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Remarkable sightings during a birding trip to Sendero Tres Amigos

Visiting Sendero Tres Amigos in San Fernando turned out to be a rewarding birding adventure filled with unexpected sights and moments of wonder. At first glance, the walk seemed uneventful, with only a few birds visible, such as Black-winged Stilts and Redshanks. These elegant waders, though delightful, didn’t hint at the abundance I would soon witness.



Starting point of the route


Redshank
Redshank


Black-winged Stilt standing in the water
Black-winged Stilt


Marshes
The marshes seemed empty at first sight ...


Waders standing in shallow water
... but soon I spotted large numbers of waders


As I progressed along the trail, the scene transformed dramatically, revealing thousands of birds, primarily waders, scattered across the wetlands. Among them were Dunlins and Kentish Plovers, busy foraging and moving gracefully across the water’s edge, their sheer numbers creating a mesmerizing sight.




A group of waders in flight, including Kentish Plovers
A group of waders in flight, including Kentish Plovers



A huge cloud of waders flying over a river
A huge cloud of waders flying over river Arillo






Three Dunlins looking for food
Three Dunlins looking for food



Osprey flying low
Osprey flying into the marshes

One of the highlights of the visit was undoubtedly the encounter with an Osprey. While I have often observed Ospreys perched or flying with a fish securely gripped in their claws, witnessing one divebomb into the water was an entirely new and exhilarating experience. The bird’s incredible speed and precision as it plunged into the water with its feet thrust forward to snatch its prey left me in awe.



Osprey flying over the trees



Osprey diving in flight
Osprey starting its dive

Osprey diving while pointing its claws towards the water
Pointing its claws towards the water


Osprey diving into the water
Splash!


Nice catch!


Osprey flying with a fish in its claws



The power and elegance of this predator in action are unforgettable, and it served as a vivid reminder of the raw beauty of nature. Shortly after, a large group of Pied Avocets added another layer of magic to the walk. These striking waders, with their upturned bills and synchronized movements, created opportunities for stunning photographs. Their coordinated flight across the sky allowed me to experiment with a lower shutter speed, capturing the fluidity and grace of their movement in ways that felt almost artistic.



Avocets flying low over the water
Avocets photographed using a low shutter speed



Four Avocets flying in front of the Constitution Bridge
Four Avocets flying in front of the Constitution Bridge


Group of Avocets walking through shallow water
The Avocets were finding it somewhat hard to wade into the strong wind


Huge flock of Avocets flying over the water
Part of the impressively huge flock



At the beginning of the walk, a gentle breeze accompanied me, providing a pleasant atmosphere for birdwatching. However, as I drew closer to the coastline, the wind intensified significantly. At its strongest, it was nearly impossible to keep my camera steady, making photography a challenge. Despite the gusts, the rewards were plentiful along the route. One unforgettable moment was encountering a massive flock of mixed waders, their coordinated flight forming ever-shifting patterns in the sky.



Large group of waders flying over the water



Also, groups of Linnets and Serins added splashes of colour to the scene, while Kentish Plovers darted nimbly along the shoreline. These vivid displays of birdlife more than compensated for the difficulty posed by the wind.




A mixed flock of Linnets and Serins
A mixed flock of Linnets and Serins


Flying Serin with some approaching waders in the background
Serin with some approaching waders in the background


A Little Egret watching a flock of waders
A lone Little Egret watching a flock of waders



Another remarkable sight was a pair of Yellow-legged Gulls. Known for their adaptability and opportunistic feeding habits, these birds are always intriguing to observe. What made this encounter particularly astonishing was seeing one of the gulls carrying a hare. While it’s unlikely the bird had caught and killed the hare itself, the sight was no less impressive. It served as a powerful example of the adaptability and resourcefulness that have made this species so successful.




Gull flying carrying a dead hare



Two gulls having a quarrel
The same gull having a quarrel a bit later



Meadow Pipit standing next to the water
Meadow Pipit



Grey Heron standing in shallow water
Grey Heron


Silver Plover
Silver Plover


Kestrel flying low over the marshes
Kestrel flying low over the marshes


An enormous flock of Starlings
An enormous flock of Starlings



Adding to the day’s highlights was a close encounter with a Great Cormorant. I watched in fascination as it skillfully chased fish through the water, its sleek body slicing through the surface with ease. What made this moment even more special was how close the bird allowed me to get. Entirely unbothered by my presence, the cormorant continued its pursuit, offering me a rare opportunity to capture detailed photographs.


Great Cormorant
Great Cormorant



Ruddy Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstone


Little Egret standing in the water
Little Egret




The Tres Amigos route has seen significant improvements over the years. What was once a somewhat perilous path requiring a brief but nerve-wracking crossing of a busy road is now far more accessible, thanks to the installation of a new bridge over the Arillo River. This enhancement has made the route safer and more enjoyable, allowing birders to focus on the surrounding nature without concerns about traffic.



Bridge over a river



Whimbrel
Whimbrel



Throughout the walk, I observed a total of 38 bird species, each adding its own touch of excitement to the day. Among these, a low-flying Swift stood out as particularly remarkable. Spotting this species so late in the year was both unexpected and thrilling. As the wind settled down near the end of my walk, the Swift’s agile flight brought it close to a group of Crag Martins, offering a perfect conclusion to an already memorable outing.



Crag Martin
Crag Martin


With its mix of tranquil wetlands, coastal breezes, and thriving birdlife, Sendero Tres Amigos once again proved itself a must-visit destination for birdwatchers.




Osprey flying with a fish in its claws

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