almerimartoday

I frequently visit the Puntas Entinas nature reserve (the 16km coastal strip between Almerimar and Roquetas) and have yet to meet any serious birders in pursuit of their hobby.

This is particularly surprising when one considers that the reserve is such an important stopping off point for the millions of migrating birds en route between Europe and Africa. Probably as many as 100 varieties pass by Almerimar twice a year and almost all of them will spend a short time feeding or roosting at this 2000 hectares site. Many of the swallows, swifts, starlings, cuckoos and flycatchers may well have nested in your garden back home before following you to the Mediterranean, but they will probably continue their journey for several thousand miles more.

From the impressive Bonelli’s Eagles which roost in the cliff and soar majestically over the golf course and the flocks of Greater Flamingos feeding in the lakes to the miniscule Goldcrests and Serins which dart only fleetingly into view, the challenge is to spot them all. So many of them are so similar that they can only be identified through their call notes (bird-song) or flight patterns.

So, if you are getting bored on your non-golfing days and still yearn for an outdoor activity, arm yourself with a pair of binoculars and an illustrated bird identification pocket book, cover yourselves well with lightweight dark coloured clothing and apply a good layer of anti-mosquito cream and head into bird paradise.

PS. Before you complain too much about the mosquitos remind yourselves that they are the reason so many birds are here. Mossies are near the bottom of the food chain but, frustratingly, they seem to forget their place in the pecking order and attack we humans.

In my next note I’ll tell you which birds you just can’t miss seeing and which others take some searching for.