The Orellana and Sierra de Pela Reservoir is a protected natural area in the northeast of the province of Badajoz, encompassing the largest reservoir in the middle reaches of the Guadiana River and its surrounding area as far downstream as the Puerto Peña Dam. With a total area of 42,667.76 hectares, this territory combines the reservoir’s artificial wetland (5,550 hectares of water) with vast steppe plains and extensive holm oak pastures. The reservoir, built between 1961 and 1963, has a maximum capacity of 824 hectometers and stretches 37 km from the dam to the tail end, forming one of the most significant wetlands in southwestern Spain. From the observation point, visitors can see an impressive body of water that serves as a refuge for thousands of waterfowl, steppe birds, and large birds of prey, notably the Common Crane, which uses the area as its primary wintering ground in Extremadura. The diversity of habitats—including the Precambrian peneplain, the Paleozoic mountain ranges, and the course of the Guadiana River—supports an exceptional avifauna. The area has been designated a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) and a Zone of Regional Interest (ZIR), and is listed as a Wetland of International Importance. The area is home to a wide variety of native fish, such as Chondostroma polylepis and Tropidophoxinellus, and hosts the priority taxon Lythrum flexuosum. On its banks lies the water sports and swimming facility known as “Costa Dulce,” Spain’s first inland beach to receive a Blue Flag designation. The best time to visit is during the cranes’ wintering season (November through February) or in the spring, when birdlife is most active and the area is lush with vegetation.
