Media Veda hunting ban urged for Spain’s declining birds

SEO/BirdLife has called on Spain’s autonomous communities to halt Media Veda hunting for bird species in unfavourable conservation condition. The appeal was issued in Madrid, Spain, on 18 August 2026, as the seasonal hunting period began across much of the country.

The conservation group said the common quail, European turtle dove, carrion crow, Eurasian magpie and rock dove were among species whose populations warranted recovery measures and temporary hunting suspensions. It also said hunting during the period covers several pigeon and corvid species as well as the common starling, while nearly all of these populations are declining.

Evidence and monitoring in hunting decisions

SEO/BirdLife said the autonomous communities are responsible for managing huntable species in line with the Birds Directive, Law 42/2007 and their own hunting rules. Its July report on sustainable hunting management in Spain says decisions should use the best available scientific evidence.

The group wants authorities to assess each species’ conservation status before issuing hunting orders, publish the evidence used, maintain complete and verifiable catch records, enforce bag limits and review decisions annually.

The common quail is listed as endangered and the European turtle dove as vulnerable in Spain’s Red Book of Birds. SEO/BirdLife has also sought their inclusion in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species. It said the three-season suspension of turtle dove hunting on the western migration route had coincided with the first signs of population recovery after more than five decades of decline in western Europe, although hunting pauses do not replace long-term habitat restoration.

Wildfires, drought and heat

SEO/BirdLife said this year’s Media Veda coincides with high temperatures, prolonged drought and wildfires in numerous parts of Spain, which have damaged habitats used by wildlife for breeding, shelter and feeding.

It argued that the conditions increase the vulnerability of huntable species and justify a precautionary approach. Law 42/2007 and hunting legislation allow hunting to be prohibited on so-called days of misfortune, when events such as fires, heatwaves or drought reduce animals’ ability to escape or force them to gather in particular areas.

The organisation called for all hunting activity to be suspended in fire-affected areas and neighbouring zones to avoid adding pressure on animals displaced by the flames.

Topics: Fires · Wildfires · Politics · Pollença

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com