Protection of the Spoonbill
Dutch spoonbills and other water birds hibernate in Northwest Africa. Their journey and stay are not without risk; each year the number of birds returning is lower. The Dutch nature association 'Natuurmonumenten' started a project in 2008 to ensure that vulnerable water birds can hibernate safely. The project involves research, international cooperation and education.
Dutch spoonbills and other water birds migrate along the Atlantic coast of France, Spain and Morocco to hibernate in Northwest Africa. Unfortunately, appropriate areas of food stock along the route are disappearing. Too often birds are killed on their long flight. That makes the Dutch spoonbill population vulnerable. There are only 1,500 couples anyway.
The most important hibernating area is the Banc d'Arguin in Mauretania, an extensive area of sand flats that are on the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Apart from a hibernating area for Dutch birds, Banc d'Arguin offers nesting grounds for Mauretanian spoonbills. Through unknown causes the latter population is vanishing quickly.
Parc National du Banc d'Arguin lacks adequate expertise and knowledge for bird counts, research and the appropriate conservation measures. In cooperation with the park Banc d'Arguin Natuurmonumenten would like to change this.
The Netherlands and Mauretania
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Activities
The aim of Natuurmonumenten is to protect a system of wetlands for the spoonbills and other water birds. It requires knowledge of their migratory behavior, the areas that they visit and the obstacles they encounter. This important information is obtained by providing the birds with colored rings or satellite transmitters.
A special website will draw attention to bird conservation. It also offers webcam pictures of a Dutch spoonbill nesting ground.
Four Mauritanian park keepers are trained as bird keepers so they can undertake research and conservation activities in the Banc d'Arguin. They receive part of their training in the Dutch Wadden.
Support
Adessium Foundation finances the Natuurmonumenten project from 2008 to 2012. The funding will be spent on research, exchange visits and the special webcam.
Results
At the end of the project, a detailed overview of the migration and hibernating habits of the Dutch spoonbills will be in place. This overview will provide information about the nesting habits and spread of the spoonbill. Based on this information, experienced Mauritanian park keepers can take appropriate conservation measures. In this way the Banc d'Arguin will become a safe nesting and hibernating ground for the spoonbill and other water birds.