Paraje Natural Desembocadura del Guadalhorce

Where the Guadalhorce splits in two before reaching the sea, a 67-hectare island of old gravel pits has become the most important coastal wetland in the province and one of the richest birding sites in southern Spain, with flamingos, spoonbills, ospreys, kingfishers and tens of thousands of migrants pausing before the Strait crossing. Two signed trails of under 2 km each (Río Viejo and Laguna Grande) link five hides and can be combined into a loop; access is on foot by the footbridge from Guadalmar, ten minutes from the airport. Mornings and the spring and autumn migrations are best; bring binoculars.