Bird Sanctuaries: a commitment to the future of the skies

It was in this spirit that the National Network of Bird Sanctuaries was created, an initiative of SPEA — Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves [the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds] which seeks to do much more than simply conservation. It wants to recover, act and transform. Come and discover this challenging yet promising project.

“Sanctuary”, a word that evokes peace, protection and shelter. A sacred space where life can unfold without fear. This is exactly what SPEA — the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds — is creating: a network of refuges for birds, where the silence of extinction is replaced by the song of hope.

The National Network of Bird Sanctuaries was launched by SPEA with a clear objective: to stop the dramatic decline of many bird species in Portugal. More than a conservation project, this network is a call to collective action, where every private property has the potential to become a true haven for biodiversity.

A network that started as a seed

The idea was simple: “To start slowly, with five or ten sanctuaries in the first year. But the enthusiasm was such that we received more than 90 applications,” explains Rui Borralho, SPEA’s Executive Director. After a rigorous selection process, 76 properties were chosen for their high ecological potential. At the moment, 46 have already secured funding and are making progress on the ground. The remaining 30 are awaiting support to join the network.

But there are more: 30 approved properties are awaiting funding, ready to join the Network as soon as funding allows. With a total of around 10 thousand hectares, the sanctuaries are spread throughout the country, with the exception of Madeira, and there is a desire for this number to grow further.

“It’s very encouraging to see this interest. That was very exciting to us, but it also brings added responsibility. We need to ensure that each sanctuary is an effective space for protection and regeneration,” emphasises Rui Borralho.

Work began in the spring, and one of the first organisations to take on the challenge was The Navigator Company, mentor of the Biodiversity project, which has entered the project with two of its properties: Herdade de Espirra in Pegões, and Alfebrinho, a 316-hectare area in Alcácer do Sal.

A natural choice

The Navigator Company is one of Portugal’s largest rural managers, with practices aligned with forest management certification and a clear strategy for a positive impact on ecosystems.

After a visit to Herdade de Espirra in the Pegões area (Setúbal), the possibility of integrating the property into the future National Network of Bird Sanctuaries arose naturally. “We were very impressed with the diversity of birdlife there, thanks to the conditions already in place,” says SPEA’s Executive Director. “It is one of the largest properties in the Network, with 1,690 hectares and a great variety of habitats, which makes it particularly interesting from a conservation perspective,” he adds.

“Herdade de Espirra was already functioning as a sanctuary before it officially became one. We identified 118 species of birds there. With the installation of nest boxes and seed plots for insects and birds, we noticed an increase in both the number and diversity of birds,” says Nuno Rico, Navigator’s head of biodiversity conservation. “By joining the Network, we can assess the impact of these measures accurately and, if they prove effective, replicate them in other areas under our management.”

For Rui Borralho, this partnership is exemplary: “They are professionals in forest management, with a great capacity for intervention. It’s great to be able to count on this collaboration, not only because of what it means in terms of scale, but also because of commitment to biodiversity.”

In addition to Espirra, Navigator has included another property in the National Network of Bird Sanctuaries, in Alcácer do Sal, with 316 hectares of “montado” and eucalyptus. Although it does not yet have many measures in place, its potential is high.

“Given the diversity of habitats and the location, it makes perfect sense to include it in this project,” says Nuno Rico. “It’s a way of aligning land management with our strategy: to generate a positive impact on ecosystems, reconciling production objectives with biodiversity conservation.”

On the properties managed by the company, SPEA technicians have already begun the first bird counts to assess the initial state of birdlife and develop future management plans.

Working on the ground: where the sanctuary is built

The project is not limited to the creation of protected areas. SPEA’s teams carry out in-depth monitoring and custom management work. “We begin by identifying and surveying the populations of both diurnal and nocturnal birds at each site, while assessing land use and human activities,” explains Borralho. From there, and in collaboration with the landowners, custom management plans are drawn up, including concrete ecological restoration measures.

Among the measures underway are the creation of ponds and water points, the replacement of invasive plants with native vegetation, the installation of nest boxes and even the sowing of crops that serve as food for wildlife. These are small gestures with great impact, designed to restore to birds the conditions that human pressure has deprived them of.

And the numbers don’t lie: the barn swallow alone has lost 40% of its population in two decades. Familiar species such as the cuckoo, the little owl, the kestrel and the sparrow are also in sharp decline. “We’re losing what used to be common. And when that happens, we must stop and act,” warns Borralho.

An effort by all and for all

This SPEA project is innovative because it trusts that the solution can come from the union between science, the civil community and private initiative. Rather than creating isolated nature reserves, the aim is to weave a living fabric of territories where nature can breathe again. That’s why it’s called the Network of Sanctuaries: because every piece of land can become a refuge, a shelter, a promise of continuity.

And there’s room for everyone. Even those who do not own land can contribute through donations or by helping to share the initiative. This is about more than saving birds, it’s about preserving the balance of ecosystems and ensuring that future generations can still hear the chirping of a bird at dawn.

“Amid the decline of many species, including numerous ones once considered common, it is essential to involve people directly in nature conservation, particularly with regard to birds,” says Rui Borralho.

If the word sanctuary means something to you, if you believe that the world needs more places where life is protected, we invite you to join this network. Because every sanctuary begins with a small gesture: caring.

More information and ways to participate at: 👉 https://spea.pt/en/campanhas/help-us-create-safe-havens-for-birds/

Did you know that…

• A simple nest box can save lives A well-placed nest box can dramatically increase the reproductive success of some birds. The little owl, tit birds, kestrels and swifts are some of the species that take advantage of these structures, especially in areas where natural habitats have been altered.
• Sanctuaries also help species beyond birds Although the focus of the Network is birds, ecological restoration actions benefit the entire food chain: insects, amphibians, small mammals and even native plants. By creating ponds, sowing wild crops or removing invasive species, the entire ecosystem is regenerated and the impact goes far beyond what is visible.