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Description
Embalse de Ayuela is an elongated reservoir teeming with birds, where you can enjoy walking or cycling around in complete tranquility. It is situated in a classic dehesa landscape with cork oaks and holm oaks and fields used for grazing sheep, goats, and cattle. The number of waterbirds on the lake itself depends on the water level and the season (most birds in winter), but the dehesa surrounding the reservoir is always full of birds. The surface of Embalse de Ayuela varies seasonally between 49 and 62 hectares, expanding in late winter and spring and shrinking toward September as evaporation and irrigation demand increase. Because the reservoir fills with winter rains (around 600 mm annually) and slowly contracts through summer, it develops broad muddy margins and small islets that attract waterbirds.
The most attractive part for birdwatching is the northern tip of the reservoir, where large stones protrude above the water and the vegetation is attractive to many birds. A bench with an information board has been placed at that location (1). However, birds can be found all around the lake. In particular, abundant birds here are црвеноглаво страче, планинско ливадарче, славејче, мало црноглаво грмушарче, голема стрнарка and Пупунец. Also good chances on рибарче, Iberian Grey Shrike, Iberian Magpie, црна луња, цуцулест нуркач and Zitting Cisticola.
The amount of waders is dependent on the water level, and most of them are seen in autumn, winter or spring: then Црвенонога сабјарка, зеленонога тринга, речна тринга, шарена тринга, чапја лажичарка, обична бекасина and many more can be observed. In winter сив жерав is often spotted.
Details
Access
Embalse de Ayuela is located north of the town of Alcuéscar and easy to reach by bike of car. You can walk or cycle around the whole reservoir (about 6,5 km) on an unpaved road in good condition. You can park along the western shore of the lake along the gravel road. Press P on the map for directions.
If you don't want to do the whole loop, the most attractive for birding is the eastern shore of the reservoir and especially the northern tip. Note that there isn't much shade on the gravel road around the reservoir, so go early or make sure you are well prepared for the sun and have some water at hand.