The lake is a man made shallow quarry excavated to provide materials for the greenhouse constructions and flooded about twenty years ago. During the subsequent period significant reed beds have developed, aquatic plants have thrived and a waterfowl, wader and general bird population of about 100 species has caused the authorities to give it a reserve status.

Only a few days ago I visited the lake with Chris, a keen photographer who wants to do some bird photography to enhance these short articles. We chose a bad day, it was windy, cloudy and cold. The birds were sheltering and the wind made the camera with it’s 400mm lens difficult to hold, even with a tripod.

Today was very different. The skies were bright blue, the temperature warm and the gentle breeze did not disturb the birds – but, unfortunately, I didn’t have a cameraman to capture the moment. You will have to take my word for it that I saw all the birds listed below and that they are not a figment of my fertile imagination.

Hopefully, by now, some of you will have obtained a bird book or found your way round internet sites to check what the birds I write about actually look like.

On arrival at the lake it was not the birds on the water which took the attention but the many hundreds of birds swooping in the sky. Swallows and Martins skimmed above the water whilst Swifts hunted at a higher level. Never have I been so close to the action, indeed on several occasions they passed within a few metres as they homed in on their prey.

On a small spit of land jutting into the lake twenty large black Cormorants stood with their wings spread out to dry in the sun. These birds swim underwater for quite lengthy periods as they chase their diet of fish. Chinese fishermen captured and trained these birds to fish for them hundreds of years ago.

Alongside the Cormorants stood thirty or more white Egrets taking a rest from wading along the water edge seeking frogs, newts and small fish whilst only a few metres offshore a flock of about thirty White Faced Ducks slept whilst bobbing about on the water.

Turning towards the reed-bed I spotted two Purple Gallinules apparently constructing a well hidden nest deep in the reeds whilst several of their distant cousins, the Moorhens scurried close by. At least six Grey Herons also live by the lake so the life expectancy of frogs is presumably fairly short.

Throughout my visit I heard numerous warblers singing in the reeds but never saw a single one for more than a fleeting glance so was unable to make any firm identification. Experts, and I am not yet one of them, can differentiate the various species through their bird song so I must get a CD or DVD to pursue this skill.

Throughout the two hour period I positively identified the following 30 birds and maybe missed as many again. I only covered a small percentage of the lake and surrounding area and could reasonably expect to double this score over a series of maybe half a dozen visits to different areas. I will keep you posted – but better still why don’t you join me?

Land-based birds:-

Swallow, Red-Rumped Swallow
House Martin
Swift, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift
Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail
Sparrows, House and Spanish
Chiffchaff
Collared Dove
Spotless Starling
Kestrel

Waders:-
Grey Heron
Egret
Moorhen
Purple Gallinule
Coot
Black Winged Stilts
Herring

Gulls:-
Black Headed
Mediterranean

Ducks:-
Pochard
Mallard
Shoveller
Pintail
Tufted

Almerimar is a great place to live as an expat amongst the expats, or to work amongst the Spanish. There are all kinds of properties including villas, apartments and town houses for rent or sale. It is a very traditional part of Spain, with traditional Spanish foods so if you plan to travel to Spain either to look for jobs, for your company to trade with companies in Spain, or to learn Spanish and enjoy the Spanish weather then come and take a look.

If you are interested in purchasing a property in Almerimar please visit our sponsors Mirror of the Sun or Mediterraspain