Only a few pairs of reed buntings are left after ‘dramatic’ population decline

The Association for the Study of Nature (NEA) is warning that the population of the bird hortolà de Canyar (English: reed bunting) is limited to between 40 and 45 individuals. To prevent the extinction on the islands of this endemic species a project has been set up – the Ecologia de l’Hortolà of Cany al’illa de Mallorca (2008-2010) – which aims to conduct research into how best to save the bird.

One of those working on the project, Jose Luis Martinez, explained that this species had experienced a “dramatic decline”. Up until recently, there were between 250 and 400 couples, and currently there are only about forty, he says.

A census of the actual numbers in the wetland area of S’Albufera, north Mallorca, is currently underway to help identify and locate the territories of breeding pairs and to study their behaviour during the reproductive season. Biologists have also ringed a number of individuals with the aim of monitoring them remotely.

Although the study is still underway, Martinez points out that the causes which have led to the dramatic decline in the bird population are probably fires and farmers’ use of insecticides on crops adjacent to the natural park.

The hortolà of Canyar is a subspecies found only in south east France and S’Albufera. The study project aims to pinpoint the problems suffered by the birds. Martinez warns that “if the bird becomes extinct in the Natural Park, it will become extinct in the Balearics.” The study has the support of the economic department of Environment of the council and the technical collaboration of the staff of the Natural Park in S’Albufera. (JR)