The origin of the Carrascal Wetland in the municipality of Villalba de Duero (Burgos) is a man-made restoration of an extractive area.

The company Gerardo de la Calle carried out the restoration with the aim of recreating the nature of a natural wetland.

To this end, a series of interconnected lagoons were created, dug at different depths. The banks were profiled by making inlets and outlets, creating irregular shapes to favour the growth and shelter of different animal and plant species. The slopes in turn were conditioned with smoothed slopes to facilitate the deposit and germination of seeds, and different materials were added, such as gravel or clay, with different compaction, once again seeking to favour maximum diversity in both flora and fauna.

The artificial islands created within the lagoons also facilitate the shelter and breeding of species that need more protected places.

In the early years, a variety of native flora was also planted, and today it is nature itself that has conquered all the spaces and filled the landscape with life and a variety of flora and fauna.

The reeds that grow on the banks of these wetlands are magnificent observatories for birds such as coots, ducks, grebes, little grebes, purple herons and the little bittern.

A landscape of lagoons that would have taken hundreds of years to create naturally. Halfway between the two, you can stop and enjoy the landscape in the Fuente del Orbe recreational area.

Access is easy via the roads that occupy the area between Villaba de Duero and the right bank of the Duero river, 100% cyclable, and you can even get there by car on an unpaved road.

There is no specific viewpoint for birdwatching (birding).

These wetlands form part of the Carrascal Wetlands trail, a 10 km circular route, starting and finishing in Villalba de Duero, which is fully cyclable.

TIPS FOR VISITORS

• Remember that you are in a natural environment, preserving it is everyone’s responsibility.
• Make sure that bathing and other sports are allowed.
• Respect the regulations in force at all times.