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 Curlew Sandpiper breeds in arctic Siberia and overwinters in Africa. Its presence in the Mediterranean region is infrequent. The mix of birds found at this location was striking. It was a warm, sunny afternoon with temperatures in the mid- to high 70's.