Destroying nests of swifts, swallows, and house martins can result in fines of up to 200,000 euros.
Palma, May 12 (EFE).- Removing or destroying nests of swifts, swallows, and house martins, or intentionally disturbing these birds, can result in fines of between €3,001 and €200,000, the Species Protection Service warned Monday, marking the start of the breeding season for these three species.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment has announced in a statement the start of the breeding season for three protected and emblematic species present in the Balearic Islands during the first and summer months: the house martin (Delichon urbicum), the swallow (Hirundo rustica) and the swift (Apus apus).
Total protection during breeding seasonIt is prohibited to remove or destroy their nests, as well as intentionally causing disturbance at any stage of their life cycle. Failure to comply with the law can result in serious fines ranging from €3,001 to €200,000.
The removal of nests is only permitted in very specific and justified cases and with exceptional authorization from the competent authority.
The General Directorate of Natural Environment and Forest Management points out that these species arrive after long migratory routes from the African continent and settle in the archipelago to reproduce.
Mud nests, fragile and vitalThe common house martin breeds on the overhangs of houses and buildings, where it builds a small mud cup that adheres to the facade.
The swallow also builds its nest with mud, but it attaches it to beams, usually in porches, dairy sheds, and rooms in the upper parts of old houses.
The swift breeds in holes in facades and under tiles.
For this reason, renovations to facades and painting or re-roofing should be avoided between the months of May and August.
Specifically, to avoid destroying swift nests, roof renovation work should be avoided between May and the end of July, when the unattached chicks leave the nest for the African continent. Swifts tend to nest on old roofs, and removing or replacing the tiles can be detrimental during the breeding season.
Covering holes in overhangs or whitewashing the facade can also harm these birds if breeding has already begun.
Likewise, removing house martin and swallow nests is harmful starting in May, when there are already eggs or chicks in the nests. Destroying them would result in their death.
Special protection regimeThe Species Protection Service has noted that house martins, swallows, and swifts are major insect eaters, and during the breeding season, they capture many more insects to feed their young.
Therefore, these birds represent an environmental and public health benefit, as they eliminate insects that can transmit diseases.
To address the potential nuisances caused by the house martin—and sometimes swallows—with their droppings, various solutions can be applied.
For small nests, small shelves or basins can be placed, which can be cleaned at the end of the breeding season. For larger colonies, special gutters connected to stormwater collection systems can be installed on overhangs of buildings or residential communities.
All three species are protected and included in the List of Wild Species under Special Protection and in the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species. They are also protected by the 2007 Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Law. EFE
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