Birding during spring at the Casablanca Marshes

Spring is finally here, and it's impossible not to notice. The fields are bursting into colour, insects are returning in droves, and the warm light of the season has begun to take hold. It's a time of renewal—and for birders, a time of anticipation. In just one day, I was able to hear the melodic song of the Nightingale, catch a glimpse of the vibrant Bee-eater, and observe the graceful flight of the Collared Pratincole. All unmistakable signs that spring migration is well underway.

A small bird perches on green thistles with vibrant purple flowers in a blurred meadow backdrop. — In the midst of the thistles, a Melodious Warbler sings with all its heart

A bird with brown wings and a white belly flies against a clear sky. — Collared Pratincole

The Casablanca Marshes, located just over the border from Cadiz, in the very south of the province of Seville, seemed like the perfect place to celebrate the change of season. After the intense rainfall of this past winter, life is returning with striking intensity. The rising temperatures are triggering what feels like an explosion of activity—not just among the birds, but all around. That said, the visit also reminded me of one of spring’s less pleasant side effects: the mosquitoes. The combination of warm weather and a humid environment like the marshes created the perfect spot for them. At moments, I found myself surrounded, which certainly tested my patience. I suspect this might have been one of my last visits to the marshes for the rest of spring.

Crested bird perched on rocky ground with green blurred background. — Crested Lark

Bird perched on a white sign against a blurred green background. — Among the spring travellers—this Whinchat

A small bird perches on a pine branch against a clear blue sky. — A Woodchat Shrike surveys from above

A small bird perches on a leafy branch, surrounded by green foliage. — Dartford Warbler

Partridge on a gravel path with vivid red markings, standing alert. — A Red-legged Partridge with attitude, perfectly at ease on the road

Duck swimming in a calm pond surrounded by green plants. — A solitary Gadwall among the wetlands

Getting close to the water wasn't easy either. The dirt tracks leading through the area were in poor condition and still partially muddy. In some sections, it was impossible to proceed, even on foot. Still, the effort was worth it. From a distance, I could already tell the lagoons were teeming with life. I estimated at least 500 Greater Flamingos gathered near the main lagoon, their pale pink forms clustered together. In another sector, around 300 Glossy Ibises added their deep, iridescent hues to the landscape.

Four flamingos stand and rest in a shallow pond, surrounded by grassy fields.

White egret stands in green grass, with a group of dark birds in a water setting.

A dark bird with outstretched wings in mid-flight over a dry grass field. — The Glossy Ibises touched down like dancers—each arrival a fleeting show of grace

Two Glossy Ibises soar over a field of tall, golden grass.

Birds wading in a wetland with lush green grass and wildflowers. — Part of the huge flock of Glossy Ibises, hundreds of individuals strong

A group of Glossy Ibises stands in a marshy area with green plants and shallow water, displaying iridescent dark plumage.

One particular group of flamingos had split off from the larger flock and positioned themselves in a more isolated patch. I decided to wait quietly nearby. Flamingos flying toward the camera are rare subjects—usually, their flight paths take them away. But today, my patience paid off. When the smaller group eventually took off to rejoin the main flock, they passed right in front of me. I managed to take several photos of them in full flight, with wings stretched and their curious profiles pointed in my direction. A rare opportunity.

Three flamingos with pink and black wings run through shallow water against a green field background.

Three pink flamingos fly low over a wetland, reflecting in the water.

Two flamingos with pink and black wings fly against a blue sky.

Two flamingos fly over another pair standing in water.

Another memorable moment came when I witnessed a confrontation between a Booted Eagle and two Lapwings. Just before the clash, I had seen the eagle dive aggressively toward the Lapwings’ nest. The two smaller birds didn’t hesitate to defend their territory. Despite the size difference, they chased the raptor off with fearless energy—a striking example of how fierce parenthood can be in the bird world.

A bird with dark wings chases a larger brown bird in mid-air against a pale sky.

Three birds mid-flight against a cloudy sky. Two birds interact closely, possibly in conflict. The image has a watermark at the bottom.

An eagle and a lapwing engage mid-air against a clear sky.

Three birds soaring in a clear sky. The central bird is larger and brown, flanked by two smaller, darker birds.

A black and white bird flies above a larger brown bird in the sky, engaging in an aerial chase.

A large brown bird and a smaller black-and-white bird fly in a light blue sky.

Not far from a cluster of pine trees, I found a few owl pellets scattered on the ground. Each one was filled with tiny bones, clear evidence that an owl had been using the area for feeding. I didn’t see the owl, but the signs of its presence showed that these marshes are shared with creatures of the night.

Grey owl pellet with visible bones rests on a bed of pine needles. — Owl pellets

There was no shortage of photographic opportunities either. Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings posed repeatedly on stems and road signs, offering up their bright colours and characteristic postures. Dragonflies darted through the reeds and grass, often still long enough for a decent shot. The Gull-billed Terns seemed particularly interested in them, swooping down from time to time as if on a dragonfly-hunting mission.

Yellow bird with grey head perches on a plant, singing against a blurred green background. — Yellow Wagtail

Yellow bird singing perched on a wooden post against a clear blue sky.

A small bird with speckled brown feathers perches on green foliage. — Corn Bunting

Brown bird singing on thorny plant with blurred green background.

Close-up of a dragonfly in flight against a light background. — A male Vagrant Emperor

Two terns in flight against a blurred green background, captured mid-air with wings spread. — Gliding in tandem, two Gull-billed Terns search the colourful fields for their next meal

A white bird with black markings flies in a clear sky, holding an insect in its beak. — This Gull-billed Tern has seized a dragonfly mid-flight—a swift moment of precision

A white bird with black head flying against a blurred green background. Its wings are spread wide. — A moment frozen in flight, showing the distinct shape of its tail

A flock of black-capped birds in a marsh; one in flight, others wading. — Part of the colony of Gull-billed Terns

Two white birds in a lush wetland share food. One bird has wings spread. — I captured this tender moment as one tern offers a gift of food to another

But perhaps the highlight of the day was my encounter with a pair of Little Owls. They flew off as I approached, but didn’t go far. I managed to capture some satisfying images—sharp enough to showcase their bright yellow eyes and that intense, curious stare they’re known for.

Two owls stand on a dirt patch among green foliage. — The pair of Little Owls, watching my every move

Small owl perched on a red and white sign in a grassy field.

The Casablanca Marshes cover a wide area, and when the dirt tracks are dry, you could easily spend hours exploring on foot. At first glance, the landscape might seem a little monotonous—flat expanses of reeds, open fields, and shallow water—but it slowly reveals its charm to those who take the time to look closely. For the patient birder, the rewards are many: unexpected encounters, subtle movements in the vegetation, and the steady rhythm of life in the wetlands. It’s a place that invites stillness and observation—a space where nature speaks quietly but clearly.

A bird is flying over a grassy field with green shrubs. — Marsh Harrier on the lookout

Calm lake reflecting cloudy sky and distant hills, surrounded by green fields. — This was the backdrop to most of my walk

A dirt path lined with trees stretches through a vast, cloudy landscape. Sparse greenery on brown soil, with distant hills under cloudy sky.

Dirt path with puddles leads into marshland with water and grass on sides. — At this point, continuing was impossible

Flooded rural road with muddy water under a bridge, surrounded by greenery. — No way forward here either—getting closer to the flamingos wasn’t possible

It might have been just a single visit, technically speaking, but this trip to the Casablanca Marshes packed in enough moments, colours, and encounters to fill an entire season. Spring is only just beginning, and already it’s full of surprises.

A swallow with blue, orange, and white feathers soars against a blurred green background with pink flowers. — A Red-rumped Swallow glides over a tapestry of springtime colours

Spring encounters at the Casablanca Marshes

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