Day 5

Last Day

As this is the last day, time will be given after breakfast to pack. After packing we will then meet up for a breakdown of the overall holiday experience. To get the most from the last day we will be going to sites found in the Bay of Cadiz and surrounding area. Depending on how productive the site is will determine exactly how long we stay there and where we go to next.

The Bay of Cadiz covers a total area of 10,522ha. It is a natural harbour and has one of the best examples of Atlantic tidal marsh found on the Iberian Peninsula. It is a grouping of Natural Parks and because of its central location between Doñana and Gibraltar it is one of the most important wetlands in southern Europe.

A mix of habitats comprising of sandy beaches, rocky islets bordered with salt marshes and behind them freshwater lakes and salt pans all providing crucial breeding and wintering areas as well as a stopover to refuel, rest and roost for migrants.

The first people to make use of the saltpans were the Phoenicians. After them came the Romans who used the salt for preserving fish and producing Garum. The transatlantic sailors in the 15th Century were next, so they could preserve their food for their crossing of the Atlantic to the Americas. It was in the 19th Century that saw the area at its most productive with it tapering off when refrigeration came into wholesale use.

The area came under threat after that, as land was reclaimed for development, which was stopped in 1989 when it was turned into a Natural Park.

Playa de Composto

This area extends from San Fernando down towards the creek entrance at Sancti Petri. It comprises of a long sand bar with extensive saltpans behind. Time will be spent viewing the saltpans but we will also look at the dunes and scrub behind as they can hold resting and feeding migrants.

Lagunas de Puerto Real

The whole area of this Natural Park covers 839ha and is comprised of three lagoons: del Taraje, de San Antonio and del Comisario. There are areas of full reedbed, some open water and mud banks. All are fringed with reedbeds and some fan-palm scrub is found around the interconnecting site. Along with this are patches of tamarisk, which is why del Taraje is so named.

Lagunas del Puerto de Santa María

The whole area of this Natural Park covers 291ha and is comprised of three lagoons: Laguna Salada, Laguna Chica and Laguna Juncosa. The latter is named after all the rushes found along its shore along with tamarisk, reedmace and reeds. The areas surrounding the lakes have wild olives, lentisc and dwarf palm.

Some of the Birds of Interest Found as this Site

There is the chance to see all three Harrier species and other raptors. Breeding Little bitterns, Purple herons, Purple gallinules, Great reed warbler with the occasional Red-knobbed coot may still be seen.

During passage waterfowl and waders are abundant including Marbled and White-headed duck.

These Natural Parks are also very interesting for people with an interest in reptiles and amphibians as they hold very good populations of vipers, lizards and frogs.

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