Humedal del cerro de las cigueñas

Humedal del Cerro de las Cigüeñas is a small but ecologically valuable wetland on the northeastern edge of Los Palacios y Villafranca, a town in the province of Seville, Andalusia. Sitting right against the containment wall of the Caño de la Vera channel, in the floodplain of the Guadalquivir river, this reserve now serves both wild birds and residents looking for a nature escape close to home.

How do you get there?

Los Palacios y Villafranca lies about 30 km south of Seville, along the route connecting the Andalusian capital with Cádiz, so a drive from the A-4 motorway takes little more than 20 minutes. Regular suburban buses also run from Seville to the town. The wetland itself sits on the edge of the built-up area, in the northeastern part of town, and is fenced and set up for walking visits — no special gear is needed beyond comfortable shoes.

What will you see?

The site covers roughly 10 hectares, about 4 of which form the seasonally flooded surface that draws in waterbirds and waders. The municipality has installed observation points and educational infrastructure around this flooded core. The whole area shares the extremely flat terrain typical of the Guadalquivir floodplain, where poor natural drainage has, over time, produced a dense network of ditches and channels — some of which now help feed the wetland itself.

Interestingly, the current basin is not a purely untouched natural feature: for years the land served as an uncontrolled municipal landfill. Only a recent restoration project, which cleared out the accumulated waste, allowed the site to be returned to nature and opened to the public as a green space. The area has since been designated an Ecological Reserve by the Andalusian regional government (Junta de Andalucía), underlining its importance for local biodiversity despite its modest size.

The clearest symbol of the wetland's recovery is the marbled duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris), one of the most threatened waterfowl species in Europe and classified as critically endangered. A group of 17 marbled ducks was released here, marking a significant moment for the species' conservation in the region. Visitors can expect birdwatching opportunities year-round, though the intensity of activity on the water depends on water levels and the season.

When should you visit?

Birdwatching conditions are generally best in the cooler months and in the early morning, when waterbird activity peaks and Andalusian temperatures are more comfortable for walking. In summer the wetland can partially dry out, reducing the variety of species present, but the site remains a pleasant walk at any time of year thanks to its fenced educational paths.

Humedal del Cerro de las Cigüeñas is a good example of a local community turning a former landfill into a protected space that combines environmental education with nature tourism. It pairs well with visits to the other wetlands around Los Palacios y Villafranca, which together form a kind of ecological corridor through the Guadalquivir valley.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the wetland free? Yes, it is an open, fenced public space designed for walking visits, managed by the Los Palacios y Villafranca town council.

What birds can you see here? The wetland is known for the marbled duck, a critically endangered species, as well as numerous other waterbirds and waders typical of Guadalquivir valley wetlands.

Is this a natural body of water? It is a wetland created through the restoration of a former illegal landfill site, now protected as an Ecological Reserve.

How long does a visit take? Given its small size (about 10 hectares), walking the observation paths usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes.