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Looking for chicks in the salt pans of Chiclana

There is probably no better time to get out into nature and observe birds than in spring. In early May, most birds are busy breeding or raising their young. Today was a perfect day to visit the Santa Maria de Jesus salt pans in Chiclana. The temperatures show that summer is just around the corner. Under a bright sun, a pleasant breeze provided welcome refreshment.



Gateways to the salt pans
The starting point of my walk


Near the statue of Melkart, of which there are a few more along other routes in Chiclana, I began my observation. I soon noticed a few Black-winged Stilts among the reeds. They didn't seem disturbed by my presence at all.


Statue of Melkart
Statue of Melkart

Black-winged Stilt among the reeds
Black-winged Stilt among the reeds


A Swamphen was also a notable presence. Unfortunately I only saw adult birds, there was no trace of any young. A little further in the reeds were a few families of mallards, with many cute ducklings cautiously venturing outside the nest.



Swamphen among the reeds
Swamphen among the reeds

Two ducklings in the water
Two endearing ducklings

Family of mallards
Part of the family on an outing


About a hundred meters further I found a Kentisch Plover on a small island in the water. A number of Little Terns also landed nearby. I witnessed a beautiful spectacle, where the male came to offer the female a fish. Something I would see several more times later in the afternoon. The fish was always gratefully accepted.



Kentish plover greets a little tern
Kentish plover greets one of the little terns

Little Tern in flight
Soon another Little Tern appears on the scene

Two Little Terns
Not much later, the first fish is offered...
Two Little Terns
...which is gratefully accepted
Two Little Terns



Not all birds were as hospitable as the species I had encountered so far. A Lesser Black-backed Gull made it clear to me that I was not very welcome here, with loud screeching and countless dives right above my head. While I was taking pictures of a large group of Ringed Plovers resting on another island in the salt pans, I kept an eye on the gull just to be sure. I would not have been the first to suffer an attack on the head during the breeding season.



Lesser Black-backed Gull in a dive
Lesser Black-backed Gull in a dive

Lesser Black-backed Gull in a dive


Ringed Plover
A first Ringed Plover!

Pair of Little Terns
Another pair of Little Terns


Pair of Little Terns
The water was apparently teeming with small fish


I searched in vain for larger wading birds such as the Whimbrel, when I heard another hellish screech just above my head. The gull tried to chase me away again, this time flying low from over land!



Low flying Lesser Black-backed Gull


Lesser Black-backed Gull in a dive
Another dive!

At one of the road intersections I saw a bridge leading to Sendero del Carrascón, another interesting area in nearby San Fernando, easily accessible if you like a brisk walk.



Bridge in the salt pans between Chiclana and San Fernando
Bridge to San Fernando

From a dilapidated wooden jetty I had a view of another island. I saw two Silver Plovers and a little further a large group of Ringed Plovers, Curlew Sandpipers, Dunlins and even more Little Terns, all peacefully fraternizing.


Salt pans of Chiclana


Silver Plover in flight
One of two Silver Plovers

One large group of Ringed Plovers and sandpipers
One large group of Ringed Plovers and sandpipers

A single Little Tern among the wading birds
A single Little Tern among the wading birds

Every now and then a Little Tern flew by with a fish in its beak. I found myself in a place where I could easily have sat for a few more hours enjoying all the birds surrounding me. The only species I missed were the flamingos. After fifteen minutes, three flew by high in the air, but they did not land.



Little Tern with a fish in its beak
Little Tern

Three flamingos high in the sky


In the distance, on the other side of a canal, I noticed a fairly large group of Little Terns. And I also saw and heard a number of Avocets on the ground. Something seemed to be going on, because the birds were very nervous.


Group of Little Terns in the sky
The Little Terns all flew together in the same direction...

Male Kestrel in flight
...straight towards a male Kestrel!

Kestrel among Little Terns in the sky
There was quite a commotion up there in the sky
Avocet chases Kestrel through the sky
Soon the Avocets also joined the debate!

This spectacle reminded me of a group of Avocets that I had seen chasing away a Black Kite in the Marshes of Cetina. Another innocent quarrel, I thought at first.



Avocet chasing Kestrel in the sky

Less than a minute later, the Kestrel separated itself, briefly hovered in the air... and then plunged down at high speed, among the Avocets on the ground. Now it became clear to me that the bird of prey had no peaceful intentions and I understood why the Avocets had tried at all costs to chase it away...



Kestrel chased by two Avocets
The Kestrel runs off with one of the young!

Kestrel chased by an Avocet
Efforts to save the young were in vain

A little further on I had the opportunity to photograph a Yellow Wagtail that was looking for food in the mud.



Yellow Wagtail foraging in the mud
Yellow Wagtail foraging in the mud

Yellow Wagtail stepping in the mud
Gotcha!

A small colony of House Sparrows also lives near the restaurant, including a number of young birds.



Young House Sparrow begging for food
Young House Sparrow begging for food (on the right)

I had already experienced quite a few interesting moments during my walk, but I wanted to make another attempt to catch a glimpse of the young Swamphens and Moorhens that were probably well hidden in the reeds close to where I started. But before I got there, a Kentish Plover caught my eye. A female, accompanied by two tiny chicks!



Kentish plover with two chicks
Kentish plover with two chicks

Kentish Plover chick
Every now and then a chick ventures a little further

Kentish Plover chick
The camouflage does a decent job

Female Kentish Plover
but the female always keeps an eye on the chicks

Kentish Plover male
On the other side, the male also keeps an eye on things

Group of gulls resting on the ground
Be alert with a group of gulls nearby!

More young


Finally, would I manage to spot more chicks? After waiting fifteen minutes at a small swampy area, my patience was rewarded.




Mallard duck with young on the nest
Mallard duck with young on the nest

Young Swamphen with parent bird
Young Swamphen with parent bird in the foreground

Coot with young in the reeds
Coot with young

Coot young
Coot young

Moorhen with three chicks
Moorhen with three chicks

Conclusion


A relaxing route full of beautiful observations, especially recommended in spring!



Zoutpannen van Chiclana


Big family of mallards on the water
A large family


2 comments

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2 Comments


Unknown member
May 07, 2024

Ohhh que de pollitos pudiste fotografiar! Estuvo entretenido el paseo! Los charranes! Y el cernícalo ladrón!!! Buen documental!

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Unknown member
May 07, 2024
Replying to

¡Estuvo muy entretenido! Para ver los pollitos hay que tener paciencia, ¡pero ahora es el momento!

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