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Laguna de Tarelo & La Algaida Pines

Cadiz Province, Spain  >  Spain

Laguna de la Tarelo is a small lake (c460m x 390m) set at the edge of an extensive pine woodland (c4.5 km in length and between 1km-2km in width).

Added* by John Cantelo
Most recent update 9 april 2020

Description

This is an excellent site for several sought after ducks and is convenient for exploring both the Salinas de Bonanza and the east bank of the Guadalquivir. Arriving from the direction of Sanlucar de Barrameda pull off as you enter the pinewoods to explore the laguna (c200m from the track) on your left. As you walk towards the laguna check for Poljski vrabac (a scarce species locally) and passerine migrants in season. A screen here looks towards an island which is home to a small heronry with Mala bela čaplja, Čaplja govedarka, Gak, Žuta čaplja and Kašičar. On the laguna itself look for a good variety of ducks (including Prevez, Beloglava patka and, during passage, Mramorka (although a 'scope is often needed to pick out the latter as they often frequent the back of the laguna) and Crnovrati gnjurac. Rarities such as Američka ćubasta patka have occurred. In the reedy margins check for, Sultanka, Čapljica , Veliki trstenjak and, in winter, Senica vuga.

A bumpy, but drivable, track runs the length of the woods with a good side track on the right about 800m after you enter the woods. There are many opportunities along these tracks to pull over and park to explore on foot. These pine woods are the only site in Cadiz province for Plava svraka although in recent years they have been very scarce and elusive. The sandy side tracks can be excellent for Pupavac and migrants such as Crnovrata muharica, Obična crvenrepka, etc. The woodland is also home to a good population of Crna lunja and Patuljasti orao. Check in the evening for Crvenovrati leganj .

In spring and autumn the laguna, open fields and nearby marshes should also be scanned for a variety of aerial feeders such as swifts (Siva čiopa Crna čiopa , less often Bela čiopa and, rarely, Mala čiopa), hirundines (inc. Daurska lasta). Look too for more raptors such as Riđa lunja (scarce in Cadiz province) and Eja močvarica plus hawking Zijavac.

Details

Access

A bus runs from Sanlucar to the edge of the pines where the service terminates. By car go through Bonanza and on through La Algaida to reach the pines. There are many places where you can pull over and explore the woodland on foot.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Scattered trees and bushes

Conditions

Sandy

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

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Map

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