The Purple Penguin

Today was damp – started foggy and spitting with rain so the guide switched our morning and afternoon plans as it was too wet to do the walk. Went a different route into the park, heading for the visitors’ centre. This route had much more water, so many more water birds including egrets (great and little) and grey herons. Even saw a group of flamigos! Also on the way in spotted something in a tree, a Bonnelli’s Eagle, which promptly flew off. In the park there are areas of dead eucalyptus trunks that have been set into circles for rabbit habitats and they also appear to be excellent for little owls as we spotted them sitting on the trunks. We had a brief stop at the Visitors’ Centre which is really lovely – huge windows looking over an area. We were also spotting a lot of kestrels and drove out to where there were several lesser kestrels sitting on a wire.

Lunch was at the same bar in El Rocio and while eating the weather was clearing up. After lunch we had an hour before setting off again so Joe and I walked along the waterside a bit further than the church (we didn’t go into the church though). In the large area by the church we watched a horse being trained which was interesting. Then back into the park.

We headed toward one of the hunting lodges (the park used to be a royal hunting park), but didn’t really get close enough to see the lodge/palace. But we did get out for a walk. Saw hoopoe, meadow pipit, corn bunting, Thekla’s larks, lapwings, golden plovers, black redstarts, red kites, woodlarks, and crested larks among others.

Back for another huge supper – the restaurant was closed, but they did supper for us (we ordered in advance). We did drinks before dinner and our checklist of things spotted. Then another huge meal (starter, main, and pudding for meals).