Photography Hides – El Taray Lagoon, Spain

Hydrohide 

The Hydrohide is a floating hide, consisting of a fabric hood and an unsinkable frame to which the camera is attached (completely reliable and safe for the equipment). The photographer drags this hide around the lagoon, deciding at all times on the subject and the orientation in relation to the sun. This, combined with the fact that the camera is positioned just a few centimetres above the water, allows for incredible and original photographs and offers complete freedom when composing the image. From May to July, depending on the water level in the lagoon
Species: Black-necked grebe, white-headed duck, purple heron, eurasian spoonbill, little bittern
6.00 am to 11.00 am / 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm, 4-6 people max

Iberian Grey Shrike & Common Kestrel

The Iberian Grey Shrike arrives in its wintering grounds in early autumn, although it is not usually seen regularly until November. The peak of the wintering season, from November to mid-February, is the best time for activity, when sightings are most reliable. It is a solitary species, so it is often the case that a single bird is photographed from the hide. Occasionally, it is first-year birds that settle in initially, only to be displaced later by adults. From November to the end of February
Species: Iberian grey shrike, common kestrel, little owl, black redstart
2.30 pm to 6.00 pm, 4 people max

Reedbed & Water Hide

Situated in the ecotone between the tamarisk fringe and the reedbed, this hide is located near the sluice gates used to regulate water levels in the wetland. The floating structure remains at water level at all times, allowing some waterfowl and grebes to use the area around the hide. At the end of the summer season, it attracts countless migratory birds.
Species: Bearded reedling, little grebe, water rail, common kingfisher, black stork, purple swamphen,
2.30 pm–5.00 pm or 6.00 pm–8.30 pm, 2 people max

El Espartal

The hide is situated in a vast floodplain that forms part of an albardinal ecosystem (a priority habitat under the Habitats Directive), in an area with a high concentration of esparto grass. It is an important dispersal and hunting ground for many species of birds of prey, such as the Hen Harrier, the Bonelli’s eagle and the Short-toed Snake Eagle. For some years now, there has been a continuous presence of the Spanish Imperial Eagle.
September and October see the greatest variety of birds of prey, and it is impossible to predict what might happen during each session.
From November to January, the area sees a steady influx of large eagles, Northern Goshawks and Red Kites; during the winter, it also hosts a roosting site for Hen Harriers, which is active from November until the end of February.
Species: Spanish imperial eagle, western marsh harrier, red kite, black kite, common buzzard
6.15 am–7.15 am to 12.00 pm, 6 people max

Drinking hide Casa de Labor

A pond situated on the boundary between the cereal fields and the olive grove at El Taray. It attracts a wide variety of common birds found in agricultural areas, although the most striking species is the Eurasian Stone-curlew, which breeds in the area. The species present vary throughout the year. In addition to birds, some mammals such as rabbits, Iberian hares, hedgehogs and foxes come to drink here.
The Eurasian Stone-curlew is present from February to November, but the best time to see them is from June to September/October (when the waterhole is at its most abundant and diverse in terms of species).
Winter: huge flocks of Spotless Starlings and Common Starlings come to bathe.
In summer, birds of prey may come down to bathe, and families of European roller arrive with their newly fledged chicks.
Species: Eurasian stone-curlew, european turtle dove, european roller, european pied flycatcher, spotless starling, waders
7.00 am–8.00 am to 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm–5.00 pm to 6.00 pm–9.00 pm, 4 people max