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 Donana Nature Park
Huelva has some of the great National Parks of Spain. A stunning place to visit is The Parque Nacional de Doñana, which is centred on the delta of the Guadalquivir, the ‘big river’. The delta waters flood in winter and then ebb away in the spring to make for perfect conditions for geese and ducks in winter, and flocks of breeding birds in spring.
In the marshes and among the cork oak forests you can spot birds such as grey herons, lanner falcons, ring and turtle doves, partridges, woodpeckers, cattle egrets, storks, colourful colonies of flamingos and vultures.
Imperial Eagle.
You may also catch a glimpse of the rare Spanish Imperial Eagle if luck is on your side. Generally the fauna at Doñana is richly varied, and some of it is in danger of extinction, such as the lynx, and the Egyptian mongoose; game is also plentiful - deer, fallow deer and boar. But what you see at Doñana depends on the time of year and your luck on the day.
Doñana’s three Ecologic systems.
The Doñana Nature Park comprises three distinct ecosystems: The Paraje Natural de las Marismas Del Odiel, a vast wetland. The Matorral, stabilised dunes with woodland and scrubs. And the hydrological transition zones, ecotone (transitional period) home for a spectacular wildlife and a unique landscape. A typical safari trip will take in all three, but the extent of each environment varies with the seasons. But one thing is guaranteed - no two visits will be the same. Doñana has also become a key centre in the world of conservation. Vegetation varies from narrow leaved cistus heather to mastic tree, rosemary, cistus scrub and red lavender. The marsh cork oaks are known as Las Pajareras (bird sanctuaries) because of the enormous numbers of birds that nest in them.
The Sierra de Aracena.
Another place to visit in the Huelva region is The Sierra de Aracena mountain range, which covers a vast area of 184,000 hectares. Its forests comprise holm oak and cork trees, and are interspersed with wide tracts of pasture.
There are also many ancient chestnut trees and gall oaks, alternating with fruit orchards in the valleys. The land surface is rugged, with softly rolling hills and pine groves suddenly giving way to towering limestone formations from which hikers can enjoy splendid views.
Black Pigs, Pata Negra.
La Gruta de las Maravillas - the Cave of Marvels - in Aracena is famous for its spectacular calcareous formations. On the whole, this area has a very diverse flora and fauna, including cork oak, lots of eucalyptus and a large rabbit population, which provides the staple diet for the native rare black vultures, weasels, stone martens, badgers, polecats, and wildcats.
The terrain is also ideal for breeding the black pigs which provide the famous Jabugo and Cortegana hams. To the northeast of the Sierra de Aracena lies another wild region typified by rockrose and spear, which contrast strikingly with the masses of eucalyptus around its edges. Known as the Peñas de Aroche, this is the best place to spot imperial eagles and black vultures.
More Nature Parks in Spain - Almera – Cadiz – Granada – Malaga - Tenerife
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