Last year, thousands of flamingos arrived at the famous Fuente de Piedra wetlands in Spain to hatch their chicks, but this scene, which represents one of the largest gatherings of these birds in Europe, has disappeared this year. Today, only a few dozen of these birds could be seen at the site due to the prolonged drought in Spain, which has dried up the saltwater lake and pushed most migratory birds away from those marshes.
Climate Change
One local resident, Alberto Gonzalez Sanchez (53), said today, “It’s a shame because tourists and people come here on a day like this. Usually, the lake is filled with flamingos and many other birds. It seems that climate change is the reason.” The official in charge of the Fuente de Piedra natural area informed Cadena SER radio station in February that rainfall levels have reached their lowest since 1995.
Protected Area
The area was declared a natural reserve in 1984, and since then, over 200,000 flamingo chicks have hatched at the lake located in Malaga, according to data from the Andalusian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Sustainability.
