AUGUST 17TH - THE LAKES

LAGUNA DULCE  - THE LAKES OF TEBA

this was a day out with our friends John and Mary who both now show a great interest in bird-watching. We decided to visit Laguna Dulce to watch birds in the morning and then spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing in the beautiful 'Lake District' around Ardales  and El Chorro.

We collected John and Mary at 9:30am and drove to Laguna Ducle, arriving by 11am, it was hot already but again there was a nice breeze. As we approached the laguna we noticed several birds of prey circling over the road and a quick inspection revealed their identity, Honey Buzzards. There were more above us as we got out of the car and walked to the hide, we counted 25 altogether, some were very low and showed off their distinct wing pattern and shape, and great variety of colour.

As usual the laguna was full of birds, the water level had dropped, but I think it will last out the summer, which is good news for birds and bird-watchers. Thousands of hirundines were feeding over the water, mostly House and Sand Martins but a few Barn Swallows joined them - we didn't see a single swift!

The Greater Flamingo numbers were down to about 150, but duck numbers were well up. Mallards, Shoveler, Gadwall, Common Pochard had all increased and the White-headed Duck numbers exceeded 50.

Many Little and Black Grebes joined the throngs on the water as did Common Coot, Little and Cattle Egret and Grey Heron. Along the shoreline a good selection of waders were present, I think that the muddy shallows are now more suitable for wading species: we saw Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt, Green, Common and Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, Kentish Plover, Ringed Plover and both White and Yellow Wagtails. A few Marsh Harriers drifted over the reedbeds, a Hoopoe flew across the front of the hide a couple of times and small flocks of Bee-eaters flew over noisily.

More raptors appeared in the shape of  Black Kites and Honey Buzzards, we did see a few distant Griffon Vultures. A couple of Tern species flew over the water, Gull-billed and Whiskered Tern were identified.

The afternoon was spent around El Chorro where the famous El Camino del Rey is found, often called the 'most dangerous walk in the walk'. See photos. It ws built over 100 years agao and has fallen into disrepair, it hangs on the edge of a cliff face with a 700 meter (2330 feet) drop below it, it is only 1 meter wide (3ft) and much of it has fallen away but people still walk along it!!  Not bird-watchers!! Not this bird-watcher anyway!

see this link for a scary walk.  Caminito del Rey

We spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and relaxing in the Guadalteba embalses, we did see some Short-toed Eagles and a Yellow-legged Gull during that time.