ES165
El Hondo wetland


Site description (2000 baseline):

Site location and context
Two reservoirs with reedbeds (Phragmites) and surrounded by small brackish and freshwater lakes. The main human activities are hunting and fishing.



Key biodiversity
This is a very important wetland for breeding and wintering waterbirds.



Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats include a channel in which juvenile ducks become trapped every year, lead poisoning from spent shot (`Other' threats, above) and a recent severe drought. Oxyura jamaicensis has been hybridizing with O. leucocephala since 1992, although all hybrids have been killed. Conservation NGOs have successfully campaigned for a hunting ban although there are still some problems.



Protected areas
National High International High2,387 ha of IBA covered by Natural Park (El Hondo, 2,387 ha). 2,387 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (El Hondo, 2,387 ha). 2,387 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (El Hondo, 2,387 ha).




Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: El Hondo wetland (Spain). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/el-hondo-wetland-iba-spain on 23/12/2024.