Los Alcornocales
Description

Los Alcornocales and El Estrecho Natural Parks have together a surface of 189.000 ha. And they borders at East on the cordillera Bética, at North on Sierra de Grazalema, at West with the Cádiz countryside and the Guadiaro river valley.

The district has nine municipalities which are the following ones:
Alcalá de los Gazules, Los Barrios, Benalup - Casas Viejas, Castellar de la Frontera, Jimena de la Frontera, Medina – Sidonia, Paterna de rivera, San José del Valle, Tarifa, Algar, Algeciras, Arcos de la Frontera, Benaocaz, El Bosque, Jerez, Prado del Rey, Ubrique and Cortes de la Frontera.

© Photograph: Cinema Sur

 

The climate in the area is Mediterranean subtropical and marine type, being generally characterized by abundant precipitations associate to the west winds and moderate temperatures. The biggest peculiarity in the climate in this area is the existence of a summery microclimate that are related with the north-south disposition of the mountainous range existent in the area and the constant flow of west and east winds.

© Photograph: Cinema Sur

Ornithological importance of the Alcornocales District

Strategic position: Although most of the bird groups are link to specific fauna habitats are well represented in the area, highlight the contingents of migratory birds that twice a year cross the district.

Ecological values: The variety, extension and grade of conservation of the present ecosystems in the district.

Birdlife diversity: From the 524 birds that the publication Birds in Europe (Birdlife, 2004) describes, approximately 41%, or some 215 birds, can be observed more or less regularly.

Threatened species: From the 38 more attractive species for the ornithologists, 5 are threatened at world level, 25 at European level, only 2 species at Spanish level.

Natural Protected Spaces: The Natural Park of the Strait and the Natural Sites of the Lances beach and Palmones river marshlands are outstanding places for the aquatic and marine avifauna.

Important Bird Areas (IBA): Sierras de las Cabras, del Aljibe and Montecoche, Sierras del Bujeo, Ojén, del Niño and Blanquilla.

The Territory



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