TRIP CHRONICLE BIRD DAY 2026
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, …
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