Wetlands in Madrid

Misty morning

On Saturday  Alejandra accompanied us on a guided tour of these lakes in Velilla San Antonio and pointed out the features of this curious place . She knows it very well and knew where to stop to see all the birds that have made it their home. So we saw the purple gallinule, the shy calamon, many little black ducks to me but she told us that they are pochards, the gadwall and the great cormorant stretching its wings to dry them, in the trees. What a picture!
The vegetation is quite typical here in Spain . White and black poplar, elms and newly planted white willows.  There are tamarisk bushes and spartograss which  can be used to make espadrilles. We learnt that 'junco' is rush and that 'caña' is cane and that 'mimbre' comes from willow trees.

Then the sun came out

You definitely need your binoculars because this is where you can see the magnificent falcon,,woodpeckers and the bee eater in spring and summer.
 It is a haven for them. Many people go there to fish on condition that they return their catch. When you are alone it must be very serene with the calm waters and the birds singing as happily as can be.

A guided tour is a good idea as you could easily get lost.and the lakes cover an incredible area so contact Centro de Campillo

Telephone 912760307 or write to centrocampillo@gmail.com.