Canal de Castilla Rey (Palencia), considered the beginning of the Northern Branch, Valladolid and Medina de Rioseco, lying at the end of the Southern Branch and Campos Branch respectively. The countryside crossed by the canal is of interest for its birdlife. In the Tierra de Campos there are two large Special Protection Areas ("La Nava-Campos Norte" and "La Nava-Campos Sur") which are notable for the birds such as great bustards ("Otis tarda") which live in the dryland farming areas (sometimes described as "steppes") which are typical of the region. The canal, on the other hand, provides habitats for wetland birds such as the
Strange Little Birds "Empty" and "We Never Tell", which he characterized as "gratifying but superfluous detours into the well-trodden", "Strange Little Birds" "emerges as the band's most compelling, adventurous album in 15 years." Luke Winstanley of "Clash" praised the album as "a thrilling synthesis of the band's most endearing features; quasi metal riffing, with Shirley Manson's devilishly seductive croon and huge industrial pop hooks", concluding, "There are a few moments that feel oddly dated or too by-the-numbers, but otherwise, this is an engaging return from the gothic dance-rock four-piece." In a less enthusiastic review, Emily Mackay of "The Observer" called the album a