Urdaibai Bird Center participates en the 11th International Spoonbill Workshop in the Netherlands

Recently Urdaibai Bird Center took part in the 11th International Workshop of Eurasian Spoonbill in the Netherlands. Led by Birdeyes – Centre for Global Ecological Change in Leeuwarden – hundreds of scientists, conservationists and policymakers gathered for this major conference to exchange knowledge about spoonbill populations, migration behaviour, and breeding success.

Edorta Unamuno, biologist and member of staff at the Urdaibai Bird Center was there to represent the Basque Country and share our experience in environmental education. He focused on our project "Hegazti eskola" (Bird School), which uses birds as a vehicle to motivate children and promote intellectual development. The spoonbill is an excellent species for environmental education as it is easy to observe and has such interesting characteristics.

Also sharing their experience and knowledge were experts from 15 countries along the migratory routes from western and central Europe to west and north Africa. To symbolise the global interconnectedness of bird habitats along the flyway a new migratory bird signpost was unveiled at the Staatsbosbeheer Visitor Centre. This signpost is inspired by the one which stands in the grounds of the Urdaibai Bird Center and points to important wetlands along the flyway.

Indeed, as the conference got underway and knowledge was being shared amongst the experts, we were witness to an incredible sight here in Urdaibai. A flock of 400 spoonbills stopped off in the Gautegiz Arteaga marshes on their southbound migration. It was a clear reminder of the vital importance of these habitats along the flyway..

It was a privilege for us to take part in the 11 International Workshop of Eurasian Spoonbill and to help strengthen the connections along the flyway. It gives us great pleasure to be part of the international team working to guarantee the future of spoonbills and their migrations.