Laguna de la Paja - Chiclana
If you're driving south on the E 5, or even the N 340, past Chiclana you could well miss the Laguna de la Paja since it often looks like no more than a grassy field which isn't ; surprising as the name
means 'Lake of Straw'. However, when wet this shallow reedy 39ha laguna can harbour birds such as Great-white Egret, Purple Heron, Ferruguinous, White-headed and Marbled Duck, Purple Gallinule and, infrequently, even Crested Coot. It is also home to several rare plants endemic to SW Iberia (Armeria cadiz, Eryngium galioides and Frankenia boissieri) and amphibians (e.g. Southern Marbled Newt).
Apart from its rather nondescript appearance, another problem here is that birds can easily disappear into the abundant reeds. The final problem is one of access; a well made sendero (footpath) skirts the top of the northern edge of the laguna, but the entrance gate (a) on the N340 is usually padlocked (apparently to deter people driving into the reserve, but unfortunately there's no pedestrian access). However, it should be possible to access the far end of the sendero from Callejon de Borreguitos (b). To the south an open pine wood on light sandy soils, criss-crossed with paths should hold Red-necked Nightjar.
Access:There's room for a couple of cars to pull off the road by the entrance gate (c150m south of the roundabout by Exit 10 and just beyond the Polanco furniture store (hence the alternative name 'Laguna Polanco'). Don't be tempted to turn left if driving from the south as you risk a fine by crossing the double white lines – instead drive a little further to the roundabout to change direction. The alternative is to take Callejon de Borreguitos which is just under 1.5 km from
the roundabout off the N 340 and then after c250m explore the track on the right.
This account is very much a 'work in progress' and more information on this interesting - and neglected site - is needed! Which is why I've posted this info. to encourage others to explore somewhere different.
means 'Lake of Straw'. However, when wet this shallow reedy 39ha laguna can harbour birds such as Great-white Egret, Purple Heron, Ferruguinous, White-headed and Marbled Duck, Purple Gallinule and, infrequently, even Crested Coot. It is also home to several rare plants endemic to SW Iberia (Armeria cadiz, Eryngium galioides and Frankenia boissieri) and amphibians (e.g. Southern Marbled Newt).
Apart from its rather nondescript appearance, another problem here is that birds can easily disappear into the abundant reeds. The final problem is one of access; a well made sendero (footpath) skirts the top of the northern edge of the laguna, but the entrance gate (a) on the N340 is usually padlocked (apparently to deter people driving into the reserve, but unfortunately there's no pedestrian access). However, it should be possible to access the far end of the sendero from Callejon de Borreguitos (b). To the south an open pine wood on light sandy soils, criss-crossed with paths should hold Red-necked Nightjar.
Access:There's room for a couple of cars to pull off the road by the entrance gate (c150m south of the roundabout by Exit 10 and just beyond the Polanco furniture store (hence the alternative name 'Laguna Polanco'). Don't be tempted to turn left if driving from the south as you risk a fine by crossing the double white lines – instead drive a little further to the roundabout to change direction. The alternative is to take Callejon de Borreguitos which is just under 1.5 km from
the roundabout off the N 340 and then after c250m explore the track on the right.
This account is very much a 'work in progress' and more information on this interesting - and neglected site - is needed! Which is why I've posted this info. to encourage others to explore somewhere different.
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