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Salinas de Bonanza

Cadiz Province  >  Spain

The premier site in Cadiz province for waders, gulls terns, etc. A good track takes you through the saltpans giving great opportunities for bird photography.

Added* by John Cantelo
Most recent update 21 October 2021

Description

Salinas Nuestra Señora del Rocío is a flat open area with both active and disused saltpans. Best covered by car (which can act as a hide) with short stops. The route along the river is bests tackled on foot as the track is very poor but be careful not to cause excessive disturbance and be aware that the route can be very exposed and hot in late spring and early autumn. This is the must-visit site in Cadiz province for wading birds.

A good track takes you through working salinas which attract numerous waders particularly during passage when you can expect good numbers of Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin , Sanderling, Avocet ,Black-winged Stilt Kentish Plover etc. Red-necked Phalarope is regular in small numbers. Stay in your car to make the most of photographic opportunities. Huge numbers of Greater Flamingo present (and Lesser Flamingo has been recorded) plus Little Egret and Great Egret (increasing). Passage also brings Black Stork some of which winter. A good site for Glossy Ibis. It is also an excellent site for Slender-billed Gull and terns such as Little Tern Caspian Tern and Whiskered Tern. In autumn and winter Osprey are unmissable. Western Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle & Black Kite are frequent and it's one of the few areas in Cadiz province where Red Kite can be regularly found. For many years it has been possible to turn right at the T-junction (see map) to reach a small white building (a pumping station) but this route is sometimes gated and can only be approached on foot. If you can reach the pumping station it can be particularly attractive for gulls, terns etc.

Instead of turning right at the T-junction by going left you reach the Guadalquivir river. Park on the track before you reach the river and walk north parallel with the river. Away from the wetter salinas check the salt tolerant low vegetation along the river for Spectacled Warbler (summer) and Lesser Short-toed Lark (resident). Western Yellow Wagtail (Belonging to the Spanish race) are numerous. Bushes here may also hold migrants (e.g. Subalpine Warbler). Keep checking for raptors on the far side of the river as there's an outside chance of seeing a Spanish Eagle here. It's possible to walk further along the track by the river than shown but this route will get you most of the species with minimal effort.

Details

Access

Access is signposted off the minor road between Bonanza and Algaida to the north of Sanlucar de Barrameda. Best explored by car with frequent stops and, where tracks are poor on foot.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Mud flats , River

Conditions

Flat , Dusty , High water possible

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

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