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 28th 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 6th
November, a presentation about the birds of
La Mata
On Friday 11 November there will be a bird
walk. On Friday 25th November a presentation in the Palacio de la
Musica and on Sunday 4th 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.
