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Specifically, it belongs to the estate called Mig de Dos Rius, and two smaller estates located upstream, also on the left bank of the river Fluvià. The overall surface area of the reserve is around 10 hectares, spread out over three estates of 7, 2 and 1 hectares approximately. It was purchased in 1999.
GR92 crosses the space, following the riverside route. Here we have a hydraulic area of the public domain, since it is an estate that borders on the river Fluvià.
The Association of Friends of the Empordà Marshes Natural Park (APNAE) co-operates in the estate's management, while its supervision is carried out directly by Caixa Catalunya Social Work.
Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and mild winters it irregular rainfall. Temperatures are moderate in the spring, lower in the winter and higher in the summer (July-August). There are frequent winds, with the strongest being the winds from the north (tramontana), since they are channelled. The average annual temperature is 15° C. The minimum temperatures are normally found in January and the maximum temperatures are in July and August. The average annual rainfall is 600 liters per squared metre. The average number of rainy days is 80. |
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Landscapes
There are three well-differentiated landscapes. On one hand, next to the Fluvià there is a band of riverside forest currently being regenerates, which is settling an abandoned poplar and banana plantation. Further inland there is a vast prairie, which is rich in gramineous and leguminous plants with important fauna associated to it. Upstream there is a small part of the reserve mainly settled by reeds and bulrushes, due to the mix of saltwater and a high phreatic surface.
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Vegetation
The vegetation in Mig de Dos Rius is particularly influenced by water, which can be found everywhere in the area. The community of hydrophilic plants deserves mention.
The riverside forest is located next to the river Fluvià. It is made up of a tree stratum, a low-density bush stratum and a grass stratum. The main trees are the the elm (Ulmus minor) ¿ in serious decline due to the plague that has been attacking it for years, Tubercularia vulgaris, the small-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), the willow (Salix alba), the common alder (Alnus glutinosa) and the white poplar (Populus alba). The Dall Prairie takes up the greatest part of the estate. It is a rich prairie, which is very rich in gramineous and leguminous plants and orchids. Finally, reeds take up the riverbank and the two smallest plots in the estate. The most abundant of these is the common reed (Phragmites australis), although you may also find the bulrush (Typha latifolia and Typha angustifolia). |
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Fauna
Mig de dos rius and the Empordà Marshes Natural Park have very varied fauna. Among the invertebrates we can find lepidopterans; to date more than 26 different species have been found. The main environment is the Dall Prairie, which contains a great variety of species. We can find the following species:- Fish:
- Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
- Skelly (Leuciscus cephalus)
- Rudd (Scardinius erythrophtalmus)
- Three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
- Pumpkin-seed (Lepomis gibosus)
- Mosquitofish (Gambussia affinis)
- Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
- Striped mullet (Mugil cephalus)
- Thin-lipped grey mullet (Liza ramada)
- Thick-lipped grey mullet (Chelon labrosus)
- Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
- Sole (Solea lascaris).
- Amphibians:
- Green frog (Rana perezi)
- Toad (Discoglossus pictus)
- Australian frog (Hyla meridionalis)
- Running toad and common toad (Bufo calamita and bufo)
- Iberian lizard (Podarcis hispanica)
- Ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepida)
- Wheat beetle (Tarentola mauritanica)
- Long-necked lizard (Psammodromus algirus)
- Green, white and water serpents and the Natrix natrix.
- Birds: Around 340 speciescan be found in the area, among which the following are the most common:
- Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)
- Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)
- Little egret (Egretta garzetta)
- Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
- Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
- Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
- Red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa)
- Quail (Coturnix coturnix)
- Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
- Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)
- Green woodpecker (Picus viridis)
- Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)
- Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
- Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)
- Fan-tailed warbler (Cisticola juncidis)
- Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
- Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
- Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)
- Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
- House sparrow (Passer domesticus).
- Mammals:
- Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)
- Mole (Microtus sp.)
- Water vole (Arvicola sapidus)
- Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
- Weasel (Mustela nivalis)
- Otter (Lutra lutra), the main predator in the river.
It must be pointed out that some of the animals released in the Empordà Marshes, within the scope of the reinsertion project, have been found in the Mig de Dos Rius ¿ Caramany Island region. To complete this list we must mention the Polecat (Putorius putorius), the Badger (Meles meles), the Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the Wild pig (Sus scrofa).
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Recommendations for the visit
We recommend the hours around sunrise and sunset, due to the play of light and reflections on the water of the Fluvià and because the animal life and bird songs are increased. To observe birds, we recommend taking binoculars and, for people that like observing flowers in detail, a contafils.
In spring the blooming of orchids and the explosion of green from the blooming of riverside trees, ash trees, poplars, black poplars, etc. as well as birds in spring migration (months of April and May).
In summer the bright and colourful species of this season, the bee-eaters and golden orioles, and the cattle egret and egrets on Caramany Island.
In autumn, the leaves turning brown and falling off the riverside trees.
In winter, the light comes down onto the river, the red shoots of the cornel cherries in the undergrowth and the many ducks and sea crows concentrate on the river Fluvià. |
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How to get there?
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| From Sant Pere Pescador, take Sant Sebastià Road towards Castelló d'Empúries GIV-6216 and shortly before leaving the village, turn off to the right onto reed street (signposted junction) straight until the end of this street. Once you reach the turnoff, continue straight over the dirt track (Mig de Dos Rius Track), which goes along the left bank of the Fluvià until the reserve. |
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Routes
The Camí de les llúdrigues, which has been repaired and signposted with points from which to observe the river, the forest and the prairie, starts at the leisure area and car park. It is about 800 metres there and back and there are plans to extend it in the near future with the option of creating a circular route, returning through the fruit fields.
Fanion indicating the "Camí de les Llúdrigues" itinerary of the Mig de Dos Rius reserve (Author: Francesc Muntanya) |
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Services St. Pere Pescador Town Council Tourist Office
C/Verge Portalet, 10 Tel: 972 52 00 50 Empordà Marshes Natural Park. El Cortalet. Road. GIV-6213 from St. Pere Pescador to Castelló d'Empúries. Alt Empordà District Council. Tel. 972 50 30 88 Tourism Department of the Generalitat
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Where to eat?
St. Pere Pescador has a broad variety of restaurants and bars. For further information, please call the above telephone numbers. |
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Where to sleep?
St. Pere has hotel accommodation (up to 3 stars), as well as hostels and camping sites. For further information, please call the above telephone numbers. - Can Ceret C/ del Mar, 1
- El Molí Ctra. de la Platja, 36
- El Pescador Sant Pere, 2
- Aparthotel Raquel Delícies, 48
- Can Mas road from St. Pere Pescador to St. Martí d'Empúries
- Mas del Joncar
Tel and fax: 972521072
Carretera del Joncar, s/n
17470 Sant Pere Pescador
www.masdeljoncar.com
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Typical products.
Fruit, especially the St. Pere Pescador apple. |
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