Collaborations

Menorca Walking Birds is fully engaged to the conservation of the natural wealth of the island. For this reason, it allocates 10% of profits to studies and conservation projects of Menorca.

During 2013 we are working on a research project on the spring bird migration of “Piccole Isole Illa de l’Aire” and the Center for Wildlife Recovery GOB Menorca.

Learn a little more about the collaborations of Menorca Walking Birds

 

PICCOLE ISOLE ILLA DE L’AIRE
Societat Ornitològica de Menorca

Each year, all migratory birds that have spent the winter in Africa return in spring to the extensive breeding areas in Europe. During this journey, many birds have to overcome two major geographical barriers: the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea. This journey that many birds make twice a year (spring and autumn) and throughout its life is what is known as migration.

The project Piccole Isole (PI) has as main objective the study of the spring or prenuptial migration of all migratory birds passing through the Mediterranean, more specifically, to determine what role have the small islands in this sea, as rest areas, for food, shelter, etc.

The PI project was born in 1988, organized and coordinated from Italy by the Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica. Although at first included only Italian stations, it soon became an international project. The Isla del Aire Station took part for the first time on this project in 1993, eventually becoming one of the busiest stations, not only in the number of activity days, but also in the number of ringed birds. In total, more than 65,000 ringed birds of 111 different species, some of which are the first to Menorca.

The Isla del Aire Station is undoubtedly the most important research project on bird migration that takes place in Menorca. Its seasonality and results obtained, makes it stand as one of the most interesting research projects for the islands scientific community, not only in the ornithology field, but in areas of interest such as climate change or the species evolution.

 

CENTRO DE RECUPERACIÓN DE LA FAUNA SILVESTRE
GOB Menorca

Wildlife Recovery Center is an initiative of the Menorcan delegation of the Balearic Ornithological Group and Nature Defence (GOB).

The Menorca GOB in 1987 began to handle the wrecked wildlife on the island, thanks to the collaboration of veterinarians and a network of volunteers. The gradual increase of assisted animals made in 1998 the need to create the current Wildlife Recovery Center (CRFS) in the quarries of “L’Alzina” in the town of Ciutadella.

Its purpose is to assist in maintaining Menorca’s zoological biodiversity by assisting strayed wildlife and endangered species and, in parallel, developing education and awareness.

Facilities include several spaces for wildlife recovery or species introduced on the island and not specific from it. From these spaces, one highlights, a flight zone to help rehabilitation of birds who need to recover the full flight capacity, a place where animals live which as a result of their physical condition, can not be released back into nature, an artificial pond where the turtles introduced to the island are kept, or a space for Mediterranean turtle recovery before release.

The Recovery Center also coordinates the collection of strayed wildlife throughout the island, thanks to its extensive network of partners and coordination with government, local police and Seprona.

During these 25 years, it has treated over 3,000 animals, to which must be added the 10,268 tortoises that have come to the center from captivity. There are many species that have been treated, among which: hedgehogs, turtles, bats, shearwaters, tawny owls, gulls, vultures, kites, owls, swifts… and even an iguana.