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Breaking the rules for the birds: a late summer evening at Marambay Marshes

Today's birding trip led me to San Fernando, where I followed the Marambay trail, a short and easy walk late in the afternoon. I parked next to a sailing club and continued on foot to a restaurant that overlooked the bay. I had to find my way in through a fallen metal fence, where the actual trail started. After five hundred metres or so there was a sign that said that the trail is now closed for the public. The wooden path leading to a small observation tower is in bad condition indeed, so you have to watch your steps. But unless you go on a wet day, there should be no real problem.




Wooden path with the sea and a tower in the background
Watch out as you walk over this wooden path

This is definitely a good place if you are looking for Whimbrel. I also spotted quite a few Grey Plovers and Ruddy Turnstones.




Whimbrel
Whimbrel


Whimbrel



Whimbrel



Whimbrel in flight




Ruddy Turnstone on the shore
Ruddy Turnstone

A pair of Ruddy Turnstones let me get pretty close to take their portrait. Unfortunately, the sun was not in the perfect position to take the photo that I had in mind.




Pair of Ruddy Turnstones
Pair of Ruddy Turnstones



Marshes with a tower in the background




Common Ringed Plover
Common Ringed Plover


Grey Plover
Grey Plover


Northern Wheatear
Northern Wheatear, observed at the beginning of the track


Northern Wheatear


Towards the end of the trail, I saw more birds species, like Stork, Grey Heron and Mallard. In the far distance I also spotted large groups of Greater Flamingo and Spoonbill.




Greater Flamingo
Greater Flamingo


White Stork
White Stork


White Stork taking off



White Stork




Three Dunlins flying low over the water
Three Dunlins flying over the water

The sun was setting quickly so I didn't have time to walk towards the end of the track. I guess there was almost one kilometre left, but I'm pretty sure there were no different species to see.




Wood Pigeons in a tree against an orange sky during sunset
Wood Pigeons gathering at sunset

One of the disadvantages of visiting the marshes in the evening is the presence of huge swarms of mosquitoes. It was inevitable that a few dozens of them accompanied me into the car and left me with several souvenirs of my visit on my back and shoulders.




Hundreds of mosquitoes against an orange sky
One of the many clouds of mosquitoes against the evening sky



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