Our first stop today was the Campiña de Trebujena, a gently rolling agricultural landscape defined by its “albariza” soil—a white, chalky earth perfect for viticulture. This area is a vital refuge for birdlife, especially species that thrive in traditional, low-intensity mosaics of vineyards and olive groves, including our target species, the Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin (locally called the Alzacola). Highly sought after in this region, the species is declining across Europe and listed as “Endangered” in Spain, yet Trebujena remains one of the best places in the world to spot it.
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| One of three Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robins seen during our visit today. |
It didn’t take long to find one—actually, we saw three. We heard one singing almost immediately as we drove past the vineyards and olive groves, and stopped to enjoy and photograph it in the stunning surroundings.
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| Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin |
In an era of intensive farming, Trebujena felt like a sanctuary. In this place, tradition and biodiversity haven't just survived, but are thriving, and we enjoyed a long walk around the area.
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| A classic example of an old Andalusian cortijo (farmhouse) that has fallen into disrepair. |
From the nearby ruins, we watched Lesser Kestrels nesting and flying in and out, but couldn’t spot any Little Owls, which apparently are regular nesters here. During the walk, we encountered: Nightingale, Bee-eaters, Melodious Warbler, Red-rumped Swallows, Crested Lark, Zitting Cisticola and Corn Bunting.
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| A confiding Crested Lark at Trebujena |
Our next stop was Laguna La Mejorada: A former aggregate quarry located just on the edge of Los Palacios y Villafranca, about 25 minutes south of Seville.
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A Black-crowned Night Heron at Laguna La Mejorada |
Despite limited vantage points for open water access, the site delivered a high density of sightings. The tamarisk nesting sites revealed a multi-species colony with Black-crowned Night Herons, Cattle Egrets, and Little Egrets, alongside Glossy Ibis. On the water, we noted at least two active Great Crested Grebe families. The perimeter of the lagoon provided a rich acoustic backdrop, where the distinct purring of the Turtle Dove and the songs of Reed Warblers, Cetti’s Warblers, and Nightingales were heard.
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| Nightingale |
The sky above the quarry was equally active throughout our stay. We recorded more than eleven Black Kites maintaining constant thermal activity, two Lesser Kestrels hunting the perimeter, and a lone Purple Heron on a flyover. A Kingfisher was also noted in transit across the water. However, the true star of the show occurred during our departure when a Little Bittern broke cover, crossing the track at low altitude to provide a rare, close-up look at this elusive species.
A full species listing can be found on my eBird HERE  |
| A fly-by Purple Heron in the heat haze |
Beyond the avian life, the lagoon’s microclimate supports a vibrant population of dragonflies. We noted high Odonata activity levels, specifically observing Violet Dropwings and Northern Banded Groundlings. |
| Violet Dropwing |
Birding Cadiz Province - Part 2: 05/05/26
