Celebrated this Saturday, May 13 earth day migratory birdsAlthough there is another day in the year dedicated to the same species, it is October 14th and this is due to the cyclical nature of the migrations. It is a permanent round-trip journey on which the survival of millions of birds on the planet, and with them many other organisms, depends.
The purpose of this conference is to highlight that many migratory bird species are declining significantly despite the valuable role they play in our society. But why are they important?
First, many species of migratory birds, such as swallows and swallows, are insectivorous, so they they feed on insects. In this way, they help control pests and act as natural ‘insecticide’. These birds are thus indispensable for agriculture as they save large amounts of pesticide use, with all the negative consequences for the environment and humans.
Likewise, these birds play a very important role in the food industry. seed dispensers in different parts of the world, thus helping to maintain the ecological balance.
On the other hand, birds are valuable indicators of the health of ecosystems. When there is a change in the migration patterns of birds, problems such as pollution, global warming or habitat destruction may arise.
In addition, the protection of migratory birds is economically important because the number of places that promote birds is increasing day by day. observation tourism. It is an activity that enhances species conservation and makes birds recognizable within the population.
Spain main migration corridor of birds Western Europe with significant wetlands such as Doñana, Urdaibai (Basque Country), Delta del Ebro (Catalonia), Gallocanta (Zaragoza) or Albufera de Valencia, among others. Therefore, our country is a privileged viewing point in terms of both observing and protecting these species.
You can see about 600 bird species in Spain, of which about 200 are migratory.
There is no bird without water.
In this 2023 edition, bird advocacy organizations, urgent need to conserve water to protect bird life. It should be noted that at a time when daily water losses are reported in Doñana, Tablas de Daimiel and other Spanish wetlands, many birds feed on aquatic fish, invertebrates and other aquatic organisms. All this collapses and collapses without the liquid element is a whole ecological chain.
Good condition of lagoons, rivers, lakes and other wetlands is not only necessary for food. They also need water breed and reproduce when it comes to ducks, birds, or birds such as ducks, herons or flamingos.
But in addition, some migratory bird species use water-related geographic features (especially rivers or lakes) to navigate during their long migratory journeys.
All these, however, are threatened by increasing global warming and overuse of aquifers, as seen in Doñana, where illegal (and sometimes legal) agricultural activities destroy the water this ecosystem needs. Mass tourism, recreational swimming pools and other human activities are helping to deplete this precious resource, which will be dwindling in Spain.
Other threats are wind farms or power lines constantly fighting against. Hundreds and thousands of birds die because of these facilities, according to reports made annually by conservation agencies. Light pollution is another of your enemies.
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Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]