On the occasion of the European Commission’s annual follow-up visit to the LIFE Marbled Teal project, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, we take stock of the progress in the different conservation, research, governance and awareness-raising actions that we have carried out in the first six months of 2022.

The spring period is especially relevant for the species, as it coincides with the breeding season. In the project’s reference captive breeding centre, the El Saler Farm (Valencia), almost 300 chicks have already been born this year, which will be released in different locations suitable for the species.

In the field of conservation, relevant documents for the protection of the marbled teal and wetlands have been finalized, such as the guide to good practices for the management of the species’ habitat. Five of the six conservation protocols have also been drawn up, which will guide actions on ex situ conservation, the operation of breeding centres, the release of specimens, the removal of clutches and other health measures. These protocols have also been approved by the committee of experts who advise the project.

On the other hand, different conservation actions are being carried out aimed at improving the ecological conditions of the El Espigar estate, located in the El Hondo Natural Park (Elche), and acquired within the framework of the project. It is more than 55 hectares, purchased by SEO/BirdLife and ANSE, partners of the project In this sense, thanks to the improvements in El Espigar, 20 specimens of this species bred in captivity have been released at the La Granja center in El Saler (Valencia). This is an important milestone in the project as it is the first release carried out on one of the acquired lands. In this line, the management and public use plan of the farm has been completed, which includes the guidelines for the correct maintenance or restoration of the favorable conservation status of the populations of marbled teal and their habitat.

RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION

Knowledge is essential to protect, which is why research actions also play a central role in the project. On the one hand, work is being done to obtain more data on the movements of the species by tagging with transmitters that carry a GPS and communicate the location and activity of the bird via mobile phones. This allows us to know the movements of the species and establish common methodologies with North African countries, to which the marbled teal generally moves in winter. However, and thanks precisely to this information, the movement of three specimens in spring has been known, an unusual trip, and which allows us to expand our knowledge of the species.

The evaluation of the variability and genetic structure of captive and wild populations of marbled teal is also being finalized, the results of which will allow characterizing the individuals present in different geographical areas where the species is distributed and better guide conservation actions.

In addition, the collaboration and involvement of other actors and sectors linked to the species or its habitat is essential. For this reason, the first land stewardship agreements have been signed with farmers and farm owners to ensure their involvement and commitment to the conservation of the species.

KEY SECTORS

Communication and awareness about the species are key aspects to achieve the involvement of society and guarantee its protection. In this sense, during the first half of the year, the first conference for journalists was held, with the aim of explaining the project on the ground and publicizing the actions to journalists first-hand.

On the other hand, different materials and conferences have been carried out to reach other socio-economic sectors relevant to the species, such as hunting, irrigation or agriculture, and volunteer actions, aimed at all audiences.

THE LIFE MARBLED TEAL PROJECT

The LIFE Marbled Teal aims to improve the conservation status of 3,000 hectares of wetlands to reverse the risk of extinction of the most endangered duck in Europe, in a critical situation in Spain. For this reason, it has undertaken a series of actions to strengthen the status of its populations in the natural environment, improve the state of wetlands and scientific knowledge of the species.

The project, which is coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, involves the ministry itself, through the Segura Hydrographic Confederation and Tragsatec; the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and the Environment and Water Agency; the Generalitat Valenciana; the Government of the Region of Murcia, as well as the organizations SEO/BirdLife and ANSE. It is supported by the LIFE Program of the European Union and the Directorate General for Water.