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Wetlands and biodiversity. Marshes teeming with life

As Sunday 2nd Febrary is World Wetlands Day, you are invited to the Urdaibai Bird Center to celebrate the event. Audio-guided visits will be free and there will be a scientific bird banding demonstration, weather permitting.

World Wetland Day is a great opportunity to see the Gautegiz Arteaga marsh in all its finery. At this time of year it is home to wintering birds which arrived from northern Europe in late autumn.

Hundreds of ducks of different species can be seen feeding in the lagoon. In addition to this, lapwings, cormorants, herons and spatulas are a beautiful sight as they rest on the islets.

During the last few weeks we have had a daily visit from an osprey which is wintering here in Urdaibai. Every day it comes to roost in a nearby forest and sometimes we are even lucky enough to watch it fishing.

Nothing is more spectacular than seeing it dive out of the sky in to the water!

Another treat is catching a glimpse of the elusive bittern, which appears among the reeds as if by magic. And of course, it is also lovely to watch the hustle and bustle of all the small birds around the winter feeders in front of the observatory.

World Wetland Day is held on the same date all over the world. Organizations of all kinds promote the conservation of wetlands on a local and global level through a diverse range of activities. Celebrating this international event aims to bring people into contact with the wetlands and to share information about the importance of this habitat for the winter migration and breeding of European water birds.

This year the theme is "Wetlands and biodiversity". It will focus on many issues, such as the importance of wetlands as a source of food and drinking water, in addition to their role in leisure, tourism and climate change.

Our doors will be open from 11am to 5pm, giving visitors the opportunity to get to know the beautiful birds that inhabit the Gautegiz Arteaga marshes at this time of year. Great views and spectacular wildlife for everyone to enjoy! Celebrate World Wetland Day with Urdaibai Bird Center.