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The aquatic warbler(Acrocephalus paludicola) is a species of passerine bird (a family that comprises more than half of the world’s birds), with 128 species and 23 genera worldwide. Its range is restricted to eastern and central Europe, but it has been recorded in 13 European countries during its migration, mainly in the west and southwest of the continent. In total terms, 80% of the population is found in less than 40 different places, which, in terms of conservation, is a critical situation, according to the Global Nature Foundation, being the most endangered passerine bird species in continental Europe and declared of Community interest.

In this context, the LIFE Paludicola project has aimed to halt the decline in populations and improve the conservation status of this bird. To this end, actions have been carried out in different wetlands of the Iberian Peninsula, which constitute a key element for the conservation of the species. Thus, the aim has been to increase the surface area of the habitats used during their migrations through Spain by means of vegetation management and management actions, the purchase of perilagunar land and the implementation of hydraulic works to improve flooding.

Likewise, actions have been promoted to raise awareness and study the aquatic warbler, with the purpose of improving knowledge and dissemination of this priority conservation species, as well as to establish technical guidelines for the conservation of the species.

The overall objective of the project has been to slowing the decline of the migratory populations of aquatic warbler in the Iberian Peninsula, through the implementation of various conservation actions, scientific monitoring and dissemination in different areas of the Natura 2000 Network, which includes 12 municipalities in three Spanish regions (Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León and Comunidad Valenciana).

The specific objectives were as follows:

– Increase the area of available habitat in migratory passage areas.
– Improve knowledge of the species and its habitat.
– Strengthen the relevant state and autonomous community legal frameworks for conservation.
– Disseminate the problems of the species.

The actions carried out have allowed the implementation of improvements in different key wetlands for the aquatic warbler, as well as in the monitoring of the species.

Thus, continuing with the work initiated previously in the framework of the LIFE project, different actions have been carried out with the aim of diversifying the habitat so that it is more favorable to the passage of the aquatic warbler on its migratory route. In this regard, 37.41 hectares have been selectively mowed and a total of 1.75 hectares have been planted with various marsh and shrub species. According to the organization, we are already beginning to see some fruits of this continued management in the wetlands, and at least it is possible to establish the hypothesis that the improvements in abundance in some of the populations, which have been detected in the monitoring campaigns of the species, are enhanced by the improvements made in these wetlands compared to others in which the same measures have not been carried out.

In addition, with the knowledge accumulated over the years, a botanical study of the habitat used by the aquatic warbler during its migration has been carried out, including indicators of plant structure and diversity. The different habitats and their evolution throughout the project have been evaluated, and with all the information a botanical mapping viewer has been created.

On the other hand, it is worth mentioning as a product of interest in the framework of the project the 8 Geographic Information System web viewers where the project data has been stored and where you can view the updated data, and even collaborate by entering sightings of the species.

Finally, extensive outreach work has continued, using the traveling exhibition developed at the beginning of the project as an opportunity to conduct 9 field visits for the general public, and to give 92 talks and 39 workshops in schools and centers in the villages visited. All this, together with the great effort made in communication, through the sending of press releases, participation in reports and diffusion on the project’s website and social networks, have a significant impact on the population, especially in the project’s areas of operation, which can see the conservation actions as compatible with the use of the land and beneficial for all, according to the organization.

Finally, the work carried out to achieve a better protection of the species, based on solid scientific information and involving different wetland-related agents, has culminated in the drafting of a draft technical guidelines for the conservation of the species and in the formal request for the inclusion of the species in the category of “Vulnerable.” in the Spanish Catalog of Threatened Species.