INTRODUCTION / Origins of UBC

Urdaibai Bird Center has its origins in the Elaia Association, an organization which began its work in the Urdaibai estuary in 2001. Its first projects were conceived from scientific ringing stations in different areas of the Urdaibai marshes. Many birds of particular interest were detected from these ringing stations and monitoring projects were set up.

Scientisits identified areas of special interest for their ornithological wealth or for their general biodiversity in the upper marsh. As a result, they started a more comprehensive monitoring programme of one of the most important ornithological phenomena in Urdaibai: the migration of birds. During the research programme, a serious loss of biodiversity was discovered and the first steps were taken to make environmental improvements in the marsh.

A work group was set up to develop new ideas and this project became what is now the Urdaibai Bird Center.