This natural area combines the El Puntal-Somo-Loredo coastal strip with the Miera River estuary and the islands of Santa Marina and Mouro, forming a mosaic of unique habitats on the Cantabrian coast. Its mobile and fixed dunes, coastal heaths, and intertidal zones are home to highly interesting plant and animal species, such as the relict fern. Woodwardia radicans or a curious isolated population of Italian wall lizard.
It is also a privileged enclave for birdlife: it is home to the only breeding pair of ospreys in the Cantabrian Sea, as well as breeding colonies of gulls, shags and storm petrels on Mouro Island, surrounded by rich seabeds where 40% of the Cantabrian marine fauna species can be found. Bats and reptiles complete an environment very rich in biodiversity.
Guided boat tours allow you to explore this dynamic landscape and observe migratory and wintering birds in a setting of outstanding scenic beauty, accessible year-round and connected to other wetlands along the Atlantic coast.
This space is ideal to visit year-round, as each season offers different values.
Spring marks the beginning of the breeding season for ospreys, a particularly emotional time as they confirm their return after the long migratory journey from their wintering grounds in Africa to sub-Saharan Africa. This season also marks the beginning of the migration of gulls, terns, and waders, which cross the Bay of Pigeons on their way to their breeding grounds in the north.
In spring and summer, you can enjoy pleasant temperatures and increased activity in the intertidal zones, which are home to a unique biodiversity.
Autumn is excellent for observing migratory birds that stop in the Miera estuary and throughout the Bay.
And winter is notable for the wintering of northern birds, such as loons, grebes, red-necked grebes, common mergansers, scoters, and black-backed gulls, making the area a strategic enclave for ornithology enthusiasts.
Furthermore, its accessibility and proximity to urban centers make it especially convenient for visits at any time of year.
La SAC Dunes of Puntal and Miera Estuary It offers a wide variety of activities related to nature and the coastal landscape. From guided boat tours of the bay and estuary to interpret the natural beauty and observe birds, to walks through the dune areas and intertidal zones where you can discover marine invertebrates and various halophilous plant formations.
Birdwatching is especially important, especially during migration periods and in winter, with the estuary and the inland areas of the Bay serving as strategic points. The frequent presence of the osprey adds to the attraction. The geological routes are also noteworthy for interpreting coastal dynamics and the formation of the dune system. Landscape photography finds an excellent setting here thanks to the contrasts between dunes, marshes, beaches, and the bay, with the Eastern Mountains of Cantabria as a backdrop, revealing their snow-capped peaks in certain parts of the year. Specialized local companies offer interpretive activities, ecotourism, and boat trips that enrich the visitor experience.
La SAC Dunes of Puntal and Miera Estuary It offers an exceptional combination of dune landscapes, estuaries, and open sea. Puntal Beach, accessible from Somo, offers a close-up view of the most representative dune system in the area, with mobile and fixed dunes that form a dynamic and visually striking environment. From the same area, you can also enjoy views of the estuary and the city of Santander. The inlet between Pedreña and Somo displays an interesting intertidal landscape, where tidal variations reveal muddy and sandy banks rich in invertebrates. Boat tours allow visitors to explore the Miera River estuary from inland, offering a privileged perspective of its connection with the Bay of Santander. Finally, Mouro Island, also visible from boats, is a particularly interesting spot for observing seabirds, such as the European storm petrel and the yellow-legged gull, which find one of their main breeding grounds here on the Cantabrian coast. Added to this is the remarkable biodiversity of the seabed surrounding the island, considered especially valuable for its ecological richness.
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The Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve is an invitation to experience northern Spain in a different way. It's not a network of accommodations.
