Spain; P N del Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca, Castellón
March 2016, list with updates
Vagrant Emperor (Anax ephippiger) male near the visitor centre
Location of P N del Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca, south of the Ebro delta and Tortosa. Details of trails in WWBNES (see reference sources) and free map and booklet from visitor centre
Species recorded on two one-day visits from the Ebro delta in winter, plus the odd stop-off in spring
Whilst staying at the Ebro delta one hour to the north, we first took the opportunity to visit this lesser known wetland in the province of Castellón in March 2016. We visited again in March 2017. The site is covered in WWBNES and briefly in BGES (see reference sources). Vastly overshadowed by more famous sites to the north and south, the province itself is no doubt overlooked by most visiting birders. However, as is often the case in Spain, the site proved impressive, even though it rained all morning and part of the afternoon (2016). These were only day trips, the area merits far more time than that, even in mid-March.
On both visits, we began at the north end, the NEW visitor centre is on the outskirts of Torrenostra. Note that the reference sources listed refer to the old visitor centre at the southern end, Torre de la Sal. This northern area proved very productive, so much so that in 2016 we barely had time to explore the other main area at the southern end. The centre itself has a viewing area and info desk overlooking a superb scrape (see photo gallery); well managed with plenty of birds including new arrivals like Little Ringed Plovers and Yellow Wagtails (2016). The staff there were very helpful and spoke English, a booklet (in English) and an equally useful large scale map were obtained there. Stairs lead to an upper level/observation tower with extensive views looking south over the reserve. Outside, a sort of wildlife garden borders this part of the reedbed. This has two wooden observation towers overlooking the same scrape and reedbeds, and inland west towards the mountains. Viewing from here we had a break in the weather (2016) for nearly an hour, the breeze turned SW, and visible migration was observed; 1 White Stork, 1 Osprey, 1 Pallid Swift, 3 Alpine Swifts, 2 Red-rumped Swallows and many other hirundines all heading NE. The pebble beach here also has some interesting plants. Prior to this we walked the northern trail (2016), about 5 kms, in pouring rain, but still saw a good number of species on the lagoons.
2016 - We then drove south down the N-340 to the southern end at Torre de la Sal, where two trails start, one 2.5 kms the other 6 kms. With Easter looming and the associated school holidays, there was plenty of activity here, mostly human and all emanating from motorhomes and caravans, for which there is ample parking! On a brief recce, these trails looked very interesting, with canals, ditches, wet meadows, reedbeds and the shingle beach. A fine day in May outside of holiday periods would be perfect.
2017 - We walked the 2.5 kms trail, interesting although still a month or so early to see most migrants. The wetlands to the landward side are much encroached upon, although that does at least create some habitat diversity, with the land often being used for fruit trees.
Generally a very promising area, probably best in late April/May as is usually the case.
By the amount of cartridge cases we saw this wildfowl-rich zone is probably best avoided from October to the end of January.
Spain; P N del Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca GALLERY
REFERENCE SOURCES
'WWBNES' - Where to Watch Birds in Northern & Eastern Spain. Michael Rebane & Ernest Garcia. Helm, 2008.
'BGES' - A Birdwatching Guide to Eastern Spain. Malcolm Palmer/Luis Fidel. Arlequin, 2001.
The free booklet (in english) and 1:15,000 scale map from the visitor centre are invaluable.
Park info (English)
BirdLife factsheet
BIRDS - 76 species
Eurasian Wigeon - Anas penelope - 5 31/3/17.
Gadwall - Anas strepera
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata
Red-crested Pochard - Netta rufina - Max. 100+ 18/3/16.
Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis - 1 24/5/25
Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus
Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo
Little Bittern - Ixobrychus minutus - 2 (male, female) 31/3/17.
Squacco Heron - Ardeola ralloides - 1 31/3/17.
Little Egret - Egretta garzetta
Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea
Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea - 1 31/3/17.
White Stork - Ciconia ciconia - 1 18/3/16.
Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus
Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus - 1 18/3/16.
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo
Osprey - Pandion haliaetus - 1 18/3/16.
Common Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus
Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus
Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus
Purple Swamphen - Porphyrio porphyrio - heard 31/3/17.
Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra
Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus
Collared Pratincole - Glareola pratincola - 2 24/5/25
Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius - 4 18/3/16.
Kentish Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus - 1 18/3/16. 2 31/3/17.
Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago - c10 18/3/16. 2 31/3/17.
Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus - 1 18/3/16.
Common Redshank - Tringa totanus
Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus
Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus - c30 18/3/16.
Audouin's Gull - Larus audouinii
Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus
Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis
Little Tern - Sterna albifrons - 1 24/5/25
Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybridus - 1 24/5/25
Common Wood Pigeon - Columba palumbus
Eurasian Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto
Pallid Swift - Apus pallidus - 1 visitor centre 18/3/16.
Alpine Swift - Apus melba - 3 visitor centre 18/3/16.
Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis
Hoopoe - Upupa epops
Sand Martin - Riparia riparia
Eurasian Crag Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica
Common House Martin - Delichon urbicum
Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica - 2 visitor centre 18/3/16.
Tawny Pipit - Anthus campestris - 1 31/3/17.
Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis - 1 31/3/17.
Water Pipit - Anthus spinoletta - numerous 18/3/16. 1 31/3/17.
Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava - 2 18/3/16. 2 31/3/17.
White Wagtail - Motacilla alba
European Robin - Erithacus rubecula
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros
European Stonechat - Saxicola rubicola
Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe - 1 male 31/3/17.
Cetti's Warbler - Cettia cetti
European Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus scirpaceus - 2+ 24/5/25
Zitting Cisticola - Cisticola juncidis
Moustached Warbler - Acrocephalus melanopogon - heard only, 18/3/16. 1 31/3/17.
Sardinian Warbler - Sylvia melanocephala
Eurasian Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla
Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita
Eurasian Penduline Tit - Remiz pendulinus - occasionally heard, 1 seen visitor centre 18/3/16.
Common Magpie - Pica pica
Spotless Starling - Sturnus unicolor
Common Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus
Eurasian Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus 4+ 31/3/17.
European Serin - Serinus serinus
European Greenfinch - Carduelis chloris
European Goldfinch - Carduelis carduelis
Common Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui - 3+ 31/3/17.
Speckled wood - Pararge aegeria - 1 near visitor centre 18/3/16.
Geranium Bronze - Cacyreus marshalli - 1 31/3/17.
Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans - 3 24/5/25
Vagrant Emperor - Anax ephippiger - 1 male near visitor centre in a brief sunny spell 18/3/16. 5+ 31/3/17.
Red-veined Darter - Sympetrum fonscolombii - 10+ near visitor centre 31/3/17.
Coastal (Sea) Medick - Medicago marina
Sage-leaved Rockrose - Cistus salviifolius
Mediterranean Catchfly - Silene colorata
Vagrant Emperor (Anax ephippiger) male near the visitor centre
Location of P N del Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca, south of the Ebro delta and Tortosa. Details of trails in WWBNES (see reference sources) and free map and booklet from visitor centre
Species recorded on two one-day visits from the Ebro delta in winter, plus the odd stop-off in spring
Whilst staying at the Ebro delta one hour to the north, we first took the opportunity to visit this lesser known wetland in the province of Castellón in March 2016. We visited again in March 2017. The site is covered in WWBNES and briefly in BGES (see reference sources). Vastly overshadowed by more famous sites to the north and south, the province itself is no doubt overlooked by most visiting birders. However, as is often the case in Spain, the site proved impressive, even though it rained all morning and part of the afternoon (2016). These were only day trips, the area merits far more time than that, even in mid-March.
On both visits, we began at the north end, the NEW visitor centre is on the outskirts of Torrenostra. Note that the reference sources listed refer to the old visitor centre at the southern end, Torre de la Sal. This northern area proved very productive, so much so that in 2016 we barely had time to explore the other main area at the southern end. The centre itself has a viewing area and info desk overlooking a superb scrape (see photo gallery); well managed with plenty of birds including new arrivals like Little Ringed Plovers and Yellow Wagtails (2016). The staff there were very helpful and spoke English, a booklet (in English) and an equally useful large scale map were obtained there. Stairs lead to an upper level/observation tower with extensive views looking south over the reserve. Outside, a sort of wildlife garden borders this part of the reedbed. This has two wooden observation towers overlooking the same scrape and reedbeds, and inland west towards the mountains. Viewing from here we had a break in the weather (2016) for nearly an hour, the breeze turned SW, and visible migration was observed; 1 White Stork, 1 Osprey, 1 Pallid Swift, 3 Alpine Swifts, 2 Red-rumped Swallows and many other hirundines all heading NE. The pebble beach here also has some interesting plants. Prior to this we walked the northern trail (2016), about 5 kms, in pouring rain, but still saw a good number of species on the lagoons.
2016 - We then drove south down the N-340 to the southern end at Torre de la Sal, where two trails start, one 2.5 kms the other 6 kms. With Easter looming and the associated school holidays, there was plenty of activity here, mostly human and all emanating from motorhomes and caravans, for which there is ample parking! On a brief recce, these trails looked very interesting, with canals, ditches, wet meadows, reedbeds and the shingle beach. A fine day in May outside of holiday periods would be perfect.
2017 - We walked the 2.5 kms trail, interesting although still a month or so early to see most migrants. The wetlands to the landward side are much encroached upon, although that does at least create some habitat diversity, with the land often being used for fruit trees.
Generally a very promising area, probably best in late April/May as is usually the case.
By the amount of cartridge cases we saw this wildfowl-rich zone is probably best avoided from October to the end of January.
Spain; P N del Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca GALLERY
REFERENCE SOURCES
'WWBNES' - Where to Watch Birds in Northern & Eastern Spain. Michael Rebane & Ernest Garcia. Helm, 2008.
'BGES' - A Birdwatching Guide to Eastern Spain. Malcolm Palmer/Luis Fidel. Arlequin, 2001.
The free booklet (in english) and 1:15,000 scale map from the visitor centre are invaluable.
Park info (English)
BirdLife factsheet
BIRDS - 76 species
Eurasian Wigeon - Anas penelope - 5 31/3/17.
Gadwall - Anas strepera
Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos
Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata
Red-crested Pochard - Netta rufina - Max. 100+ 18/3/16.
Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis - 1 24/5/25
Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus
Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo
Little Bittern - Ixobrychus minutus - 2 (male, female) 31/3/17.
Squacco Heron - Ardeola ralloides - 1 31/3/17.
Little Egret - Egretta garzetta
Grey Heron - Ardea cinerea
Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea - 1 31/3/17.
White Stork - Ciconia ciconia - 1 18/3/16.
Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus
Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus
Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus - 1 18/3/16.
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo
Osprey - Pandion haliaetus - 1 18/3/16.
Common Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus
Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus
Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus
Purple Swamphen - Porphyrio porphyrio - heard 31/3/17.
Eurasian Coot - Fulica atra
Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus
Collared Pratincole - Glareola pratincola - 2 24/5/25
Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius - 4 18/3/16.
Kentish Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus - 1 18/3/16. 2 31/3/17.
Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago - c10 18/3/16. 2 31/3/17.
Green Sandpiper - Tringa ochropus - 1 18/3/16.
Common Redshank - Tringa totanus
Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus
Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus - c30 18/3/16.
Audouin's Gull - Larus audouinii
Lesser Black-backed Gull - Larus fuscus
Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis
Little Tern - Sterna albifrons - 1 24/5/25
Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybridus - 1 24/5/25
Common Wood Pigeon - Columba palumbus
Eurasian Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto
Pallid Swift - Apus pallidus - 1 visitor centre 18/3/16.
Alpine Swift - Apus melba - 3 visitor centre 18/3/16.
Common Kingfisher - Alcedo atthis
Hoopoe - Upupa epops
Sand Martin - Riparia riparia
Eurasian Crag Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica
Common House Martin - Delichon urbicum
Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica - 2 visitor centre 18/3/16.
Tawny Pipit - Anthus campestris - 1 31/3/17.
Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis - 1 31/3/17.
Water Pipit - Anthus spinoletta - numerous 18/3/16. 1 31/3/17.
Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava - 2 18/3/16. 2 31/3/17.
White Wagtail - Motacilla alba
European Robin - Erithacus rubecula
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros
European Stonechat - Saxicola rubicola
Northern Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe - 1 male 31/3/17.
Cetti's Warbler - Cettia cetti
European Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus scirpaceus - 2+ 24/5/25
Zitting Cisticola - Cisticola juncidis
Moustached Warbler - Acrocephalus melanopogon - heard only, 18/3/16. 1 31/3/17.
Sardinian Warbler - Sylvia melanocephala
Eurasian Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla
Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita
Eurasian Penduline Tit - Remiz pendulinus - occasionally heard, 1 seen visitor centre 18/3/16.
Common Magpie - Pica pica
Spotless Starling - Sturnus unicolor
Common Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus
Eurasian Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus 4+ 31/3/17.
European Serin - Serinus serinus
European Greenfinch - Carduelis chloris
European Goldfinch - Carduelis carduelis
Common Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
Painted Lady - Vanessa cardui - 3+ 31/3/17.
Speckled wood - Pararge aegeria - 1 near visitor centre 18/3/16.
Geranium Bronze - Cacyreus marshalli - 1 31/3/17.
Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans - 3 24/5/25
Vagrant Emperor - Anax ephippiger - 1 male near visitor centre in a brief sunny spell 18/3/16. 5+ 31/3/17.
Red-veined Darter - Sympetrum fonscolombii - 10+ near visitor centre 31/3/17.
Coastal (Sea) Medick - Medicago marina
Sage-leaved Rockrose - Cistus salviifolius
Mediterranean Catchfly - Silene colorata