The Laguna de Fuente de Piedra Nature Reserve, the most extensive of Andalusia with its 1400 hectare, forms a unique enclave within the Western Mediterranean Wetlands. It is located the largest colony of Flamencos on the Iberian Peninsula and the second in the interest of Europe after the existing CamargueFrance. It belongs to the Set Lagunes in the Antequera area, which covers other natural reserves that have a total of 3000 hectares of wetland.
Elliptical, One of the most important characteristics is the Endorrheic character and the salt content and temporality of its waters, These are charged thanks to the contribution of the rains, the cooperation of the streams of Santillán and the Humillaperoero, and to the underground stream of a water -carrying layer.
The vegetation adapted to salty environments is the most characteristic of this medium and forms most of the Lagunar Orla. Over the Clay rounds of the lagoon plants such as the Sosa de Las Salinas, La Sosa or the Alacranera have been developed; In addition to others of a grassland of dry and dry climates. Sometimes they form thick forest forming areas that are very important during the eras of the reproduction of a large number of bird species.
Flamencos in the natural reserve of the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra
Loose Flemish They have returned to the natural reserve of the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, One of the most important wetlands of Andalusia where the drought has made the reproduction of this bird over the past three years, and the board estimates that they can raise 20,000 couples from Flamenco this year.
The government representative in Malaga, Patricia Navarro, visited the reserve on Wednesday, “The largest lagoon in Andalusia”, who, together with the natural place of the mouth of the Guadalhorce The actions taken by the board in the past 15 months, with an investment of 1.5 million euros, to have “in perfect magazine” “ These protected spaces.
He emphasized that, despite the “such dramatic drought period” of recent years, the board has not stopped working to improve these spaces. He remembered that drought has made it impossible in the last three years Laguna de Fuente de Piedra The reproduction of Flamenco, a bird that can be seen again today “, occupied for reproduction “All areas available for breeding, including the two most internal islands that were restored last summer.”
At the moment, The water level in the Wetland reaches 48 centimeters, optimal for the reproduction of the flamenco to be successful And that it will be improved this year by the increase in the office area that is available in the nature reserve “as a result of the work” to improve this space and restore this habitat, he said.
By means of Program for the recovery of habitat and preservation of the protected wet areas of MalagaSince October 2023, the Ministry of Environment has been intervening in the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra with an investment of 1,050,000 euros and with various promotions carried out in the mouth of Guadalhorce with a budget of 351,465 euros.
Moreover, they have that Held in the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra The annual nature conservation programs of the Environmental and Water Agency of Andalusia (Amaya), for what has been invested 97,437 euros. Ephe