Lanzarote, like the rest of the Canary Islands, is fortunate to have great biodiversity. Many of the species that we can find on the island are native and nest here, although others come to rest from their long journeys. This is the case of birds such as the three flamingos that could be photographed in the Salinas de Janubio. However, the richness of Lanzarote goes beyond the species that are passing through, and the island has approximately 45 species of birds that, many times, we ignore and do not value.
Also, being so close to the African continent, the Canary Islands are one of the routes that migratory birds use to move from one area of the world to another. This is the reason why so many species choose Lanzarote to rest and feed before continuing their journey. "Birds use several routes depending on the location of their building quarters, so some go closer to the African coast and others go more inland, depending on the winds," clarifies Gustavo Tejera, ornithologist.
Even, not only do African and European species arrive, "but also American ones, since sometimes when they move and it coincides with a hurricane, they skirt it, and in the end they end up in the Canary Islands," he comments.
Seriously threatened species
Currently, Lanzarote and the rest of the Canary Islands are experiencing a critical situation with the disappearance of some birds. "It is very sad that species that are symbolic and play a role in the culture and folklore of the Canary Islands are tending to disappear and no one does anything," comments Gustavo Tejera. Or even worse, "that this real danger is notified and its protection is rejected because it affects the realization of certain things," he criticizes.
The barn owl, also known as coruja, is about to disappear. This species, unique to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, "is in a dramatic situation and when this is reported, people whose activity is affected with respect to the nesting areas have a rejection towards the measures that can be taken," clarifies the expert.
The decrease in the barn owl population is mainly due to two causes. Being a nocturnal bird, "it is very sensitive to disturbances and uses small hollows to hide during the day, but when we do activities, we bother them with the noise we generate," he clarifies. In addition, "the barn owl uses different hunting areas that are near the roads and, when they see a mouse or a shrew that it wants to prey on, if a car comes at that moment they can be run over," indicates Tejera.
This is known as 'ecological trap', since the road emits heat that attracts small animals at night and the coruja, in turn, perches nearby to hunt and can die run over.
Regarding its reproduction, the situation is compromised due to practices such as hiking, climbing or elements such as light or noise. "These associated and added annoyances are impacting a population that is slowly disappearing and of which we are not aware," he emphasizes. "We cannot go to nature and do activities as if we were in a shopping center forgetting where we are and what biodiversity we have," he warns.
With respect to the osprey, its survival is also threatened. However, it is not known why its population is drastically decreasing. "It has habitat, as well as nesting areas, such as the Chinijo Archipelago, which was formerly one of the main breeding areas, but this species has been more or less three years without nesting any pair," he explains. On the other hand, in Andalusia, the Balearic Islands or Cape Verde, they reproduce correctly and signs of recovery are beginning to be seen.
The houbara bustard and its accelerated path to extinction
Similarly, the houbara bustard is facing a great danger, and this species, according to a recent study, will disappear in Fuerteventura in a matter of 15 to 20 years. "In part, it is due to the action of species that may be preying on the houbara bustards, especially the chicks. Cats and the disturbance of dogs, together with natural predators, aggravate this problem," he explains.
Also, the destruction of the habitat with the construction of roads and power lines causes them to die. "When flying at night and colliding with the cables, the houbara bustards die beheaded, although also run over, since they are very sensitive," comments Tejera.
In addition to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Graciosa are the islands where the population of this species is more numerous but still resist a very high pressure. "We do not realize this, but we are growing little by little and increasing the number of vehicles and other aspects that influence the life of the houbara bustard," he reflects.
Actions as common as releasing our dog on a beach or in the countryside can affect the survival of this bird, since "the dog causes disturbances at that moment because for birds, a dog is a predator," he explains. The accumulation of these actions ends up causing a full impact on the habitat of species that, over time, are in danger of extinction.
The impact of climate change
It is difficult to know for sure if climate change causes new birds that are not usually common to come to Lanzarote. Although this problem has a negative effect on certain species according to some studies, "it is difficult to know for sure if a species is looking for new territories because there is a lot of overpopulation or because the areas of its habitat are occupied," explains the ornithologist.
What does seem to have reduced are migrations due to climate change. For example, "it is estimated that 50% of storks no longer migrate, but stay in Europe because currently temperatures are higher than decades ago and, apart, they have more resources due to garbage dumps," he argues.
The reality regarding the impact that this problem produces worldwide continues to be investigated because it is necessary to analyze more long-term data and, in addition, it depends on the species.
