Parque Nacional de las Tablas de Daimiel

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Europe) in the salt water. Since the canalisation of the Guadiana has reduced the inflow of fresh water the salt content is increasing, and it is feared that this may lead to changes in the ecosystem. It is now proposed to pump in additional fresh water. The only species of tree or shrub in the area is the tamarisk (Tamarix gallica L.), which grows on the islands.

Over 200 species of birds nest in this

area, and it was to protect them that the national park was established. Resident species include the kingfisher (Alcedo atthis). Of the migrants which frequent the tablas the most notable are the purple heron (Ardea purpurea), the little egret (Egretta garzetta), the night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) and the hobby (Falco subbuteo). The marshy banks and shores are the haunt of the avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) and the ruff (Philomachus pugnax), while the reeds provide nesting-places for the fan-tailed warbler (Cisticola jundicis), Savi's warbler (Locustella luscinoides) and the bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus).