The La Breña Natural Park and Mudflats of Barbate,
is one of only three natural areas protected by the Andalusian Government that includes
a marine zone, making it a terrestrial-marine park. It is located in the southeast
of the province of Cádiz in the municipalities of Vejer de la Frontera and Barbate.
It comprises an area of rocky cliffs topped by a pine forest as well as the mudflats
of a river estuary, with a total area of 486.3 km2, of which 392 km2 are terrestrial
and 94 km2 marine.
The park possesses one of the most outstanding sceneries of the Cádiz Atlantic coastline,
with impressive hundred metre cliffs, like those of the Torre del Tajo and the slightly
smaller Caños de Meca cliffs. At various points along these cliffs there are fresh water
springs which pour into small coves giving the place a great richness of scenery.
Being located at the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar makes it an important stopover
point for migratory birds.
The cliff face is used by many different species of birds for nesting. The colony of
herring gulls is the oldest of all, but the most numerous have to be the cattle egrets,
amongst which we can find little egret nests. Jackdaws and common starlings form colonies
in the walls of the ancient watch tower and in cracks and ledges in the cliff.
Inside the park are two beacon watchtowers built in areas with outstanding views. One is called
the Torre del Tajo or “tower of the cliff” and was built in the 17th century and is located at
the highest point above the cliffs. The other, built in the 16th century, is to the west at 162
meters above sea level overlooking the village of Los Caños de Meca.
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