Las Islas Cies

I have just returned from a short break to Galicia in north-western Spain, where in between sinking enough seafood to sink a battleship, I managed a quick trip to a quite outstandingly beautiful small archipelago of islands just off the coast of the city of Vigo.

The three islets are a small nature reserve, and significantly hold the largest breeding colony of Yellow-legged Gulls in the world, two thousand pairs of Shags, a significant number of pairs of Storm Petrel, plus a healthy population of Kentish Plover to boot.

More details at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%ADes_Islands

Unfortunately for the birder, access is strictly regulated with normal punters only allowed onto to shoes from the start of July to the middle of September. Most people venture out on a day trip, but it is possible to stay overnight on a small campsite for a maximum of twelve nights.

Despite its rustic appearance, there are some facilities including this excellent seawatching hide (picture below) overlooking the Atlantic Ocean – I sat there for a good fifteen minutes fantasising about the birds that must have slipped by unnoticed.

There is also a network of paths across the islands enabling easy exploration of the lagoon, scrubland, coastal and wooded areas. Given the islands position on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, the islands must be superb for migrants; indeed without the aid of my binoculars I was able to bag a female Pied Flycatcher. Also, this kind chap (underneath) was also kind enough to pose for me…

Any ideas where I may be going camping for ten days early next September?

Until later.

P.S - Never under any circumstances get carried away in Spain and think you can eat anything. Clams, Scallops, Mussels, Cockles, Octopus, Squid: yes. Boiled pigs ears: no.