More than 17,000 birds counted in annual winter census

Birds in Mallorca wetlands are thriving

Birds in Mallorca wetlands are thriving Credit: Balearic Government

A TOTAL of 17,167 birds from more than 60 different species spend the winter in the wetlands of the different protected natural areas of the Balearic Islands.
This is the result of the count that takes place annually in January in which staff of the protected areas are assisted by ornithologists and volunteers.
Mallorca welcomes the largest number of birds with the lagoons of the northern part of the island notching up 11,133 waterfowl of 61 different species with the majority, 8,253 of 59 species being located in the Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park.
This year, the population increase of the Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris), stands out with 28 of the endangered birds spotted which when compared to the 2013 census when just one was recorded, shows that the duck is thriving.
The most abundant bird in these wetlands are spoonbills (Anas clypeata) and greenfinches (Anas platyrhynchos) with more than 1,500 specimens of each species and they are followed by the coots (Fulica atra) with 1,110 specimens.
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Married to Ophelia in Gibraltar in 1978, John has spent much of his life travelling on security print and minting business and visited every continent except Antarctica. Having retired several years ago, the couple moved to their house in Estepona and John became a regular news writer for the EWN Media Group taking particular interest in Finance, Gibraltar and Costa del Sol Social Scene. Currently he is acting as Editorial Consultant for the paper helping to shape its future development. Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

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