Short break to Spain - El Fondo Alicante

 ...a very short break - pretty much two and a half days to an area I have wanted to visit for a while. Particularly the 'El Fondo' reserve a mere thirty minute drive from Alicante Airport.

A two hour delay from Gatwick meant that my drive down to Torrevieja was made in the dark - a shame really having realised on the drive back just how vast the wetland is in this area. Greater flamingo were dotted seemingly on every pool, glowing in the bright Spanish sun. A beautiful country outside of the resorts and away from the sun parched tourists. Thankfully it was relatively quiet at this time of year.

The El Fondo reserve surpassed my expectations. It's a truly stunning reserve, free at the point of entry for everyone to enjoy. It appears to be really well managed. The wooden walkway through the wetland is stunning, where species such as red-knobbed coot, purple swamphen, black-winged stilt and glossy ibis can be seen in close proximity. 

The paths wrap round the reedbeds and waterbodies. Viewing opportunities are limited given the vast area which on reflection I really liked, leaving nature to do it's thing without the impacts of human disturbance (which at weekends can be heightened). The reserve was far from a throng of birdlife at this time of year, but there was undoubted quality. A group of six marbled teal, a new species for me, were observed flying round one of the larger pools on the east side. A real score seeing these at close range as they performed circuits past the hide. Present at this viewpoint, flamingo, black-necked grebe, marsh harrier and a squealing water rail graced the still waters.

Each turn revealed something interesting and over the two visits, the following were noted; two bluethroat, always a stunning bird to see, two penduline tit picked up on its vocalisations, plenty of flamingo, red-crested pochard, common snipe, two fly-through bonelli's eagle, two adult booted eagle on the north side, cetti's warbler and sardinian warbler everywhere. I'm sure the reserve offers a lot more during peak migration.

The only other excursion was a trip to a mountainous area west of Torrevieja at Casa de los Munuera (https://maps.app.goo.gl/PGftcaDJbRPXrPfM9) for a rather fanciful aim of connecting with eagle owl. Walking in a desolate area of rocky crags and scattered pine was quite eerie, but for the presence of two Iberian green woodpecker, Iberian grey shrike and little owl, there was very little else there.

A short trip that did wonders for my body, mind and spirit.