The Council of Government of the Regional Government of Andalusia has officially declared the Charca de Suárez wetland reserve in Motril a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA / ZEPA in Spanish). This landmark decision officially incorporates the coastal wetland into the European Union’s Natura 2000 ecological network and registers it within the Inventory of Protected Natural Spaces of Andalusia.
Alongside the ZEPA designation, regional authorities approved an indefinite Management Plan to safeguard the area’s habitats from environmental degradation and human disruption. The new framework aims to preserve the wetland’s natural conditions while securing critical feeding, breeding, and roosting grounds for resident and migratory bird species.
Recognized as the most vital wetland ecosystem on the Granada coastline, the Charca de Suárez comprises eight permanent lagoons fed by the Motril-Salobreña aquifer. Located strategically along migratory routes between coastal wetlands in Málaga and Almería, it serves as a vital sanctuary for protected species listed under the European Birds Directive—including the white-headed duck, ferruginous duck, marbled teal, squacco heron, Eurasian bittern, and flamingos.
The designation was made with the active collaboration of the Motril City Council, which continues to work alongside regional authorities under a long-term conservation agreement. Municipal leaders have expressed strong interest in expanding the current reserve boundaries to encompass three adjacent lagoons (La Juncia, El Junco, and El Álamo Blanco), ensuring full ecological continuity and comprehensive environmental management across the entire wetland area.
