Albufera Nature Park, Mallorca, Spain by Kiko Piris

Many of the ecosystems in this park, which claims the greatest biodiversity of any area in the Balearics, can be traced back to over 18 million years ago! The park’s present wetlands formed about 100,000 years ago, however, and its dunes formed about 10,000 years ago. Much of the park’s waters come from seasonal streams in north and central Mallorca, though subterranean aquifers also provide the damp. Seawater also makes its way to the park in the summer, and is said to have a “particular effect” on area vegetation. Park meadows feature an abundance of seagrass, which provide an essential hydrodynamic barrier that protect area beaches and dunes from erosion.

An internationally protected area for birds, birdwatchers from all over Europe flock (no pun intended) to the park to catch glimpses of rare and beautiful waterfowl, as the park is the most “bird-rich wetland” of any island in the Mediterranean. There are at least 60 bird species that use the park for breeding purposes, and over 200 species have been spotted in the park in general. Birds known to inhabit the park include ospreys, who leave their breeding sites to fish in the wetlands, as well as egrets, crested coots, terns, herons, and sand pipers. Other bird species that live in the park all year round include peregrines and hoopoes; birds that utilize the park for breeding include stonechats, moustached warblers and long-eared owls. Waterfowl that make occasional appearances at the park include spoonbills, glossy ibis, and cranes. Birdwatching “hides,” or sites, are located throughout the park for wildlife viewing, and the park’s visitor center features an audio visual display room for listening to the songs of assorted park birds.

Birds aren’t the only life forms inhabiting the park. Over 29 species of fish live within the wetlands, including a rather sizable eel population, as well as 66 species of funghi. Water snakes and marsh frogs are some of the most visible reptiles and amphibians. Mammals that call the park home include eight species of bat, including the rare Barbastelle bat, as well as an assortment of rats and mice. Visit the park in the spring to enjoy its stunning selection of wildflowers, but remember to utilize the area foot or bike riding paths.

Admission to the park is free. The park is open year round, though how long the park is open each day depends on the time of year. It is accessible by walking, bike riding, or driving, though cars must be parked on either the nearby side streets or residential areas. It is important that all park rules are followed, and visitors are not allowed to collect flowers, other vegetation, or wildlife.

Bio: This article was written by Hotel Sis Pins, a Hotel Majorca location. Contact them to book your stay today!

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The mining started already in the 1st Century. The Romans used the hydraulic mining technique. After two centuries of extremely profitable mining the Romans departed and left here a devastated landscape. But after centuries it has changed and now the country looks so much impressive that in 1997 was Las Médulas registered by the UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites.

Even today you can still see a mining operation there, at non-forested slopes, that are full of steep rocky bits in orange or almost red color. According to Pliny the Elder, it could be extracted about 1,650,000 kg of pure gold during the 250 years of mining.

Villages in the area of Las Médulas belong to the poorest in Spain. Once you come here you will feel that the time totally stopped. The buildings are abandoned and dilapidated, young people left to large cities. Just after including the area to UNESCO the first tourists started to arrive. Local residents are very sincere and offer their domestic products, especially wines, liqueurs and cheeses.

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El Torcal de Antequera, Spain by Jebulon

The reserve itself is situated around a small mountain range composed of Jurassic limestone. When the limestone was first formed hundred and 50 million years ago, it was located under the Atlantic Ocean. However, during the tertiary period, most of limestone was thrusted upwards more than 1300 meters above sea level. As a result of erosion brought on by the dissolution of water and the annual freeze-thaw action that is experienced through much of the region, the mountain range slowly began to form into the unusual shapes that it is known for today.

Of course not only do you have the standard mountain appearance to the region, but due to the composition of the geological formations, you also have a number of caves as well as other forms of underground formations. One of the most important caves in the area is that of the Cueva del Toro, which has become a very important archaeological site on account of the numerous Neolithic artifacts that have been uncovered within the cave.

Spanish ibex, Torcal de Antequera, Spain by Allan Psicobyte

Of course above the surface, you will see a number of different species of plant and animal life. The vast majority of the nature reserve is covered by a wide array of different wildflowers which includes orchid, lilies as well as Nazarenes. You also see a number of different reptiles such as the eyed lizard as well as the Montpelier snake. It is not uncommon for a visitor to the nature reserve to run into Andalusian mountain goats, badgers, weasels as well as other roads. Overhead you will occasionally catch the glimpse of a Griffon vulture soaring above.

There is a single paved road that runs into the El Torcal de Antequera from the municipality of Villanueva de la Concepción. Here you will find a small gift shop as well as a visitor center. There are a number of different hiking trails which lead to some of the most popular scenic views in the region. These hiking trails are all color-coded to make them easier to follow.

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Unlike some deserts in the world, the Tabernas Desert is not located below sea level. For the most part, the lowest portion of the desert is actually more than 400 meters above the sea. Like any other desert in the world, it gets extremely hot during the summer seasons. In the Tabernas Desert you will see temperatures exceeding 40 °C on an annual basis.

Tabernas Desert, Spain by Luis Daniel Carbia Cabeza

The vast majority of the Tabernas Desert is located below 900 meters above sea level. Above this point, the temperature gets substantially more bearable and the amount of annual rain increases. And although the desert is hot and dry, it is not uncommon to see snow on the tops of the mountains surrounding it during the wintertime.

As with just about any desert, when it does rain in the Tabernas Desert, the rainfall is quite torrential. It takes a substantial amount of effort for storm clouds pass over top of the mountain peaks and enter into the valley. Those storms that have the potential can be quite dangerous. As such, much of the ground is filled with craggy sandstone and almost no vegetation. The sandstone itself is virtually incapable of retaining moisture and as such, much of the valley tends to flood and erode during heavy rains.

A ladder snake by Benny Trapp

But the desert itself is not absent of all flora and fauna. There is actually quite a bit of vegetation that be found throughout the region. The most common plant is the sea lavender, which is almost extinct. There are also a number of reptiles and amphibians that can be found throughout the Tabernas Desert; including ladder snakes, ocellated lizards, terrapins, spiny footed lizards as well as natterjack toads. You will also find a number different hedgehogs, rabbits as well as a number of different dormouse species. Overhead, it is not uncommon to see a Bonelli’s eagle or even a peregrine falcon soaring above.

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Flamingos on Fuente de Piedra Lagoon, Spain by rjime31

The Fuente de Piedra Lagoon is a beautiful and biodiverse ecosystem. There are more than 30 different species of birdlife that make their way to the lagoon every single year to breed. There are also countless priceless species of fauna that can be found only in the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon. And of course while all these make visiting the lagoon a popular choice, it is the hundreds of thousands of pink flamingos that has attracted so many visitors over the years.

Today, thousands of newborn chicks see their first sunrise over the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon. Thanks to help of more than 300 volunteers who monitor the flamingos as well as make sure that they are all healthy as possible. And while the pink flamingo can be seen throughout the year especially in the months between February and August, it is only during the middle of July that their eggs hatch.

It is important to point out, that the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon is not freshwater; but rather it is brackish. As a result, due to the amount of evaporation in the area, there is always a thin layer of salt crystals floating on the surface of the lagoon. As a result, some of the best photo picking opportunities imaginable will occur as assigned begins to set and its reflection can be seen across the surface of the lagoon as if there were a large perfectly smooth mirror.

Fuente de Piedra Lagoon, Spain by Tyk

It is simply amazing how far the pink flamingos travel here just to reach the waters of the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon. However it is not uncommon for the birds to travel more than 1000 kilometres every single year. And what is more, is that for centuries, the pink flamingo has chosen to breed in the waters of the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon over any other location in the world.

After breeding, a pair of flamingos will share the responsibility of rearing their chick. The female will lay only a single egg per year and for 29 days will painstakingly monitor and incubate the eggs until it hatches. It is simply amazing to not only watch the courtship dance between flamingos, but also the loving and nurturing that the two, mother and father flamingos, show to the newborn chick as they bring into the world and raise it to maturity.

When you choose to visit the Fuente de Piedra Lagoon, you are choosing to take part in one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders that the world has ever known.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by fraboof

Ruidera Lagoons are also called “The mirrors of La Mancha.” The natural park has been established in 1979. Its largest lakes are Laguna Colgada and Laguna del Rey. There are lots of tourists visiting this place every year, so this area offers a number of accommodation possibilities. You can find here small hotels, restaurants, camping sites and private villas, located mostly in or around Ruidera town. You can get to the lagoons from Villahermosa or Tomelloso towns.

The local climate is Mediterranean, characterized by strong fluctuations in temperature, maximum of 43 ºC and minimum of -13 °C, an average annual temperature is around 14 ºC, being the hottest month of July and the coldest month of January. The total rainfall is low, reaching around 400mm per year.

Ruidera Lagoons are considered one of the most interesting natural spaces and beautiful wet lands in the Iberian Peninsula.

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