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Exploring the forbidden: birdwatching in a restricted area

I've been an avid birdwatcher for a while now and I'm always on the lookout for interesting places in the province of Cadiz to spot my feathered friends. The place I went to today wasn't new to me, but I was curious to see what the water levels would be in spring, with all the lagoons and lakes of the surrounding areas still dry and desperately waiting for rain. It is part of a nature reserve, but on private land and also considered as a hunting area. I knew that entering without permission was trespassing, but I was determined to see what I could find.




An eagle with brown and grey plumage swoops over a calm water surface.
A spectacular Bonelli's Eagle

I remembered that sneaking in on a previous visit was fairly easy right next to the main gate, but this time the fence had been reinforced with extra barbed wire, making it clear that visitors were not welcome. After a moment of hesitation, I decided to take my chances and make my way into the hunting area.




A small bird with orange and black plumage perching on rusty barbed wire against a blurred green background.
Male Stonechat

I started walking along the main path that leads to the largest lagoon. As I was walking, I heard a sound that I couldn't quite place. It sounded like the panting of a big dog and I was almost certain I was being followed. My heart started to pound in my chest and I was too nervous to look around. I just kept walking, expecting to be bitten at any moment.




A partridge stands on a plowed brown field under a clear blue sky
Red-legged Partridge

After a few seconds, the sound stopped and I let out a sigh of relief. I continued my walk to the lagoon and I was soon rewarded for my efforts: hundreds of White Storks were resting in the shallow water, an incredible sight! I spent a few hours watching these graceful animals' behaviour, getting plenty of opportunities to take interesting photos.




Flock of white birds by a reflective pond with a background of dense green bushes and rows of trees
Part of the flock of White Storks on the far end of the lagoon


Cloudy sky over a marsh with dense green shrubs and distant trees
This side of the lagoon is in desperate need of water

Although the level of the lagoon is much lower than it was in spring, there must still be a lot of fish. I saw several White Storks, Cormorants and Grey Herons surfacing with a big catch. It must have been the first time I was so close to White Storks in the wild. I couldn't get any closer to the birds without being seen, but with the 600mm zoom lens there wasn't really any need for that. I only wish I had been a bit lower to the ground to take photos at eye level, but you can't have everything. Observing 35 different species, I was very impressed by a Bonelli's Eagle that was clearly upsetting all the other animals in the vicinity. The star of the day however was one single black Stork that joined his White fellows in the flock.




An eagle soars through a clear blue sky above blurred green trees
Bonelli's Eagle


An eagle stands on a rocky riverbank, surrounded by dry branches, gazing into the distance
Bonelli's Eagle watching the White Storks


I took one photo of the black Stork standing next to a white companion, knowing that the result would probably be under or overexposed due to the huge difference in contrast between both plumages, but the camera (or was it me?) did a great job, even without any exposure compensation.



Two storks wade in water, a white stork and a black stork
White Stork and black Stork both well exposed


Black stork standing in water with wet feathers, red beak dripping.
A graceful black stork


White stork gracefully flying against a clear blue sky
White Stork in flight

Storks are extremely elegant birds and have an overall angelic look, but still their bills are deadly tools when it comes to catching fish, as the photos below prove.




A stork with fish in its beak, surrounded by Spoonbills in shallow water.
White Stork in the presence of some Spoonbills


Two storks fly over a calm water surface.
Trying to get rid of an annoying companion



A stork with black and white wings flies over water, holding a fish in its beak.
Finally, all for me ...


Two storks with black-tipped wings fly over water, a duck floats below.
... another one trying to steal my snack


Heron spreads wings on a rocky riverbank.
Plenty of fish for everybirdy, also for this Grey Heron



A cormorant in water holds a fish in its beak.
This Cormorant looks very ambitious ...


A cormorant catches a fish in its beak, swimming on rippling water.
... or just very hungry


A cormorant catches a fish in its beak, surrounded by splashing water.
Can the fish still escape?

Cormorant with a yellow beak catches a fish in its mouth, swimming in rippling water.
Not a chance!



Stork with black and white feathers wades in water, holding prey in its beak.
Mmm, squid!


Three white storks stand in water, one holding a fish.
Share it with you guys?


Two white storks stand in shallow water, one holding a fish in its beak.
Holy crap, it's not a real squid!


Four storks standing in shallow water, one holding a fish.
It's plastic! Let go!!

Such a saddening sight to see these wonderful creatures mistaking an artificial fishing lure for a squid. Fifteen minutes later another bird tried to swallow it, but fortunately it was an unsuccessful attempt. Plastic is literally everywhere, people.




A stork standing in rippling water.
Another Stork almost fooled to swallow an ugly piece of plastic


A stork with black and white feathers flying over water holding a fish in its beak.
And another successful catch, a real one this time


A cormorant in water catches a fish with its beak.
Bring 'em on!


Cormorant in water catches a fish, its beak open and water rippling around.
Final toss...


A cormorant in water swallowing a fish.
No more escape

A cormorant with yellow throat swims, holding a small fish in its beak.
That will be enough for a while

Unfortunately I also found some appalling things: not only was the area flooded with empty hunting cartridges, I also spotted a White Stork with a plastic bag around its neck. One of those images that you normally see in the news or on social media now in front of my own eyes. One can only hope that the plastic wears of with time.



Discarded shotgun ammunition box on dry leaves with colourful shotgun shells scattered around.
We hunters love and respect nature, Sir!


Three white storks stand in shallow water with muddy banks.
If only I could've helped this one

A stork with white and black feathers flies against a grey sky, carrying plastic debris on its leg.
Another heartbreaking sight


After spending a few hours in the company of these hundreds of birds, I decided it was time to leave. After all I was in a restricted area and I didn't want to push my luck. I safely made my way out and upon leaving I was treated with some more birds of prey!



A hawk with grey-brown feathers soars against a clear blue sky.
Sparrowhawk

I clearly heard the call of a Buzzard, but when I looked up at the sky I saw a Sparrowhawk soaring in circles. Then I heard the miaowing again, no doubt about it. Very high in the sky I then indeed saw a Buzzard! Closely followed by a Griffon Vulture.


And as if that wasn't enough, a pair of Kites graced the sky. A Black and a Red one, peacefully together.



Two birds with brown and black plumage gracefully soar in a clear blue sky.



Two birds of prey soaring in the sky against a pale background.
This is how close the Kites flew together


A brown kite soars with outstretched wings against a clear sky.
Black Kite


A majestic bird with brown and black feathers soars through a clear blue sky.
Red Kite

Overall, an extremely interesting visit to a place that will hopefully get plenty of water in the upcoming weeks, just like the rest of the province. However I don't recommend entering this area yourself, there are probably safer places out there.



Brown bird perched on a leafy green bush under a clear blue sky.
Black Redstart


Five storks with black and white wings soar in a clear blue sky.
See you next time, amigotes!


A white stork with black wingtips flies over a blurred natural landscape.

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