Laguna del Conde o Salobral Natural Area

By Jo Williams

The 89ha shallow, seasonal Laguna del Conde is part of a group of lakes and wetlands dotted around southern Cordoba province called the Lagunas or Zonas Húmedas del Sur. These lakes are the principal breeding site of the white-headed duck and are rich in birdlife, especially during winter and migration periods. During the summer months there may considerably less to see, since the lake usually dries up.

The Laguna del Conde is also known as the Laguna Salobral, or Salty Lake, a reference to its saline water.

Access
From Cordoba take the A432 south to Luque. Just past the turn-off for Luque look out for CV104 north of the A432, towards Albendín. You can also walk or cycle from Luque to the lake along a 5km-long stretch of the Vía Verde of the Subbética, a route along a converted railway line.

Flora
The Laguna del Conde has halophytic vegetation, such as glasswort, which is characteristic of saltwater lakes such as this one. There are also a few areas of tamarisk. Around the reserve are fields of cereal cultivation.

Fauna
Winter is the time with most birds. Ducks such as shovellers, pochards, wigeons and shelducks are here then, as well as flamingos, grey herons, black-winged stilts and avocets. In the cereal fields are little bustards.

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