The Finca Cortesin golf course in Andalusia, host of the historic 2023 Solheim Cup, has published a groundbreaking environmental study that further demonstrates the capacity of golf courses to be havens for biodiversity. This report, entitled Golf & Birds, was conducted between October 2022 and October 2023 and reinforces the connection between Finca Cortesin and golf with nature.

Located near the Strait of Gibraltar, a vital migratory corridor between Europe and Africa, Finca Cortesin has taken on its responsibility to protect the bird species that depend on the area during seasonal journeys.

Throughout the year-long study, ornithologists and environmental experts conducted monthly bird censuses at eleven designated observation points in the field's play and non-play areas. The comprehensive methodology included more than 73 hours of daytime observation, with periods of varying duration, averaging 30 minutes per day.

The results included the identification of 65 bird species with 3,807 individual sightings, including fourteen species with conservation status and eleven species of raptors, including black kites, booted eagles and peregrine falcons.

The black kite was the most frequently recorded species (544 individuals), followed by the Sardinian warbler (442) and the rock dove (356). The study also confirmed significant nocturnal activity, with sightings of eagle owls and little owls.

Seasonal migration patterns have been clearly observed: February saw the highest bird abundance (759 individuals), followed by July with the second highest peak. The complex's two lakes, totaling 11,500 m², also played a crucial role as irrigation reservoirs and vital habitats for various species, providing food and shelter during the birds' arduous journeys.

“Finca Cortesin has always strived to be more than just a premier golf destination,” said Vicente Rubio, President of Finca Cortesin. “The Golf & Birds study demonstrates our deep commitment to conservation and biodiversity. We hope these findings will inspire the wider golf community to recognize the ecological potential of responsibly managed courses.”.

Ignacio Soto, head of course maintenance at Finca Cortesin and the study's lead researcher, emphasized the importance of ongoing environmental management: “This study is just the beginning. By continuously 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.”.

The study reflects Finca Cortesin's broader environmental ethos with key practices adopted throughout the resort, including advanced irrigation systems to conserve water, chemical-free garden maintenance practices to protect soil and water health, and maintenance of native Mediterranean flora to provide essential habitats for local and migratory species.

In addition, the resort is committed to the continuous monitoring of biodiversity and aims to collaborate closely with conservation experts to refine and improve its sustainability strategies.