Distant Flamingos, Lakes & Mountains

Wednesday 21^st March

Today was a day off from the house and the planned trip to see the flamingos. However, could’nt resist putting the polished front door handles back on before we left. The weather was cool but sunny , and we drove to Fuente de Piedra via Campillos, stopping off near Teba at a bird watching layby to try and spot eagles…saw a few large birds of prey soaring high above the mountain crags but unable to identify them.

Arrived at the lake at about 11 am, where it was sunny but very cold with a strong biting wind. The visitor centre was shut, so we started walking towards the dried up lake, and watched a kestrel at very close quarters hunting for mice and voles I guess. Also quite a few wading birds near the lake.

We walked along a dirt track with no sign of water in the lake, let alone flamingos, and met some English people coming back. The strong wind had apparently blown the water to the other side of the lake, and it was a 10 km walk to the where the flamingos were.

We walked back to the visitor centre which was open, and obtained a map and directions to where the flamingos were. Drove round the lake, with unusual olive groves on either side, where each tree had been formed into 4 trunks with earth banked around them, presumably to increase the olive yield.

Eventually found a look-out point, and far in the distance in the middle of the lake were the flamingos……about 16,000 pairs apparently, but they just appeared as a pink mass. Smaller flocks could be seen around the main group through the binoculars, and individual birds could be seen through an astronomical telescope another English couple had…….all in all, a great disappointment.

We drove round the lake and found an unofficial but better view point nearer the flamingos, but not much better.

We drove back via the El Chorro lakes and had lunch at the restaurant there, and then went to Coin to look for a shower drain, and came across what appeared to be an agricultural fair , but with loads of horses and a few donkeys, with horses being judged in the main hall. Wandered around the stalls and found a friendly donkey who I took a shine to.