The Laguna de Fuente de Piedra is a large, naturally saline lake that lies near to the village of the same name in the north of Malaga Province to the west of Granada. At roughly half way along the road to Seville this fabulous reserve was a perfect stop-off point on our journey to Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, where the birdwatchalpujarras team will be spending a few days on the Extremeduran border in the west of Andalucia.
This seasonal lagoon can dry out completely in particularly hot summers, and a commercial “salinera” used evaporation for salt extraction at the site until the early 1950s. The salt pans fell into disuse in later years but in the 1960s Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruberwere found to be breeding here and under “Reserva Natural” status this remarkable wetland habitat has flourished.
Richard and Kiersten called in here last year, but it was the first ever visit for me. First impressions? With the temperature hitting nearly forty degrees how anything could survive under the relentless glare of the sun was beyond me, but survive they do and the Greater Flamingos were a fabulous sight.
With downcurved bills and almost unnaturally long necks and legs they are of course instantly recognizable, and with the bright red flash on their wings they’re surely one of the most exotic birdwatching spectacles in Europe.
The reserve is the only regular breeding colony of Greater Flamingos is Spain, and the second largest in Europe, surpassed only by the population on the Camargue in southern France. Many thousands of young are produced in good years, but in particularly dry seasons – the birds require a minimum of 30cm of water by the end of February – nesting will not occur. Drought over the summer can force the flamingos to head elsewhere to feed, and they can be found as far afield as Donana National Park when conditions deteriorate severely.
Thankfully not this year though…and we had fantastic views from the paths only a short distance from the visitors centre. Even at the height of summer there were plenty of other species to look out for. Elegant Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus – another nesting species at the reserve – were present in good numbers, wading through the shallows on incredibly long, dark pink legs.
Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta too breed here, the shallow, saline water and dry margins meeting their special needs perfectly. Note the curved black band on the sides of the individual shown below, and the long blue-grey legs and fine, upcurved bill. Other waders were present too, some on passage from nesting grounds in the north of Europe, and a few presented a rather more tricky ID challenge…
Many thanks to Mick Richardson of Loja Wildlife for some timely assistance with the next couple of species. The Redshank Tringa totanus nests on marshes, wet meadows and moorland right across north and eastern Europe, before heading south for the colder months. Note the characteristic red bill base on the individual shown below, a good point to look for that I have to confess I overlooked!
The Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus also breeds in northwest Europe, and winters in southern Europe and Africa. Details to watch out for include the pale line or “supercilium” that reaches but does not pass over the eye, and the clear cut line between the darker breast and the white underparts.
The dry edges of the lake looked parched and, at first, largely devoid of life…but some familiar characters still showed well. Crested Larks foraged over the cracked, salty margins…
…and as ever families of Woodchat Shrikes braved the scorching midday heat when many other species become hard to find. Note the beautiful cryptic plumage of the juvenile shown below.
Lastly, a nice first-ever sighting to round off our visit. Gull-billed Terns Sterna nilotica, gliding and swooping over the meadows around the lagoon, hawking insects in mid-air like giant Swallows. They winter in Africa too, hunting over the great plains where game and livestock disturb their food. Note the pale grey tail, black legs and stout, black bill…with a wingspan of nearly three feet they were a wonderful sight!
All in all, a superb diversion on our journey, and for me a fabulous introduction to this very special, unique habitat. Next stop…the Cork Oak woodland of Sierra de Morena. What a contrast! With some of the best birding southern Spain has to offer, Andalucia has plenty to enjoy at any time of the year…
Keep checking our posts as our field-trip continues, and for more information on our birdwatching trips and holidays, simply click on the link!
