Seeing the birds of El Hondo
EL HONDO natural park is a bird watcher’s paradise and any walk there will inevitably be influenced by the temptation to ‘ twitch’. More than 200 species of aquatic birds can be observed from the paths, watchtowers and hides – depending on the time of year.
These include flamingoes, storks, herons, and all sorts of ducks including the endangered white-headed duck and the marbled teal. It is also possible to find other species such as the avocet, black-winged stilt, the collared pratincole and moustached warbler. Birds of prey include osprey, marsh harrier and greater spotted eagle – if you’re lucky.
Located in Elche and Crevillente, it was declared a natural park by the Valencian government in 1988. Its 2,495 hectares is formed by a
number of lagoons, of which the two largest – Levante ( 450 hectares) and Poniente ( 650 hectares) are manmade.
The park is included in the Ramsar list of protected wetlands and as a special protection area under the European
Union directive on the conservation of wild birds.
Several routes start and finish at the natural park visitors’ centre. Two of these are very short and take in boardwalks on the lakes. The walk outlined here is slightly longer and runs round two of the lakes – el Rincón and el Saladar – on wide tracks. It’s easy to follow and is known as the ‘ ruta verde’.
There are two bird hides and an observation tower to watch the bird life – and in the case of the tower to get a fantastic view of the park. The terrain is completely flat but it can get very muddy after heavy rain.
Also after rain, swarms of mosquitoes can appear. Wear long trousers and a shirt and take repellent to avoid being eaten alive.
Booklets and information on the park are available from the interpretation centre.
The walk
Exit the park interpretation centre and walk straight ahead, turning left after around 20 metres. Pass the information boards and follow the sign for Catral. The boardwalk bears round to the left.
Continue straight on, branching off to the right on the track at a fork when the boardwalk goes left. Keep straight on for around 100 metres.
Next it’s a right turn, but before doing so, continue on to the end of the track to have a look out from the bird hide over the lake and retrace your steps.
The track runs alongside the reeds. Turn left at the end, now walking with a narrow canal on your right. One of the large lakes is soon visible on the left.
Follow the long straight track to the end. Here there is a watchtower which offers panoramic views over two of the lakes. Back down on terra firma after a climb up, turn left and continue on the track until it arrives at the car park.
Walk facts
Length – 3.75km; time – 1.52hrs; ascent – negligible; getting lost rating – low; difficulty – none; season – all year round; getting to the walk – from Catral drive to Sant Felipe Neri, passing through the village. Continue for around 1km. Turn off right at the El Hondo sign on the dirt track not the tarmac road. Drive up the potholed track to the car park.