Litoral de la Janda
Laguna de la Janda

Nowadays, it is practically drained by the artificial diversion of Barbate and Almodovar rivers that fed it. With an elongated morphology in EW direction and a length of about 4 km, it is situated at an altitude of 3,5-4 meters above sea level and has a depth that rarely reaches 1 m of water. In times of heavy rains, the depression of Janda is partially flooded.

The current land uses that were part of the lagoon determine the presence of a very interesting birdlife. The system of pipes and drains in the north which control the amount of water accumulated in the lagoon and parcels of land devoted to rice, allow the presence of a characteristic avifauna of lake environments, stressing the presence of grey herons, night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), Squacco herons (Ardeola ralloides), little bitterns, white and black storks, mallards, marsh harriers, common cranes, Baillon´s crakes (Porzana pusilla) and little crakes(P. parva).
 

Any time of year is interesting for the birdwatcher, during the winter, a variety of birds are wintering in the former lagoon, stressing the common crane, which once bred in this land and that today is likely to gather nearly thousand specimens; during migratory steps several species found in La Janda an ideal place for breeding as the Hen harrier, Black-winged kite or Short-toed eagle. Also, during any time of year you can see the Spanish Imperial eagle, the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) or the Bonelli´s eagle hunting in these areas.

The presence of a ranching allows the existence of dead cattles that provide food for species such as Griffon and Egyptian vultures, without ruling out the occasional presence of individuals of a rare species such as the Rüppell´s vulture (Gyps rueppellii).

© Photo: Francisco Jiménez

 

Location
southeastern border of Vejer de la Frontera municipality.

Access
Through the N-340 road, there are several paths for us to go out to the left of the road in the direction of Tarifa. One of these entries is next to the Retín road-side bar, at the junction with the road CA-2221 to Zahara.

Infraestructures
•  It does not have specific equipment for birdwatching.

Elements of Interest:
•  Important presence of wintering birds: common crane, white stork, Great white egret and marsh harrier.

•  necessary step for migratory species: honey buzzards, short-toed eagl and booted eagle.

• Raptor´s hunting area: Spanish imperial eagle, Bonelli´s eagle, Buzzard, Peregrine falcon and Griffon vulture.

Remarks:
•  There are no specific infrastructure for birdwatching, performing it in tours by car or on foot through the roads that pass through.
The Territory



C/ Marqués de Santillana, 64 • 41840 Pilas (Sevilla) • Tlfn. 0034-955753820 • Fax. 0034-955753093