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Description
Barbate Estuary (Esteros de la Isleta de San Fransico). Although far smaller and with fewer birds than nearby Cadiz Bay, the better access here and it's proximity to the popular birding locations around Tarifa make it a good option for visiting birders. It is a good site for waders such as Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Sanderling and other migrant waders. Collared Pratincole often hawk over the area in spring and summer. Greater Flamingo are present in good numbers. Careful scanning of the dry islands usually produces a Stone-curlew or two. Yellow-legged Gull are common and good numbers of Audouin's Gull are usually present plus a few Mediterranean Gull. Caspian Tern is regular and Lesser Crested Tern are sometimes seen. During passage the clumps of scrub along the track often hold migrants such as Spotted Flycatcher , Pied Flycatcher , Common Redstart and Subalpine Warbler. Check for Tawny Pipit, Western Yellow Wagtail and Greater Short-toed Lark ( Lesser Short-toed Lark are also sometimes reported). Check from the beach for Northern Gannet, Sandwich Tern and shearwaters. The main channel of the estuary is also good for terns and gulls
Details
Access
Parking off the A 2231 Bonanza - Zahara road is straightforward but alternatively take the track to park at the start of the footpath. Alternatively you can drive further along the track for c1 km to check the bushes and scrub. The best option is to take the footpath into the old salinas and then loop round back along the track although you can also take the track running parallel to the main road.
Terrain and Habitat
Mud flats , River , Sea , Scattered trees and bushesConditions
Flat , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
YesBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Narrow trail , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Be warned that there have been some problems regarding theft from cars at this site so take all the usual precations.
There is also an exciting project for which funding has already bee allocated to develop the grassy fields and marshes just north of Barbate to create a series of pools and hides for birdwatching. Check locally for developments.