Celebrated this Saturday, May 13, earth day reminds us of the long, seasonal journey of migratory birds. While another date, October 14, marks a related migratory cycle, the natural rhythm continues year after year, a permanent round trip on which the survival of millions of birds—and many other species—depends.
The goal of this conference is to draw attention to the significant declines seen in numerous migratory bird species, despite the essential roles they play in ecosystems and human society. But what makes these birds so important?
First, many migratory birds, such as swallows and swifts, feed on insects. By keeping pest populations in check, they act as natural pest controllers. This ecological service helps agriculture by reducing the need for chemical pesticides, which benefits soil, water, and overall environmental health.
In addition, these birds contribute to seed dispersal and the maintenance of ecological balance across landscapes, supporting food chains and biodiversity in diverse regions around the world.
On the flip side, birds serve as valuable indicators of ecosystem health. Shifts in migration patterns can signal problems such as pollution, climate change, or habitat loss, prompting closer study and conservation action.
Protecting migratory birds also has economic value because more places promote birdwatching and related tourism. This activity supports conservation efforts and helps make birds more visible and appreciated by local communities.
Spain’s rich migration corridor in Western Europe features wetlands such as Doñana, Urdaibai, Delta del Ebro, Gallocanta, and Albufera de Valencia, among others. This makes the country a prime location for both viewing and protecting these species, attracting visitors from North America who are drawn to its biodiversity and conservation programs.
You can observe roughly 600 bird species in Spain, with about 200 of them being migratory, highlighting the region’s global significance for bird life.
There is no bird without water.
In the 2023 edition, bird advocacy groups emphasized the urgent need to conserve water to safeguard bird life. This is especially critical in times when daily water losses are reported in Doñana, Tablas de Daimiel, and other wetlands, because many birds rely on aquatic habitats for feeding on fish, invertebrates, and other organisms. When water resources decline, interconnected ecological systems collapse.
Healthy lagoons, rivers, and lakes are not only essential for food; they also provide breeding grounds for species such as ducks, herons, and flamingos. Water features also guide migratory routes and aid navigation across continents.
But these environments face threats from climate change and overextraction of groundwater. In Doñana, for example, agricultural activities—both legal and illegal—reduce the water available to this delicate ecosystem. Mass tourism, recreational facilities, and other human activities contribute to water depletion, prompting worrying declines in Spain’s wetlands.
Other dangers include wind farms and power lines that collide with migrating birds, accounting for thousands of deaths each year as reported by conservation agencies. Light pollution further disrupts nocturnal navigation and timing of migrations for many species.
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For those seeking further information, the environmental department offers resources and guidance from regional offices and conservation groups across North America and Europe to support ongoing protection efforts.