The Desembocadura del Guadalhorce Natural Park – Paraje Natural del Guadalhorce – is a wetland area in the city of Málaga, Spain, and is, as the name suggests, centred around the mouth of the river Guadalhorce where it reaches the sea.

The area, once marshland, has managed to survive as a Natural Park despite many problems throughout the years. It was not until the 1990’s that hunting and poaching were finally contained, despite being illegal for quite some time.

The area has five artificially created lakes, or lagoons, the largest and deepest being Laguna Grande. It is a great area to visit, wander or use one of several hides to observe a variety of species.

Around 309 bird species have been observed in these wetlands, a mix of resident, migratory and ‘just visiting’. Flamingoes, African Spoonbill, Plovers, Sanderling, Snipe, Osprey, Hoopoe, Stilts, Ruddy Ducks, Wheatear, Avocet, Kingfishers, Bee-eaters and Grebes are just some of the species I have encountered on a regular basis.

You may also encounter turtles in the river, foxes, badgers, otters and rabbits along the riverbank. It is an exceptional area and well worth visiting.