Marisma de El Burro

Straddling the municipalities of Gibraleón and Huelva, the Marisma de El Burro Nature Reserve is located in the Odiel Estuary Salt Marshes, at its southernmost point, at the confluence of the Odiel river with the Burro Chico stream and the Carlota estuary. As a result, it is part of the tidal marshes associated with the mouths of the rivers Tinto and Odiel.

This nature reserve is always overflowing and is subjected to tidal oscillations given its close connection with the sea, so the salinity is high although it is continental water flow. Its water appears turbid due to suspension of the clay sedimientos.

Because it is part of the Odiel Marshes Nature Area, it is a Biosphere Reserve and is included as a wetland in the Ramsar Convention, has been designated a ZEPA (Special Bird Protection Area) and has been proposed as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). It also has the best preserved ecosystems in the marshes, together with the Isla de Enmedio Nature Reserve.

The vegetation in the marsh is characterised by the presence of tamarisks, Phoenicean Juniper and mastic trees. Right beside the coast, there are species that are identifiable by their salinity, including borraza and the scorpiurus of marshland, while in the outskirts there is marsh vegetation of rushes and bulrushes.

The main fauna richness is represented by the passing of thousands of migratory birds. In the area, we can find spoonbills, which is the most significant species, grey heron and purple heron, storks, glossy ibis, cranes, egrets, and prey such as ospreys and marsh harriers.

There areMalacosoma lauraepopulations, an endemic butterfly species at risk of extinction.