Marismas de Trebujena & Henares and Pinar de Algaida
A "map" of the new reserve taken from new information board. Marismas de Trebujena
The new reserve on the Marismas de Trebujena continues to be developed and now features a car park and a noticeboard. The (translated) text on this reads as follows:
The Esparraguera marshes, in Trebujena, were transformed in the middle of the last century by means of a drainage system for cultivation, an operation that failed due to the high salinity of the substrate and its excessive clay content but which left the soil profoundly altered. hydrological and ecological functioning of the system.
In this context, the Junta de Andalucía has recovered some of the old pikes (fresh or brackish water lagoons) with the aim of conserving the biodiversity of the area, especially by recovering one of the main nesting areas for bird species. aquatic species such as Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris), Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) or White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala).
These wetlands will also help to recover the functionality of the Guadalquivir estuary by functioning as refuge and fattening areas for fry of the numerous species of fish and crustaceans that develop in the estuary and helping to laminate the floods that occur in winter. Finally, this action also pursues the development of business initiatives linked to nature tourism and the sustainable extraction of renewable resources (shrimp, salicornia, etc.) that help diversify the current uses of the region.
Enjoy these spaces but do so with respect and caution: remember that you are in a sensitive system whose conservation depends on everyone. Do not abandon the trails and, if your dog accompanies you, remember the importance of always keeping him on a leash".
As can be surmised from this information, it seems that the footpath across the reserve will be open access to all. The reserve currently remains in a raw state and unvegetated but should be much improved by 2025.
The map on the information board would have been scorned by my old Geography teacher, Mr Clowser, as merely a pretty picture as it has neither a scale nor a simple compass rose. An added confusion is that you're facing south as you look at the information board and, since the map is conventionally organised with north at the top, you have to mentally turn it upside down to orientate it with what you see!
The new reserve on the Marismas de Trebujena continues to be developed and now features a car park and a noticeboard. The (translated) text on this reads as follows:
The Esparraguera marshes, in Trebujena, were transformed in the middle of the last century by means of a drainage system for cultivation, an operation that failed due to the high salinity of the substrate and its excessive clay content but which left the soil profoundly altered. hydrological and ecological functioning of the system.
In this context, the Junta de Andalucía has recovered some of the old pikes (fresh or brackish water lagoons) with the aim of conserving the biodiversity of the area, especially by recovering one of the main nesting areas for bird species. aquatic species such as Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris), Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) or White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala).
These wetlands will also help to recover the functionality of the Guadalquivir estuary by functioning as refuge and fattening areas for fry of the numerous species of fish and crustaceans that develop in the estuary and helping to laminate the floods that occur in winter. Finally, this action also pursues the development of business initiatives linked to nature tourism and the sustainable extraction of renewable resources (shrimp, salicornia, etc.) that help diversify the current uses of the region.
Enjoy these spaces but do so with respect and caution: remember that you are in a sensitive system whose conservation depends on everyone. Do not abandon the trails and, if your dog accompanies you, remember the importance of always keeping him on a leash".
As can be surmised from this information, it seems that the footpath across the reserve will be open access to all. The reserve currently remains in a raw state and unvegetated but should be much improved by 2025.
The map on the information board would have been scorned by my old Geography teacher, Mr Clowser, as merely a pretty picture as it has neither a scale nor a simple compass rose. An added confusion is that you're facing south as you look at the information board and, since the map is conventionally organised with north at the top, you have to mentally turn it upside down to orientate it with what you see!
The reorientated map from the noticeboard!
Marisma de Henares
The viewing screen at Laguna de Tarelo is a popular place to catch up with White-headed and Marbled Ducks and view nesting Spoonbills (which seem to have displaced most of the smaller egrets and herons that nested on the island). Those using my guide and savvy birders have long appreciated that the laguna could also be viewed from an unofficial viewpoint along Calle 'N'. As long as you pull well over to allow tractors and attendant agricultural machinery to get past, the locals don't seem to mind you parking here for a while. The birds might be less forgiving so be careful not to disturb them.
A decade or more ago when I started writing my guide I continued along Calle 'N' but found a sturdy pair of gates behind the laguna prevented further progress both on foot or in a vehicle. However, these gates have now been removed so you can drive along the track behind the laguna, turn left and then pull off where the track turn right. From this third viewpoint, you can scan across the salinas for Marbled Duck (which seem to like the wetter areas) and across to the Marisma de Henares for Flamingos and waders. This is a quick alternative to driving around to Bonanza if you want a 'wader fix' but take care to view from a distance to avoid unduly disturbing the birdlife. Whether this route will remain open for long remains to be seen but the farm workers didn't seem to object to my presence here.
A decade or more ago when I started writing my guide I continued along Calle 'N' but found a sturdy pair of gates behind the laguna prevented further progress both on foot or in a vehicle. However, these gates have now been removed so you can drive along the track behind the laguna, turn left and then pull off where the track turn right. From this third viewpoint, you can scan across the salinas for Marbled Duck (which seem to like the wetter areas) and across to the Marisma de Henares for Flamingos and waders. This is a quick alternative to driving around to Bonanza if you want a 'wader fix' but take care to view from a distance to avoid unduly disturbing the birdlife. Whether this route will remain open for long remains to be seen but the farm workers didn't seem to object to my presence here.
Pinar de la Algaida.
The track through the Pinar de la Algaida and on to the Guadalquivir is now in an extremely poor condition and a couple of winters with heavy rain could make it undrivable in anything other than a 4x4. Fortunately, an alternative route exists to reach the far end of the pinewoods via Calle 'G' which is not only in better condition (currently!) but affords good 'scope views of the large Spoonbill colony that has developed at the northern end of the woods in recent years. This area also holds nesting White Storks and Black Kites. Visitors should avoid disturbing these birds and the area is out of bounds in the breeding season (see photos below). Note that reports of Azure-winged Magpie at this once reliable site continue to be very sparse.
Note that the track which continues north to the river is, if anything, worse than that through the woods (although mercifully much shorter) so great caution should be used when using it. Once you reach the river the condition of the road improves particularly after the car park for the new reserve. Hopefully this new facility will encourage the authorities to improve the route.
The track through the Pinar de la Algaida and on to the Guadalquivir is now in an extremely poor condition and a couple of winters with heavy rain could make it undrivable in anything other than a 4x4. Fortunately, an alternative route exists to reach the far end of the pinewoods via Calle 'G' which is not only in better condition (currently!) but affords good 'scope views of the large Spoonbill colony that has developed at the northern end of the woods in recent years. This area also holds nesting White Storks and Black Kites. Visitors should avoid disturbing these birds and the area is out of bounds in the breeding season (see photos below). Note that reports of Azure-winged Magpie at this once reliable site continue to be very sparse.
Note that the track which continues north to the river is, if anything, worse than that through the woods (although mercifully much shorter) so great caution should be used when using it. Once you reach the river the condition of the road improves particularly after the car park for the new reserve. Hopefully this new facility will encourage the authorities to improve the route.
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