The scientific and conservationist association Sociedad Espanola de Ornitolocia o SEO/Birdlife is one of the first Spanish conservationist NGOs and actively collaborating with Agraz for the conservation of birdlife. SEO/Birdlife has recently updated its catalogue of birds. The update counts up to 56 new species since the last edition was published in 2005. SEO/Birdlife has offered various explanation for this:
First of all there have been scientific developments which have changed the way some birds were classified by changing its categories and therefore determining new species. Also there are species that have changed their name and new scientific advances such as bird marking by using satellite systems have contributed to the count of new birds.
Moreover a part from new scientific developments the findings of rare birds has been due to increase in attention to bird watching in certain geographical areas, more members and supporters of bird conservation helps keeping track of the situation of bird life in Spain. Many of the species in the catalogue are classified as rare birds (around 36% of the total). Some of them arrive to this country due to meteorological phenomena such as extreme hot or cold seasons or strong winds.
The geographical position makes the Iberian peninsula a cross road for migrating birds from Northern Europe and northern Africa and occasionally Hurricanes bring new birds also from the American continent. Hotter climate in Spain has made it possible for new birds to settle permanently, birds such as the Japanese nightingale and Pheasant.
There is a growing awareness and interest in protecting biodiversity and in agriculture birds are seen as a contributing factor towards limiting the use of chemicals. Agraz, in its efforts to contribute towards sustainable agriculture is working with SEO Birdlife and its getting support from this organization to help farmers create the conditions to support and encourage bird life such as the white storks and the black/shouldered kite as well as bats. Three farmers have taken on this project and have taken aside areas of their land to promote biodiversity. The results are being monitored by Seo Birdlife
These measures are being integrated in the program for sustainable agriculture that Agraz is undertaking and will be evaluated to see their overall effect on biodiversity and determine if in the future they can be applied in a wider context where intensive agriculture is present.