Espais Verds

It affects developers (both public and private):

• Carrying out actions in buildings (such as restorations, demolitions and new constructions) 
• Carrying out actions in public spaces (such as lighting and road infrastructure)
• Managing greenery in public spaces (such as clearing, pruning and applying phytosanitary treatments) 
• Carrying out activities in public spaces.

They are all responsible for checking for protected wildlife species before embarking on any kind of action or intervention that could affect them.  
 

Request a preliminary report on fauna in Barcelona.

All developers, both public and private, must request a preliminary wildlife report to identify any potential impacts on protected wildlife if these species are present in the places where the action is to be carried out.

When the action is to be carried out in sensitive areas:

Buildings

When actions such as restorations, demolitions or new constructions that may affect bird nests attached to façades, windows or lightwells are to be carried out. 

It also applies when cavities or holes are detected in dividing walls that could house protected fauna.

• Check the nest finder of the Catalan Ornithological Institute (ICO) to identify protected bird species. ICO nest finder Open in a new window
• Check the list of buildings with protected bird nests in Barcelona. List of buildings Open in a new window
• Which actions require extra vigilance to detect the presence of nests? FAQs.

Please note that, even if the building is not on the list, the developer is responsible for checking for possible protected species through its own means before beginning any type of work. Not all nests in Barcelona are registered in this finder. 

Aquatic areas

Naturalised basins, ponds or streams without chemical products, which can be habitats for protected amphibians.

• You can use the Biodiversity Atlas to locate naturalised ponds. Biodiversity Atlas Open in a new window

Urban undeveloped land

Areas with vegetation cover that can provide shelter or serve as a nesting place for protected wildlife species, especially those that are ecologically linked to parks and gardens.

• You can use the Barcelona hedgehog finder (Galanthus) to locate hedgehogs. Hedgehog finder Open in a new window

Urban natural spaces

These are low-maintenance spaces that benefit natural processes, such as the Montjuïc, Tres Turons and Collserola parks, the Rec Comtal and the Besòs river. 

• You can use the Barcelona hedgehog finder (Galanthus) to locate hedgehogs. Hedgehog finder Open in a new window
• You can use the Biodiversity Atlas to locate protected wildlife. Biodiversity Atlas Open in a new window

Parks and gardens

These are parks and gardens classified as biodiversity spaces more than 60% of whose surface area is formed by plant species that are beneficial for biodiversity. 

They also include the city's centuries-old gardens, whose diverse environments and mature vegetation provide suitable conditions for the development of many protected wildlife species.

• You can use the Barcelona hedgehog finder (Galanthus) to locate hedgehogs. Hedgehog finder Open in a new window
• You can use the Biodiversity Atlas to locate protected wildlife. Biodiversity Atlas Open in a new window

It is the developer's responsibility to check for protected species, using the available tools, before commencing any kind of work to ensure that protected wildlife in Barcelona is respected and conserved.

These can be drawn up by organisations and professionals specialising in the sector. It is recommended that this verification be carried out by experts with specific knowledge of protected wildlife. 

All developers have access to a database of specialist companies and professionals in this sector able to draw up preliminary wildlife reports.

Access the database Open in a new window

To identify the potential effects on protected wildlife of the work, action or maintenance to be carried out in a public area. This is key to the conservation of habitats and species.

Scenario 1: If the preliminary wildlife report identifies a potential impact on protected wildlife species, the developer must apply for authorisation for exceptional actions on protected wildlife in the urban environment through the following link:

Access the application form Open in a new window

The Government of Catalonia's department in charge of wildlife protection will decide on the authorisation to be granted and will set the applicable measures to protect the species in question and their shelters or nesting places.

Scenario 2: If the wildlife report does not identify protected species or potential impacts, the work or activity can be carried out in accordance with the contractual requirements, without the need to apply to the Government of Catalonia for exceptional authorisation.