Duck Hunting: A Spanish adventure to be experienced, a few steps from Italy and yet immersed in an ancestral and wild atmosphere in which wild habitats at the extremes mix and merge with art. Ducks, partridges, wild boars and wild rabbits will be the rulers of a nature that reigns in Catalonia.
Today, albeit virtually, we leave Italy to fly to the fabulous Catalunya, near the delta of the Ebro river, and around a fabulous natural park embraced by a meandering flora and the sea. Tourist hunting destination that every year attracts many hunters, the Coto de Caza La Alfacada, borders the Mediterranean Sea, the Ebro River and hectares of land all cultivated with wheat for a total extension of 267 kilometers.
It is these naturalistic situations that have created a natural habitat for the life of numerous aquatic birds that inhabit the surroundings of the beautiful Isla de Buda, divided between rice fields, lakes and marshes: not infrequently it is described as one of the most beautiful locations in the world. only in the Okawango delta, in the most distant Botswana.
The coexistence between the Isla and the coto de Alfada is peaceful and ancient, a sort of natural collaboration that makes the area even more attractive. The fabulous birds that inhabit lakes and marshes find in the coto La Alfacada an excellent habitat in which to nest: hunters, photographers and birdwatchers could literally go crazy with joy. You will be able to meet mallards, turkish fistioni, canapigilas, partridges, knights of Italy, sgarzette, moorhens, coots and the sea partridge that nests, as far as Europe is concerned, only here. Not infrequently it is also possible to meet the rare sultan chicken: in short, a real feast for the eyes.
Such is the variety and quantity of mallards that nest in the area, that it is not infrequently organized extra control hunts, which have the purpose of rebalancing the distribution of birds present in the area. On the other hand, the marshes up to 50 centimeters deep and the reeds are an ideal environment for the life not only of mallards, partridges and black-winged stilts, but also and above all for the reproduction and presence of aquatic species, both we are talking about palmipeds and waders and ducks.
Not far from the coto de coza La Alfacada there are 3 others: the Mas del Coll, the coto Vallibous and the coto Rossell for a truly enviable variety of choices.
The Mas del Coll is about 60 kilometers from the coto La Alfacada and slides inland: it is born at about 650 meters above sea level and has always been the home of eagles and vultures who love the rocky mountains and nest there. The habitat is however inhabited not only by rocky areas, but also by pine forests and oak forests where it is not infrequently possible to meet red partridges, Mediterranean scrub and aromatic and medicinal plants. The Rio Servol flows through the territory, well frequented by the wood pigeon and once you have reached the ancient stone Masia called Mas del Coll, it is possible to have a truly suggestive view of the hill, which sweeps up to the sea.
The coto de caza Vallibous is no less fascinating, not far from the other two and with a decidedly more mountainous character. The territory is characterized by fragrant dwarf oak woods and there is also the thorny and fragrant wild broom: the location is the home of the red partridge.
Finally, the coto Rossell is particularly appreciated by thrush lovers, already there the territory is divided equally between olive groves and mountains. The sea can only be glimpsed from a distance and the semi-mountainous habitat is very much appreciated, scented with Mediterranean scrub and aromatic plants. Montesi goats and red partridges are at home here.
In short, there is only the embarrassment of the choice that can be naturally addressed, especially if the trip has a hunting character, by the hunting possibilities: the guests of the La Alfacada can devote themselves to the typical duck hunting in the lake from twin barrels, a emotion that some describe as unparalleled, hunting snipe in stalking or with a wandering technique, or trying your hand at hunting slow-moving and aquatic in general. Hunting thrushes, red partridges with dogs, wild rabbits and wild boar and various game is reserved for guests of the remaining coti de caza. For all, however, food is provided, complete with breakfasts, lunches and dinners, accommodation and overnight stays and hunting trips for a truly unforgettable Mediterranean adventure.
If this trip, for now completely virtual, has given you a certain fricicorio, the advice is to keep in mind the hunting calendars of the area according to which hunting is allowed between October and January and in some cases February.