A single swallow can consume up to 850 flies and mosquitoes in a day.

The regional government launches the ‘SOS Nests’ campaign, an initiative that seeks to protect the homes of the numerous migratory wild birds that breed in the Region. Specifically, the action focuses on swallows and martins –of the Hirundinidae family–, and on the swift, species that nest on facades and cavities of buildings, even inhabited ones.

Although these nests are protected both by the Wildlife Law of the Region of Murcia of 1995 and by a 2009 directive of the European Parliament, “there are people who believe that they can cause inconvenience due to dropping excrement on ledges or balconies, situations that will be avoided with the protective trays,” said the regional secretary of Energy, Sustainability and Climate Action, María Cruz Ferreira.

The first action of the SOS Nests campaign is the construction and distribution of protective trays for the collection of excrement from the birds that host nests, as well as the dissemination of the message through a social awareness campaign about the benefits of hosting these nests. . Subsequently, a school information campaign will be carried out.

The regional secretary pointed out that “with this campaign we want to raise awareness and sensitize society that, with a simple gesture, this possible nuisance can be solved, without it being in any way necessary to eliminate the nests, something that is prohibited by Law.”

María Cruz Ferreira added that, through an appropriate informative campaign, “we can offer citizens a solution to possible inconveniences, but above all raise awareness of the benefits of these migratory birds and how lucky we are if they choose our home to nest. since, for example, a single swallow can consume around 850 flies and mosquitoes a day, which makes them a kind of natural insecticide, so it’s all benefits.”

Likewise, these birds are protected by Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of November 30, 2009, on the conservation of wild birds, which prohibits intentionally destroying or damaging their nests and eggs. and remove their nests.

Law 7/1995 of 21 on Wildlife of the Region of Murcia, in its article 7.1 specifies that “it is prohibited to intentionally kill, harm, disturb, pursue or disturb wild animals, including their live capture and the collection of their larvae, eggs or offspring and of all lower subspecies, as well as altering and destroying their natural habitats, nests, vivariums and reproduction, wintering or resting areas.

This project is included in the European Regional Development Fund, which finances 80 percent of its amount thanks to the EU ERDF Fund. This campaign by the Autonomous Secretariat of Sustainability and Climate Action has the support of environmental associations such as SOS Vencejos, SEO Bird Life, Ecologistas en Acción and ANSE, among others.