Although I've not quite got to grips with all of the species I'd like in Cadiz province, the trip this spring was mainly about exploring various sites I knew less well than I'd like. One area I'd earmarked for a closer look was the road along the Guadalquivir north and west of Lebrija. It's not, perhaps, a premier site, but it's a pleasant drive through little birded areas.
Purple Heron - Senuela
First, however, I wanted to have a quick look at the roads west of Trebujena. First stop was the continuation of the track along the Guadalquivir (a - see map). The small salt pans on the corner here can be quite productive and this visit was no exception. A Great White Egret nervously flew off as we approached, but a Squacco Heron favoured us with splendid views. Continuing along the riverside I had good numbers of Collared Pratincole hawking over dry saline vegetation – habitat which looked good for Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. After 100m or so we reached a small bridge after which the track deteriorated (although still drivable with care). However, my passenger de jour, Mrs C., is a nervous sort so I turned back towards Trebujena. Just short of Cortijo de Adventus I checked a good gravel track (b) running south into the marshes. This certainly merits a closer look as it should give good views over the marshes, but on the day there was a lot of activity here (lorries, 4x4, mopeds, etc) so I opted to leave it to another day. With the track running north a little closer to the cortijo being mired in mud and time pressing I decided to head through Trebujena and explore north off the A 471.
Squacco Heron - Adventus Marshes
Male Lesser Kestrel
Unfortunately, as I approached (c) there was a good deal of oncoming traffic making it difficult to turn left off the A 471 onto a couple of dirt tracks that give you a chance to stop and scan (there being few places to do so safely on the A471). Hence when I missed the first turning it was difficult to turn round. For future reference the turning is c1 km after the last exit for Trebujena and that an old track, allowing access on foot, runs parallel to the main road. The only place to pull off on the right being near the Algosur depot is often busy with heavy lorries. However, here you can pull off onto a track beside a new Campsa petrol station on the left, but once again due to heavy traffic I missed the turning! Nonetheless I did, however, have Lesser Kestrel and Collared Pratincole (although far fewer than when the halophytic habitat is wet).
Black Kite - near Lebrija
The turning (d) onto the network of roads fanning out to the NW of Lebrija is another kilometre beyond the garage and indicated by a small crossroads sign which is just as well since you'll need to signal in good time on this fast straight stretch. To the right this byroad
continues as a good metalled route, but to the left it's a rougher, albeit good, gravel track. With time pressing and a tractor already heading off to the left I turned right. With the promise of decent views over poorly vegetated habitats this track begs further exploration for pratincoles, harriers and probably sandgrouse. To the right the road snakes along through rather boring agricultural landscape although as it runs alongside the railway line there are some pools with Black-winged Stilt and more Collared Pratincole.I had a Golden Oriole flip out of the scrub along the drainage channel where confiding female Montagu's Harrier quietly drank. How did the bird know that my camera was in the boot? However, the best option is turn left along the first decent metalled road which is as a boringly straight as it is birdless and reach the river asap.
Once I reached the river I turned right as to the left the track was less good and the habitat less inviting. Negotiating the track back towards Trebujena will have to wait until I've a more adventurous passenger! To the north an avenue of eucylptus trees shade this track from the hot sun which makes for pleasant birding indeed. There's little traffic, several good places to pull off and a series of small marshy pools sandwiched between the track and the Guadalquivir. This has proved good for herons in the past and today was no exception with many Little and fewer Cattle Egrets, several Purple and the odd Squacco Heron (only Night Herons, usually present in small numbers, were missing). The telegraph wires were useful look-outs for Lesser Kestrels and Bee-eaters whilst the poles and nearby trees gave somewhere more secure for Black Kites to perch. As always along here check all sparrows carefully as some Spanish Sparrows are often present. Melodious Warbler certainly occur in good numbers and Olivaceous Warbler ought to be looked for in the denser tamarisk scrub.
continues as a good metalled route, but to the left it's a rougher, albeit good, gravel track. With time pressing and a tractor already heading off to the left I turned right. With the promise of decent views over poorly vegetated habitats this track begs further exploration for pratincoles, harriers and probably sandgrouse. To the right the road snakes along through rather boring agricultural landscape although as it runs alongside the railway line there are some pools with Black-winged Stilt and more Collared Pratincole.I had a Golden Oriole flip out of the scrub along the drainage channel where confiding female Montagu's Harrier quietly drank. How did the bird know that my camera was in the boot? However, the best option is turn left along the first decent metalled road which is as a boringly straight as it is birdless and reach the river asap.
Once I reached the river I turned right as to the left the track was less good and the habitat less inviting. Negotiating the track back towards Trebujena will have to wait until I've a more adventurous passenger! To the north an avenue of eucylptus trees shade this track from the hot sun which makes for pleasant birding indeed. There's little traffic, several good places to pull off and a series of small marshy pools sandwiched between the track and the Guadalquivir. This has proved good for herons in the past and today was no exception with many Little and fewer Cattle Egrets, several Purple and the odd Squacco Heron (only Night Herons, usually present in small numbers, were missing). The telegraph wires were useful look-outs for Lesser Kestrels and Bee-eaters whilst the poles and nearby trees gave somewhere more secure for Black Kites to perch. As always along here check all sparrows carefully as some Spanish Sparrows are often present. Melodious Warbler certainly occur in good numbers and Olivaceous Warbler ought to be looked for in the denser tamarisk scrub.
Spoonbill - Laguna Venta la Senuela
After much stopping and starting I finally arrived at our first destination – La Señuela where the old chapel is home to a dozen or so White Storks' nests. Surely one of the most picaresque sites for this familiar Spanish birds. On previous visits I've headed back towards Lebrija along a dirt track lined with more authentic looking, but less utilitarian, Palm trees which generate little useful shade. Today I continued along the riverside track to find the mysterious LagunaVenta laSeñuela. This site has attracted rarities such as American Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper and Temminck’s Stint, but isn't marked on any maps and the un-signed rustic venta after which it's named isn't obvious either. With a little detective work on the internet, though, I managed to work out that it was where the track turned away from the river. Frankly, the shallow sandy pool was a bit of a disappointment with only a small group of Black-winged Stilt, a couple of Greenshank and a Spoonbill. However, I gather that it sometimes acts as a roost site for birds using the nearby rice paddies to feed. Perhaps it's better in autumn.
White Storks' nests - Senuela chapel
So that's it, a gentle perambulation along the banks of the Guadalquivir. From where you join the riverbank track to the south to La Señuela is 8 or 9 km. It's then another 5 km to the laguna from which it's only another 10km or thereabouts to Brazo del Este – a top destination for birding. This route may not rate so highly, but it's certainly a very enjoyable detour. If getting to Brazo del Este is your priority then it's best to push straight along the road running parallel to the railway towards Marsimilla or along even the E5 to (and through) Las Cabezas de San Juan. However, if a little low key relaxed birding is your aim, then it's a great route. If you had an early start for a jaunt round Brazo del Este it can make a very pleasant slow route back south. Check it out and if you do let me know how you get on.
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