Embalse de Orellana and Sierra de Pela Special Protection Area (SPA) for Birds and Site of Scientific Interest (SSI)

While its core is the Orellana reservoir, the Embalse de Orellana and Sierra de Pela Special Protection Area (SPA) for Birds and Site of Scientific Interest (SSI) encompasses an area that includes many towns and villages, such as Orellana de la Sierra, Orellana la Vieja, Navalvillar de Pela, Casas de Don Pedro, Talarrubias, Puebla de Alcocer, Esparragosa de Lares and Campanario, which have been inhabited by man since prehistoric times, as proven by the many remains that have been found here over the years.

A wealth of local wildlife lives in these waters and lands thanks to the area's varied habitats: mountains, plains, wetlands, etc. There are also holm oaks, heathland, strawberry trees, pastureland, etc.

Birds are the site's most representative and relevant wildlife. The nearby mountains are home to golden eagles, Bonelli's eagles and ospreys. You can also find griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, crag martins, blue rock thrush and many others.

At the Orellana reservoir, cranes and gulls nest alongside other species of water birds such as mallards and gadwalls. The area is also home to grebes, little grebes, cormorants, cormoranes, moorhens and common coots, in winter. As spring approaches, some species leave while others arrive. Grey herons, black storks, white storks and many others all come here once the cold weather has ended.