SIERRA MORENA ZEC-ZEPA. Alcudia Valley and Sierra Madrona Natural Park;

In 2020, the first Urban SPA of CLM “Colonies of Lesser Kestrel of Las Iglesias de Almodóvar del Campo and Tirteafuera” will be declared. This space protects the nesting area of between 80 and 90 pairs of this summer bird. In addition, other species of interest such as the barn owl, the common swift and the red-billed chough breed in these buildings, which are Sites of Cultural Interest. This natural area is located in the vicinity of the Natural Park and Sierra Madrona, which is of great importance for the migratory routes of the lesser kestrel and other steppe birds of prey such as the Montagu’s harrier, apart from a host of attractive places from a cultural point of view such as the schematic cave paintings (Fuencaliente) and the Roman site of Sisapo (La Bienvenida) and large colonies of emblematic species such as the black vulture and the griffon vulture; not to mention its skies declared a Starlight tourist destination and its proximity to the “Volcanes de Calatrava” Geopark.

We must not forget that the Alcudia Valley region, and more specifically the Alcudia Valley, is one of the main transhumant areas in Spain. More than three hundred thousand head of sheep were counted coming from the pastures of the north through the Cañadas Reales that flow here, the Segoviana and the Soriana, serving as a greenhouse, for more than six centuries, for the flocks of the Honrado Concejo de la Mesta. During this vast period of time, a whole network of cattle tracks, cords and paths was created for the movement of thousands of Merino sheep that occasionally came together in autumn to take advantage of the rich pastures. Its traditions and gastronomy are still present today among the inhabitants of this region.