Albufera Natural Park is set between rice paddies and the sea, and closed off by the meeting of the mouths of the Turia and Júcar rivers. It is a haven for migratory birds. The preserve is located south of Valencia, about 11 kilometres from the capital, and is separated from the sea by a thin stretch of sand dunes held in place by Mediterranean pines and shrubs. The Black-headed Gull is a colonial breeder and feeds in noisy flocks. It was a warm, sunny afternoon with temperatures in the mid- to high 70's.