The marshes in prime condition from the CA 3130
Keen young Jerezano birder, Bruno Asencio Sevillano, kindly made a detailed comment about the little known and neglected Marismas de Casablanca on an earlier post (May 2025). As this may be missed, I've reposted it here with a couple of maps and photos to illustrate the site.
In the past, I've seen hundreds of Crane here, even more White Storks, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, large numbers of waterfowl and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (once from the train!). I've only once explored the Cañada Ancha that Bruno mentions in his post, seeing little, but mine was a very brief visit and I always intended to go back earlier in the day when it would be less hot. I still haven't done so yet! . This whole area would be a regular haunt if it wasn't for the fact that there are several similarly good sites much closer to my base in Alcala de los Gazules
In the past, I've seen hundreds of Crane here, even more White Storks, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, large numbers of waterfowl and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (once from the train!). I've only once explored the Cañada Ancha that Bruno mentions in his post, seeing little, but mine was a very brief visit and I always intended to go back earlier in the day when it would be less hot. I still haven't done so yet! . This whole area would be a regular haunt if it wasn't for the fact that there are several similarly good sites much closer to my base in Alcala de los Gazules
The CA 0606 is a no more than a dirt track so some caution may be required to drive all the way to the bridge
Bruno wrote as follows:
I have accessed the Casablanca marshes from Jerez following the CA-3103 (also accessed through the NIV). The drive follows some expansive cereal fields and some unploughed ones which have harriers (breeding Montagu's in summer, Hen in winter) and many partridges (probably quail as well). Some Pin-tailed Sandgrouse and Little Bustards also remain around the wider area between Jerez and Lebrija but they are essentially impossible to find (I'd try walking Cañada Ancha* that links up Mesas de Asta to the road if I wanted to make an effort to find them), and considering how many olives are being planed alongside the Jerez-Trebujena road their future is probably not so bright. * The Cañada Ancha is 7.8 km south of the junction of the CA 3130 and CA 0606
I have accessed the Casablanca marshes from Jerez following the CA-3103 (also accessed through the NIV). The drive follows some expansive cereal fields and some unploughed ones which have harriers (breeding Montagu's in summer, Hen in winter) and many partridges (probably quail as well). Some Pin-tailed Sandgrouse and Little Bustards also remain around the wider area between Jerez and Lebrija but they are essentially impossible to find (I'd try walking Cañada Ancha* that links up Mesas de Asta to the road if I wanted to make an effort to find them), and considering how many olives are being planed alongside the Jerez-Trebujena road their future is probably not so bright. * The Cañada Ancha is 7.8 km south of the junction of the CA 3130 and CA 0606
Location of the Cañada Ancha 
Views of the Cañada Ancha (from Google Streetview)
You then have to follow the CA-0606 ... (which is no more than a narrow gravel track, but in decent condition) until you find a small canal with a tiny bridge. (c3 km JC) Before you arrive you'll drive down a big hill which will reveal views of a part of the marsh not really properly visible from the CA-3013 (and where, in my experience, most of the birds were). There's also a private track to the right of the "road" with a row of pine trees which are probably worth checking as there's no other trees in the vicinity (I had a pair of Black-winged Kites here and saw owl pellets). I advise you to stop here and check the marsh from this area, as even if it is far away the birds won't get scared and you have good scope views of loads of the marsh from the elevated hill. My Feb 2 visit got me, waterfowl wise, fair numbers of Mallard (~50), Shoveler (~70), Shelduck (~50), Red-crested Pochard (~40) plus a few Gadwalls, Coots, Common Pochards and one Teal. Although I didn't have many waders (mostly just Avocets and Stilts) the area has good potential for them.
From the bridge onwards the track quickly deteriorates (in early February was a muddy undrivable mess) but theoretically continues rightward across the flooded area (although from the satellite it seems it's completely degraded), or alternatively, next to the train tracks until reaching the silo next to the CA-3103. Because of this, I just walked the path until reaching the flooded area. From here I saw more birds (what I mentioned before plus some Snipe, Bluethroat, etc) but they were incredibly weary: ducks flew away when I was a good 500m away- so maybe it's best to observe them from far away.
The area visible from the CA-3103 didn't have nearly as many birds, just Avocets, Lapwings, herons and egrets (and around 100 Flamingos) on a different day)
In general a good place in winter and early spring, I've seen reports of flocks of hundreds of Golden Plovers in the area, and many Cranes winter there as well.
The area visible from the CA-3103 didn't have nearly as many birds, just Avocets, Lapwings, herons and egrets (and around 100 Flamingos) on a different day)
In general a good place in winter and early spring, I've seen reports of flocks of hundreds of Golden Plovers in the area, and many Cranes winter there as well.
Thanks again, Bruno, for your useful post.
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