Guadalhorce River Estuary, protected natural site
MALAGA – Best coastal bird watching spot in Andalusia … and perhaps in all of Spain.
Coastal wetland
Water birds
White-headed duck
Dragonflies
Natural beach
The mouth of the Guadalhorce, called “El Guada” by local birdwatchers, is the most important wetland in the province of Malaga along with the Fuente de Piedra lagoon. It is undoubtedly the best place to watch birds on the Costa del Sol (ebird file) and possibly throughout eastern Andalusia. It is located west of the city of Malaga and at a stone’s throw from the airport (access from Malaga with bus line 5, stop 1013 C / Manuel Curros Enriquez).
This natural site is a riverine island of 120 ha, formerly used as agricultural land (Finca La Isla), and that today consists of a complex of disused gravel pits and a dead arm of the river. The latter recalls the old marshes present in the estuary which were gradually drained. The estuary is constituted by a curious mixture (half natural, half artificial) of former agricultural lands and aquatic environments: five permanent water lagoons, temporary ponds, two arms of the Guadalhorce river and the wild beach along the Mediterranean coast.
The geographical location and habitats have not lost any attraction for birds, quite the contrary, since the estuary has become a true ecological island within a highly urbanized coast. More than 300 bird species have been identified in this space and some days up to 80 different species are observed! A true festival of feathers and songs. This is how the naturalists’ community of Malaga became one of the most active in the region.
Close to Málaga, the Guadalhorce River estuary wetland is one of the most attractive wetland for birdwatching in Andalusia. In fact, this is the Spanish richest bird site in e-bird!
Geographical fun: the ‘Old River’, a former meander of the Guadalhorce, today a coastal lagoon set on a river island!
White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala). Photo: Bouke ten Cate.
The seabird observatory on the Espigón del Brazo de Levante dyke.
Like other Andalusian wetlands, the ornithological interest of the site increases with wintering and migrations. The end of spring and summer are generally the least interesting seasons … although the sedentary presence of the white-headed ducks (Oxyura leucocephala) turns out to be a splendid attraction. Moreover, the following species reproduce locally in the wetland: little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and small plover (Charadrius dubius). The lagoons attract waterfowl and there is no shortage of ducks, herons, coots, western swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) and some specialized passerines. It is also easy to observe pelagic seabirds from the beach, especially in winter: Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus), great skua (Stercorarius skua), gannet (Morus bassanus), common scoter (Melanitta nigra), among others. Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) reproduces on the beach.
Another interesting fact for experienced birdwatchers: the Guada turns out to be a great magnet for ornithological oddities, especially species that move through the Mediterranean, all of which explains the mythical number of the more than 300 species.
As you can see, the Guadalhorce estuary is an essential place to visit for naturalists, and in particular for ornithologists: an incomparable diversity in such a small space. Do not forget your telescope.
We offer a Málaga wildlife tour which is perfect to explore ist best natural areas and taste the Mediterranean feel.
The mouth of the Guadalhorce, called “El Guada” by local birdwatchers, is the most important wetland in the province of Malaga along with the Fuente de Piedra lagoon. It is undoubtedly the best place to watch birds on the Costa del Sol (ebird file) and possibly throughout eastern Andalusia. It is located west of the city of Malaga and at a stone’s throw from the airport (access from Malaga with bus line 5, stop 1013 C / Manuel Curros Enriquez).
This natural site is a riverine island of 120 ha, formerly used as agricultural land (Finca La Isla), and that today consists of a complex of disused gravel pits and a dead arm of the river. The latter recalls the old marshes present in the estuary which were gradually drained. The estuary is constituted by a curious mixture (half natural, half artificial) of former agricultural lands and aquatic environments: five permanent water lagoons, temporary ponds, two arms of the Guadalhorce river and the wild beach along the Mediterranean coast.
The geographical location and habitats have not lost any attraction for birds, quite the contrary, since the estuary has become a true ecological island within a highly urbanized coast. More than 300 bird species have been identified in this space and some days up to 80 different species are observed! A true festival of feathers and songs. This is how the naturalists’ community of Malaga became one of the most active in the region.
Like other Andalusian wetlands, the ornithological interest of the site increases with wintering and migrations. The end of spring and summer are generally the least interesting seasons … although the sedentary presence of the white-headed ducks (Oxyura leucocephala) turns out to be a splendid attraction. Moreover, the following species reproduce locally in the wetland: little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and small plover (Charadrius dubius). The lagoons attract waterfowl and there is no shortage of ducks, herons, coots, western swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) and some specialized passerines. It is also easy to observe pelagic seabirds from the beach, especially in winter: Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus), great skua (Stercorarius skua), gannet (Morus bassanus), common scoter (Melanitta nigra), among others. Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) reproduces on the beach.
Another interesting fact for experienced birdwatchers: the Guada turns out to be a great magnet for ornithological oddities, especially species that move through the Mediterranean, all of which explains the mythical number of the more than 300 species.
As you can see, the Guadalhorce estuary is an essential place to visit for naturalists (link to the ebird file), and in particular for ornithologists: an incomparable diversity in such a small space. Do not forget your telescope.
MORE INFO ON THE WEB
Birdwatching circuit (map)
Updated checklist