Medina Lagoon (Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz)

The Medina lagoon is the biggest in the province of Cadiz and the second in Andalusia. It is located just 10 km from Jerez de la Frontera (Cadiz) . It is easy to approach through the road which joins this town with Medina Sidonia. It is reowned as an optional area to the adjacent Gualquivir salt-marsh, after its summer draining.

SYSTEM OF PROTECTION: Natural Reserve, Ramsar Site.
LOCATION: Northeast of Cadiz Bay, 36º 37’ latitude north and 6º 3’ length west .
EXTENSION: 121 hectares of Natural Reserves and 254 hectares of protected area.
ALTITUDE: between 30m and 38 m at sea level.
VEGETATION: The conditions of the vegetation which surrounds the lagoon have been improved owing to the recent repopulation ( holly trees, lentisco (Pistacia lentiscus) ,thymes, coscojas (Quercus coccifera), brambles, willows and poplars ).
In the Perilagoon belt there are eneas (Typha dominguensis) castanets (Scirpus maritimus), Rush and taraje (Tamarix africana), remainigan halofile vegetation with almajos (Sarcocornia perennis) in areas where there is less flood.
Inside the lagoon, seaweed, carrizos (Phragmites australis) and some other aquatic plants such as the buttercups grow.
BIRDFAUNA: There are plenty of Coots. Many endagered of extinction species or very rare species such as Mallards, Purple Gallinules, Crested Coots, Black-necked Grebes or the marsh Harriers like this place to have their nests. This is the area where Geese, Greater Flamingos,Tufted Ducks, Red–crested Pochards, Shelducks and some other species choose to spend their winter and hibernate.

ROUTE PRICE: 56 euros per group (4 hours).