Balsalet de Don Juan

This area has been excluded from the wider irrigation projects of Monegros II. However, the ever-changing Common Agricultural Policy and the total lack of an adequate plan of space use to compensate landowners for maintaining traditional land uses, and thus preserve biodiversity, does not guarantee the future conservation of steppe birds.

Through an adequate economic incentive, an area favored by both sandgrouse species has been sowed in Autumn 2008 with vetch (Vicia sp) mixed with oats (Avena sativa) in a 80-20 proportion. Vetch is an annual leguminous often used as fodder, and barley is a grass that helps supporting vetch’s growth. Both plants’ seeds are avidly eaten by sandgrouse and other birds whose general diet is based on seeds varying in size from cultivated grains (wheat, barley…) and small wild grass seeds.

Located west of the town of Ballobar, this small seasonal lagoon has been declared SAC, being a particularly important saline habitat. In its vicinity there are still several areas of natural halophyte (salt-tolerant) vegetation, and a large and well preserved thyme natural growth.

More information can be seen at these links:

SPA (El Basal, Menorcas y Llanos de Cardiel)
SAC (Basal de Ballobar y Balsalet de Don Juan)

Among all the birds present in the area, some steppe species stand out due to the importance of their numbers: Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Little Bustard and Stone-curlew. In the Balsalet’s surroundings, seven lark species can be found, with one of the largest breeding densities of Lesser Short-toed Lark and Calandra Lark in the Iberian Peninsula. This is where the northernmost breeding nucleus of the scarce and elusive Dupont’s Lark is located.

Trying to make agriculture compatible with conservation, by providing feeding areas for the two sandgrouse species with good numbers in the area, and at the same time offer a fair return to landowners, the Emberiza Fund has started a small experimental project in a 10 ha area.

Agreed conditions with landowners include the non-harvesting of the plots, allowing for the sedes to fall to the ground the following Spring and the resulting abundance of food with a low energy expense for the birds. The project’s ultimate end, given the gregarious behavior of these species, is to try and concentrate as much of their population as possible within these feeding grounds, situated in the protected area.