Golf & Birds is the name of the study used by the Solheim Cup course Finca Cortesin in Spain to determine the bird population on the 18-hole course. The data was collected at eleven observation points over 12 months, between October 2022 and October The results are impressive.
65 bird species with 3,807 individual sightings were documented by ornithologists and environmentalists These included 14 species with protected status and 11 species of birds of prey, including black kites, booted eagles and peregrine falcons.
The black kite was the most frequently observed species (544 individuals), followed by the velvet-headed warbler (442) and the rock pigeon (356). The study also confirmed considerable nocturnal activity with sightings of eagle owl and little owl.
Seasonal migration patterns were clearly mapped, with the month of February showing the highest number of birds with 759 individuals, followed by July as the second peak. The resort’s two 11 500 m² lakes also played an important role, serving as both irrigation ponds and habitat for various species, providing food and shelter for the birds during their arduous journey.
The birds were observed for a total of 73 hours during daylight hours, whereby the duration of the observations varied and averaged 30 minutes per day.
For Ignacio Soto, Head Greenkeeper at Finca Cortesin and the driving force behind the study, “this study is just the beginning. By continually monitoring biodiversity, we can adapt our management practices to better support local and migratory species. The golf course is not just a playing field – it’s a living ecosystem.”
