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Description
For clarity sake this site is best split into three parts: Los Balcones urbanisation, Los Montesinos, and Laguna de la Mata and Torrevieja
The best site may well be Los Balcones urbanisation. This area has recently been found to hold a small colony of Iberian Magpie and one which has recently increased significantly in number. The magpies are over 100km outside their normal range and a must-see if you live in the region. They are most likely either escapees or a deliberate introduction rather than a genuine colonisation start. Other birds which can be seen here are the obvously escaped or introduced Monk Parakeet
The fields surrounding Los Montesinos as well as the road running parallel to the northern shore of La Mata are a superb spot for Λιβαδόκιρκος in season. These are best observed either from the Calle de Santos Medicos road and surroundings or alternatively flying above the reeds fringing northern La Mata. These fields are also home to breeding (Ευρωπαϊκή) Πετροτουρλίδα , Τσαλαπετεινός and Πράσινος Δρυοκολάπτης.
Finally, Laguna de la Mata and Torrevieja is in itself a wonderful spot for birdwatching. This site has somewhat improved in recent years and the wildlife is best observed from an observation platform located opposite the road leading to Los Montesinos. Laguna de Torrevieja notorious for its sometimes rosy-red waters is important for the enormous colony of Αιγαιόγλαρος which took up residence in 2004. The lagoons in the winter attract huge amounts of Βαρβάρα and Μαυροβουτηχτάρι. It appears that Μουστακογλάρονο nests in some years, joined by (Ευρωπαϊκό) Νανογλάρονο at all times. There are significant populations of Καλαμοκανάς . Present all year on the lagoons are (Ευρωπαϊκό) Φοινικόπτερο, (Ευρασιατικό) Φερεντίνι and (Ευρωπαϊκή) Αβοκέτα. Καλαμόκιρκος and (Ευρασιατική) Χαλκόκοτα are present in winter. In 2023 I found a Lesser Flamingo present as well
Details
Access
For Los Balcones urbanisation: Coming from Torrevieja or the N-332, proceed past the hospital and pass one roundabout on the CV-95. Turn right at the roundabout adjacent to the Mercadona supermarket and proceed down the Calle Ercina. After passing the tree growing in the middle of the road turn right onto Urb. Lago Sol and take the first left and drive down this minor road until the tarmac ends. The surrounding trees hold Iberian Magpie and Monk Parakeet, but they can be found anywhere immediately south of Laguna de Torrevieja and immediately north oft he urbanisation, where the urbanisation becomes open farmland and citrus plantations.
For Los Montesinos, the NorthernFringe and observatory: Take the CV-905 once off the N-332 past Urb. Siesta. Once the houses give way to farmland take the first left turn for Los Montesinos, first right for the observatory or proceed to the roundabout after this first one and take a right for the lake fringe.
If going to Los Montesinos proceed down the CV-945 and take a first left. The fields surrounding the road are good for Λιβαδόκιρκος. Proceed to the T-junction and take a right. This road can be excellent for observing the harriers, and especially so after the first fork is reached. Take the right fork. This is Calle de Santos Medicos, excellent for these birds. Follow this road towards Los Montesinos, scanning the fields on the way.
If you have not yet had satisfying views of harriers return to the CV-905 using the CV-945, turn left and turn right near the next roundabout. Follow the CV-895 until a plantation is reached on the right. Look towards the lake from here. Λιβαδόκιρκος breeds in the marshy fields between the road and the lake. The northern shore is home to about 12 of these birds in the summer.
The best place to view Laguna de la Mata is from the observation point. There is a gate in the middle of the road but with sides open for pedestrians, as well as from the CV-895. Laguna de Torrevieja can be viewed from the Calle Caravaca. At the third, 'double' roundabout on the CV-905 from the N-332, turn right and around the roundabout, on towards the smaller roundabout and turn left to follow a road parallel to the CV-905. This is Calle Caravaca. Follow this road until it runs parallel to Laguna de Torrevieja.