Tablas de Daimiel is renowned for its birdlife, serving as a crucial stopover point for migratory birds between Africa and Northern Europe. The park hosts over 100 bird species, including purple herons, marsh harriers, and various duck species. Notable year-round residents include purple gallinules, great crested grebes, and little bitterns. The wetland also supports populations of European pond turtles, various fish species including carp and pike, and numerous amphibians such as Iberian water frogs.
The park hosts diverse aquatic vegetation, with emergent plants like reeds (Phragmites australis) and bulrushes (Typha domingensis) dominating the landscape. Submerged plants include charophytes and pondweeds, which provide essential habitat for aquatic wildlife. The surrounding areas feature Mediterranean vegetation including tamarisk trees, rushes, and halophytic (salt-tolerant) plants. The park's unique combination of fresh and brackish water creates distinct plant communities adapted to different water conditions.
The park is formed by the confluence of two rivers, the Guadiana and Cigüela, creating a unique floodplain wetland system. The area's distinctive geology results from the precipitation of carbonates in freshwater, forming travertine platforms. These platforms create a complex system of channels, islands, and shallow lagoons. The park sits atop the Western Mancha Aquifer, which plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels through natural upwellings called 'ojos' (eyes).
The Tablas de Daimiel was declared a National Park in 1973, becoming Spain's smallest national park and the first wetland to receive this designation. The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. Historically, these wetlands were much more extensive, forming part of a larger system called La Mancha Húmeda. Throughout the 20th century, the wetland faced severe threats from agricultural drainage and groundwater extraction, leading to conservation efforts that continue today.
Key attractions include the Visitors Center offering exhibitions and educational programs, several elevated wooden walkways providing excellent bird watching opportunities, and observation towers strategically placed throughout the park. The 'Isla del Pan' trail offers one of the best routes for wildlife observation. The 'Prado Ancho' viewing point provides panoramic views of the wetlands, while the 'Laguna Permanente' area showcases the park's characteristic flooding patterns. Guided tours are available, and the park offers special dawn and dusk visits for optimal wildlife viewing.
Tablas de Daimiel experiences a Mediterranean continental climate with extreme temperature variations. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C (95°F), while winters are cold with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing. The park receives most of its rainfall during spring and autumn, with an annual average of 400-500mm. The best times to visit are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) when temperatures are mild and wetland birds are most active.
Spain
39.1260°, -3.7070°
1973
30.3
Tablas de Daimiel is a unique wetland ecosystem formed at the confluence of the Guadiana and Cigüela rivers. It represents the last surviving example of floodplain wetlands in central Spain. The park is crucial for migrating birds and hosts diverse aquatic vegetation.