Spoonbills, Cattle Egrets and Glossy Ibis.

Having never been birding in Spain before I was totally unprepared for the numbers of each species present. At home a Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret and even a Spoonbill causes something of a stir locally. Here, on the marsh at La Janda were literally hundreds of each species, Cattle Egrets especially so, there must be many thousands present throughout the whole of Southern Andalucía.

Of course the key is the marsh itself, well what remains of the marsh. It was drained for agriculture over a period of a hundred years, an activity that was completed back in the sixties. If there is a wet winter or spring the birds turn up. Whilst our holiday was damp and the old marsh was flooded in parts, the human inhabitants of this area fear that climate change will bring the dry desert environment of northern Africa to Spain, not a pleasant prospect.

The Spoonbills preferred the mud in the canals and the drowned rice fields, flocks of 40+ birds were numerous but oddly enough difficult to get close to. Individual birds on the banks of the irrigation ditches were much more obliging. One bird that we approached in the car just stood and watched as I pointed the lens at him and then promptly tucked his bill between his wings and went to sleep.

This adult showing the shift into breeding plumage, bushy crest, ochre breast patch, red throat patch and yellow tip to bill.

 

 

This juvenile far too busy feeding to pay any attention to the photographer

 

 

Getting out of the car or any attempt to get closer usually resulted in this behaviour.

 

The Cattle Egrets were truly ubiquitous but the breeding colony on La Janda was something special, really close quarters, in fact too close for 300mm lens. The noise was something else and I guess later in the season the smell might be a factor not to be ignored. Within the space of three days the size of the colony increased dramatically and was also swelled by the presence of good numbers of Glossy Ibis. Locals estimate 600 breeding pairs use the colony - can't argue with that as they were literally everywhere.



 

 

Glossy Ibis were numerous and often in flocks up to 20 strong, however they were just pairing up and selecting nest sites. Watching these two exchanging twigs was very entertaining.

 
As the water levels dropped on the rice paddies more birds came in and seemed to be finding plenty to eat.

 

Nice to see the glossy plumage, most of the birds I have seen in the UK have lacked this quality.