When I fist stated visiting this area almost two decades ago, I was surprised to find large flocks of Gull-billed Terns hawking over the fields between Jerez de la Frontera and Trebujena. Closer investigation revealed a large area of shallow pools and disused settling ponds c1 km from the road at Mesas de Asta. Unfortunately a gate barred closer examination and I had to be content with 'scoping birds on a closer set of pools. Rumours that access would be provided and it would become a birding destination came to nothing. However, the wheels of Spanish administration move slowly and a new press release (see below) indicates that this may soon be a reality. Last month I noticed some work being done here - although I never imagined the reason might be to improve access - so hopefully the site may be open quite soon!
Press Release (translated by Google)
The site, located in Jerez de la Frontera, will have a new environmental restoration project to boost environmental conditions and conserve the biodiversity of the wetland.
The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment of the Regional Government of Andalusia has formalized the inclusion of the wetland area known as Haza de la Torre in the Inventory of Wetlands of Andalusia (IAH), by resolution of the General Directorate of Protected Natural Areas published in the Official Gazette of the Regional Government of Andalusia (BOJA) on May 7, 2025, which can be consulted here. With this incorporation, Jerez de la Frontera now has six wetlands registered in this environmental catalogue, which currently includes 229 enclaves with relevant natural values spread throughout the Andalusian territory.
"The inclusion of Haza de la Torre in the Inventory of Wetlands of Andalusia represents a recognition of its current ecological value and a commitment to the future to guarantee its conservation, value its environmental functions and facilitate the harmonious coexistence between natural processes and the rural environment that surrounds it. With this step, the Regional Government of Andalusia reinforces its commitment to a more resilient, functional and connected network of natural spaces," said the general director of Protected Natural Spaces, José Enrique Borrallo.
The recognition of Haza de la Torre was approved at the last session of the Andalusian Wetlands Committee held in November 2024, and since then the necessary procedures have been initiated for its officialization as a unique space due to its ecological value. The wetland is located in the municipality of Jerez, in the vicinity of the rural neighbourhood of Mesas de Asta, on land that in the past housed ponds used by the sugar industry for the management of its waste. Since its abandonment, and thanks to its location and characteristics, the site began a process of natural recovery that has transformed these old artificial lagoons into an ecosystem with an outstanding wealth of fauna.
The renaturation process began in 2009, with the execution of various projects that improved the ecological conditions of the place. Part of the sediments accumulated over decades were removed and the interior walls that divided the ponds were removed, respecting the perimeter wall that currently contains the body of water. In addition, interior islands and hydraulic gates were created that allow a controlled connection with the Tabajete and Obispo pipes. Today, the water that feeds the wetland comes exclusively from rainfall, although there is the possibility of enabling additional contributions from these pipes if necessary.
Historically, this place was part of the old estuary of the Guadalquivir River, and the oldest maps identify it with names such as Laguna Grande, Laguna del Mortero or Laguna de Mesas de Asta. More than a decade after the agreements signed between the Junta de Andalucía and the company that owns the land for its restoration, Haza de la Torre has established itself as a first-rate refuge for the birdlife of southwestern Andalusia.
During the wintering seasons, more than 5,000 birds of about thirty different species have been counted. Among them, there are emblematic species such as the marbled teal, the osprey or the common crane. But what really distinguishes this enclave is its key role in the conservation of the black-billed tern, an endangered species for which Haza de la Torre has become one of the most important spaces in the entire Mediterranean basin. Notable populations of avocets and slender-billed gulls have also been detected in the wetland.
Currently, the enclave is home to the largest bird breeding community in the province of Cádiz, only behind the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park. The uniqueness of this fact lies in the small size of the wetland, of just 39.4 hectares, compared to the more than 10,000 that the natural space of the Bay occupies. This data shows the exceptional value of the wetland and the success of the environmental recovery efforts carried out in recent years.
With the aim of continuing to make progress in the ecological improvement of the wetland, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment has planned a new restoration project financed with European funds from the Next Generation EU programme, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. This initiative will be developed in collaboration with the private property of the land, through a specific agreement.
Among the planned actions, the improvement of the water storage capacity of the wetland basin by removing new sediments, the creation of a perimeter rein to facilitate water retention and prevent the entry of predators, and the adaptation of the existing islands to favor the nesting of waterfowl are contemplated. Likewise, access to the site will be improved by adapting the path and installing a wooden pergola that will allow discreet observation of the lagoon without interfering with the ecosystem. Finally, vegetation will be planted in the immediate surroundings in order to stabilise the soil, stop erosion and prevent the arrival of sedimentary dragging into the interior of the wetland.
The site, located in Jerez de la Frontera, will have a new environmental restoration project to boost environmental conditions and conserve the biodiversity of the wetland.
The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment of the Regional Government of Andalusia has formalized the inclusion of the wetland area known as Haza de la Torre in the Inventory of Wetlands of Andalusia (IAH), by resolution of the General Directorate of Protected Natural Areas published in the Official Gazette of the Regional Government of Andalusia (BOJA) on May 7, 2025, which can be consulted here. With this incorporation, Jerez de la Frontera now has six wetlands registered in this environmental catalogue, which currently includes 229 enclaves with relevant natural values spread throughout the Andalusian territory.
"The inclusion of Haza de la Torre in the Inventory of Wetlands of Andalusia represents a recognition of its current ecological value and a commitment to the future to guarantee its conservation, value its environmental functions and facilitate the harmonious coexistence between natural processes and the rural environment that surrounds it. With this step, the Regional Government of Andalusia reinforces its commitment to a more resilient, functional and connected network of natural spaces," said the general director of Protected Natural Spaces, José Enrique Borrallo.
The recognition of Haza de la Torre was approved at the last session of the Andalusian Wetlands Committee held in November 2024, and since then the necessary procedures have been initiated for its officialization as a unique space due to its ecological value. The wetland is located in the municipality of Jerez, in the vicinity of the rural neighbourhood of Mesas de Asta, on land that in the past housed ponds used by the sugar industry for the management of its waste. Since its abandonment, and thanks to its location and characteristics, the site began a process of natural recovery that has transformed these old artificial lagoons into an ecosystem with an outstanding wealth of fauna.
The renaturation process began in 2009, with the execution of various projects that improved the ecological conditions of the place. Part of the sediments accumulated over decades were removed and the interior walls that divided the ponds were removed, respecting the perimeter wall that currently contains the body of water. In addition, interior islands and hydraulic gates were created that allow a controlled connection with the Tabajete and Obispo pipes. Today, the water that feeds the wetland comes exclusively from rainfall, although there is the possibility of enabling additional contributions from these pipes if necessary.
Historically, this place was part of the old estuary of the Guadalquivir River, and the oldest maps identify it with names such as Laguna Grande, Laguna del Mortero or Laguna de Mesas de Asta. More than a decade after the agreements signed between the Junta de Andalucía and the company that owns the land for its restoration, Haza de la Torre has established itself as a first-rate refuge for the birdlife of southwestern Andalusia.
During the wintering seasons, more than 5,000 birds of about thirty different species have been counted. Among them, there are emblematic species such as the marbled teal, the osprey or the common crane. But what really distinguishes this enclave is its key role in the conservation of the black-billed tern, an endangered species for which Haza de la Torre has become one of the most important spaces in the entire Mediterranean basin. Notable populations of avocets and slender-billed gulls have also been detected in the wetland.
Currently, the enclave is home to the largest bird breeding community in the province of Cádiz, only behind the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park. The uniqueness of this fact lies in the small size of the wetland, of just 39.4 hectares, compared to the more than 10,000 that the natural space of the Bay occupies. This data shows the exceptional value of the wetland and the success of the environmental recovery efforts carried out in recent years.
With the aim of continuing to make progress in the ecological improvement of the wetland, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment has planned a new restoration project financed with European funds from the Next Generation EU programme, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. This initiative will be developed in collaboration with the private property of the land, through a specific agreement.
Among the planned actions, the improvement of the water storage capacity of the wetland basin by removing new sediments, the creation of a perimeter rein to facilitate water retention and prevent the entry of predators, and the adaptation of the existing islands to favor the nesting of waterfowl are contemplated. Likewise, access to the site will be improved by adapting the path and installing a wooden pergola that will allow discreet observation of the lagoon without interfering with the ecosystem. Finally, vegetation will be planted in the immediate surroundings in order to stabilise the soil, stop erosion and prevent the arrival of sedimentary dragging into the interior of the wetland.
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