PIO Grove Project news

On Sunday we celebrated Bird Day at the O Grove Ornithological Reserve, the only ornithological reserve in Galicia, located in the Umia-O Grove Intertidal Complex.

It was a day to get closer to this natural space, learn about its values, and understand the importance of the protection figures that must guarantee its conservation. We also dedicated a special moment to the European goldfinch, chosen as Bird of the Year 2026 due to the worrying decline in its populations.

We began the activity, which had great participation, by visiting A Telleira (Villalonga, Sanxenxo), an old tile factory that is now very beautiful and rehabilitated as an Interpretation Center for the region.

 Next, we toured the different environments of the area: lagoons, intertidal zones, fields, and wooded areas because they offer shelter and food to different species, which makes them privileged places for bird watching.

Throughout the tour, we discovered its diversity and learned to identify some of the species that inhabit it. The participants enjoyed the experience and were surprised to see how much life can be concentrated in this environment.

In total, we managed to identify 60 bird species, further proof of the extraordinary natural value of the Ornithological Reserve and the need to continue protecting it.

Some of the identified species: Eurasian spoonbill (253), Greater flamingo (17), Eurasian oystercatcher, Grey plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed godwit, Bar-tailed godwit, Eurasian curlew, Whimbrel, Common redshank, Common greenshank, Common sandpiper, Ruddy turnstone, Great cormorant, Grey heron, Little egret, Western cattle egret, Glossy ibis, Northern shoveler, Eurasian wigeon, Mallard, Common teal, Gadwall, Northern pintail, Red-crested pochard, Common moorhen, Common coot, Little grebe, Mediterranean gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Great black-backed gull, Common kingfisher, Grey wagtail, Western marsh harrier, …

Sent in 05/10/2026 - Read full entry

A new edition of the SEO/BirdLife Bird Day is here, a celebration that will take place throughout Spain during the weekend of October 3rd and 4th, aiming to bring society closer to the knowledge and conservation of these species and the ecosystems they inhabit.

In addition to being part of our natural heritage, birds play a fundamental role in the functioning of ecosystems. Among their main functions are the control of certain pests, seed dispersal, and nutrient recycling, which are essential processes for maintaining ecological balance and promoting biodiversity, upon which our quality of life also depends.

Birdwatching is a simple and enriching way to get closer to nature. At the same time, identifying species through their appearance, song, or behavior requires attention, patience, and concentration, and can become a beneficial activity for both physical and mental well-being. 

This edition also offers a good opportunity to raise awareness about the European goldfinch, chosen as Bird of the Year, and to highlight the threats affecting its populations. Although it remains a common species in many territories, it faces various pressure factors, including illegal trapping, the use of pesticides and herbicides, and certain intensive or extensive agricultural practices that can reduce the availability of food and suitable habitats.

Observing and learning about birds means better understanding ecosystems and the need to conserve the biodiversity that sustains life.

SEO-Pontevedra will celebrate Bird Day on October 4th with a guided route with ornithologists through the SEO/BirdLife Ornithological Reserve, within the Umia-O Grove Intertidal Complex.
This event is open and free.
We invite you to participate!
If you want more information about the outing, just send us an email at: 
 seo-pontevedra@seo.org

Sent in 19/09/2026 - Read full entry

Currently, during the post-nuptial migration, the SEO/BirdLife Ornithological Reserve in O Grove becomes a privileged observatory to witness one of nature's most impressive phenomena: bird migration. This process, essential for the survival of many species, represents one of the most complex and coordinated movements in the animal kingdom.
Avian migration consists of periodic and regulated movements of individuals between breeding areas and wintering grounds, in response to seasonal changes in resource availability, mainly food. These movements, which repeat in biannual cycles, are not primarily motivated by low temperatures, but by their consequences: the search for optimal conditions for their survival, such as food and reproduction.
Thanks to their flight capacity and their extraordinary sense of orientation—which combines the perception of the Earth's magnetic field, the stars, and other environmental phenomena—migratory birds can travel thousands of kilometers, crossing continents, oceans, and even hemispheres and major natural obstacles such as mountains, deserts, and seas, demonstrating surprising physical endurance and navigation precision.

But how many birds cross our skies in these massive displacements?

Although it is difficult to obtain exact figures, various studies and estimates by ornithologists allow us to approximate the volume of this migration. In our region, it is estimated that the main migratory species include:

• 900 million willow warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus)
• 375 million wood buntings (Emberiza arborea)
• 260 million European pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca)
• 250 million barn swallows (Hirundo rustica)
• 40 million birds of prey (such as Milvus milvus and Accipiter spp.)
• 700,000 white storks (Ciconia ciconia)
• Etc, etc.

Adding these data, it is estimated that nearly 5 billion birds make this journey between Europe and Africa in each migratory cycle.
This exodus that crosses our skies twice a year not only represents a physiological and behavioral achievement of the species, but also a key indicator of the health of global ecosystems and ongoing climate change.
And it is astonishing that such a huge number of creatures crossing the skies of our planet in a silent and majestic spectacle often remains invisible, like a secret kept high above, waiting for someone to discover it.

Sent in 03/09/2026 - Read full entry

Sustainable tourism has established itself as a key tool to promote balanced development.

 The United Nations highlights its importance due to the impact it has on the economy of numerous countries, including Spain, but also reminds us that its growth must be accompanied by a real commitment to environmental protection. When tourism activity is not developed responsibly, it can generate negative effects on ecosystems, biodiversity, and local communities.

Within this model, responsible tourism represents a way of traveling that combines the enjoyment of nature with its conservation and respect for the environment. In addition to favoring the protection of natural spaces, it provides benefits for the physical, mental, and emotional health of those who practice it, by encouraging contact with natural environments and outdoor activities.

For the United Nations, sustainable tourism constitutes a driver of development in the economic, social, and environmental spheres. It is also a tool capable of promoting environmental education, contributing to poverty reduction, improving quality of life, generating decent employment, and favoring equal opportunities, especially for women and young people. Therefore, it encourages public administrations, organizations, and involved agents to promote initiatives based on cooperation and sustainability, turning tourism into an instrument of positive transformation.

In Spain, SEO/BirdLife manages a Network of Ornithological Reserves made up of ten natural spaces distributed across different autonomous communities. These places, managed in collaboration with town councils and private owners, have become benchmarks for ornithological tourism. Among them are Riet Vell, in the Ebro Delta; El Planerón, in the Ebro valley; Las Marismas Blancas, in Astillero; Los Albardales, in the Community of Madrid; and El Oso, in La Moraña (Ávila). In all of them, guided tours and birdwatching activities are organized, allowing for the observation of marine, steppe, aquatic, and raptor species, as well as numerous passerine birds.

Galicia also has a space of great value for this type of tourism: the Ornithological Reserve of O Grove. Created to protect its extraordinary birdlife wealth and the excellent quality of its ecosystems. This reserve, which occupies a significant part of the O Grove peninsula, is the largest Ornithological Reserve in Spain, the only one existing in Galicia, and the first in the network to incorporate a significant marine environment.

The Ornithological Reserve of O Grove offers much more than birdwatching. Its landscapes, the diversity of habitats, and the natural wealth are complemented by an outstanding cultural, ethnographic, and gastronomic heritage, providing a complete experience for the visitor. All this makes this enclave an ideal destination for those seeking responsible tourism, in contact with nature and beneficial for personal well-being.

Sent in 17/08/2026 - Read full entry

Si paseamos por la pasarela o por la playa de A Lanzada, no es raro que un pequeño destello amarillo atraiga nuestra mirada entre las plantas dunares: se trata de la lavandera boyera (Motacilla flava), una de las aves más vistosas de nuestros campos

Este pajarillo destaca por su intenso color amarillo, especialmente visible en el pecho y el vientre. Su dorso verde oliva y su característica costumbre de mover la cola de arriba abajo la hacen inconfundible. De hecho, su nombre científico, *Motacilla*, hace referencia precisamente a ese continuo balanceo de la cola mientras camina por el suelo en busca de alimento.

La lavandera boyera es una auténtica especialista de los ambientes húmedos. Frecuenta prados inundados, marismas, orillas de charcas, estuarios y cultivos de regadío, pero también dunas donde captura insectos tanto en el suelo como al vuelo. A menudo se la ve siguiendo al ganado vacuno, aprovechando los insectos que levantan las reses a su paso, una costumbre que le ha valido el nombre de «boyera».

Su canto es breve y agudo, mientras que sus reclamos resultan suaves y agradables. Durante la época de reproducción construye su nido oculto entre la vegetación, directamente sobre el suelo, y puede realizar hasta dos puestas entre marzo y agosto.

Se trata de una especie migradora que pasa el invierno en África subsahariana. Cada primavera regresa a Europa para criar. En España está presente entre marzo y octubre, siendo relativamente común en muchas zonas húmedas de la península y también en Galicia, donde es una reproductora habitual.

Además, España se convierte en un importante corredor migratorio para distintas poblaciones europeas de lavandera boyera, lo que permite observar ejemplares con sorprendentes variaciones en el color y dibujo de la cabeza según su lugar de origen.

Pequeña, elegante y siempre inquieta, la lavandera boyera aporta un toque de luz amarilla a los humedales, praderas y dunas como la de A Lanzada donde nidifican varias parejas recordándonos la importancia de conservar estos valiosos ecosistemas.

Sent in 02/08/2026 - Read full entry