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Lagunas del Puerto de Santa Maria

Cadiz Province, Spain  >  Spain

Three lagoons offering a range of wetland birds similar to Laguna de Medina albeit in smaller numbers. A convenient stop en route to exploring Cadiz Bay

Added* by John Cantelo
Most recent update 24 november 2023

Description

This 228 hectare reserve consists of three shallow lagoons. In the order in which they are approach these are Lagunas Juncosa, Salada and Chica. All three are vulnerable to drought alhough Laguna Salada is the least likely one to dry up. Most sources tend to write off the shallowest of the three, Laguna Juncosa, since, as the name suggests, it's often choked by juncus sedges but after a wet spring it can be superb and easy to scan (unlike Lagunas Salada and Chica).

Lagunas Juncosa is on your right as you arrive and should be carefully scanned. Look out too for Hærfugl in the sandy area where you park. When wet it regularly has Sort Ibis, Stylteløber, Hvidhovedet Skarveand, Rødhovedet And and Sorthalset Lappedykker plus the occasional Marmorand (winter) and sometimes Kamblishøne. Even when overgrown the sedges can conceal the odd Sultanhøne whilst Rødvinget Braksvale and a variety of hirundines hawk overhead. Dværgrørvagtel have been recorded in the area. From this laguna a track, always badly rutted and sometimes obstructed by glutinous mud, drops down to the second laguna, Salada, on the left. Unfortunately, there is no official access to the laguna (despite a rough track) so viewing is limited to what you can see from the track. Visibility is poor and obstructed by reeds surrounding the laguna. All the birds mentioned earlier can be seen (although a 'scope is needed) plus Stor Flamingo and, with luck, Dværghejre. A track on the right runs down to Laguna Chica (although in wet conditions it can be very muddy). This laguna is still harder to view but the screening bushes hold Vestlig Bleg Gulbug. The lagunas can also attract migrant terns and waders whilst the bushes may hold passing passerines. Hedehøg hunt over nearby fields. In winter Blåhals and Pungmejse are possible.

Details

Access

The usual access to this site is off the N IV at a roundabout immediately south of the disused "Aquapark" along minor road westwards (opposite the A 2002). Just after a sharp lefthand bend a mettalled lane runs off to the right and along the side of a drainage canal and on to a small bridge to the lagunas. Note, however, this route is technically a private road and has 'No Entry' signs (albeit ignored by locals). If concerned by this thread your way through the a scruffy estate of small villas to the bridge over the canal.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland

Conditions

Flat , Sandy , Wet

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Spring

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Note that the Laguna Juncosa is best when very wet but this is when the track down to the other lagunas is most likely to be flooded and impassable

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

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