📖 Spring’s First Arrival: Guadalhorce

 Date: March 5, 2026

Location: Desembocadora del Guadalhorce, Málaga

After yesterday’s relentless deluge, waking up to clear blue skies felt like more than just a change in weather—it felt like a gift. While the morning started with a brisk 8°C chill, the Andalusian sun soon worked its magic, warming the reserve to a comfortable 16°C.

As I crossed the bridge, the Rio Guadalhorce was running fast and a little high. The air was thick with the "explosive" calls of Cetti’s Warblers and the song of Blackcaps and Serin in the shrubs below.

European Serin

The True Signal of the Seasons

One of the highlights of the morning came as I headed toward the Laguna de la Casilla Hide. Looking up, I caught sight of a mixed group of Barn Swallows and House Martins slicing through the pristine air. For any birder, seeing the "first of the year" is a major milestone. It’s the definitive proof that the seasons are shifting and the great migration is underway.

The scrub along the tracks was equally alive:

• Chiffchaffs calling and Goldfinch singing provided a constant chatter from the bushes.

• A Zitting Cisticola (Fantail Warbler) made a brief appearance, punctuating the air with its relentless, monotonous "chipp."

• High above, a Booted Eagle soared, while the ever-present, noisy Monk Parakeets ensured they were never out of earshot.

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Hide Highlights: Conservation in Action

At the Laguna de la Casilla Hide, I was treated to a sight of five Marbled Ducks. Knowing how successful the reintroduction program has been in this specific pocket of Málaga makes every sighting feel like a personal win for local conservation.

Marbled Duck at Guadalhorce

Moving on to the Del Río Viejo Hide, the pace slowed down. Four Northern Shovelers were tucked up fast asleep on the bank, while a dozen Black-winged Stilts—the elegant staples of the Guadalhorce—roosted on the island alongside a few Redshanks. Just as I was moving on, two more Booted Eagles drifted southward overhead.

Booted Eagle

Shoreline Diversity

I paused at the De Aves Marinas lookout. Despite the harsh glare of the sun hitting the water, the gull diversity was excellent. I managed to pick out various numbers of:

• Mediterranean Gulls

• Lesser Black-backed Gulls

• Yellow-legged Gulls

• Black-headed Gulls

From here, a walk along the beach revealed the aftermath of the recent storms, with debris strewn across the sand. Here, Sanderlings patrolled the tideline with their characteristic clockwork run, while a few Crested Larks picked through the tideline remains. The overhead appearance of a magnificent Osprey was the cherry on top.

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Laguna Grande: The "Smartest" Gulls in Town

The high water levels from the recent rains have significantly reshaped Laguna Grande, pushing the waders into smaller, more concentrated pockets.

Species	Observations
Greater Flamingo	12 not so pink sentinels.
Avocet	7 feeding in the shallows.
Black-necked Grebe	4 diving in the fresh influx of water.
Shelduck	4 keeping a watchful eye.

Greater Flamingo - Laguna Grande

However, the undisputed stars of the show were the three Slender-billed Gulls. There is something uniquely elegant about them; with their elongated necks and refined profiles, for me, they truly are the "smartest" looking gulls in the region. 

Slender-billed Gull at Laguna Grande

*Worth mentioning that I didn't visit the Laguna Escondida today due to a large school party, but I'm aware that at least five White-headed Ducks were showing well. 

White-headed Duck - From a previous visit to Guadalhorce

Final Thought

While the flooding submerged some of the usual wader scrub, the influx of fresh water has clearly revitalised the reserve. Between the first swallows of the year and the rare beauty of the Marbled Ducks, today was a vivid reminder of why the Guadalhorce estuary is such a vital sanctuary.