We're in the middle of summer which means temperatures can be unbearable during the day in the south of Spain at this time of year. It was essential to set off very early to day, even though my walk was near the coast. I was hoping to see some new species, but initially I was a bit disappointed with the number of birds I saw in this area. If I had a telescope, I'm sure I would have seen more, especially wader birds that were stepping in the mud further inland.

It is a very pleasant walk which brings you to the furthest point of the Camposoto beach, opposite the Sancti Petri Marina and with a view on the castle on a little island. I had only seen this castle in photographs on the internet and I must say I had imagined it to be more beautiful. Actually it didn't look like a castle at all.


No huge flocks of birds along the way, but I was lucky to run into some very interesting individuals, like Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Whimbrel and Curlew.




I witnessed a funny encounter between a Ruddy Turnstone and a crab. Well, not so funny for the crab, as the following photographs show …




The Turnstone was not the only bird involved in a fight. If you take the time to look well around you, and sometimes high above in the sky, you come to see some amazing scenes. A Tern had snatched a fish right in front of an angry Gull, which led to the Tern being chased in mid-air.




I was pleasantly surprised by the number of information boards that were installed along the path to prevent visitors from entering the breeding area of the Kentish Plover.

I didn't spot any Kentish Plovers until I reached the Sancti Petri Marina. There I also saw Oystercatchers, Sanderlings and my new species of the day: four Bar-tailed Godwits.








A very interesting place which deserves another visit, but definitely in a different season, because by the time I reached the furthest point of the route, near the castle, it had already become uncomfortably hot.
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