World Wetlands Day in the Marismas del Odiel Natural Park

Last Friday, January 31, part of our team, together with other volunteers, experienced a very special night at the Marismas del Odiel Natural Park, where we began our work altruistically in the Odiel Ornithological Station 20 years ago. Coinciding with World Wetlands Day, a day of scientific waders was organized, a key activity for the study and conservation of these migratory birds.

Located at the mouth of the Odiel River, in Huelva, the Odiel Marshes are one of the most important wetlands in Spain and are recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Its mix of marshes, marshes and salt marshes creates an ideal refuge for a wide variety of waterfowl, making it an essential enclave for the migration of waders. In addition, it houses stable populations of flamingos, spatulas and other emblematic species such as the osprey.

More than 35,000 ringed birds in two decades of research

The Marismas del Odiel Natural Park has been the scene of numerous scientific ringing campaigns in the last two decades, contributing significantly to the study and conservation of various bird species. With more than 35,000 birds ringed during this period, some important milestones can be highlighted:

• Osprey Eagle Ring: In 2024, there was the best angling campaign for ospreys in 20 years, with 11 breeding pairs established in the area and 19 ringed chickens (10 males and 9 females).
• Diversity of ringed species: In previous campaigns, about 40 different species have been ringed between waders and sea swallows, including red-billed and black-billed pagaza, common tern, arctic, black-legged and Bengali, common fumarel, white-winged and white-tailed tern, tern, common whale, curlew, fat, menudo, temmick and tridactyl tern, phalaropos, fighter, turtle whale, plover, archibebe, needles, curlews, plovers, storks, storks ñuela, avoceta, acaravanes andarrios grande, boy and bastard, etc. These rings are nocturnal and normally develop in summer during summer migration.

• Voluntary participation: These campaigns have had the collaboration of more than a thousand volunteers, both local and from different parts of Spain and other European countries, which has enriched the exchange of knowledge and experiences in the field of ornithology.

Volunteering and commitment to wetland conservation

These banding activities not only provide valuable data for science, but they also promote environmental awareness and citizen participation in the conservation of biodiversity.

Ideas MedioAmbiental couldn't miss the event, because of the special connection that unites us to this emblematic place and we were able to enjoy an unforgettable conviviality. It was a night of reunions, learning and commitment to the conservation of wetlands, ecosystems fundamental to biodiversity and climate regulation.

From here, we want to thank all the people who have been part of this journey for these 20 years and who are still working to protect the incredible natural heritage of the Odiel Marshes. For many more years of volunteering and conservation!

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