Abandoned Cadiz nature reserve to be brought back to life

A DERELICT nature reserve in Cadiz is being nursed back to life by a group of environmentalists.

Home to an eclectic range of wildlife, La Covacha saltpan – at the heart of the Trocadero Island in the Bay of Cadiz – was abandoned in a state of disrepair for decades.

However, its rejuvenation began in February 2014 when the NGO Saltare took over the site.

And now the organisation is looking to turn La Covacha into a biodiverse breeding ground attracting both avian wildlife and bird lovers alike.

“We are aware that birding trips to southern Spain are very popular in the UK and we would be more than happy for groups to visit this part of Cadiz, which is a birding haven,” a Saltare spokesman said.

“We are currently organising a crowdfunding scheme to fund structural improvements needed for La Covacha to welcome small groups of visitors.”

The funds will be used to build a hide, nesting platforms and artificial perches for the osprey and to build a jetty for easier access to the island.

In 2014, La Covacha became the first non-assisted breeding area in the Bahia de Cadiz natural park for a rare species of osprey since it was declared extinct in the wild.

The aim for 2015 is to encourage greater breeding of the osprey and continue the restoration of the natural site.

Visit www.verkami.com/projects and search ‘La Covacha’ for Saltare’s crowdfunding page.