News has just come in of a serious threat to Son Bosc which is an area of very high conservation interest just ouside The Albufera Natural Park in Majorca. As well as its Park status it is both a Ramsar and Natura 2000 site.
One of Son Bosc’s greatest claims to fame is its population of robust orchids. I’ve not encountered them, but I’d like to think that they live up to their name, the sort of plant that you could stub your toe on, a plant that could shrug off all we could throw at it. Given that half the European population of the this orchid is confined to Son Bosc – the truth is that the robust orchid isn’t in much of a position to fight back on its own (enjoy the stunning close up in the picture supplied by GOB). The area is also important for other orchids including bug, bee and small-flowered tongue orchids which bloom in profusion.
Son Bosc is home to the largest bee-eater colony in Majorca and is also an important feeding area for the rare Eleonora’s falcon (what a great picture, supplied by GOB).
There has been clear recognition that the area is important for it’s rich wildlife – it was incorporated into the Albufera Natural Park in 2003, but a change in Government led to it being taken out again eight months later as the first step towards the development of a golf course – to add to the 24 already built in Majorca.
Early this year the signs were good, the Balearic Government has taken provisional measures to protect the area again. Unfortunately, strong economic and political pressures are being applied to persuade the Government to drop the protection in favour of going ahead with the construction of the golf course. This could happen within just a few weeks. The important biodiversity of Son Bosc must be protected, and BirdLife International, SEO/BirdLife (BirdLife in Spain) and the RSPB, amongst many other conservation bodies, are campaigning to persuade the Balearic Government to protect Son Bosc once again by making it part of the Albufera de Majorca Natural Park.
The threat is urgent and if you would like to add your voice then please add your name to the petition organised by GOB (the Balearic ornitological group). The aim is simple – to secure the permanent protection of this important place.
The Albufera Natural Park receives over a quarter of million visitors every year. You may well have been amongst them as many are birdwatchers and naturalists from Britain and other European countries. In Majorca, therefore, there are strong economic reasons for protecting high quality sites and preserving rare and spectacular species. A large response through the petition will send a clear message to the Balearic Government.
Not another golf course threatening important areas for wildlife! It is shocking - but not surprising - that these plans are even being considered. Perhaps a bigger impact though would be if golfers themselves - the very people that would use the course - stood up against the plans?
Millie & Fly the Border Collies