Saturday, November 10, 2012

Reed Fringed Lagoons

Langebaan Lagoon, Cape West Coast, South Africa great picture by Colin-Paterson James but copyrighted so go look at it on his web page.

La Janda, Spain Golden Plover Field. La Janda is a comarca (similar to a county) in the Cádiz province of southern Spain. This was once Spain's largest lake. It was at one point a haven for millions of birds, both resident and migratory. Sadly, the lagoon and its fresh-water wetlands were destroyed. Their water was diverted to support local rice growing efforts and the area almost completely dried up. The lake basin floods in the winter still however and many hope that it will one day be returned to its original status. It is now a part of the Los Alcornocales Natural Park. But that did not come soon enough to save Spain's last reproductive population of the Eurasian Crane.


Blue Lagoon, Queensland, Australia (Yes, it's real boys and girls!) This lagoon is the home of the world's southern most coral reef and was listed as a World Heritage site in 1982. There is surprisingly little on this lagoon to be found online. I suggest this travel site.

Bool Lagoon, Australia This lagoon is situated in southern Australia as well in the Limestone Coast region. It is officially a game reserve. Up to 150 species of birds can be found here. UNESCO also designated it as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. The lagoon is not usually open for hunting but when it is, only steel pellets may be used as the lead pellets used in the past are another ecological issue.

Cuyutlan Lagoon reed workers. The Cuyutlan Lagoon is the largest in Mexico stretching over 31 miles. Its waters are a mix of fresh and salt waters. Its flora and fauna are protected but the reeds are still used today to weave hats and mats for floors. The mangrove trees nearby are the heart of the thriving eco-system and are the home to Canadian geese, eagles, hawks, cormorants, egrets, herons, pelicans, and others.

Oasis De Maspalomas, Spain While this is a tourist destination town in the Canary Islands, there are actually a lagoon and dunes here. The dunes are known as the Natural Reserve of the Dunes of Maspalomas. It was declared a Natural Protected Area of National Interest in 1987 and a Special Natural Reserve in 1994.

El Blanquito Lagoon, Venezuela. This small reed-fringed lagoon is in the Yacambu National Park which is on the southern slope of the Portuguesa Range. Yacambu has a lot of rainforest (and that is putting it mildly).The lagoon supports a variety of birds (like most of these lagoons) including the Rusty-flanked Crake, the Least Grebe, the Caribbean Coot, the Striated Heron, and the Green-backed Heron.

San Elijo, California Lagoon Ecological Reserve protects nearly 1,000 acres of habitat and 700 species of flora and fauna, including, you guessed it, lots and lots of birds. Snowy Egrets, the Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Anna's Hummingbird, and Cliff Swallows all are found in this beautiful lagoon in San Diego county. There are multiple trails and there are guided walks also offered.

Camargue, France Nature Reserve Lagoon is located south of Arles, between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhone River delta. Camargue was also named a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 1986 (see links under Bool Lagoon up above). Camargue is home to more than 400 species of birds including the Greater Flamingo. Also, apparently the mosquitos there are ridiculous so if you decide to visit, buy bug spray. There's also a roadside museum that provides history info as well as flora and fauna info.

Kwara Camp, Nigeria is on a lagoon in the open flood plains of the Okavango Delta.It is part of the private Kwara Concession and shares a boundary with the Moremi Game Reserve. Kwara Camp is owned and operated by Kwando Safaris. They appear to be a part of the Wilderness Wildlife Trust and the African Wildlife Foundation. 

I know there are a LOT of mentions of birds in these various locations around the world but that's kind of the way it goes. They are precious wetlands that provide a safe place for endangered species. And Birders are really good at making webpages saying where certain birds can be found. :-)


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