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Laguna de Pitillas

Navarra  >  Spain

Wetland of 216 hectares full of birds with trails and an observatory.

Added* by Jesus L.
Most recent update 26 april 2021

Description

In the foothills of the Sierra de Ujué, in the middle of the steppe landscape, stands out the Pitillas Lagoon. Thousands of birds find shelter and food in the wetland and its surroundings. The observatory located on a hill overlooking the reservoir, is an ideal viewpoint. There are also three self-guided itineraries to explore the place or you can make a circular walk of 8 km around the lagoon. Any time of year is good to visit Pitillas Lagoon but, the best birding is in winter. During the breeding season, from March to June, it is advisable to walk through alternative walks so as not to disturb the birds and their chicks. Among the birds you can see here are Rørdrum, Pungmejse, Atlingand, Turteldue, Stendrossel, Halsbåndstroldand, Hvidøjet And, Triel, Purpurhejre, Sydlig Stor Tornskade, Vagtel, Hvidskægget Terne, Brushane, Stor Kobbersneppe, Stylteløber and Trane.

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Espagnol: En la falda de la sierra de Ujué, en medio del paisaje estepario, destaca un humedal de 216 hectáreas repleto de aves. La laguna de Pitillas es un espacio ideal para avetoros, aguiluchos, bigotudos, ansarones o garzas, que encuentran refugio y alimento en el agua libre, la vegetación del carrizal y en sus alrededores. El observatorio situado en un cerro que domina el embalse, resulta un mirador ideal para contemplar el plumaje y el colorido de las especies que se refugian en la Reserva Natural. También existen tres itinerarios autoguiados para conocer mejor el lugar. Cualquier época del año es buena para visitar este espacio natural pero, si se desea ver aves, conviene ir en invierno. Durante la época de cría, de marzo a junio, se aconseja transitar por paseos alternativos para no molestar a las aves y sus polluelos.

Details

Access

Take the Tafalla-Olite exit on the AP-15, and head towards Olite. Continue along the N-121 road, to PK-47, where you will divert to the town of Pitillas by the NA-5330 road. Cross Pitillas and continue the lagoon, following the signs to reach the parking lot of the interpretation center of the lagoon. You can make an 8 km circular walk around the lagoon.

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Espagnol: Tomamos la salida Tafalla-Olite en la AP-15, para dirijirnos hacia Olite y continuar por la carretera N-121, hasta el PK-47, en el que nos desviaremos a la localidad de Pitillas por la carretera NA-5330, atravesar Pitillas y continuar havia la laguna, siguiendo las indicaciones que existen, para llegar al aparcamiento del centro de interpretación de la laguna.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Steppe , Agriculture , Lake

Conditions

Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Autumn migration , Spring migration

Route

Paved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

IMPORTANT: the path around the lagoon is not recommended during the breeding season, so as not to disturb the birds; it is also not marked.

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Espagnol: IMPORTANTE: El camino en torno a la laguna se desaconseja en época reproductora, para no molestar a las aves; además no está balizado.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Sydlig Stor Tornskade
1. Sydlig Stor Tornskade
(Lanius meridionalis)
Triel
2. Triel
(Burhinus oedicnemus)
Pungmejse
3. Pungmejse
(Remiz pendulinus)
Rørdrum
4. Rørdrum
(Botaurus stellaris)
Rødhovedet And
5. Rødhovedet And
(Netta rufina)

Other birds you can see here

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