Andalusía
The gray teal reproduction in this autonomous community showed the strongest concentration, with 192 individuals recorded across twelve wetlands. Notably, the Doñana region, Marismas de Henares in Cádiz and Brazo del Este in Sevilla stood out, each contributing five chicks. The Guadalquivir marshes continue to host the majority of breeding pairs in this region, representing 76% of the total in Andalusia.
Breeding was first documented at the Guadalhorce Mouth Natural Area in Málaga, where a female raised eight chicks. Additionally, a small Fuente de Piedra nucleus formed with three successful pairs in the same province.
Valencian Community
In the Valencian Community, the species bred in five distinct areas, producing 15, 6, 5 and 4 chicks in these sites. Standouts include El Hondo Natural Park (Alicante), Clot de Galvany Municipal Natural Park (Elche), Marjal de Almenara (Castellón) and Albufera Natural Park in Valencia. In total, 173 chicks were recorded. The year 2023 saw a decline in herds compared with 2022, reflecting lower flood levels in wetlands south of Alicante.
Balearic Islands
In the Balearic Islands, breeding numbers peaked historically in 2023, with a total of 14 chicks and 115 chicks observed in the wetlands around S’Albufera in Mallorca.
Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha recorded only one female with chicks in Tablas de Daimiel National Park, while the remaining three chicks were in captive facilities. A nest in a box at El Porcal lagoons in the Madrid Region yielded eggs that did not hatch.
Milestone in species reproduction
A notable milestone in the Valencian Community is the establishment of breeding at El Espigar, a wetland in El Hondo Natural Park. This site was acquired by the ANSE and SEO/BirdLife associations within the LIFE Cerceta Pardilla project coordinated by the MITECO Biodiversity Foundation. At least five different females and 36 chicks have been observed here. Three of these females occupied a salt marsh area that had dried in previous years but remained hydrated thanks to the protections in place for El Espigar.
Efforts to improve the farm’s ecological conditions, adapting it to gray teal requirements, included water and vegetation management to ensure consistent flooding during the breeding season, creating a suitable habitat for the species.
Measures for recovery
Public administrations, along with scientists, conservation groups and civil society, are taking significant steps to protect the gray teal. A primary conservation strategy focuses on restoring priority wetlands and enhancing the management of wetlands critical to the species, particularly in Andalusia where hydrological dynamics in the lower Guadalquivir are being restored.
Another key action is captive breeding in reference centers, such as the El Saler breeding facility and the Harmonious Nature Reserve in Cañada de los Pájaros (Sevilla), managed by the Valencia regional government. Complementary efforts include support from Jerez de la Frontera Zoo (Cádiz) and Tablas de Daimiel National Park (Ciudad Real).
Breeding in captivity continued to expand, with 579 individuals released in 2023 to reinforce wild populations in Andalusia, the Valencian Community, Castilla-La Mancha and the Community of Madrid. Collaboration with Italy continues regarding the transfer and release of birds under a rescue initiative in Sicily.
Reduce threats to species
Efforts to mitigate threats include expanding information about the species and tagging individuals with GPS transmitters. In 2023, 52 new birds were fitted with transmitters, enabling better tracking of movements and the development of joint habitat-management strategies with North African countries where gray teals typically winter.
Since the species was declared critically endangered in 2018, Spain has equipped 218 gray teals with GPS devices. The data help identify the leading causes of mortality and guide targeted conservation actions.
Cross-sector cooperation remains strong, with agreements to retain land under management by private owners of farms and hunting estates, supporting positive habitat management and improved monitoring of the gray teal to ensure ongoing participation in conservation efforts.
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Environmental authorities encourage ongoing engagement and information sharing to strengthen the protection network (Cite: MITECO and partner organizations).
Note: contact details and publication specifics were removed to maintain current, standalone reporting in accessible form.