In the 1950s, with the idea of generating large extensions of cultivated land in the area, it was decided to build numerous canals and irrigation ditches, which ended up draining the lake of La Nava.In 1990, our partner organisation Fundación Global Nature España brought the La Nava laggon back to life, recovering some 300 hectares, and turning it into a nature reserve of international importance and a resting place for migratory birds.

225 species of birds were counted – among them 50 % of the species living in Spain, and more than 60 % of the birds registered in the Red List. Among them are greylag geese (Anser anser), teal (Anas crecca) and shoveler (Anas clypeata), kibitzers (Vanellus vanellus), stilts (Himantopus himantopus), redshanks (Tringa totanus) and coots (Fulica atra). The extensive grain fields around the lagoon are home to a variety of steppe birds such as Great Bustard (Otis tarda), Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) or Harriers (Circus spp.).