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La Janda |  |
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La Janda
January 9 2010
We enjoyed these ...
... huge, deserted wetlands very much:
Deserted? Well, indeed, because except our polish ringer friend we didn't meet a single soul for hours. Who would like to be on the way on these pathes? Only such funny ‚birds' like the birder!
We got an idea how La Janda must have looked in its originally shape of a lagoon before ...
... the water was used for a reservoir:
Because of the huge flooding the about 1.400 cranes moved back and were out of reach also for us, because they were standing on private grounds. In the background they are to be recognized unfocused. But we could hear their beautiful calls!
Our polish friend was on his way with antenna and receiver to catch the signals of tagged cranes. And he was successful and located one from Germany and one from Estonia. We talked for quite a while and learned much interesting. For example A. explained to us, that the everywhere present wind wheels are switched off as soon as a flock of birds is sighted. The Junta de Andalucía pays a private company, which got more than 20 employees. And they are the whole day on the way in this region to look for birds, have access to the control center of the wind wheels and are allowed to switch these off in case of danger for the nearing birds. Of course they won't switch it off for a single buzzard, but the controls are very strict. My goodness how comforting was this information for us! - A. also had an explanation for the new bases for storks nests, which we happily saw in San Roque. Now these bases are financed with money from the EU. There are strict constrains, that all nests, which disappear because of human actions have to be replaced. That nature protection also in practice, will not operate perfectly, but in general satisfying, I find this basically ingenious!
We continued our way and because the protecting high reed fell victim to the mass of water ...
... easily the usually very shy purple moorhen can be discovered everywhere:
"My home is underwater and I got much to do!"
Purple moorhens move normally between the reed and are rather seldom to be seen while flying.
"These purple moorhens shouldn't behave like scared up chicken! So much water everywhere is just terrific!"
This also the cattle egrets felt and ...
... thousands and thousands of lapwings, which ...
... scattered on the wet fields ...
... were standing at Benalup:
And with this nice kestrel lady, which was posing quietly on a tree beside the road this report ends. Those were wonderful hours in La Janda, which presented itself yesterday from a very different side to us.
Best regards
Birgit Kremer
End