Complejo Endorreico de La Lantejuela

The Endorheic Complex of Lantejuela Nature Reserve comprises two shallow lakes, La Ballestera and Calderón Chica. These wetlands form part of what used to be a large endorheic area that spread over the Countryside of Osuna y Écija, covering approximately 315 km ². The area occupied by the nature reserve is located between the depression of the Guadalquivir and the first Andalusian mountain ranges, in a landscape of gentle hills and slopes.

Curiously enough, the name of this site is the same as the nearby municipality of Lantejuela, which is less than three kilometres away, even though the Nature Reserve is actually entirely situated in the municipality of Osuna. One of its most striking features is the salinity of its waters, making it an area of great ecological value.

The vegetation in the Calderón Chica Lake is scarce, comprising some isolated tamarisks along with some examples of rushes, glassworts and other plants adapted to high salinity conditions. Meanwhile, in the Ballestra Lake the surrounding vegetation is also rather poor, conserving areas of reeds and isolated tamarisks. Nevertheless, this lake is exceptionally important due to the presence of two species of aquatic plants from the Althenia genus, which is very rare in Andalusia.

There is an abundance of water birds, which use La Lantejuela as an area for feeding, breeding and resting during migration. The Anatidae are the most populated, specifically the mallard, as well as gadwall, wigeon, shovellers, red duck and geese. It is common to spot flocks of flamingos, especially in springtime.

Coinciding with the migration in spring and autumn, mud-dwelling birds are also common, particularly the winged stilt.. Seagulls regularly make use of the area. Several birds of prey can also been seen, including the marsh harrier, Montagu's harrier and buzzards.