The Centro Español de Humedales (CEHUM), part of the Fundacion Biodiversidad along with the Spanish Ministry of Environment have created a very interesting documentary on Spanish wetlands (click here to watch it). The documentary was screened for the first time on the World Wetlands Day and was part of many other events organised all over Spain.

Black winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

The 23 minute documentary follows a flock of black winged stilts (Himantopus Himantopus) on their journey through the most emblematic Spanish wetlands. The five wetlands they visit are all Ramsar sites and National or Natural Parks. They start in the Donana National Park in Andalucia, then go to the Natural Park Aiguamolis de l’Emborda in Catalunya, then to the Delta del Ebro also in Cataluna, the Natural Park of the Albufera and finally the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar.

In an indirect and interesting way, which is gripping for the viewer, this documentary manages to educate and raise awareness on wetland related issues. Some of these issues are the functions of wetlands as a source of freshwater, as habitats for birds and biodiversity hotspots, the values of wetlands and common wetland products used by humans like rice and salt. It also touches on the threats posed by draining due to urbanization pressures and modern approaches to nature protection such as eco-tourism and related activities like bird watching.

Source for picture: Centro Español de Humedales (CEHUM)