Point of interest
La Charca de Maspalomas
in Maspalomas (Gran Canaria), Spain
Brackish lagoon between dunes and sea; a stopover and nesting site for around two dozen migratory bird species.
Where it is
The lagoon lies near the lighthouse at the southern edge of the Maspalomas dune field, in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
What it is
Fringed by tamarisks and reeds, the lagoon is one of the most important resting points for migratory and resident birds in the Canaries, with herons, sanderlings and the occasional osprey. A wooden boardwalk along the western shore passes information panels and is ideal for birdwatching and a quiet stroll.
History
La Charca is a natural brackish-water lagoon formed where fresh and sea water meet, and it has long been part of the Maspalomas wetland. Today it is protected as a core area of the Reserva Natural Especial de las Dunas de Maspalomas.