RACONS
Discover the rich diversity of bird life that the Mediterranean wetland of the Marjal de Pego-Oliva contains.
If you´d like to discover the wonderful world of birds, you´re in the right place.
By following this route, you´ll be able to discover the birds that visit us from Africa in spring and summer, as well as birds from central and northern Europe that spend the autumn and winter here, giving rise to an immense range of species that changes throughout the year.
The route takes us through changing environments and forks at the River Racons: on one side, the rice fields that make up an Area of Ornithological Interest can be accessed, whilst on the other, the route passes through an area of Mediterranean reed beds before reaching the “Bassa de Sineu” bird observatory, a magical place that´s well worth a visit.
Along the route you will find more information about the wonders of this natural space, which are sure to amaze you and leaving you wishing to return.
FURTHER INFORMATION: If you wish to discover more about the birds of this fabulous wetland, we urge you to complete the Bullent Ornithological Route where you will discover yet more of its natural wonders.
Many of these birds are threatened and appear in the catalogues (national and regional) of protected species.
HUNTING SEASON: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from October to February.
RIVER RACONS
The birds of the riverside.
The River Racons, which flows into the southern part of the marsh, provides habitat for a great number of species - not only birds, but also fish such as the Samaruc (Valencia hispanica), amphibians and reptiles, as well as mammals.
Here it´s possible to see the amazingly striking Kingfisher, usually as it darts along the river as a blue fl ash, hunting small fish that inhabit its waters. If you walk quietly, you´ll also be able to listen to and see many of the other birds that take refuge in its surroundings.
The destruction of wetlands, pollution caused by the use of chemical products in agriculture, over-extraction of water from the water table, the alteration of riverbanks and river beds, as well as the introduction or arrival of invasive species have resulted in the disappearance of many aquatic flora and fauna. We must take care of these precious environments.
AT THIS POINT THE ROUTE FORKS:
- THE “BASSA DE SINEU” BIRD OBSERVATORY: 1,2 km
- RICE FIELDS WHICH MAKE UP AN AREA OF ORNITHOLOGICAL INTEREST: 1,5 km
RICE FIELDS. AREA OF ORNITHOLOGICAL INTEREST
Pego rice fields - a paradise for birds.
This area is an essential enclave for birdlife. The traditional rice cultivation cycle means that water levels in the fields vary throughout the year, during much of which they are flooded. This attracts a huge number of birds, mainly aquatic species.
Many of the birds that inhabit the wetlands and surrounding environments visit the rice fields to feed and to breed in the spring. Birds that are on their migratory passage use this environment as an oasis where they can stop to rest and feed before continuing on their journeys.
BASSA DE SINEU. BIRD OBSERVATORY
The birds of the marsh vegetation.
In areas where marsh vegetation predominates, a multitude of aquatic birds find refuge in the dense reed beds, where there are also a number of stretches of open water such as this, the “Bassa de Sineu”.
These are fed by many of the wetland’s channels and lagoons, locally termed “lluents”.
It´s an inaccessible environment for us, but not, for example, for the spectacular Marsh Harrier. This endangered raptor can fortunately be seen in this wetland, patrolling low over the reeds in search of prey, its wings held in a characteristic shallow “V”.
Furthermore, if you walk quietly along the route, you will be accompanied by a soundtrack of calls of Purple Swamphens, Little Grebes, Water Rails, Moorhens and Warblers which reaches its maximum volume at both dawn and dusk.
So, in this habitat, we urge you to put your senses in motion – you´ll surely be surprised!