Riberas de Castronuño Natural Park
WEEKEND ROUTE
Valladolid Province
INTERESTING SIGHTSEEING
- Riberas de Castronuño-Vega del Duero Natural Park
- La Nava de Peñaflor Wetland
REPRESENTATIVE BIRDS
Water birds and forest birds
SCHEDULE
Day 1
This route involves a stopover in Tordesillas, located 30 km (18.6 miles) from Valladolid.
This route begins at the Riberas de Castronuño- Vega del Duero Natural Reserve, specifically in the town of Castronuño. The San José Reservoir is located nearby. When this reservoir was built it caused the creation of a wetland and a number of large, outlying reed beds, which increases this area’s ecological worth. The riverside forest that runs along practically the entire route represents a refuge to a large number of species, which is why this area has been incorporated into the Natural Space Network and has been classified as a ZEPA (Special Bird Protection) area. The presence of several endangered species, such as purple herons, marsh-harriers and night herons makes this an interesting place to visit, where you’ll also be able to observe ospreys and bitterns.
This town is home to the Natural Riverside Reserve of Castronuño. This is an easy access location that accommodates facilities for handicapped individuals. You can ask for information leaflets and possible tours. In addition, it includes information panels as well as a short-delay broadcast of the action taking place in the reed bed, which is made possible by a camera that is located in the reed bed. The Almendros observatory is easily accessible due to its construction.
You can choose to engage in a 5 km (3.1 miles) trip from the Mirador de la Muela viewpoint to the San José reservoir. This route is covered by thickets and live oak groves which are crowded with both forest birds and water birds. There are other trails leading to Montes Torozos that you might find quite interesting.
The tour continues along highway VA-610 to Tordesillas. From there, an ornithological route begins in the former hydraulics work at Aceña de Zafraguilla, going along the left side of Duero River until reaching Isla de los Muertos (Island of the Dead), allowing you to enjoy watching various water bird species.
One option is going to the Valdegalindo pine grove, which borders Tordesillas and Foncastin and is home to various bird forest species. While in the pine grove you’ll be able to listen to the chanting of short-toed treecreepers, spotted woodpeckers or great tits. In some areas, the pine grove combines with other species of trees, including cork oaks and live oaks, thus increasing the diversity of birds you can observe, such as mistle thrushes, subalpine warblers, azure-winged magpies, woodlarks, scops owls and nightjars.
Day 2
The second day tour begins in the county of Peñaflor de Hornija, where you can find La Nava de Peñaflor, a high environmental interest wetland. Right after passing the county of Wamba, there is another larger wetland layer, making this system of wetlands a great stopover place for a large number of migratory bird species. It is also home to numerous water birds during the mating season as well as to thousands of anatidae birds during winter. These wetland layers are linked along the “Las Navas de Peñaflor de Hornija and Wamba” ornithological hiking route.
Another option could be to hike along the non-irrigated farmlands to watch the steppe birds that look tiny against the huge plains background. You can also take highway VP-5501 towards the tree wood mass belonging to Montes Torozos, a community relevant site.
Local Action Group: Association for Comprehensive Rural Development (ADRI), CENTRAL VALLADOLID REGION