Avistamiento de Aves en Montaña Roja

Birdwatching in the Montaña Roja Special Nature Reserve in El Médano is a unique experience: here, the volcanic landscape and sand dunes blend with brackish lagoons and coastal vegetation, attracting a wide variety of species, especially migratory birds. The area is one of the most important wetlands in southern Tenerife, a discreet oasis where wind, sand, and sea combine to create a fragile but vibrant ecosystem.

Among the most common species are the Kentish Plover, which nests on the sandy shores and blends perfectly into the dunes; the trumpeter bullfinch, one of the most iconic birds in the area, small but resilient, adapted to the arid environment, and with its reddish hues; and the stone-curlew, a steppe species that can be seen in the rockier inland areas. During migratory periods, the reserve is filled with sandpipers, whimbrels, redshanks, and little egrets, which take advantage of the pools and salt marshes as a resting place before continuing their journey between Europe and Africa.

In winter, it is also possible to observe yellow-legged gulls, terns, and, with luck, the odd kestrel circling the area in search of small reptiles. Grey herons and common sandpipers frequently appear in the wetlands, while common swifts and swallows soar during the sunniest hours.

Montaña Roja, in addition to its geological beauty and impressive views of the sea and the Médano, serves as a true natural laboratory for ornithology enthusiasts. Marked trails surround the mountain and border the pools, from where you can observe the birds without disturbing them. Binoculars, a little patience, and respect for the silence are all you need to enjoy this discreet but fascinating spectacle.

Birdwatching here is understanding that the desert also has life. Between the wind, the sand, and the sea, Montaña Roja holds a small winged treasure that many overlook, but that attentive observers appreciate in all its richness.