Ciudad Real Natural Spaces
Cabañeros National Park
Is noted for its rich fauna, that includes a considerable number
of endemic species.
The lush pastures, mountain ranges and massifs covered in forests
and Mediterranean scrub, make this landscape particularly beautiful.
It is also the habitat of very important fauna, mainly consisting
of birds (black vulture, Iberian eagle, golden eagle). Cabañeros
is also a land of large mammals (45 species). It is easy to spot
the red deer, wild boar or roe deer.
Reserva de la Biosfera La Mancha Húmeda (Biosphere
Reserve)
This Biosphere Reserve is in the heart of Castilla-La Mancha and
is formed by two protected spaces: Tablas de Daimiel and Lagunas
de Ruidera. In addition, both parks are listed as Special Bird
Protection Areas (ZEPA) and Wetlands of International Importance
under the Ramsar Agreement. In Tablas de Daimiel, between the
Guadiana and Cigüela rivers, are flooded areas that constitute
the perfect habitat for a lot of water birds. Some of its islands
are worthy of note (like Pan, Algeciras and Amos), surrounded
by lake and water vegetation (reed, rush and bulrush). The only
trees in the area are the tamarisks. Horned grebes, ducks, herons
and kestrels, to name but a few of the many bird species found
at the park, share the space with weasels, otters and numerous
amphibians. Lagunas de Ruidera, on the other hand, is located
in the Upper Guadiana river valley. The park comprises a group
of natural dams distributed in an area of 25 kilometres, with
interesting flora and a great number of bird species, especially
anatidae. These bodies of water are interconnected through waterfalls
and underground fissures, creating a beautiful scenery. In the
surrounding area are holm oak and juniper, but as the soil becomes
more humid, elm and poplar trees appear. Around the lakes are
reed, rush, bulrush and sedge. Different species of anatidae,
such as teals and ducks, and of rallidae such as coots, constitute
the main bird colonies in the wetlands, whilst the Mediterranean
forest is the habitat of rabbits, turtle doves, partridges and
foxes. Barbels are the most numerous fish found in this area.
Parque Nacional de las Tablas de
Daimiel
Tablas de Daimiel formed as the result of overflows at the confluence
of the rivers Guadiana and Cigüela, a fact favoured by the
slight slope of the land. The Wetlands are strategically located
on the migratory routes of many species of birds, that use the
area to rest, and even spend the winter. The water birds are the
absolute protagonists of the Park. They include the great crested
grebe, the common grebe, black-necked grebe, herons, egrets, and
all kinds of Iberian ducks. In the Wetlands numerous aquatic flowers
grow.. Some grow underwater (like the horwart or musk grass),
float (such pondweed) and emerging (cladium mariscum, reed and
rush).
Parque Natural de las Lagunas de
Ruidera (The lagoons of La Mancha)
A chain of fifteen lagoons form an open space of lakes and rivers
that are unique to la Mancha's steppes.
Between the first lagoon, Blanca and that of Cenegal, there is
a 120 metres drop, and the remaining lagoons form a chain and
are connected via waterfalls, brooks, and underground currents.
Las Lagunas de Ruidera are considered to be the source of the
river Guadiana. They are supplied by the waters of underground
aquifers and the river Pinilla. The main vegetation is made up
of reeds, bulrushes, rushes, near the lagoons, and well as junipers
and holm oaks. In their waters you can spot barbel, carp, pike,
water snakes and tortoises.
Ciudad Real guide