Odiel Marshes Biosphere Reserve

Between the mouths of the rivers Tinto and Odiel, in the Andalusian province of Huelva, are the marshes that make up this reserve.

Because of its great biological diversity (especially ornithological) and its beautiful landscapes, this space was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1983. It is, in addition, a Special Bird Protection Area (ZEPA) and a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Agreement. These marshes, which take up 7,000 ha, comprise the Nature Reserves of Marismas del Burro and Isla de Enmedio. This is one of the best-kept areas, where we observe the role played by the tides in the drainage and creation of different biotypes, such as dune bars, high marshes and middle marshes. Its geomorphologic and educational importance is enhanced by its biodiversity. The flora, which includes rushes, reeds and bulrushes, changes within metres, a diversity that creates the perfect habitat for more than 200 different bird species The rareness of some of these species (like the spoonbill and the osprey) and the numbers in which they are present in the marshes are due to the fact that Marismas del Odiel is on the migratory path for many birds. Here they find optimal conditions for nesting and breeding. In addition to the birds, we also see chameleons and lynx.