When
we refer to the fauna in Gallocanta what immediately
comes to mind are the large number of bird species that
abound in the basin but we must not forget the amphibians,
reptiles and mammals that also inhabit the area.
The common toad (Bufo bufo),
the midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans),
the common tree frog (Hyla arborea),
the jewelled lacerta (Lacerta lepida),
the viperine snake (Natrix maura),
the fox (Vulpes vulpes), the
roe deer (Capreolus capreolus),
the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus)
and the boar (Sus scrofa)
are just some of the main species.
BIRD SPECIES
Red quails (Alectoris rufa)
and doves (Streptopelia turtur)
abound in the garrigues of the sierra. .
In contrast, the extensive fields with cereal crops
are home to steppe birds such as sky larks
(Alauda arvensis) and calandra larks
(Melanocorypha calandra), which intermingle
with the interesting great bustard
(Otis tarda) and the common crane
(Grus grus) for which Gallocanta is the main
winter stopover on its migratory route to warmer areas
in the South of Spain and North Africa.
As you get closer to the lagoon you will come across
a large number of birds such as the lapwing
(Vanellus vanellus) or curlew
(Numenius arquata) appearing amongst the
rushes and the marshlands.
The reed beds are swarming with small insectivorous
birds (reed buntings, warblers, "bearded
reedlings"...) alongside larger sized
birds such as the marsh harrier (Circus
aeroginosus) or the coots (Fulica
atra).
A large number of aquatic birds are scattered all over
the lagoon. These choose their nesting grounds depending
on their food preferences. For example, granivorous
ducks such as the mallard (Anas
platyrhynchos) or the teal (Anas
crecca) seek out their food on the islets that
dot the lagoon or on its banks.
In contrast, herbivorous ducks prefer the shallow
waters of the lagoon. You will easily come across
the gadwall (Anas strepera)
or the shoveler (Anas clypeata),
which can filter microscopic organisms with its bill.
Diving birds such as the red crested pochard
(Netta rufina) and the common pochard
(Aythia ferina) prefer deeper waters, attracted
by the dense underwater meadows of algae.