A birdwatchers' paradise
Upgrade for area surrounding Calpe's Las Salinas park
THE SURROUNDING areas of Las Salinas in Calpe has undergone more improvements. Following regeneration works over the past few months to create and enhance footpaths, trees have now been planted along the routes to offer a more natural environment and encourage birds.
The area involved, measuring around 27,800 m², was devoid of vegetation except for small shrubs and mimosas. The project involved the installation of irrigation, the preparation of the land, the planting of mulberry trees, carob trees, olive trees, poplars, pomegranates and fig trees, and specialised in native species which easily live in the soil of the area.
The project cost a total of €62,213 euros and has was financed by Alicante provincial government under a grant for woodland spaces in urban areas.
The project will also stretch towards Avenida Ejércitos Españoles and Juan Carlos I. Although the species to be planted will be defined in the project itself because of the terrain, the EDUSI plan under which it falls (an EU initiative for green spaces) also contemplates the planting of walnuts, poplars, banana, cherry, lime, ash and mulberry trees.
The objectives of this part of the EDUSI Plan are to geographically link two valuable spaces, those being Las Salinas and Calpe rock. This is in order to improve the urban landscape in general and improve CO2 levels.
During this year, a signposted path has been created around Las Salinas, in addition to the installation of drainage ditches and bridges. A 163metre walkway has also been installed in the northern part of the lake, in order to limit visitors in areas which need more protection because they are bird breeding areas.
Las Salinas is included within a booklet of bird watching areas developed by the tourist office, and also has posters surrounding the lake so ornithologists may recognise certain birds. A wooden bird observatory has also been created in order to watch birds without disturbing them.
Las Salinas is also famous for its flamingos, making it an interesting alternative to the beach.