The bittern (Botaurus stellaris) is listed as “Critically Endangered” in the Red Book of Threatened Birds of Spain and”In danger of extinction” in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species. This is due to the drastic population decline suffered in recent decades due to the degradation of the wetlands, mainly in those of the Ebro valley in which it is located. The project aims to contribute to its conservation in Castilla y León, where between 34 and 44 male specimens have been located. This conservation is carried out by improving their knowledge, identifying their most important enclaves, proposing and developing management measures and disseminating their situation and problems.

The bittern (Botaurus stellaris) is listed as “Critically Endangered” in the Red Book of Threatened Birds of Spain and”In danger of extinction” in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species. This is due to the drastic population decline suffered in recent decades due to the degradation of the wetlands, mainly in those of the Ebro valley in which it is located. The project aims to contribute to its conservation in Castilla y León, where between 34 and 44 male specimens have been located. This conservation is carried out by improving their knowledge, identifying their most important enclaves, proposing and developing management measures and disseminating their situation and problems.

To achieve these objectives, the following actions have been outlined:

• Review of available information on the species
• Definition and classification of important wetlands for the bittern.
• Cataloguing and classification of the existing wetlands in the area of influence.
• Census of specimens.
• Hydrological characterization of the Bercianos lagoon.
• Detailed biotic characterization of the Bercianos Lagoon.
• Management Plan for the Bercianos Lagoon.
• Hydrological characterization of the Lagunas de La Nava and La Venta de Valdemudo.
• Biotic characterization of the Laguna de La Nava and the Laguna de La Venta de Valdemudo.
• Characterization of threats to the bittern
• Proposal of basic management actions.
• Land Stewardship Plan
• Pilot actions for the management of the marsh environment
• Disseminate and interpret the species, its habitats and its conservation status
• Improvement of infrastructures for public use in the Laguna Grande de BercianosA-16. Preparation of the draft Bittern Recovery Plan in Castilla y León