From Opus

Spain

[edit] Overview

This extensive wetland area where two rivers meet forming a network of channels, islands, lagoons and flooded marshland, is Spain's smallest national park and was designated as such to prevent its loss through drainage for agriculture.

Hilly areas to the east of the town of Daimiel have a good selection of woodland birds.

[edit] Birds

[edit] Notable Species

Of national importance for its waterfowl, Tablas de Daimiel in summer has Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe and Little Grebe, ducks including Gadwall, Mallard, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, and impressive numbers of Red-crested Pochard, making this the most important site for the species in Europe. Small numbers of White-headed Duck breed in the area and Purple Swamphen has been reintroduced.

In addition there are Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover and Collared Pratincole, various herons and White Stork, Gull-billed Tern and Whiskered Tern.

The reedbeds support numerous warblers, Penduline Tit, Bearded Tit and Reed Bunting. Many other passerines inhabit the tamarisk stands and farmland surrounding the marshes, including Southern Grey Shrike and Woodchat Shrike, Calandra Lark and Wood Lark. On the drier steppe-like areas there are Great Bustard and Little Bustard, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Stone-curlew and Common Quail.

Raptors found here include Marsh Harrier and Montagu's Harrier, Black Kite and Lesser Kestrel and Northern Hobby is seen regularly.

A variety of waders occur on passage including Pied Avocet, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit. Other migrants such as Black Stork and Common Crane regularly pass through the area. Also important for wintering birds, Tablas de Daimiel has Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Northern Pintail and other ducks, Great Cormorant and Grey Heron.

[edit] Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Little Bittern, Black-crowned Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Black Stork, White Stork, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted Duck, White-headed Duck, Western Honey-Buzzard, Black Kite, Short-toed Eagle, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Common Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, Northern Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Common Quail, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Eurasian Coot, Little Bustard, Great Bustard, Common Crane, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Stone-curlew, Collared Pratincole, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Eurasian Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Whiskered Tern, Black Tern, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Eurasian Scops Owl, Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Green Woodpecker, Greater Short-toed Lark, Calandra Lark, Wood Lark, Thekla Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Water Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Bluethroat, Black-eared Wheatear, Cetti's Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Moustached Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Western Olivaceous Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Iberian Chiffchaff, Bearded Tit, Penduline Tit, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Southern Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Common Jay, Common Starling, Spanish Sparrow, Ortolan Bunting, Reed Bunting

[edit] Other Wildlife

Wild Boar and Otter are found in the park alongside Polecat, Rabbit and Brown Hare.

[edit] Site Information

[edit] History and Use

To do

[edit] Areas of Interest

To do

[edit] Access and Facilities

The town of Daimiel is situated about 30km north-east of Ciudad Real on the N430 road towards Manzanares. The park is signposted from Daimiel and has an information centre, there are trails and hides and the park is easily worked to see the majority of birds.

Hostel accommodation is available in Daimiel and there are hotels in surrounding towns.

[edit] Contact Details

To do

[edit] External Links

Tablas de Daimiel National Park

Content and images originally posted by Steve

[edit] Reviews

Reg et al's review

One of out favourite sites in Spain - stay at Las Brugas in town. The wetland is great- been in both summer and early spring. Loads to see including bats wedged between rocks of building. Good facilities on site WC, education area etc. Pros

• Fantastic site

Cons

• None found