Playa de los Lances, Protected coastal reserve in Tarifa, Spain
Playa de los Lances is a protected reserve along the Atlantic coast near Tarifa featuring wide sand dunes and two natural lagoons. The lagoons were formed by the Jara and Vega rivers and run parallel to the shoreline.
The beach was placed under official protection by the government in 1989 to preserve its ecological value and native wildlife. This action secured the natural habitats and processes for the future.
The beach draws birdwatchers who come to spot gray herons, white storks, and marsh harriers during migration seasons. These seasonal visitors make the area a popular destination for people interested in observing wild birds.
The area offers parking spaces, showers, and marked pathways that help visitors explore while protecting the dunes. The pathways are designed so that visitors have safe access while keeping the sensitive habitats undisturbed.
At this location, freshwater and saltwater meet and create special ecosystems with plant species found nowhere else in the region. These particular conditions make the beach a place where scientists study nature.
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