Málaga is facing a conservation challenge as it prepares for the 2030 World Cup. A colony of more than 600 swifts, a protected bird species, could be in danger due to the planned expansion of the Rosaleda stadium. Environmental associations are proposing innovative solutions to provide the birds with a safe place to nest.

Redevelopment of La Rosaleda and nature conservation

As one of the host cities for the 2030 World Cup, Málaga is facing major infrastructural changes. As part of these preparations, an expansion of La Rosaleda is planned to increase capacity to 45,000 seats. However, this kind of construction poses a risk to local wildlife, including the colony of more than 600 pale swifts that have been nesting in the stadium's roof structures for years.

The environmental associations SOS Vencejos and Sylvaticus have taken action to protect these birds. They approached the Delegation for Environmental Sustainability to draw attention to the threat posed by the stadium redevelopment. Pale swifts are a protected species, included on the Spanish Red List of Birds and on the List of Wild Species under Special Protection Regime. The associations have compiled documentation and prepared a proposal for measures to ensure the continuity of the swifts' colony both during and after the construction work.

The disappearance of the swift colony could have serious consequences for the local ecosystem. Due to the proximity of the stadium to the Guadalmedina River and the insectivorous nature of swifts, their absence could result in an increase in the population of mosquitoes and other insects. This, in turn, could have a negative impact on the quality of life of residents in the surrounding area. In addition, the associations point out the possibility that the stadium structure also serves as a shelter for bats, which may nest and hibernate there. As such, they suggest that additional surveys and censuses be carried out.

© Junta de Andalucía

Biodiversity towers proposal

To ensure the protection of swifts, SOS Vencejos and Sylvaticus have proposed the construction of two biodiversity towers. These are to be 12-metre-high structures, with an additional 6-metre-high base, capable of housing up to 150 swifts' nests, as well as starlings, sparrows and 300 bats. These towers, which have already been successful in other cities such as Seville and Coria del Rio, would be installed before March in time for the start of the bird nesting season, which is in April.

The cost of building such structures has been estimated at €22,000, which, in the context of protecting a valuable species, seems a relatively low investment. Once the construction work is completed, the towers could remain in place, continuing to serve as a nesting site for the birds.

SOS Vencejos spokesperson Luna del Puerto points out the educational and promotional potential of such a project. She believes that Malaga CF could gain publicity as an environmentally and biodiversity-friendly club. He also recalls that similar measures were taken during the reform of Camp Nou, where artificial nests were installed to protect swifts. Sources from the Andalusian government confirmed that they are working with all stakeholders to ensure that the stadium redevelopment work is compatible with the protection of bird colonies.

© Junta de Andalucía