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Urdaibai Bird Center will be celebrating World Wetlands Day on Sunday 5th February, in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and the BBK. A scientific bird ringing session and a guided walk will be organised for those who wish to take part in the celebration. There are limited places so it will be necessary to sign up.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated in nature centres along the entire bird migration route. Entities and organisations dedicate this day to promoting knowledge and conservation of wetlands from the most local to the most global level.
This year, the chosen theme is "Wetland restoration". Nearly 90% of wetlands have been degraded since the 18th century, and they are being lost at a rate which is three times faster than that of forests. Yet wetlands are critically important ecosystems that contribute to biodiversity as well as to climate change mitigation.
The Urdaibai Bird Center is currently carrying out a wide range of restoration work in the marsh. This work is being done within the framework of the European Next Generation Projects which are coordinated by the Basque Government and the Ministry for Ecological Transition. The aim of some of these actions is to improve the habitat for populations of species of special interest such as the bittern, the spoonbill or the sand martin.
Other actions are related to the elimination of invasive exotic plants such as the saltbush (Baccharis halimifolia) or the Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana).
In addition to this, we will soon begin the removal of anthropogenic waste from the marsh.
All these environmental improvements will be shown in an "in situ" exhibition at the Urdaibai Bird Center and visitors will be able to learn more about the restoration work we are carrying out.
However, most importantly, by visiting us you will be able to enjoy the Urdaibai marshes, which have been a haven for many species of birds throughout the winter. Among them are the pintail ducks, the wigeons, the bittern and of course the most appreciated treasures, the wintering spoonbills and "Muxar", the osprey. Soon, all these birds will begin their long and dangerous migratory route north.
We are working to ensure that these birds have suitable habitats to rest and feed on their journey. Join us and share the message of wetland conservation.
We invite you to enjoy the incredible spectacle of nature in the Urdaibai marshes on World Wetland Day. |
