Urdaibai Bird Center

About

Urdaibai Bird Center is a nature museum. It provides an excellent observation point from which visitors can enjoy the world of birds and their migratory journeys. It is located in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve in Vizcaya, Basque Country (Spain) The center opened its doors to the public in 2012 and works in the areas of scientific research and dissemination. It is managed by the Aranzadi Society of Science, an organization which has over 60 years of experience in the research and dissemination of human and natural sciences. Ornithology is included within these fields and the Aranzadi Banding Office has done pioneering work on the Iberian Peninsula.

Place The center is located in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, a protected natural area that includes one of the most important marshes on the Cantabrian coast. This wetland area is internationally recognized as demonstrated by the fact that it is a Ramsar wetland of international importance, a Special Protection Area for Birds. It is also in the Natura 2000 Network.

The marshes of Urdaibai are formed by the Oka and Golako rivers, which open onto the sea in a wide estuary. It is home to a wide range of different ecosystems and landscapes such as grasslands, Cantabrian holm oak woods, Atlantic countryside, riverbanks, marshes, cliffs, beaches and dunes. It is this mosaic of landscapes that make Urdaibai the area with the highest level of biodiversity in the Basque Country.

Among the many habitats, wetlands provide an essential source of food and shelter for waterfowl. They are one of the most important focuses of the work carried out by the Urdaibai Bird Center. The center is located in Gautegiz Arteaga next to a wetland area which is of the greatest natural value in Urdaibai.

Urdaibai Bird Center has its origins in the Elaia Association, an organization which began its work in the Urdaibai estuary in 2001. Its first projects were conceived from scientific ringing stations in different areas of the Urdaibai marshes. Many birds of particular interest were detected from these ringing stations and monitoring projects were set up.

Scientisits identified areas of special interest for their ornithological wealth or for their general biodiversity in the upper marsh. As a result, they started a more comprehensive monitoring programme of one of the most important ornithological phenomena in Urdaibai: the migration of birds. During the research programme, a serious loss of biodiversity was discovered and the first steps were taken to make environmental improvements in the marsh.

A work group was set up to develop new ideas and this project became what is now the Urdaibai Bird Center.

Until just a few years ago, the area now occupied by the Orueta wetland was very run down and the fact that it had become almost disconnected from the influence of the tides had led to the invasion of exotic species. This situation was the result of the way the marsh had been used and altered throughout history.

During the eighteenth century, the inner marshes were drained to make them into fields for crops and then later pastures for livestock. In the twentieth century, the course of the river was canalized in Guernica-Lumo and this resulted in the total isolation of the remaining wetlands. Finally, however, the fields were abandoned and began to break up. Once more the tide was allowed in, and the natural process of regeneration slowly began. Its progress was hindered, however, by the invasion of the exotic flora referred to previously.

Faced with this problem, the local population undertook an environmental improvement project in the marsh. It aimed to encourage the correct use of the marsh through birdwatching. After evaluating several alternatives, lagoons of varying degrees of salinity and depths were created. The environmental improvement project was carried out between 2008 and 2009.

The restoration results were very positive. Today, total recovery of halophyte vegetation has been achieved in the abandoned area which was being invaded by alien species. Reeds, cattails, sea rushes and carex are now present. In addition, the spread of invasive species is now under control.

As for wildlife, birds have been extremely receptive to the new conditions. 5 years after the start of the project, a great diversity of species has been recorded and there are large numbers of birds at all times of year. In addition to the birds, odonata of great interest have also colonised the wetland. Before its recovery their presence had never been registered.

Until just a few years ago, the area now occupied by the Orueta wetland was very run down and the fact that it had become almost disconnected from the influence of the tides had led to the invasion of exotic species. This situation was the result of the way the marsh had been used and altered throughout history.

During the eighteenth century, the inner marshes were drained to make them into fields for crops and then later pastures for livestock. In the twentieth century, the course of the river was canalized in Guernica-Lumo and this resulted in the total isolation of the remaining wetlands. Finally, however, the fields were abandoned and began to break up. Once more the tide was allowed in, and the natural process of regeneration slowly began. Its progress was hindered, however, by the invasion of the exotic flora referred to previously.

Faced with this problem, the local population undertook an environmental improvement project in the marsh. It aimed to encourage the correct use of the marsh through birdwatching. After evaluating several alternatives, lagoons of varying degrees of salinity and depths were created. The environmental improvement project was carried out between 2008 and 2009.

The restoration results were very positive. Today, total recovery of halophyte vegetation has been achieved in the abandoned area which was being invaded by alien species. Reeds, cattails, sea rushes and carex are now present. In addition, the spread of invasive species is now under control.

As for wildlife, birds have been extremely receptive to the new conditions. 5 years after the start of the project, a great diversity of species has been recorded and there are large numbers of birds at all times of year. In addition to the birds, odonata of great interest have also colonised the wetland. Before its recovery their presence had never been registered.

Visitors can admire the landscape of the Urdaibai estuary from the Bird Center tower. Inside the center a series of audiovisual modules provide the visitor with up to date information. Educational material and audiovisual resources are produced by the center itself.

In the hallway a large backlit map locates the center on the Eastern Atlantic Flyway and also illustrates the connection between Urdaibai and wetlands of importance in Europe and Africa.

In addition to this, there is a space for temporary exhibitions and an audiovisual module that explains the habitats and birds of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve and also the current ornithological state of the marsh. It also provides information on projects and lines of investigation which are being carried out.