The lagoon, which is Andalusia’s largest, has gathered up to 20,000 flamingos in previous years, making it the second largest gathering place for the species in Europe.
The lagoon dries up every summer but usually fills up again when the rainy season picks up. But Spain is battling a prolonged drought and by mid-May the country had received 28 percent less rain than expected, the Spanish authorities said, according to BBC.
A few days ago, however, some rain fell – but far from enough to fill up the lagoon again, reports the Spanish newspaper El País.
The average water level of 20 centimeters is perfect for flamingos who build their nests on an island in the middle of the lagoon. But this year they were met with a water level that didn’t even reach a centimeter – and chose to lay their eggs elsewhere.