A second visit to Guadalhorce today, Saturday, March 7th. Being the weekend, it was a little busier than a weekday visit, but the birding was good, with a few species added to Thursday's visit.
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| View from Laguna Escondida Hide |
With no school parties today, I was able to access the Laguna Escondida hide for a close look at another conservation success: the
White-headed Duck.
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| White-tailed Duck today on the Laguna Escondida, Guadalhorce. |
In Andalusia, the White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) is more than just a rare bird; it is the ultimate symbol of European wetland conservation. Locally known as the Malvasía Cabeciblanca, this "stiff-tailed" duck was famously rescued from the very brink of extinction right here in Spain on the lagoons of Córdoba.
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| White-headed Duck |
The Great RecoveryIn 1977, the species was nearly lost to history, with only 22 individuals remaining in the entire world—all of them clinging to life in the Laguna de Zóñar (Aguilar de la Frontera, Córdoba).
Thanks to aggressive protection of wetlands, a ban on hunting, and the controversial but successful removal of the invasive North American Ruddy Duck (which threatened the species through hybridisation), the population has rebounded. Today, Spain hosts about 2,500 of these ducks, with Andalusia remaining their primary stronghold.
Highlights from the Hides:
Del Río Viejo: Wader activity. I managed to pick out Ruff, Greenshank & Kentish Plover, additions to my 2026 Spanish list.
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| Ruff |
De Aves Marinas: Spent some time around the sea lookout, where a 2cy
Mediterranean Gull was just below. It seemed to have a slight issue with one leg, but it appeared otherwise healthy and strong, eventually heading off. A pair of
Sandwich Terns also made a fly-past during my watch.
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| 2cy Mediterranean Gull |
Laguna Grande: The species mix mirrored my earlier trip on Thursday, but with a nice bonus bird: a
Glossy Ibis that flew in and settled during my stay.
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| Record shot of Glossy Ibis, which remained distant during my stay. |
Scrub & Pathside: I was also treated to three separate sightings of
Black Redstart, their distinctive tail-quivers making them easy to spot against the vegetation.
Another productive day in one of Málaga’s best birding pockets. In addition, there were also a few butterflies on the wing, which included a few gorgeous Swallowtails.
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| Swallowtail |
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| Black Redstart - One of three today |
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| Kentish Plover Guadalhorce today. |
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| Greenshank |
Guadalhorce Return Visit
