By vehicle and on foot
asphalt, dirt track and path
Bird habitats you will find in this area:
We start at the bridges of the Guadiana River in Villanueva de la Serena (o.p. 01). From the EX-351 we can access the southern bank of the river to walk through its riverine forest between the old bridge and the greenway viaduct for species such as Common Kingfisher, Little Bittern, Purple Heron and Alpine Swift. Returning to the vehicle, we continue along the Palazuelo road (o.p. 02) between rice fields, where mainly in autumn and winter thousands of Common Cranes, various species of gull and heron, Glossy Ibis, waders such as Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Spotted Redshank, Kentish Plover, Pied Avocet can be seen.. and during the breeding season, Collared Pratincole.
We continue in the direction of Madrigalejo and before reaching the town we will take a paved track to the left that will take us to an old gravel pit (o.p. 03). In this small wetland we can see Purple Heron, Little Bittern and Western Marsh Harrier at close range and listen to the elusive Water Rail. In the surrounding dehesas it is easy to see Black-winged Kite. Back on the EX-355 we continue to the N-430, on a route on which we can enjoy in winter large concentrations of waders and Common Cranes in the rice fields, to head to Acedera and visit its church (o.p. 04), a small Urban SPA with an important colony of Lesser Kestrel and White Stork.
After visiting Acedera we proceed to Obando to see the Moheda Alta peri-urban conservation and leisure park, its interpretation centre and dehesa. By circular route on foot, or directly by road, we can get to a tower hide (o.p. 05) with views of an irrigation pond and look for Greater Flamingo, Red-crested Pochard and the arrival or departure of thousands of Common Cranes at roost. Returning to the vehicle, we continue towards Casas de Don Pedro to detour along the Dehesas canal and take a dirt track that will take us to another hide at the Paguillo weir (o.p. 06). In this small section of the Orellana reservoir we can see Great Crested and Black-necked Grebes, Red-crested Pochard and Tufted Duck in winter. And in the surrounding dehesas, during the breeding season, Common Cuckoo, European Turtle Dove, Woodchat Shrike and European Bee-eater among others.
Finally, we will end our route at the Puerto Peña viewpoint (o.p. 07), next to the García de Sola reservoir dam. From there we have views of the rockface where there is a colony of Griffon Vultures. Black Stork, Alpine Swift, Bonelli’s Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Egyptian Vulture also breed there.
Guadiana Greenway: on the old railway line, the best option to explore the area on foot or by bicycle.
Orellana Beach: The first freshwater beach in Spain with a blue flag. It also has a marina.
Moheda Alta Interpretation Centre: Information about this attractive area, where the Crane Festival is also celebrated every year.
Puerto Peña Rock Bird Interpretation Centre: with a viewpoint on its terrace and information about the birds of the Guadiana gorge.
Birds that remain in the territory all year round.
Breeding birds that stay in the territory during spring and summer, migrating to their wintering grounds at the end of summer.
Birds that do not breed in Extremadura but spend the autumn and winter months here.
Birds that use the region as a stopover area, migrating from their breeding grounds north of Extremadura to their wintering areas further south.
