immigration corridor
The planned offshore wind developments sit along a migrant route of enormous importance for many bird species. To recognize this, a new Special Protection Area for Birds has been established in that zone to protect a substantial stretch of this critical corridor. This acknowledgement aligns with the Natura 2000 framework used across Europe to safeguard habitats and species of European and national significance.
Additional plans are underway to reinforce protections in the area. In reviewing gaps within the Natura 2000 network, Miteco aims to cluster existing marine protected zones off Galicia and Asturias into a single expansive ZEPA, creating a Western Galician-Cantabrian Migration Corridor. The initiative would incorporate nearby coastal and sea areas and connect protected regions into a continuous framework that observed historic seabird movements across millions of annual flights.
Included within the proposal are zones along Cabo Peñas, Punta de Candelaria-Ría de Ortigueira-Estaca de Bares, Ferrolterra-Valdoviño Beach, Costa da Morte, and the Rías Baixas of Galicia, helping to knit together the routes of seabirds that routinely travel between wintering grounds and breeding sites. Experts note that species such as the Balearic shearwater and the Atlantic Ashy Shearwater, among others, already face pressures from habitat fragmentation and changing ocean conditions. The northernmost coastal breeding populations of some of these birds add urgency to protecting this corridor, while balancing human activity and wind development.
Paulo Lago, a professional working with SEO/BirdLife’s Marine Program in Galicia, expressed cautious optimism about the ZEPA’s potential. He argued that the designation should improve ecological connectivity and coherence among protected areas, providing a stronger link for migratory paths. At the same time, he emphasized the need for ongoing research to determine the full scope and significance of this corridor, particularly in wintering months and for terrestrial birds that interact with coastal habitats during migration.
Experts stress the importance of gathering robust data about passage routes, feeding grounds, and resting areas for seabirds. This information is critical for applying the precautionary principle and ensuring wind development proceeds with minimal ecological disruption. In practice, it means considering the behavior of seabird communities across peak migration periods and aligning offshore plans with the best available science to protect vulnerable populations.
Collision fatality rate
Given these concerns, the NGO called on Miteco to expand its geographic assessment to cover the entire continental shelf and slope in the northern part of the corridor. The aim is to ensure adequate scientific information exists on seabird migration, foraging, and resting areas while applying prudent safeguards to minimize risk to birds.
Requests also included reassessing Natura 2000 domains that intersect with the proposed wind zones, ensuring that protection boundaries reflect current ecological realities. In Asturias, the West Galicia-Cantabria Migration Corridor touches areas where wind energy zones are designated, including zones near the NOR-1 facility at the edge of the protected region. Regulators are urged to examine potential collision risks and to integrate this assessment into project reviews and permitting decisions.
Experts warn that the immediate threat from offshore wind farms is collision mortality, a concern heightened in areas with dense migratory activity. This reality strengthens the case for rigorous environmental review and targeted monitoring to detect and mitigate adverse effects on seabird populations as wind projects progress.
With this in mind, SEO/BirdLife has submitted comments aimed at applying the precautionary principle to several projects, particularly in zones that serve as major migratory corridors for seabirds. The organization advocates for delaying processing of certain proposals and expanding the proposed protected area to better reflect ecological realities. It also calls for strategic environmental assessments prior to auction decisions and prioritization of projects with lower environmental impacts and greater social benefits for local communities.
Further steps include developing safeguards that balance energy needs with conservation priorities, along with transparent, science-based decision-making throughout the planning and permitting process. This integrated approach helps ensure offshore wind development proceeds in a way that respects migratory birds and coastal ecosystems while supporting sustainable energy goals for Spain and its neighbors.
The environmental ministry and wildlife agencies are expected to continue refining plans, monitoring outcomes, and engaging stakeholders to reduce potential harm. The overarching objective remains clear: expand renewable energy responsibly, protect essential migratory pathways, and safeguard the biodiversity that defines these Iberian coasts for generations to come.