An Ekoetxea amidst water Ekoetxea Txingudi is located in the area between the River Bidasoa and the Jaizubia irrigation channel, specifically in the area known as the Plaiaundi Park, with views over Txingudi Bay, and shared and surrounded by the Hendaye, Irun and Hondarribia municipal districts. Txingudi Bay is the best example of the saltmarsh environment in Gipuzkoa. This exceptional spot is a haven for migrating bird and is, currently an internationally recognised area of natural value that comes under the “Txingudi” Special Protection Area (SPA) and the “Txingudi-Bidasoa” Site of Community Importance (SCI). Both of those sites have been proposed to join the European Network of key Natural Protected Areas known as Natura 2000. Furthermore, Plaiaundi is on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. The Ekoetxea Txingudi is located at the entrance to the Port and a wide range of activities are organised there with something for everyone. There is also the option of a self-guided visit of the Park, consisting of 17 information panels along a 2-km route. Furthermore, there are several spots set up for bird watching in Plaiaundi.Despite its small size, Txingudi embodies the geographical features that makes the Basque Country important in terms of migration. Given its strategic location between the far foothills of the western Pyrenees and the Bay of Biscay, it attracts both the flocks of inland birds that bypass the Pyrenees when migrating and the flow of water and marine birds that follow the coastline. Txingudi is mainly used by water birds such as herons and spoonbills, along with waterfowl, waders and reed-bed passerines, which stop over at the wetland. This small estuary also witnesses the many land birds passing through and which fill the skies there in autumn and spring. The large number of migratory marine species that, particularly during storms, shelter in the water of the estuary likewise contribute to the place’s great ornithological diversity. Ekoetxea Txingudi offers visitors a wide variety of activities with something for everyone. It is positioning itself as a leading environmental education amenity, particularly in the sphere of saltmarsh and coastal areas, locally, in the Basque Country, Spain and internationally. The Park extends over 24 hectares and consists of two inner lagoons connected to the rhythm of the tides by means of a sluice-gate system, and an intertidal beach, along with a freshwater lagoon. Apart from being home to Txingudi Ekoetxea, the Park boasts bird-watching facilities (viewing platforms, hides, observation towers, etc.), information panels, a network of paths, picnic area and a car park.
Discover Txingudi’s wildlife There are two different areas: Plaiaundi Ecological Park (Irun): it has 2 km of path with information panels, observation towers and hut, where public use is compatible with conservation. Txingudi Ekoetxea is at the entrance to the Park. Jaitzubia (Hondarribia): it has 3-km of laid-out paths. It is the only example in Txingudi of the natural transition from the river to sea, as it is a “green corridor” running between the Bidasoa saltmarshes and Mount Jaizkibel.
ContactEkoetxea Txingudi Parque ecológico Plaiaundi Parke ekologikoa, 20304 Irun, (Gipuzkoa) Teléfono: 943 61 93 89 Mail: info.txingudi@ekoetxea.eus
How to find us Txingudi Bay is shared by Hendaye, Irun and Hondarribia municipalities and is at the mouth of the River Bidasoa. The area is easily reached and served by major transport links (N-1 highway, A-8 motorway, RENFE, SNCF and EUSKOTREN railway), along with an airport (San Sebastián Airport, at Hondarribia). It is around 18 km from Donostia – San Sebastián. Ekoetxea Txingudi is directly reached from the N-1 highway, off the Irun bypass (K.P. (kilometre point) 478). Railway (RENFE and EUSKOTREN) and bus facilities are in the centre of Irun, around 12 minutes away on foot. After leave the A-8 at the “Irun-Hondarribia” toll, continue towards Irun along the former N-1 highway, which is now the GI-636. Around 100 m after passing K.P. 13 (GALP Petrol Station), you will see a brown sign indicating the exit towards Plaiaundi. Turn off the GI-636 and take the service road to the right that goes under the main road. Then turn left down a dead-end road to the car park for the Plaiaundi Ecological Park.Location in Google Maps
Opening hours and prices The centre is open every day, except on the following bank holidays: 1 January (New Year’s Day) 6 January (Epiphany) 30 June (Irun’s Patron Saint’s Day: St. Martial) 24 December (Christmas Eve) 25 December (Christmas Day) 31 December (New Year’s Eve)Spring-Summer 10:00 - 14:00 / 16:00 - 19:00 Autumn-Winter 10:00 - 14:00 / 15:30 - 17:30 Entrance to Ekoetxea is free of charge.
Ekoetxea Txingudi has a permanent exhibition where visitors can learn about the evolving and dynamic nature of the landscape of the Txingudi saltmarshes and how this is the consequence of multiple interrelations modulated by human action.Furthermore, they can discover the aspects that allow different habitats and consequently a diversity of ecosystems to exist and coexist. Biotypes are not overlooked and visitors will find out that they are a dynamic balanced system and that its success (in terms of productivity, perpetuation, rich aesthetics, etc.) depends on how it is managed. Thanks to the panels, models, audiovisuals and, of course, the magnificent viewing platform over the lake, visitors can discover, delight in and admire the great diversity of local flora and fauna, with the area being particularly known for its many different species of birds. The viewing platform is one of the gems of this Ekoetxea, as it provides a relaxed and sheltered setting to watch birds without being seen, along with the resources needed, including binoculars and identification guides. There are different resources to understand the importance of the lithological units, relief and waterway network of the saltmarshes, as, in the end, water is the base of the whole of Txingudi
2019-2020 School Programme The Ekoetxea Txingudi School Programme seeks to provide all schoolchildren (from infants to upper secondary) with the opportunity to enjoy and connect with nature and to offer real and direct experiences in a natural setting such as the Txingudi salt marshes, a wetland brimming with life. The main aim of the school programme is for the students to learn to love and respect nature. The main aspects considered during the visit are: The saltmarsh ecosystem Biodiversity, particularly the birdlife The visit is divided into two parts. A walk through the wetland, when the students will be equipped with viewing equipment and field guides. They will thus become naturalists for the day and take a fresh look at the world around them. Workshops or learning games organised at Ekoetxea Txingudi, focusing on values such as sustainability, respect, participation and cooperative work.The visit is free, but has to be booked in advance.
BookingsPlease write to hezkuntza.txingudi@ekoetxea.eus or call 9443. 619.389 to make your booking. Once the school has booked its visit, the Ekoetxea Txingudi Environmental team will email the person designated by the school all the teaching materials for the students prior to and after the visit. Send a mail to: hezkuntza.txingudi@ekoetxea.eus
Census of nocturnal raptorsCitizen science project: monitoring nocturnal raptors at Txingudi. Nocturnal raptors are a group of fauna that has largely been ignored so far. The project seeks to: Establish to which nocturnal raptors the Txingudi SAC is home: wealth (No. of species), distribution and estimate of abundance Focus on two very rare species and in decline along the Cantabrian strip: the Scops owl and the Little Owl • Others: establish the historical evolution (surveys at farmsteads, etc.), improve habitat (making and setting up nests), according to the resultsThe methodology will allow the results to be comparable to similar projects, such as Noctua and the Atlas of Nesting Birds of the Basque Country, to ensure scientific coherence. The participant group is made up of 18 people, with different levels of knowledge and experience. We currently cover a total of 14 1x1 km UTM grids, which includes the whole of the Txingudi SAC/SPA. From the start of the year, we have made preliminary contacts, organised the initial groups, advised on and designed methodology and materials, and the first field sampling has taken placed. On 6 March, a talk-workshop was run by Iñigo Zuberogoitia, which acted as a training session. Some interesting data have already been obtained, such as the first long-eared owl sighting in the area as a possible breeding bird. The results will be published on www.ornitho.eus, and the relevant formalities have been carried out with the portal administrator.
OdonataAs regards odonatology, a series of initiatives (symposiums, conferences, exhibitions, work meetings, information material, scientific articles, etc.) have been run at the Txingudi-Bidasoa SAC since 2008. These have had a positive impact both in terms of managing habitat and of generating knowledge about this group of invertebrates. In the last four years, the so-called citizen science has played a fundamental role in this process, which has already been in place for a decade. General objectives of the programme: Encourage the general public to get involved in “Citizen Science” programmes.Compile all the resulting information in the SINE. Bring the citizenry closer to the Natura 2000 network. Inform the general public about the ecosystem services and the need to conserve them and, consequently, the value of biodiversity. Consolidate the involvement and/or relationship between citizen science and conservation. Specific objectives of the programme: Improve knowledge on the odonata fauna of the Txingudi-Bidasoa SAC. Locate key points for endangered species or of interest to be conserved.
Save 04/06/2020 The environmental centres in the Basque Government’s Ekoetxea network will open their doors again this weekend The centres in the network, excluding the Azpeitia centre, will reopen with visitor number restrictions and extensive safety and hygiene measures. The reopening has been timed to coincide with World Environment Day, held on Friday 5th June worldwide.
All Save All A hundred thousand visitors to the environmental centres of the Basque Government’s Ekoetxea Network in 2019 26/01/2020