The lake area epicenter, The Hondo Elche Natural Park.

It is the most emblematic wetland among all the ones which make up this lake system, being undoubtedly the one which better represents the whole system, as the presence of species in danger of extinction gives it “unfortunately” this peculiarity.

Rascon, Rallus aquaticus

Marmaronetta Birding

Pollo de Malvasia.

Marmaronetta Birding

It covers 2,378 Hectares, spreaded on two lakes, which 1,100 are calm shallow waters. Elche, Crevillente y Catral are the districts where it is placed. In the surroundings of the two main lakes, there are several private wetlands that traditionally and because the land can’t be used to grow, have been dedicated to fish and cynegetic work and they make the great damp space as a whole.

Mapa del Hondo. Marmaronetta Birding

The trips possible in this area go through lakes of shallow waters and salt lakes where the dominant vegetation is consisted by different genus such as halocnemun, limonium or salicornias, always surrounded by reed, Phragmites communis. This last species enables us to stroll behind it hiding us from the surrounding fauna.

Porrón bastardo, Aythya marila.

Marmaronetta Birding

Ánade rabudo, Anas acuta.

Marmaronetta Birding

Charca norte en otoño. Marmaronetta Birding

During the winter time, an important number of anatidae takes refuge in this wetland. Always depending on the cold spells from the North of Europe, el pato cuchara together with the porrones communes, make vast flocks. We also can find some specimens of cercetas comunes, ánades frisos, patos colorados y ánades rabudos but in less quantity.
The ardeidaes are well represented in the park and its surroundings, together with singular species such as el calamón o los moritos.

Charca de poniente en invierno. Marmaronetta Birding

Joven de Aguilucho cenizo, Circus pygargus. Marmaronetta Birding

Garcetas comunes, Egretta garceta con distintas fases. Marmaronetta Birding

Incorporated into this lush area, we will find predatory such as the aguilucho cenizo o el águila pescadora, but undoubtedly, the anatidaes are the ones which give this wetland the biggest percentage of contingent species.

Calamón, Porphyrio porphyrio. Marmaronetta Birding

La Malvasia cabeciblanca, annually uses this enclave for the breeding of its offspring, being the Hondo one of the best places for breeding in the Iberian peninsula. The cerceta pardilla, also uses this space with the same aim.

Pardilla, Marmaronetta angustirostris. Marmaronetta Birding

Silbon, Anas penélope.

Marmaronetta Birding

The register quality in this space is confirmed by its many tours peppered with huts for observation, from where the bird watching has the incentive of the variability in the presence of different bird families.
Another peculiarity is that this wetland is away from the artificial environment of its surroundings, which turns it into a calm and quiet place.

Martinete, Nycticorax nycticorax. Marmaronetta Birding