Nature reserves of es Vedrà, es Vedranell i els Illots de Ponent
The Western Islets of Ibiza dot the horizon in the Portmany Bay and they are well protected, forming as they do part of the es Vedrà, es Vedranell i els Illots de Ponent Nature Reserve. This territory is part of the Nature 2000 Network and therefore it is protected by several official bodies such as LIC (Site of Community Importance) and SPA (Specially Protected Area for birds) as well as the regional ANEI (Natural Area of Special Interest).
The islets that make up these reserves are gathered into two groups. One part comprises the impressive little islands of es Vedrà and es Vedranell, facing Cala d’Hort beach and the other group consists of the western islets sa Conillera, s’illa des Bosc, s’Espartar and ses Bledes (na Gorra, es Vaixell, na Bosc, es Esculls d’en Ramon and na Plana). Es Vedrà and es Vedranell cover a surface area of 79.31 hectares and the western isles extend over 153.39 hectares.
The islands are an important breeding ground for marine and predatory birds, such as Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii), Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), the Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus), Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus). Regarding this last species, one of the most important colonies in the Western Mediterranean can be found on the islet of s’Espartar.
Invertebrates are also well represented, especially mollusc species such as snails of genus Trochoidea, and coleopteran.
The Pityusics lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) which is protected by several regulations, is a subspecies endemic to the various islets, varying in size and colour.
The marine depths are well preserved and are host to a rich and varied fauna, such as sea fans, bottlenose dolphin, loggerhead turtle, grouper, scorpion fish, snapper, John Dory and skate, to name just a few.
As the islets are so valuable from an ecological perspective, disembarking in the nature reserve is not allowed without permission, and it is essential not to sail too close to their coasts especially when the bird species are breeding (April to June). A special permit is also needed for deep sea fishing around the islands.
Nature Reserves Office: C/ Canàries 31-35, CETIS Building, 6th Tower, 1st Floor – 07800 Ibiza. Phone: +34 971 177 688 Ext. 1. Further information at balearsnatura.com
