Iberdrola España collaborates with Fundación Sembria in the protection of the Montagu's harrier in Castilla-La Mancha
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The company has developed an environmental education plan in the municipalities where this species is found and coexists with the photovoltaic plants
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The aim is to contribute to learn more about this species, which is classified as vulnerable, through workshops for children
Iberdrola España is carrying out an intensive conservation campaign in Castilla-La Mancha to protect the Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus), which mainly inhabits the region's cereal fields, a species classified as vulnerable due to its recent population decline.
The Montagu's harrier was chosen as "Bird of the Year 2023" by SEOBirdlife and is a key raptor in the ecological balance, controlling species that can become pests, such as the field mouse. However, climate change and other factors are threatening its reproduction.
In this protection task, Iberdrola España has worked with the collaboration of Fundación Sembria, which specialises in revitalising the rural environment and preserving local biodiversity. This Foundation has played a crucial role in monitoring and rescuing breeding pairs, as well as in protecting their nests and clutches, all with the supervision and support of the Regional Administration. In addition, a comprehensive environmental education plan has been developed in the municipalities where this species is found, in coordination with Iberdrola España's photovoltaic projects in the region. All of this is part of the company's Convive Programme.
Among the actions carried out over the past year are educational workshops for children, which culminated in a themed party that included the creation of a mural about the species, workshops and parties that are being replicated in other localities during this year 2024 and which will conclude with "La fiesta aguiluchera" on 21 July in Belinchón. These initiatives not only seek to preserve the species, but also to learn more about this species and raise awareness of its importance in the ecosystem.
Iberdrola España, in collaboration with Fundación Sembria, carries out these annual campaigns to monitor and save nests, contributing to the reduction of the unnatural mortality of this species in the areas of action.
In Castilla-La Mancha, the collaboration has been extended to four municipalities in the province of Cuenca, around the photovoltaic projects in Romeral and Olmedilla and, together with other promoters, is being carried out around the photovoltaic projects in Salinas I, II and III.
A vulnerable species
After wintering in Africa, the breeding pairs of Montagu's harrier are now in the Iberian Peninsula. The Montagu's harrier, classified as vulnerable due to its recent population decline, has become the "Bird of the Year 2023" for SEOBirdlife − due to its importance in controlling species susceptible to becoming a pest, such as the field mouse. It is a species closely linked to human activity, as it prefers large open areas of grasslands and steppes, a habitat which, in our peninsula, is mainly represented by agricultural cereal fields. Moreover, this species builds its nests on the ground, which also leads them to nest in this type of crop.
Recording of a short documentary film
The work that Iberdrola España is undertaking to protect the Montagu's harrier, its habitat and communities, raising awareness in municipalities in Castilla-La Mancha and the conservation and educational programmes for this species have also been reflected in a short documentary film that will be broadcast by Fundación Sembria during the educational activities that are being carried out again this year.