The Laguna de La Jara is part of the lagoon complex of Las Madres and Dunas del Odiel whose origin is due to the screen or dam effect produced by the different dune fronts that are located along the coastline on the drainage network of the nearest river basin. The circulation of surface waters is blocked by the successive strings of dunes generated by the coastal dynamics, being deposited in deeper or shallower depressions and giving rise to these permanent wetlands that are distributed to the lee of the coastline.

The ecological quality of these spaces contrasts with the humanised and notably altered landscape where they are located. Just a few metres beyond these small bodies of water lie gigantic areas of agricultural crops under plastic. This is the contrast that can be seen from the La Jara observatory located opposite the aforementioned lagoon. The equipment, with an open semicircular section, is built in brick masonry in order to prevent its deterioration and protect it from vandalism.

From this point you have access to a panoramic view of the Laguna de La Jara and behind it to a landscape dominated by the agricultural transformations that occurred in the region in the 1980s. The abundance of vegetation surrounding the lagoon (poplars, African tamarisk, Phragmites australis reeds, Cattail, rushes, nutgrass and gorse), serve as a refuge for numerous species of birdlife: Squacco herons, common coots, shovelers, mallards, red-crested pochards, little grebes, great crested grebes, cormorants, gray herons, purple herons, cattle egrets, black-winged stilts and white storks are some of the most frequent species in the area, without being able to rule out the presence of other more emblematic and rare species such as: black storks, white-headed ducks, Western swamphen, coots, black-crowned night heron or osprey. Additionly, it is not uncommon to spot otters that use these waters as refuge and feeding areas.