Complejo Endorreico de Puerto Real Natural Reserve

By Jo Williams

This 839ha reserve is made up of three lakes, Taraje, San Antonio and Comisario, which are fed by rainwater and a nearby waterworks.

Access
From Puerto Real near Cadiz take the CA2012 towards Paterna de Rivera. The reserve is around 12km from Puerto Real, on the left-hand side of the road. At Km 9 on the CA2012 there is a track through pine trees. After 1½km take the right turn that leads to Laguna del Taraje after about 2½km. There is a bird hide here and a signposted path that leads around the lake and south to the San Antonio lake. The Comisario lake is just off the CA2012 at Km 15.8.

Flora
The lakes have patches of tamarisk (giving one of the lakes, Taraje, its name), reedmace and reeds dotted on their shores. There are also thriving underwater plants, a food source of the aquatic birds and an indication of the lake's excellent water quality.

Fauna
Most common here are purple gallinules, white-headed and marbled ducks, purple herons and little bitterns. There are also ospreys and Montagu's, marsh and hen harriers. During migration periods there are terns and waders.

Amphibians and reptiles include vipers, ocellated lizards and frogs.

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