Birds in Spain – Andalucia - Rüppell's Vulture

Species: Rüppell's Vulture – Gyps rueppellii – Buitre Moteado

Rüppell's Vulture juvenile
note dark neck and head

Polytypic. Nominate rueppellii, Sahel zone south of Sahara from Sénégal east to Sudan and south to East Africa, straggler Egypt. Extralimital: erlangeri, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Rare visitor. Although a rare visitor, this species has, in recent times, become more commonly (annually) reported, especially in the area close to the Strait of Gibraltar. It is impossible to be clear on how many birds visit each year, due to lack of observer coverage. However, as recently as 2010, a brave attempt at an estimate puts the number at 8 or more individuals. Reports also have been made of an adult and juveniles being present throughout the year. Like many unusual bird sightings, the lack of coverage and people being on the lookout for the unexpected, has probably led to these vultures being overlooked. Here we give an identification aid, which we hope will assist the resident and visiting birder. See author’s note.

Especie: Buitre Moteado - Gyps rueppellii - Rüppell's Vulture

Politípica. Nomina rueppellii, al sur del Sahel zona del Sahara desde el este de Sudán, Senegal y el sur de África oriental, rezagado Egipto. Extralimite: erlangeri, Etiopía y Somalia.

Figure 1.
Rüppell's left Griffon right

Un raro visitante. A pesar de un visitante poco común, esta especie tiene, en los últimos tiempos, cada vez más frecuentemente (cada año) informó, especialmente en el área cercana al Estrecho de Gibraltar. Es imposible tener claro cómo las aves que visitan cada año, debido a la falta de cobertura de los observadores. Sin embargo, tan recientemente como 2010, un valiente intento de una estimación pone el número a las 8 o más personas. En los informes también se han hecho de un adulto y los menores están presentes todo el año. Al igual que muchos avistamientos de aves inusuales, la falta de cobertura y la gente está en busca de lo inesperado, probablemente ha llevado a estos buitres que se pasa por alto. Aquí le damos una ayuda de identificación, que esperamos que ayuden al observador de aves residentes y visitantes. Véase la nota del autor.

Author’s note:

Figure 2.
Rüppell's left Griffon right

A watchful eye cast upon groups of the resident and very numerous Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus can and does have its rewards. It is easy to dismiss any large brown vulture as being G.fulvus, but it is necessary to pay more attention to these large vultures to give yourself a better chance of spotting the elusive Rüppell's. In typical flight, the action is similar to G. fulvus but lighter, with an easier take-off. Flight silhouette is also similar to G. fulvus, but soars and glides on level wings unlike that species. Both the adult and the immature are unmistakable, when barred under wing-coverts and/or scaled pattern of the upperwing visible, see underwing photograph to the left Figure 1 and upperwing photograph Figure 2. The breast feathers are scaled and not streaked as in G.fulvus, see breast photograph Figure 3. The head and neck of the juvenile is always dark and lacks extensive collar, see photograph at the start of this article.

 

Nota del autor:

Figure 3.
Rüppell's left Griffon right

Un elenco atenta mirada a los grupos del residente y muy numerosos Buitre leonado Gyps fulvus puede tener y tiene sus recompensas. Es fácil despedir a un buitre marrón grande como G.fulvus, pero es necesario prestar más atención a estos grandes buitres para darse una mejor oportunidad de detectar el elusivo moteado. En vuelo normal, la acción es similar a G.fulvus pero más ligero, con un fácil despegue. silueta de vuelo es también similar a G.fulvus, pero se eleva y se desliza en las alas de nivel a diferencia de esa especie. Tanto los adultos e inmaduros son inconfundibles, cuando se prohibió bajo el ala-coberteras y / o modelo a escala de la fotografía alares visibles, ver fotografía inferior de las alas a la izquierda Figura 1 y Figura 2 alares. Las plumas del pecho y no se escalan rayas como en G.fulvus, vea mama fotografía Figura 3. La cabeza y el cuello del menor es siempre oscuro y carece de cuello amplio, véase la fotografía al inicio de este artículo.

Distribution of G.rueppellii in Andalusia

Distribución de G.rueppellii en Andalucía

Why not visit Andalusia and witness the wonders of birding in southern Spain?

For various tours birding in Spain: Nature Tours in Spain

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Information on Andalusia Nature: Open and Free Forum

Join the local society: Andalucia Bird Society

To contact Peter directly please use this link: Contact us

The above article is an extract from Birds of Andalusia by Peter Jones. A collection of bird species articles can be found on the member's area of the Andalucia Bird Society main website.





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Birds in Spain – Andalucia – Griffon Vulture

Species: Griffon Vulture – Gyps fulvus – Buitre Leonado

Griffon Vulture adult

Polytypic. Nominate fulvus, North Africa, south and south-east Europe, south-west Asia south to Sinai, Arabia, and north-west Pakistan, and central Asia from Tadzhikistan to the Altai. Extralimital: fulvescens, from Sind and Kashmir through north and central India to Assam, north to Himalayan foothills.

Common resident. Although widespread throughout the province, it can be absent to very scarce in some areas (at least outside of periods for migration). Highest density of breeding birds is in the Cádiz and Málaga provinces. Numbers greatly increased during autumn migration period, as more northerly birds, mostly juveniles, migrate southwards. Some evidence to support local juveniles also migrate to Africa. Population remains artificially high, maintained by various feeding areas. Although relatively widespread, range is somewhat restricted due to the need for high cliffs or mountains for breeding and roosting. The only similar species likely to cause identification difficulties is Rüppell's Vulture Gyps rueppellii, see author’s note below.

Especie: Buitre Leonado - Gyps fulvus – Griffon Vulture

Politípica. Nomina fulvus, Norte de África, el sur y el sudeste de Europa, el suroeste de Asia al sur de Sinaí, Arabia, y el noroeste de Pakistán y Asia central de Tayikistán al Altai. Extralimite: fulvescens, de Sind y Cachemira a través del norte y centro de la India a Assam, al norte de estribaciones del Himalaya.

Residente en común. Aunque generalizada en toda la provincia, puede estar ausente o muy escasa en algunas áreas (por lo menos fuera de los períodos de migración). La mayor densidad de aves de cría se encuentra en las provincias de Cádiz y Málaga. Números aumentado considerablemente durante el período de otoño de la migración, como las aves más al norte, sobre todo los jóvenes, migran hacia el sur. Algunas pruebas en apoyo de los juveniles locales también migran a África. La población sigue siendo artificialmente alto, mantenido por diversas zonas de alimentación. Aunque relativamente extendida, la gama es un poco restringido debido a la necesidad de altos acantilados y montañas de cría y dormideros. La única especie similar puede causar dificultades de identificación se Buitre Moteado Gyps rueppellii, véase la nota del autor abajo.

Rüppell's Vulture top Griffon Vulture bottom

Author’s Note:

Sightings have increased in recent times for the African species of vulture Rüppell's Vulture G. rueppellii. Mostly these sightings have involved juvenile birds and they are distinct from their cousins G. fulvus. In typical flight, the action is similar to G. fulvus but lighter, with an easier take-off. Flight silhouette is also similar to G. fulvus, but soars and glides on level wings unlike that species. Both the adult and the immature are unmistakable, when barred under wing-coverts and/or scaled pattern of the upperwing visible. For comparisons of both species in flight see photograph to the left.

Nota del autor:

Los avistamientos se han incrementado en los últimos tiempos para las especies africanas de Buitre Moteado G. rueppellii. La mayoría de estos avistamientos han involucrado a aves jóvenes y que son distintos de sus primos G. fulvus. En vuelo normal, la acción es similar a G. fulvus pero más ligero, con un fácil despegue. silueta de vuelo es también similar a G. fulvus, pero se eleva y se desliza en las alas de nivel a diferencia de esa especie. Tanto los adultos e inmaduros son inconfundibles, cuando se prohibió bajo el ala-coberteras y / o escala patrón de los alares visibles, para las comparaciones de ambas especies en vuelo ver fotografía a la izquierda.

Distribution of G.fulvus in Andalusia

Distribución de G.fulvus en Andalucía

Why not visit Andalusia and witness the wonders of birding in southern Spain?

For various tours birding in Spain: Nature Tours in Spain

For Day Tours in the mountains: Wonderful Days in the Mountains

For Wild Flower Tours: Walking in Flowers

Information on Andalusia Nature: Open and Free Forum

Join the local society: Andalucia Bird Society

To contact Peter directly please use this link: Contact us

The above article is an extract from Birds of Andalusia by Peter Jones. A collection of bird species articles can be found on the member's area of the Andalucia Bird Society main website.


 
 
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Birds in Spain – Andalucia - Common Kestrel

Species: Kestrel – Falco tinnunculus – Cernícalo Vulgar

Kestrel female

Polytypic. Nominate tinnunculus, west Palearctic east to north-east Siberia, Mongolia, and Pamir; canariensis, western Canary Islands; dacotiae, eastern Canary Islands; neglectus, northern Cape Verde Islands; alexandri, south-east Cape Verde Islands; rupicolaeformis, Egypt south to northern Sudan, east to Arabia. Extralimital: c. 5 races in Africa and Asia.

Common and widespread resident. Breeds over a wide range of habitats, even urban areas, although always requires open type spaces with some ground cover for feeding. Densities of population are clearly demarked by habitat type, for example the Doñana has very high population densities in areas of open grassland habitats. Some increase in numbers during winter as migrants from the north join resident populations. Also migration can be witnessed in spring and autumn, thought only to involve populations from outside of the province.

Especie: Cernícalo Vulgar - Falco tinnunculus - Kestrel

Politípica. Nomina tinnunculus, al oeste del Paleártico este a noreste de Siberia, Mongolia y Pamir; canariensis, al oeste de las Islas Canarias; dacotiae, al este de las Islas Canarias; neglectus, el norte de islas de Cabo Verde; alexandri, al sureste islas de Cabo Verde; rupicolaeformis, Egipto hacia el sur hasta el norte de Sudán, al este de Arabia. Extralimite: c. 5 carreras en África y Asia.

Residente común y generalizado. Las razas en una amplia gama de hábitats, incluso las zonas urbanas, aunque siempre requiere espacios abiertos tipo con algo de terreno cubierta para la alimentación. Las densidades de población son claramente delimitadas por el tipo de hábitat, por ejemplo, el de Doñana ha densidad de población muy alta en las zonas de los hábitos de los pastizales abiertos. Algunos aumentar en número durante el invierno ya que los migrantes del norte unirse a las poblaciones residentes. También la migración puede ser visto en la primavera y el otoño, sólo pensaba en hacer participar a las poblaciones de fuera de la provincia.



Lesser Kestrel male left - Common Kestrel male right

Authors note:

Difficulties separating this species from Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni are experienced by observers and a very useful comparative guide has been published for these 2 species on the member’s area of the main Andalucia Bird Society website. The figure to the left shows an adult male Lesser Kestrel (left) and an adult male Common Kestrel (right). Simple enough to see the difference, but in the field it can be hard to separate them. The females and juveniles can sometimes be nigh impossible, even for the most experienced observer!

Nota del autor:

Las dificultades que separa a esta especie de Cernícalo Primilla Falco naumanni son experimentadas por los observadores y una guía comparativa muy útil ha sido publicado para estas dos especies en el área de miembros del sitio web principal de Andalucía Sociedad de Aves. La figura de la izquierda muestra un adulto de sexo masculino Cernícalo Primilla (izquierda) y un adulto de sexo masculino Cernícalo Vulgar (derecha). Bastante simple para ver la diferencia, pero en el campo puede ser difícil para separarlos. Las hembras y los juveniles a veces puede ser casi imposible, incluso para el observador más experimentado!

Distribution of F.tinnunculus in Andalusia

Distribución de F.tinnunculus en Andalucía

Why not visit Andalusia and witness the wonders of birding in southern Spain?

For various tours birding in Spain: Nature Tours in Spain

For Day Tours in the mountains: Wonderful Days in the Mountains

For Wild Flower Tours: Walking in Flowers

Information on Andalusia Nature: Open and Free Forum

Join the local society: Andalucia Bird Society

To contact Peter directly please use this link: Contact us

The above article is an extract from Birds of Andalusia by Peter Jones. A collection of bird species articles can be found on the member's area of the Andalucia Bird Society main website.




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Birds in Spain - Andalucia - White Wagtail

Species: White Wagtail – Motacilla alba – Lavandera blanca

White Wagtail M.a.alba

Polytypic. Nominate M.a.alba, continental Europe, Iceland, Faeroes, Asia Minor, and Levant, grading into dukhunensis in Urals, lower Volga basin, western Caucasus, and eastern Turkey; yarrellii,Britain, Ireland, and locally on coasts of western continental Europe; subpersonata Morocco.

Locally common breeding bird, but can be surprisingly scarce or even absent in some areas. Numbers greatly increase during late autumn and winter with the arrival of birds from northern Europe. During the winter the species is abundant and widespread. Our breeding population M.a.alba is thought to be resident; although it is likely some migrate the short distance into Morocco and possibly further south.

Especies: Lavandera blanca – Motacilla alba – White Wagtail

Politípica. Nomina M.a.alba, Europa continental, Islandia, Islas Feroe, Asia Menor y el Levante, la clasificación en dukhunensis en los Urales, la cuenca baja del Volga, el Cáucaso occidental y el este de Turquía; yarrellii, Gran Bretaña, Irlanda, y localmente en las costas del oeste de Europa continental; subpersonata Marruecos.

Aves de cría localmente comunes, pero pueden ser sorprendentemente escasos o incluso inexistentes en algunas áreas. Los números aumentan en gran medida durante el otoño y el invierno con la llegada de las aves del norte de Europa. Durante el invierno la especie es abundante y generalizada. Nuestra población reproductora M.a.alba se piensa que es residente, aunque es probable que algunos migran a la corta distancia en Marruecos y, posiblemente, más al sur.



M.a.alba

M.a.yarrellii

M.a.subpersonata

Author’s Note:

Birds from northern Europe generally (all nominate alba) have been recovered wintering round the entire Mediterranean coastline though very many more from African shore, particularly Algeria to Tunisia and also (largely birds from Finland) from Israel to Nile delta. Occasionally these large movements south bring the unexpected arrival of a few M.a.yarrellii to the province. Likewise northern movements can and do produce yet another subspecies to our shores and this is M.a.subpersonata from Morocco. I have included a photograph comparison for the nominate and 2 subspecies which can be encountered in Andalucia.

Nota del autor:

Las aves del norte de Europa en general (todos los nominar alba) se han recuperado de invernada en torno a la toda la costa mediterránea, aunque muchísimo más de la costa de África, especialmente Argelia, a Túnez, y también (en su mayoría aves de Finlandia) de Israel a la delta del Nilo. En ocasiones, estos grandes movimientos sur traer la llegada inesperada de unos pocos M.a.yarrellii a la provincia. Del mismo modo los movimientos norte pueden hacer y producir una nueva subespecie de nuestras costas y esto es M.a.subpersonata de Marruecos. He incluido una comparación de la fotografía para nominar y dos subespecies que se pueden encontrar en Andalucía.

Distribution of M.a.alba in Andalusia

Distribución de M.a.alba en Andalucía

Why not visit Andalusia and witness the wonders of birding in southern Spain?

For various tours birding in Spain: Nature Tours in Spain

For Day Tours in the mountains: Wonderful Days in the Mountains

For Wild Flower Tours: Walking in Flowers

Information on Andalusia Nature: Open and Free Forum

Join the local society: Andalucia Bird Society

To contact Peter directly please use this link: Contact us

The above article is an extract from Birds of Andalusia by Peter Jones. A collection of bird species articles can be found on the member's area of the Andalucia Bird Society main website.




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India - A Journeyman's Return

Bengal Tiger

A question I am frequently asked is ‘Do you still get excited about travelling’, well you betcha! Particularly when the destination is India, but why? For a start, the Indian sub-continent embraces an enormous range of habitats extending from the spectacular peaks of the Himalayas in the north, through forests, lakes and deserts to the moist hills in the south of the country, where the shoreline is caressed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Whatever your passion, be it for mammals (350 species), reptiles/amphibians (600 species) or birds (1300 species), then India has them all. Not to mention huge varieties of both plant and insect! As an out and out wildlife fanatic, how I am supposed to resist this staggering destination? Well I make no effort to resist and I am due to depart for India on November 13th, leading a group, all friends, to far away places! We hope to see as much of this wonderful part of the world as possible.



Crested Serpent Eagle

I’ll be arriving to and spending a couple of nights in Delhi, from here I will accompany the group on our travels to Corbett National Park. Corbett National Park enjoys the accolade as one of the best wildlife parks on our planet. It is the oldest wildlife national park in India, established way back in 1936. Named after the great hunter later turned into nature conservationist Jim Corbett; the park is located in Nainital, which is an exotic hill station in Uttaranchal state of India. Corbett national park is mainly recognised for its tiger project that is aimed to protect endangered species of Bengal Tiger. Along with tigers, we can find a rich and varied array of fauna and flora. Cheetal, elephant, sambar, neelgai, King cobra, flying foxes and more, along with almost 600 species of birds, the park gives us real opportunities to witness abundant wildlife. After arriving at the park we will spend our 1st night on the boundary before having a couple of nights stay inside at Dhikala Forest Lodge, pretty basic accommodation, but the wildlife surrounding the lodge compensates!

Common Langur Monkey

We will head northwards after our stay at Corbett, returning again after we have visited the Kumaon region, staying for two nights in the mountains above Pangot. The Pangot area (1900 m) lies 15 kilometres past Nainital and is on the road to Vinayak past Kilbury. It is in the central Himalayas and is a vantage point to view the great Nanda Devi massif. The surrounding hills has a record of more then 200 Himalayan bird species. Mixed forests dominated by thick ban-oak, pine and rhododendron cover most of the area and surrounding hills. A large part of the landscape is characterized by dense vegetation. Numerous perennial creeks and streams criss-cross the area. District Nainital (Kumaon) covers the tropical, subtropical, temperate, sub alpine and alpine zones. The terai & bhabhar belt presents the climate of the plains while the deep valleys with elevation up to 1000 m. play host to flora and fauna typical of hills as well as plains. The middle Himalayan ranges to 2000 m and the sub alpine region up to 2500 m completes the eco-zones.


White-throated Laughingthrush

Returning to outside of the Corbett National Park, we stay in a fantastic small lodge where the hosts are also naturalists and the lodge is surrounded by forest, I really love this place and hope my fellow travellers also enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and comforts. A jungle walk in the company of an experienced guide may reveal pug marks of both tiger and leopard on the forest paths and dry river beds, as well as close sightings of their prey species, which include the graceful chithal or spotted deer, sambhar and wild boar. Other residents include the sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, python and around 350 species of birds, including Giant Hornbills and many birds of prey. Small parties of elephants also pass through the forests from time to time. For me, this lodge is a favourite place to stay during this tour. From Corbett we will make a slow journey back to Delhi and spend a couple of nights in the city, I am hoping to meet a friend for a day’s birding for our rest day! I have been given the prospect of seeing some prime birding spots around the city, hope we can meet and spend a day together.

Spotted Owlet

After departing, by an internal flight, our first stop (for 3 nights) is the famous Kahna National Park. Kanha National Park is one of India's finest tiger reserves. It is spread over more than 940 sq km in a horse shoe shaped valley bound by the spurs of the Mekal range. The second location is the Pench National Park. Pench National Park, nestles in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hills, named after Pench river which flows from north to south through the Pench National Park. Our lodge in the Kanha Park, rated as one of the best hotels in Central India, is in 8 acres of thick forest and provides an ideal setting for birding and for the nature lover. There are game drives in the early morning and in the afternoon. We will also do some birding around the lodge and along the Banjar River. From Kanha we will then visit Pench National Park, and explore the southern reaches of the Satpura hills, Pench boasts more than 210 species of birds, this also includes several migrants. The area is crisscrossed by streams and 'nallahs' most of which are seasonal.

Fruit Bat

Next up, we hop on our internal flight back to Delhi and meet our driver for the journey south to the Chambal Sanctuary. Arriving late in the afternoon, we should have time for some birding. Next day we will have a boat-ride on the Chambal River. The National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) is a 400 km stretch of the river Chambal and a 1 to 6 km wide swathe of the ravines on both sides of the river, covering an area of 1235 sq. km. The NCS is one of the last surviving habitats of the Gangetic River Dolphin. It provides protection for 1200 Gharials & 300 Marsh Crocodiles, it is also home to the Smooth coated Otter. The Sanctuary boasts of an impressive bird list of over 316 species of birds and is gaining a reputation as one of the most reliable places to see the Indian Skimmer. The next day is a day of options. Folk can stay at the lodge, enjoy birds and other wildlife or join one of our excursions. We can visit the Sarus Crane Conservation Centre and its surrounding wetlands, or there is an optional visit to Agra to see the famous Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Moving on from the Chambal area we drive to Bharatpur, a journey that should take us around 3 hours, but that could depend on the forlorn hope of this optimistic guide as to whether we can spot Siberian Crane or not!! Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is one of the best and most famous wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is the only wildlife sanctuary in India that is artificially made by a Maharaja. One of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is located in Bharatpur city of Rajasthan and also known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Indigenous water birds and many migratory water birds can be seen in this sanctuary along with larger animals such as Sambhar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar. If water levels are sufficient, the breeding colonies of various wetland dependant birds can be a real spectacle. The Sanctuary, is the second most important area in the world for visiting Siberian Cranes in winter. When the rivers of Siberia are frozen due to the extreme winters, the Siberian Cranes will visit the sanctuary to spend their winters in India.

Writing about the tour, the places I will visit, friends I will be reunited with, really gives me something to look forward to and that’s not even mentioning the incredible wildlife! Those who know me, will tell you, I need to be dragged kicking and screaming to the keyboard to do a trip report, well I hope time will allow following up on this blog and reporting to you on how the trip went and what we saw!

Why not join Peter and Spanish Nature on a wildlife adventure tour to India?

The above itinerary will be repeated in 2011, if you would like to find out more, please see the links below:

India Wildlife Adventure Tour 1: 14th November to 23rd November 2011

India Wildlife Adventure Tour 2: 24th November to 6th December 2011

Wildlife Tours to Asia: Nature Tours in Asia

Wildlife Tours to Africa: Nature Tours in Africa

Wildlife Tours to the Americas: Nature Tours in the Americas

To contact Peter directly please use this link: Contact us
 
 
If you enjoyed reading Peter's account of India and his forthcoming trip, please leave your comments or reactions below, thank you.

Birds in Spain - Andalucia - Black Redstart

Species: Black Redstart – Phoenicurus ochruros – Colirrojo Tizón

Polytypic. P. o. gibraltariensis, western and central Europe east to Latvia and Crimea, south to northern Spain, Sicily, and Greece; also north-west Africa and (probably this race) western Asia Minor; aterrimus, Portugal and southern and central Spain north to Valladolid.

Common breeding species, restricted by suitable habitat. Larger breeding densities confined to and most common in mountain and rocky areas, some birds breed in urban areas. Resident race¹ P.o.aterrimus is joined by more northerly race P.o.gibraltariensis during periods of migration and winter, indeed our resident birds are frequently outnumbered by the visiting gibraltariensis. Occurs most commonly (abundant) and is widespread throughout the province in autumn and winter.

¹ Sources give P.o.aterrimus as sedentary. There is evidence however to suggest some of the population may migrate to Morocco during winter. During unusually harsh and wet winters, such as the winter 2009/2010, some birds, normally resident, might join P.o.gibraltariensis in weather displacement behaviour and move further south.

Author’s Note:

Difficulties in the separation of races occur, especially with juvenile and female plumages being near impossible to distinguish. However, from August, it is possible to more readily identify males of each race; P.o.gibraltariensis in fresh plumage is copiously marked with pale feather-tips: tips olive-brown on upperparts, grey on sides of head and throat, and ochre or white on underparts; thus crown, lower mantle, and middle of flanks and ventral area paler, even markedly white; wing-panel more prominent. Central and south Iberian race, aterrimus, intensely black on head, mantle, and chest, with larger and more contrasting wing-panel always appearing white. Underwing dusky-black.

Especies: Colirrojo Tizón – Phoenicurus ochruros – Black Redstart

Politípica. P.o.gibraltariensis, Europa occidental y central de este a Letonia y Crimea, al sur hasta el norte de España, Sicilia y Grecia, también el noroeste de África y (probablemente esta carrera) el oeste de Asia Menor; aterrimus, Portugal y España al norte sur y el centro de Valladolid.

Especie común de cría, restringido por un hábitat adecuado. Densidades más grandes de cría confinada y más común en zonas montañosas y rocosas, algunas aves se crían en las zonas urbanas. Residente carrera ¹ P.o.aterrimus se une en más P.o.gibraltariensis raza del norte durante los períodos de la migración y el invierno, es más, nuestro aves residentes son con frecuencia superados en número por la visita gibraltariensis. Se produce con más frecuencia (abundante) y está muy extendida en toda la provincia en otoño e invierno.

¹ Fuentes dar P.o.aterrimus como sedentarias. Hay pruebas que sugieren sin embargo parte de la población puede migrar a Marruecos durante el invierno. Durante el invierno inusualmente duro y húmedo, como el invierno 2009/2010, algunas aves, su residencia habitual, podría unirse a P.o.gibraltariensis en el comportamiento del tiempo de desplazamiento y se mueven más hacia el sur.

Nota del autor:

Las dificultades en la separación de las razas se producen, sobre todo con plumajes de menores y ser mujer casi imposible de distinguir. Sin embargo, a partir de agosto, es posible identificar más fácilmente los hombres de cada raza; P.o.gibraltariensis en plumaje nuevo es abundantemente claro marcados con plumas consejos: consejos de oliva-marrón en dorso, gris en los lados de la cabeza y la garganta, y el ocre o blanco en las partes inferiores, por lo que la corona, manto inferior, media y de los flancos y más pálido ventral, aunque notablemente blanco, panel de ala-más prominente. aterrimus Central y del Sur raza ibérica, intensamente negro en la cabeza, el manto y el pecho, más grandes y más contrastante ala del panel siempre aparece blanco.

Distribution of P.o.aterrimus in Andalusia

 

Distribución de P.o.aterrimus en Andalucía

 
 

Why not visit Andalusia and witness the wonders of birding in southern Spain?

For various tours birding in Spain: Nature Tours in Spain

For Day Tours in the mountains: Wonderful Days in the Mountains

For Wild Flower Tours: Walking in Flowers

Information on Andalusia Nature: Open and Free Forum

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The above article is an extract from Birds of Andalusia by Peter Jones. A collection of bird species articles can be found on the member's area of the Andalucia Bird Society main website.




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Deep South – Morocco

The Erg Chebbi dune complex

Impressive Todra Gorge

I have been to and written about Morocco so many times and yet it never fails to leave me with impressions of wonder, not least of vast empty tranquil spaces where it is possible to be completely immersed in nature, like a grain of sand is to a desert so but am I in life! Such a grand landscape is presented with perspectives beyond words, from the towering High Atlas Mountains to endless rolling dunes of the Sahara, from Palm lined valleys to multi-coloured striated flat topped mountains; it is a place of unimaginable beauty. The country also has an added attraction and great bonus for me acting as it does as a bridge between the more southerly regions of Africa and Europe for migratory birds. Little wonder I am constantly drawn by the calling of this exotic place and also its people.

 




A return from her labours

Certainly I have been lucky, not to mention privileged, leading many tours of inquisitive nature lovers to the deserts, mountains and cultural centres of this western outpost in North Africa. It has been during the course of these visits that both Spanish Nature and Worldwide Birding Tours, tour operators with a real difference, that I have become acquainted with various communities of native Berbers and country dwelling folk. Their existence is often one of pure subsistence, days full of barter, tending of livestock and crops. What little money there is comes from sons and daughters working in other parts of the world, where they can find gainful employment and money enough to send home to their families.

Desert in Bloom

My own qualifications do not lead me to assume or advise on how best economic problems for this region can be solved. Deep in the south of Morocco life is lived on the edge, between a rock and a very hard place, when the rains come in sufficient quantities there can be times of plenty but, as often is the case, existence is a struggle, there is little or no employment and people make do the best they can. What I and Spanish Nature decided to do was work to our strengths and offer what little help we could. Together with partners such as Audubon Society New York and the Andalucia Bird Society, we have embarked on an education programme to promote nature within local schools, help provide services for women’s cooperatives and generally give assistance by whatever means are at our disposal.

Desert Wheatear

It is an opportunity for us to put something back into an area that gives us so much in terms of pleasure and enjoyment of a natural world full of discovery and beauty. Before the joy of witnessing the smile and laughter of the local children, my time here in the deserts had been fulfilled by finding such treasures as Desert Sparrow, but now my visits are full of rewards and wonderful experiences working with children and empowering local women’s enterprises. If my many visits for witnessing the wonderful diversity of avian delights had been worthwhile, now we have so much more to look forward to whenever we travel the palm fringed valleys into the furthest reaches of the Sahara region. Now I am not only greeted by Brown-necked Raven, Cream-coloured Courser and Hoopoe Lark, but by the beaming faces of children portraying such friendly welcomes.

Children at Mhamid showing their new field guides

For our most recent visit to the ‘Deep South’ we prepared a field guide to 52 species of birds found in Morocco. The guide was illustrated with photographs naming and describing the birds in both French and Arabic. It was an essential and integral part of an education project we had named ‘A Bird a Week’ for introducing into various schools in the Sahara region. We were also able to supply crayon sets, together with bird colouring sheets, outline drawings prepared by my co-conspirator Barbara Vagliano, and, along with other items, these were freely distributed among the schools i.e. some 2,000 field guides! As part of the process we held meetings with school teachers and were able to discuss how best the programme is introduced to the children and also get their most valuable input on the progress being made so far. Each teacher was presented with a specially compiled teacher’s pack, which explained the programme and how to interpret all the facts for each bird described in the field guide.

Some of the staff and children at the cooperative in Zagora

The education programme focuses on local birds and local habitats; it is place-based learning and encourages a sense of pride in one’s own community. Gaining knowledge of the local environment empowers students to take an active interest in protecting it. Our involvement with women’s cooperatives and associations is all about improving the quality of life for marginalised women and children. The cooperatives and associations, to some extent, also take an active role in education, either for the hard of learning or general education, in these cases we are of course also including them in the ‘A Bird a Week’ programme. However, more practical help for such things as donations for electricity supplies, stationary and clothing is most beneficial. Two of our recent tour party made the magnificent gesture of giving sufficient money to pay for electricity connections to the association in Mhamid, thereby allowing women to operate sewing machines for the manufacture of clothing and items for resale. A really big thank you to Norman Cook and of course Barbara!

Barbara explains the teacher's pack and concepts

Of course our work here has only just begun and another joyous aspect is both the willingness and wonderfully generous contributions made to this work by our travelling companions, more friends than customers. Several have donated binoculars, to help children observe their birds, telescopes, which we have donated to local guides, clothes, pencil sets, crayons, notepads and also money!  So many have been and witnessed the programme firsthand, others have given just from a generous spirit and a kindness we have come to so much appreciate. For me the project is meaningful, helpful and so very rewarding. I am proud to be working with Spanish Nature, a company not paying lip service to responsible tourism, but actually becoming involved with putting something back into those local economies and communities we visit. Thank you one and all for your incredible support.

Cream-coloured Courser

If you want to help our efforts with our education project, plus helping marginalised women and children in Morocco, or fancy accompanying me on one of my many journeys to this exotic destination, please see the links below. I have also included a link to the Responsible Tourism page of Worldwide Birding Tours; here you can read the policy and strategy of this tour company for nature lovers. The whole experience of projects like this help very much to demonstrate the company’s description is more than just a play on words ‘Travelling Together as Friends’…..

Why not join me on one of my many tours to Morocco?

Spring Safari - March

Autumn Safari - September

Worldwide Birding Tours - Responsible Tourism: Strategy and Policy

If you would like to help in our projects and education programme please do let me know via the following link: Contact us

From my base in Spain I am able to do short tours to Morocco. If you would like to tailor a visit whilst in Spain, please let me know. See link: 3 Day Short Breaks


To contact Peter please use this link: Contact