Back to the Clot

Clot de Galvany - 20.05.2025

Five miles from Alicante Airport in the development of Grand Alicant is a small nature reserve called Clot de Galvany, usually when picking up or dropping off at the airport I always try to visit spending a couple of hours, the list of species that can be seen is impressive.

The "Clot" is one of those locations where you really need a “big white” prime lens, all I have with me today is the 100-500mm zoom but the benefits of a light weight setup is working fine for me.

It must be three years since my last visit hence I’ve landed up parking way further down the road which's runs alongside the reserve than I intended, but at least it’s next to a couple cafes bars ideal for post visit refreshment. 

Finding the entrance is never easy in the never ending perimeter fence, but at least it’s then only a short walk to the two small charca's (pools) each having a hide shown at the bottom of the map. Usually the left pool is overgrown with extensive reed beds the right pool being more open and always best. It’s quiet, probably a combination of the midday heat and the fact it's late in the migration and well in to the breeding season. 

Marbled Duck (Teal) an endangered species in Spain with only 70 breeding pairs, a few pairs of Red-crested Pochard, the ever squabbling Coot and vocal Little Grebes are all the contenders. Usually you can see several species of smaller Squacco, Night Herons and it’s a good location to see migratory ducks like Ferrugenus and Garganey Ducks.

Public hides in Spain to me are somewhat odd, being open backed with just a slatted front, roof and sides so your silhouette is aways visible to the wildlife, for some wary species if your seen they keep well away, but at least it's out of the sun and if it rains....dry.

As this was an ad-hoc late in the season visit it’s been lean picking so I’m off for a coffee and enjoy the sunshine, until the next time.

Clot de Galvany - Reserve Map

Hide - Right Side Pool

Very different to what we have in the UK, at least it keeps the sun off and dry when the heavens open up.

Hide View - Right Side Pool

Red-crested Pochard

Recently hatch young, I believe there were three. Common breeder in the region.

Marbled Duck or Teal

Endangered species in Spain with only about 70 breeding pairs, a few surrounding reserves like El Hondo have breeding programs in operation. Hole nesters using provided boxes. 

Red-eared Terrapin or Slider

Invasive species in Spain from North America released back to the wild by unwanted owners. Competes with the indigenous Iberian Pond Terrapin which is mainly all pale brown colour