This coastal wetland, near the town of Adra, is a constant source of food for fauna residing in the area, and a mandatory stop on migratory routes between the European and African continents. Composed mainly of two lagoons (Albufera Honda and Albufera Nueva), its location in a natural environment which is surrounded by areas of intensive cultivation is surprising; like islands of water immersed in a sea of plastic. Despite the changes that have occurred over time and its reduced size, the marsh complex is a biodiversity hotspot, with around 600 recorded species of flora and fauna.

Among the 172 species of plants, floating pondweed and water-nymphs are in abundance, but in contrast the Zannichellia contorta is in danger of extinction. The rest of the vegetation is dominated by reed, and also blue sledge, which is unusual in the east of Andalusia.


Invertebrates reign, with 198 species recorded. The Melanopsis lorcana snail and the Cybister Vulneratus beetle are especially important owing to their threatened status.

Of the 232 species of vertebrates, the Spanish toothcarp (an endemic fish in danger of extinction in Andalucia) and the Mediterranean tree frog (the last stable population in southeast Iberia) are found here. The 183 species of birds, a third of which are made up of small marsh birds, include the endangered bluethroat, Savi´s warbler, moustached warbler and common reed bunting. The lagoons are dominated, however, by aquatic birds, with almost 100 different species. The endangered white-headed duck breeds and winters here.

The birdlife observatory welcomes organised groups for educational and scientific visits requests addressed to the Territorial Delegation of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development C / Canónigo Molina Alonso, nº 8, 04071-Almería.

More information: Biodiversity in the Albuferas de Adra