Lakes and Plains of La Albuera
Travellers
de las Lakes and Plains of La Albuera
Location and access
The reference points for this route are the towns of La Albuera and Valverde de Leganés, both of which are very close to the capital of the province, Badajoz. The best way to reach the area is via the N-432 (Badajoz-Granada), which you can take towards La Albuera either from the city of Badajoz itself, from the north, or from Zafra via the A-66, from the south. Pages 1:50,000 numbers 801 and 802 of the IGN.
Description of the route
The suggested birdwatching route is composed of two parts, according to the different geographical location and, above all, ecological characteristics that define each part (lakes and steppe plains, respectively).
Lakes of La Albuera: These endorheic (closed drainage) natural wetlands are the best representation of this type of habitat (temporary Mediterranean lakes) in Extremadura. The area called “Complejo Lagunar de La Albuera”, consists of a series of temporary Mediterranean lakes and ponds (Lagunas Grande, Llana, Marciega, Chica, del Burro, del Carril and other, smaller ones), small areas of saline steppe habitats and open dehesa of Holm oaks. It has been declared a Site of Community Importance (SIC) and an Area of International Importance for water birds (Ramsar site). Along with the agricultural plains between this town, Badajoz and Valverde de Leganés (see later) it also forms part of the SPA “Llanos y Complejo Lagunar de La Albuera”.
The birdwatching route suggested to access the complex of lakes starts in La Albuera and can be done in half a day, partly by car, partly on foot. Take the N-432 southwards from this town, towards Zafra, and after about 6 km, at kilometre point 29.400 (at this point there is an information panel about the natural area; 29S-694770-428368) turn left onto a small dirt track. Park your car by the road and walk straight along the track for about 2 km, which will take you to the centre of the complex of lakes formed by Lagunas de la Marciega, Laguna Grande and Laguna Llana, all of which are amongst the Holm oaks of Dehesa del Caballo. Next go back to your car and about 100 m further down the road you will find another track on the left that will take you to the lake Laguna Chica, about 1 km distance, going past the farmhouse Cortijo de las Nateras Altas. The lake called Laguna del Burro, which is very shallow, is reached by the road called Carril de las Vacas, which is also a left turn off the N-432, at kilometre point 27.300 (29S-693025-428479). Park your car by the road again and after walking for 1.7 km you will see the lake on the right. Other lakes belonging to this complex can be found next to the N-432, at kilometre points 31.500 (Laguna del Carril) and 33.000 (Laguna de La Gitana).
Steppe Plains of La Albuera-Valverde de Leganés: the suggested birdwatching route (20 km) goes through these agricultural and pseudo-steppe plains and takes half a day (by car and on foot). Broadly speaking, it consists of the local road between the towns of La Albuera and Valverde de Leganés (BA-006; 15 km). When you reach the first town drive through it along the former N-432 and when you reach a cereal silo you will find the afore-mentioned local road on the left. From this point in the town, after 5700 m, when you reach a pig farm about 200 m from the road on the right, park your car and, on foot, turn right down the track called Carril del Conde (which leads off in both directions from the road, 29S-683726-428685). This livestock track will take you to the area known as El Adobal, a magnificent representation of the typical agro system that dominates this natural area, rain-fed crops (vineyards, cereals) and irrigated ones (alfalfa, sunflowers, etc.). We would recommend you to walk about 3-3.5 km, to a large irrigation pool on the right of the track (Charca de El Adobal), which is very close to the junction with the track Carril de las Lanas. Towards the left of the road, the track takes you to the spot called El Campillo-Valdesevilla (2 km). Once you have finished these walking routes, go back to the road and drive towards Valverde de Leganés. After 3.2 km, and after a big left-hand bend, a new track leads off to the right (29S-680654-428723) that will lead you to a large half-ruined farm (Cortijo de la Campana; about 250 m from the road). You can stop and go for a walk at any time along this track, and also enjoy the steppe habitat that is characteristic of the region. When you return to the road go towards Valverde de Leganés again (the end of this route; 6.5 km), stopping and walking a bit more should you so wish.
Ornithological interest
1) Lakes of La Albuera: The community of aquatic birds that reside in this series of wetland areas over the course of the year is of high diversity and value in conservation terms, with different communities and/or species depending on the season. In total more than 150 species of birds have been recorded here, demonstrating the importance of this wetland system. In spring or the breeding season the typical species nesting in the area are Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Common Coot, Gadwall and Mallard. The community of breeding waders is important, with species such as Black-winged Stilt, Collared Pratincole and Northern Lapwing (with this being one of the few breeding sites of this species in the region), as well as Whiskered Tern. Marsh Harrier also breeds at the lake some years. In winter there are large populations of different species of wildfowl (Greylag Goose, Common Teal, Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Red-crested Pochard and Common Pochard, which breed some years). The area is also a traditional area for Common Crane to winter and feed in (over 1000 individuals), using the lake Laguna Grande to roost. Passage migrants include some flocks of Eurasian Spoonbill, Black and White Storks, Garganey and waders (sandpipers, Redshank, Ruff,etc.). In the Holm oak dehesa around the lakes there are breeding species such as Black-winged Kite, Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, Azure-winged Magpie, Western Orphean Warbler, Hoopoe, as well as many other bird species.
2) Plains of La Albuera-Valverde de Leganés: The pseudo-steppe agro system here is one of the best representations of this type of environment in Extremadura, despite the small area it covers, with most “steppe bird” species having been recorded here. The birds that breed here include Great Bustard (250 birds in spring and over 1000 in winter), Little Bustard, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, European Roller, Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Calandra Lark and Short-toed Lark. In winter the area also provides shelter for wintering groups of Hen Harrier, Merlin (with interesting communal roosts), Northern Lapwing, Golden Plover, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, among other species. In the few patches of dehesa and scattered Holm oaks still present in the area there is a large population of Black-winged Kite (one of the biggest in the region with 10-15 pairs) and Long-eared Owl also breeds in these cultivated dehesas.
2) Plains of La Albuera-Valverde de Leganés: The pseudo-steppe agro system here is one of the best representations of this type of environment in Extremadura, despite the small area it covers, with most “steppe bird” species having been recorded here. The birds that breed here include Great Bustard (250 birds in spring and over 1000 in winter), Little Bustard, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, European Roller, Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Calandra Lark and Short-toed Lark. In winter the area also provides shelter for wintering groups of Hen Harrier, Merlin (with interesting communal roosts), Northern Lapwing, Golden Plover, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, among other species. In the few patches of dehesa and scattered Holm oaks still present in the area there is a large population of Black-winged Kite (one of the biggest in the region with 10-15 pairs) and Long-eared Owl also breeds in these cultivated dehesas.
Best time to visit
This route can be done at any time of the year, except, maybe, the middle of the scorching summer. However, it’s recommended to do it in spring (March-May) or winter (December-February). Bear in mind, however, that in the winter the state of the tracks is often very poor, due to the clayey nature of the land, mud and water. Also we should mention that it’s only in years of normal rainfall, with plenty of rain in autumn and spring, that the lakes contain water throughout the rainy period; if not, they can remain completely dry for the whole year.
Other environmental and cultural interest
Environmental interest. The Ribera of Nogales-Los Limonetes, which crosses the SPA, has been declared a SCI for the value of its indigenous fish and the good state of conservation of its riverside corridors (ash, oleander and spurge groves). The nearby lime-rich mountain ranges (Sierra de Alor, Monsalud, María Andrés, etc.) are home to botanical endemics and rich groups of orchids. Along the road from Valverde de Leganés to Badajoz there is an interesting mixed forest of Holm and cork oaks and stone pines, with abundant species of birds of interest (storks, kites, Booted Eagle, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, etc.). Badajoz rubbish dump, on the same road, is another area with a large number and diversity of birds.
Historical-cultural interest. The historic areas of Badajoz (Arabic castle (Alcazaba), walls, medieval bridge, cathedral, churches, old centre, museums), Olivenza (Ajuda bridge, fortress, barracks, churches, Portuguese traditional and religious architecture, ethnographic museum) and Zafra (castle-palace, convents, plazas, traditional architecture) are worth visiting. In Valverde de Leganés and Barcarrota there are many megalithic monuments (dolmens and menhirs), which the respective town councils have published leaflets about for visitors.