• The device was installed in collaboration with the Migres Foundation to observe in real time a breeding pair of the species

The nest of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) installed by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development in the Natural Reserve of the Island of Enmedio, now has the first webcam in Andalusia for monitoring a pair of breeding osprey thanks to a joint project between Endesa and the Migres Foundation implemented in collaboration with the regional government.

At the presentation of the device, the territorial delegate of Sustainable Development, José Enrique Borrallo, thanked both entities "for their commitment to the goal of the reintroduction and conservation of the species on the Iberian Peninsula through this Biosphere Reserve." The event was also attended by the head of Distribution in Huelva, Antonio Sánchez and the head of Environment in Andalusia and Extremadura, Luis Quesada, as well as the coordinator of the project "Friends of the Osprey" of the Migres Foundation, Carlos Torralvo.

"The project's clear objectives are to increase awareness and education in the natural values of the natural area and the entire Marismas del Odiel Biosphere Reserve," explained the territorial delegate for Sustainable Development, who added: "The camera has been placed in what is a strategic nest, since it can be seen from the viewpoint that the Ministry set up to monitor the species, and in general, for the activities of conservation, education and public use."

"The location of this webcam has as its main objective to increase the knowledge, awareness and monitoring of the osprey, a species that was reintroduced in the Iberian Peninsula after disappearing in the region of Andalusia," said Luis Quesada, who stressed the company's commitment to Andalusian bird life as an core element of its sustainability strategy.

"At present, the population is stable and over the coming years a gradual increase is expected, so this type of initiative which provides more information about the species is of vital importance for discovering how to manage its conservation within its own habitats," explained Carlos Torralvo during the presentation of the initiative.

The webcam records and broadcasts in real time through mobile telephony the behaviour of a pair of osprey in a nest which has been occupied for four years. Of particular interest is the monitoring of how the species reproduce, feed and raise their chicks. The pair is already in the nest, which they are occupying for the third consecutive year with reproduction on this platform. This time it has not been necessary to wait until the beginning of spring, when the ospreys usually return after wintering in Africa. The female was born in Marismas del Odiel in 2017.

To try to interfere as little as possible in the life of the ospreys, the structure of the camera has been designed taking into account certain facets of the species, in line with a prior study carried out with professionals in the sector who are part of the project. The equipment has been provided by Soul Natura, a company specialising in trail camera services for observing wildlife.

The webcam has a gel battery maintained by a photovoltaic panel and is resistant to damage that could be caused by large birds of prey and adverse weather conditions after long periods of time outdoors.

This initiative reflects Endesa's commitment to the recovery of the osprey. It follows on from others promoted by the company, such as the installation of nests and trail cameras, devices that can photograph the birds' behaviour and discover when they arrive in the area, the number of eggs laid and the number of chicks born, the incubation period and interactions with their own and other species.

Working through the Migres Foundation, Endesa also monitors the population through the banding of species and organises courses and talks to spread knowledge and promote greater environmental awareness.

"Commitments like this have turned Marismas del Odiel into a key area for the recovery the osprey as a breeding species, following their disappearance in the 1980s from the Iberian Peninsula. The Huelva Natural Area is home to a significant breeding population of the species, with six nests in 2021 based on a reintroduction and conservation project for the species managed in Cadiz and Huelva by the Regional Government of Andalucía and the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) since 2003.

Reintroduction of the osprey

After the release over 10 years in Andalusia of 191 osprey chicks from Scotland, Finland and Germany, the population has been settling in a number of reservoirs in four Andalusian provinces. Currently, the population already has 18 breeding pairs that have reared a brood of 21 chicks in 2021, which confirms that the osprey has established itself as a breeder on the Iberian Peninsula.

The Regional Government of Andalusia is currently working with the Regional Government of Valencia on a project in Valencia which is still at the early stages. One of the chicks born in 2020 in the nest that now includes a webcam was loaned for the reintroduction project of this species in Valencia. In fact, Marismas del Odiel has collaborated and exchanged knowledge with several reintroduction projects, both Spanish and international, providing successful experience in monitoring, surveillance and conservation.

About Endesa

Endesa is the largest electricity company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal. The company is also the second largest gas operator in the Spanish market. Endesa operates an end-to-end generation, distribution and marketing business. Through Endesa X it also offers value-added services aimed at the electrification of energy usage in homes, companies, industries and public administrations. Endesa is firmly committed to the United Nations SDGs and strongly supports the development of renewable energies through Enel Green Power España, the digitalisation of grids through e-distribution and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The Endesa Foundation is also active in CSR-related matters. Our workforce numbers around 9,260 employees. Endesa is a division of Enel, Europe’s largest electricity group.