Laguna de Medina
Of all Cadiz's famous lagunas, the Laguna de Medina is the least likely to dry out. So seeing it last month looking more like a dust bowl than a lake was not a good sign. As I've noted before occasional droughts are what make the lagunas here special as they kill off any carp that may have been deliberately introduced (or arrived from local fisheries in rare times of flood). Having seen so many dry laguna basins this spring (when they should be wet), the state of the Laguna de Medina didn't surprise me. Seeing it in such a state meant I didn't bother to look at any other natural lagunas. Although I've not kept a detailed record, it seems to me that these drought conditions are happening more often and the future of the smaller lakes must be in question.
Embalse de Barbate from Lomo del Judio
Embalse de Barbate, my local reservoir, was drier than I've ever seen it with the shoreline a kilometre or two from where it was a decade ago. Even a couple of years ago an Osprey's nest on a pylon was surrounded by water but now it's stranded in the middle of what seems a well-established. pasture. Whilst it is a remarkably shallow reservoir, not so long ago much of the area indicated in the photo above (taken from Lomo del Judio) held water rather than just a few distant puddles (circled in red). As my map shows the arms of the reservoir once extended north towards Alcala and eastwards towards the A 381 (and at one point actually extended under that road and the service road beyond).
Although natural lagunas were dry, I knew that small abandoned sand pits in intensively irrigated areas, water-works and golf courses were the most likely sites to find any standing water. I didn't visit the latter but I did check out Lagunas de Camino Colarado, Laguna Tarelo and, briefly, Lagunas Martín Miguel (all near Bonanza).
Water levels at the Lagunas de Camino Colorado were well below normal so the number and variety of ducks present was lower than usual. I could only find a single White-headed Duck whereas I usually expect to see tens of birds (c20-40) at this site which is a hot-spot for this species, particularly if you want good views. Mallard were the most numerous duck although there were fewer of them than usual too whilst Red-crested Pochard were entirely absent. However, I was very pleased to see five Marbled Ducks dabbling around and resting on the muddy margins. These are handsome little ducks and, when present, this is often the best place to obtain good views. The low water levels were not all bad news as the necklace of smelly glutinous mud around the remaining water seems to be particularly attractive during migration periods to Temminck’s Stint. I’ve seen 13 Temminck’s here in the past but I was well pleased to get good views of five birds (plus a Little Stint) on my visit. The birds were mainly on the two pools beside the Camino Colorado. There were also a handful of Black-winged Stilt and Lapwings here plus a Green Sandpiper and a trio of Purple Swamphens.
Walking around to the back pool along the Camino Troncosa, I was disappointed to see that locals continue to use the site as a rubbish dump despite its recent designation as a protected site. This problem has been the subject of protests by Ecologistas en Acción Jerez so it’s disappointing that it continues to be an issue.
I’d seen Red-knobbed Coot here in the spring and I knew it was still present but the number of flies was off-putting so I didn’t stay long. There were plenty of Little Egrets and a few Night Herons but I dipped on the coot.
My next stop was Laguna Tarelo which is hidden in the pinewoods just beyond La Algaida. This is usually another good spot for White-headed Duck but, unusually, I failed to find a single one here. However, despite the lower than usual water levels the laguna had many more ducks than usual and I was surprised to find so many of them were Shovelers (c400-500). Amongst them were two more Marbled Ducks.
Finally, I had a very quick look at Lagunas de Martín Miguel and discovered where all the Coots had gone! Also present were 150+ Glossy Ibis, Great-crested Grebe and a few more Night Herons.
Walking around to the back pool along the Camino Troncosa, I was disappointed to see that locals continue to use the site as a rubbish dump despite its recent designation as a protected site. This problem has been the subject of protests by Ecologistas en Acción Jerez so it’s disappointing that it continues to be an issue.
I’d seen Red-knobbed Coot here in the spring and I knew it was still present but the number of flies was off-putting so I didn’t stay long. There were plenty of Little Egrets and a few Night Herons but I dipped on the coot.
My next stop was Laguna Tarelo which is hidden in the pinewoods just beyond La Algaida. This is usually another good spot for White-headed Duck but, unusually, I failed to find a single one here. However, despite the lower than usual water levels the laguna had many more ducks than usual and I was surprised to find so many of them were Shovelers (c400-500). Amongst them were two more Marbled Ducks.
Finally, I had a very quick look at Lagunas de Martín Miguel and discovered where all the Coots had gone! Also present were 150+ Glossy Ibis, Great-crested Grebe and a few more Night Herons.
Laguna Tarelo
Laguna Tarelo - Disturbed by workers from the surrounding trees these Night Herons found a less atrctive place to roost
Glossy Ibis at Laguna de Martin Miguel
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