LAGUNAS DE PALOS Y LAS MADRES - Ventana del Visitante
![Icono persona](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/o/ventana-theme/images/componente_espacios_referenciales/null.png)
This area of marshland comprises four lagoons: La Primera de Palos, La Jara, La Mujer and Las Madres. Its location is of vital importance, as it is positioned halfway between the marshes of the Tinto and Odiel rivers and the Guadalquivir marshes. Interestingly, despite its proximity to the sea, they are freshwater lagoons. This wetland has water throughout the year and is therefore an important place of residence and passage for migratory birds.
Walking around the Laguna de las Madres trail, there are informative signposts for visitors about the vegetation native to this area. From the observatory and out in the open, you can see endangered species such as the squacco heron, which migrates from Africa and spends the summer season here. During this season, it acquires its breeding plumage, a striking orange colour, and its beak changes to an intense blue.
Another endangered species is the white-headed duck, a duck characterised by the stubby shape of its beak, which, in males and during the courtship season, is bluish in colour. These waters are also frequented by osprey. This clever bird of prey forcefully grabs its prey and, to avoid dropping it, keeps its claws firmly closed until it reaches its perch.
Nearby is Palos de la Frontera, a town steeped in history. During the Muslim period it was part of Niebla and in the 13th century it was conquered by the Christians. Christopher Columbus and his crew set out to discover the New World from the port here. If you want to find out more, you can visit the Monastery of La Rábida, which is the site where the expedition was forged, or the Gothic-Mudejar Church of San Jorge, where the sailors set off. The national monument, La Fontanilla, where the crew was supplied with water before embarking on the long journey, is worth a visit.
-
Provinces Huelva
-
-
-
![Go to our visitor centres, information points and ecomuseums to get the most out of your visit.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745532/centros de informacion.png/60780e65-181f-7445-7af7-d2d09665ec8e)
Go to our visitor centres, information points and ecomuseums to get the most out of your visit.
![Follow the recommendations and comply with the regulations at all times](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745574/no dejes huella.png/0d59798d-51ed-c851-8e7b-fc2f8ce9a16a)
Follow the recommendations and comply with the regulations at all times
![Respect the facilities put at your disposal. We all pay for its maintenance.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745598/respeta instalaciones.png/539463fa-bf3b-c95e-790f-49e53e29d4c1)
Respect the facilities put at your disposal. We all pay for its maintenance.
![Help prevent fires. Do not throw cigarettes or any other object that produces combustion.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745556/evitar incendios.png/de43bc31-9485-e3d7-e75f-faaf0925848c)
Help prevent fires. Do not throw cigarettes or any other object that produces combustion.
![Trash doesn't come back alone. Take it with you to the nearest container. Reduce, reuse, recycle.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745568/llevate la basura.png/445761ad-99f8-c6e3-9d0b-cf8db1c3d52d)
Trash doesn't come back alone. Take it with you to the nearest container. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
![Noise is another form of pollution. In silence you will enjoy your experience more.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745604/ruido contaminacion.png/c6d0926d-8e47-e345-8a00-a9367f43e46e)
Noise is another form of pollution. In silence you will enjoy your experience more.
![Live respectfully with the locals and other users. Respect private property.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745544/convive gente del lugar.png/55f53812-6051-84b1-20fd-24e4e23dfbfc)
Live respectfully with the locals and other users. Respect private property.
![Facilitate use for people with special needs.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745586/personas necesidades especiales.png/7c78077b-004d-bdf8-2ca8-b5a547170c5d)
Facilitate use for people with special needs.
![By consuming local products and counting on local companies, you will contribute to rural development.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745592/productos locales.png/a49a2c0e-2075-47ea-0bc4-a3d08e4cd444)
By consuming local products and counting on local companies, you will contribute to rural development.
![Practice responsible tourism and committed to the environment. Be a true ecotourist!](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745550/ecoturista.png/6f5a4df9-e04c-9bb7-d0c9-436364e5f9de)
Practice responsible tourism and committed to the environment. Be a true ecotourist!
![Never leave your pet in the wild. It would endanger the flora and fauna of the place.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745526/abandonar tortuga.png/b779cc7c-9410-4bdd-57ec-981184a1c83f)
Never leave your pet in the wild. It would endanger the flora and fauna of the place.
![Get around in a sustainable way: public transport, bicycle, on foot, electric or shared vehicle ... Park in the designated places](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745616/transporte publico.png/993ee046-8f11-7327-94d3-70b41835eac8)
Get around in a sustainable way: public transport, bicycle, on foot, electric or shared vehicle ... Park in the designated places
![Do not leave a trace of your passage through nature. The best memory you can take with you is your own photograph.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745562/fotografia.png/3fee4525-159e-091c-6460-66bf1df13129)
Do not leave a trace of your passage through nature. The best memory you can take with you is your own photograph.
![Your safety is our concern, but it is your responsibility.](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745610/seguridad responsabilidad.png/c279166a-ba22-7682-2ee8-8e295fa62ee8)
Your safety is our concern, but it is your responsibility.
![The conservation of natural spaces is also in your hands. Thank you for your collaboration!](https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/portal/documents/255035/3745538/conservacion espacios naturales.png/bda2745b-5b67-7c4a-a6e2-2692fde9abf9)
The conservation of natural spaces is also in your hands. Thank you for your collaboration!