In a relatively small region called Terres de l’Ebre, you can enjoy a wealth of extraordinary ornithological richness. The Ebro delta and coastal mountains such as Els Ports, El Montsià, or Boix Mountains, which are structured around the Ebro River, greatly contribute to this.
The seabird group is made up of diverse families and species such as loons, grebes, shearwaters, gannets, ducks, parasitic jaegers, gulls, terns, auks etc.
Most species are adapted to life at sea, with inter-digital membranes, greased waterproof feathers and glands for getting rid of excess salt.
The booted eagle (Aquilapennata) is a summer visitor to forests in Els Ports. The first examples can be seen in nesting areas during the second half of March. At the beginning of April, couples make their nests with Scots pine leaves or more rarely Aleppo pine leaves. Some weeks later, the female lays one or two eggs, and after 32-34 days the chicks hatch. If all is well, in mid June the chicks will make their first flight through the forests in the Park.
The arrival of the purple heron (Ardea purpurea) at Sebes Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural de Sebes) marks the beginning of spring, as year after year it returns to breed in the reed beds here. From mid April to the end of July, looking out from the lake observatory you can enjoy a privileged view of a small breeding colony no more than 25 metres away.
Between the regions of Ribera d’Ebre, Priorat and Baix Camp, you will find the Llaberia mountain range which is natural area of special interest. It is a natural area of the Catalan coastal mountain range, with lots of mixed forests, scrubland and rocky outcrops.
If you want to enjoy yourself and take part in conservation, research and discover the rich diversity of birdlife and nature in Terres de l’Ebre, here are some appetizing ideas (soon you will be able to consult a full calendar of activities on the Picampall webpage) to help you get to know the ornithological richness and nature of Terres de l’Ebre at first hand, during the first half of this year.
This is an innovative and stimulating activity for visitors, who can enjoy not only bird watching from our observatories but also from the rice fields at the Reserva de Riet Vell de SEO/BirdLife (SEO/BirdLife Riet Vell Reserve) on the Ebro Delta.
The environment is not an obstacle for rural development but its main source of resources. This concept is the basis for the SEO/Birdlife campaign, which is to make the Nature Network 2000 (Red Natura 2000) well-known in Europe.
