrubs that I found right next to the border of the lagoon. My clothes soon got covered with mud, but it was the only way to take eye-level pictures of the magnificent Spoonbills! |
| Three Spoonbills scanning the shallow lagoon |
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| Coming back after a short flight around the lagoon |
Lying in the mud, the birds soon stopped noticing my presence and at one point they came that close that I had to zoom out with my 600mm lens. Also a Black-winged Stilt wanted me to take its portrait and manoeuvred itself in a good position right in front of me. |
| Black-winged Stilt |
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| Common Redshank |
It was nice to see that a lot of nesting boxes have been installed here. A Common Kestrel seemed to be a regular visitor. |
| Common Kestrel |
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| Several nesting boxes in the corner of the protected zone |
Just when I had left the protected area, a Red Kite dived down from the clouds and slowly flew past the road where I was standing. It was fairly easy to take several decent photos, but my favourite one was the picture below, with the wings in a downward position displaying a spectacular pattern on the backside.
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| Red Kite |
As I was leaving the area driving back home, I was being followed. Not by a threatening dog this time, but by a lovely male Kestrel, luring me into a side road to take its photograph, posing on a pole. I suspect it was the same bird that I had photographed sitting on the nesting box.A day that looked dull in the beginning, ended up being very satisfactory, primarily thanks to the Spoonbill trio.
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| Male Kestel |
Check out a previous visit to this site.
More information about Marisma de Adventus.
