THE PINK LAGOON

THE PINK LAGOON. Surrounded by a vast, monotonous terrain, the Lagoon of Fuente de Piedra appears like a glorious oasis in the extensive Llanure de Antequera, considered to be one of the largest natural lagoons in Spain. Measuring more than six kilometres long and nearly three kilometres wide, the lagoon provides an ideal breeding area for what surely must be one of the most elegant and exquisite birds in the in the world, the pink flamingo.
This setting of the Fuente de Piedra is important geographically being close to the African continent and is a strategic landfall for migrating birds to rest before crossing the Mediterranean, to spend the winter in Africa. Also, situated beside the French Camarga, one of only two places in the entire Eastern Mediterranean where flamingos breed. This lagoon is a protected zone by international treaty, to prevent the loss of this unique region.
One of the characteristics of this lagoon is the salinity of the water. Normally this does not attract non-marine birds, however in the case of the pink flamingo it is this very concentration of salt in the water which determines the presence of microscopic organisms, such as seaweed and crustacea which are the basis of their diet.
The best time to observe these magnificent birds is around the end of January, which is when they arrive from their winter quarters to spend the spring and summer months to breed. Towards the end of summer, mainly during the months of July and August, an impressive example of technical expertise takes place which closely resembles a military operation, rather than a purely scientific activity. Typically, a team of more than 200 trained professionals advance on the lagoon before daylight; their mission being to label the thousands of young flamingos which are still unable to fly. To be able to accomplish this task, the birds are driven into a type of pen where they are huddled together and labeled. Sometimes blood is extracted for later analysis, after which the birds are set free. This activity has been in effect since the year 1986 when the reproductive activity of these birds was appreciated as being of vital importance in order to understand and analyse the life of the flamingo. Thanks to such labelling it is now possible to learn the flamingos migrating routes, their ages and other biological aspects.