Remarkably, a growing interest in fostering and promoting the cultural, ecological and ecotouristic interest of the salt pans has risen in the private sector in recent years.
Weyas is a company specializing in environmental education with an special dedication to the sustainable management of the salt plans in the bay of Cádiz. On the 26th November Weyas organized a guided visit for a group of 30 keen British nature enthusiasts to the Cetina and Santa Maria salt pans, both of which hold a remarkable community of waterbirds. We were pleased to work with them as specialized bird guides in this innovative and encouraging experience.
The visit began observing a group of adult Greater Flamingos and explaining our guests the relation between the microorganisms present in salty environments and the characteristic pink colour of the birds. Next we used the scopes to observe one of the 5 Ospreys overwintering in the area. The swallow pools facilitate Ospreys capturing their quarry. Indeed, several perches and nesting platforms have been installed to stimulate the settlement of breeding pairs. It is worth highlighting that Ospreys have been successfully reintroduced in the Odiel Marshes of Huelva and two reservoirs in Cadiz. Therefore, the Bay of Cadiz is expected to be soon recolonized creating an important steping stone between the former two Andalusian subpopulations.
Walking through the channels and salt pools (esteros) we enjoyed a variety of remarkable species such as Lesser Short-toed Larks, Slender Billed Gulls, Shelducks, White Storks and a single Black Stork.
The up 10 meters height mountains of salt provided superb scenic views and a rather surrealistic ambience. Here, as a finishing touch, we tasted a selection of local products including Payoyo cheese from Grazalema Natural Park and Mosto wine from Jerez.