The aquatic warbler

Distribution and population

Natural and ecological history

Issues and conservationv

Legal situation

Multimedia gallery

La Nava-Campos S.P.A.

El proyecto LIFE

1.- Objectives of the project. Threats in the work area.

2.- Performances

2.1.- Management of the habitat

2.2.- Research and publishing

a. Congresses

Aquatic warbler international congress

b. Specific and suitable faunal monitoring

c. Scientific ringing

Summer 2006 Campaign

d. Radiotracking

2.3.- Improvement works

2.4.- Public use

CONSERVATION OF THE AQUATIC WARBLER IN THE ZEPA "LA NAVA – CAMPOS"

La Nava de Fuentes lake is an artificial wetland, which covers a surface of about 307 hectares. This wetland has an inventory of 221 species of birds and 64 of them are included in the Annex I of the Directive 79/409/ECC.

Within this last group of species, the regular and abundant presence of the aquatic warbler must be remarked.

The aquatic warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) is catalogued as a Worldwide Endangered species, therefore it is one of the 30 species in Europe for which an Action Plan has been prepared so that it is a priority species for European Union LIFE financing.

La Nava wetland is a remarkable site of international importance for the aquatic warbler. Every year many specimens are using La Nava wetland during their postnuptial migration. Therefore, and following the Action Plan recommendations, it is a priority to carry out several actions focused in three main targets:

1. Enlarging, controlling and improving the aquatic warbler habitat in “La Nava” wetland.
2. Increasing the scientific knowledge about the aquatic warbler and its habitat.
3. Developing divulgation materials about the aquatic warbler and its problems.

To reach these targets, a pack of 32 actions of different subjects has been projected which can be summarized in the following list:

• Purchase of 40 hectares of arable lands limiting “La Nava” wetland and reforestation of these lands with native species.
• Flooding 68,4 hectares in Mazariegos´s meadows (La Güera and El Hoyo) to enlarge the water surface of the wetland.
• Tubing the effluent of the village of Fuentes de Nava and improving the “by-pass” working.
• Management of helophytic vegetation by cutting, controlled grazing, mechanical removal and controlled burning.
• Scientific tasks such as setting up of a Effort Constant Station for banding, botanical and faunal continuous monitoring, radio tracking techniques.
• Development a video and a web page about the project.
• Development of divulgation materials (pamphlets, T-shirts, stickers, etc.)
• Edition and dealing of a manual focused on aquatic warbler habitat management and a search protocol.