Included in the Andalusian Wetlands Plan, the Laguna de la Quinta is a resource of great ecological value that serves as a resting, feeding and reproduction site for migratory birds.
The lagoon receives 70% of its rainfall during the autumn and winter rains, with the highest amounts occurring in November and December. This, combined with evaporation and high summer temperatures, means that the lagoon typically dries up during the summer months.
Among the endangered waterfowl species that we may spot are the white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) and the crested coot (Fulica cristata). Other species that breed in the wetland include the little ringed plover (Charadrius chloropus), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), common pochard (Aythya ferina), common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), common coot (Fulica atra), and little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis).
Other species commonly observed include the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus), squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides), little egret (Egretta garzetta), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), purple heron (Ardea purpurea), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), gadwall (Anas strepera), garganey (Anas quequedula), northern shoveler (Anas dypeata), red-crested pochard (Netta rufina), ruff (Philomachus pugnax) and common redshank (Tringa totanus), among others.