Celebrations!

The Natural Park of La Mata-Torrevieja is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Park this year and various events have been organised to draw attention to this.

It is hoped to refer in the future to this area as  a “Protected Space”  rather than a park which gives the wrong connotation, as if a place to play ball games, have swings, let dogs run about,  and so on.

The first of the talks prepared was a presentation about the Taro Blanco – the shelduck, which was based on observations and study of this bird over the last 9 years by Park official Justo Ferrer.

This proved to be very interesting with a slide show of various places where it is to be found and its habitat.  One surprise was learning that it nests in old rabbit burrows rather than making a nest on the ground.  The birds mate for life and the father bird is very defensive in looking after its young.  The chicks are led out to the water as soon as they are able, to look for food, which is the artemia, the small crab-like crustacean which lives in broad salty water. The audience were loud in their applause and a group then went to see some of the ducks in situ.

The next event held on the 28^th of October was a photographic exhibition of photos taken by Justo Ferrer to show “Birds in Action”.  These photos have been taken over a period of time of the many birds to be seen in the Natural Park, in various places and at various times.  They were often taken from Justo’s car as it served as a sort of “hide” so the birds were not frightened away.

Further events are to be: On Sunday 6^th November, a presentation about the birds of  La Mata

On Friday 11 November there will be a bird walk. On Friday 25^th November a presentation in the Palacio de la Musica and on Sunday 4^th December a walk around the Wine route.

All times will be available on the Park website in due course.

The Volunteers of La Mata hope to support and be involved with many of these activities.