The Laguna de los Jarales is a small temporary brackish lagoon in the south of Cordoba, located in the municipality of Lucena, within the wetlands of the Cordovan countryside. The Junta de Andalucía recognizes it as a Natural Reserve, with a total area of 142.03 hectares, of which 9 hectares correspond to the strictest reserve area. It sits on Oligocene materials and is surrounded by Triassic limestone and marl outcrops, in an agricultural environment of olive groves, cereals and vineyards. From the surroundings of visit is perceived as a discrete sheet of water, framed by reeds, rushes, bulrushes and reeds, with special interest for the observation of waterfowl and migratory birds. Its value is not in a great panoramic viewpoint, but in the contrast between the countryside landscape and a wetland that acts as a biological refuge in one of the main wetlands of the southern peninsular. It is part of the complex of Lagunas del Sur de Córdoba, protected since 1989, and appears regularly in nature tourism itineraries of the Subbética and Turismo de Andalucía. Its seasonal nature means that its appearance changes a lot depending on the rainfall: in wet periods it offers a better sheet of water and a greater presence of fauna, while in summer or in droughts it can be significantly reduced. The best time to visit is usually between late winter and spring, when the wetland holds more water and bird activity is more visible. It is also advisable to visit early in the day or at dusk, when the light is softer and the fauna is more active.
