tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015152937263288122024-03-13T21:05:51.070+01:00Natur-al-AndalusA portrait of a little piece of Africa in EuropeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-57143055415899880902013-07-20T18:45:00.001+02:002013-07-20T18:45:36.503+02:00European Shags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UB3buTnmwWQ/Ueq-WEB2iAI/AAAAAAAADj0/l4TJcmmGTLg/s1600/Shags+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UB3buTnmwWQ/Ueq-WEB2iAI/AAAAAAAADj0/l4TJcmmGTLg/s640/Shags+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As far as we can tell European Shags <i>Phalacrocorax aristotelis </i>have been raising their young on the cliffs and ledges around Gorham's Cave for at least 60 thousand years! Here is part of the 2013 generation.<i> </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-33300177689904579372013-07-07T11:58:00.003+02:002013-07-07T11:58:52.975+02:00Horses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8iizbPqCwc/Udk7I_rZ6KI/AAAAAAAADdE/zHKtSTjP3r4/s1600/Horses+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8iizbPqCwc/Udk7I_rZ6KI/AAAAAAAADdE/zHKtSTjP3r4/s640/Horses+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Horses were a feature of the Neanderthal landscape outside Gorham's Cave. The habitats in the Coto Donana, where we can find semi-wild horses today, are very similar to those that existed outside these caves; they included seasonal wetlands, shrublands and areas with scattered trees, all of which suited horses well as they still do today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-22771782995541968432013-07-03T21:04:00.002+02:002013-07-03T21:04:58.445+02:00The Red Kite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYYvn1ZQMys/UdR0-wEOujI/AAAAAAAADc0/Wt-GgAzJL_g/s1600/Red+Kite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYYvn1ZQMys/UdR0-wEOujI/AAAAAAAADc0/Wt-GgAzJL_g/s640/Red+Kite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Red Kite <i>Milvus milvus </i>is a tree-nesting raptor that eats a wide variety of small prey, from frogs and mice to birds and small rabbits. It is also a regular scavenger, attending carcasses of large animals. Some birds nest in the Coto Donana but numbers are augmented in winter by birds from the north. At Gorham's Cave the Red Kite features prominently among the raptors and evidence of cut marks on wing bones indicates that the Neanderthals got to them, almost certainly for their superb feathers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-44420382942141077352013-06-28T18:55:00.001+02:002013-06-28T18:55:35.042+02:00Red Deer and Magpie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vPR5q1_Z42Q/Uc2_D3j7PMI/AAAAAAAADb0/MpnehltdZsw/s1600/deerpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vPR5q1_Z42Q/Uc2_D3j7PMI/AAAAAAAADb0/MpnehltdZsw/s640/deerpie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Red Deer <i>Cervus elaphus</i> and Magpie <i>Pica pica</i> were two abundant species that lived on the sandy plains off Gorham's and Vanguard Caves. The deer would have been hunted by a range of carnivores and also the Neanderthals. They have wide habitat choice and would have lived in dense scrub (as here) but also open pine woods and close to shallow lakes. The magpies prefer open habitats with a few trees, on which they build their nests, and are omnivorous taking a range of foods including large insects, lizards, small birds and carrion. They are among the first at a carcass.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-16868138078224585022013-06-24T16:40:00.002+02:002013-06-24T16:40:45.156+02:00The Griffon Vulture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The plains outside Gorham's Cave attracted many scavengers who were always ready to take the opportunity of a carnivore kill or the remains of animals left by the Neanderthals. The Griffon Vulture <i>Gyps fulvus</i> is numerous in the deposits from 20 to 60 kyr. These birds would have nested on the many ledges on the cliffs of Gibraltar. Last year we published findings that showed that the Neanderthals were catching these birds and skinning them in order to get the large feathers which we think they wore.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-66066477598555909982013-06-21T16:11:00.000+02:002013-06-21T16:11:00.391+02:00The Spotted Hyaena<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zV3uT1FG480/UcRee0ALTmI/AAAAAAAADaA/ZvaxEAvIGIY/s1600/Hyaena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zV3uT1FG480/UcRee0ALTmI/AAAAAAAADaA/ZvaxEAvIGIY/s640/Hyaena.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Spotted Hyaena <i>Crocuta crocuta </i>was the commonest carnivore outside Gorham's and Vanguard Caves between 60 and 20 kyr. Some of the specimens were huge, much larger than any cousin that you could fine today in Africa. Some palaeontologists define these as cave hyaenas <i>C.c.spelaea.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-67929188293595089212013-06-17T16:43:00.000+02:002013-06-17T16:50:35.563+02:00The new face of Natur-al-Andalus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After a year's absence we return with a purpose. Each post will consist of a photograph taken by one of us and a brief description. Our aim is to slowly build up an archive of images of the species which we are finding in the fossil record of the Gibraltar Caves. For information on those caves and the work being done there visit our sister blog at http:clivehumanevo.blogspot.com<br />
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Here's a Golden Eagle <i>Aquila chrysaetos</i> photographed recently by Stewart. This species is frequent in the levels at Gorham's Cave and was a component of the fauna at the time of the Neanderthals (60-31.5 thousand years ago). It most likely nested on the cliffs of Gibraltar and hunted on the plains which are now submerged. In a recent paper we showed that the Neanderthals took these birds for their feathers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-32113113286537651302012-04-29T13:55:00.000+02:002012-04-29T13:55:09.895+02:00Migration drama above the skies of Gibraltar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This time of year sees a life and death drama unfold on numerous occasions above Gibraltar's skies. Tired migrating raptors reach the cliffs of the Rock of Gibraltar after crossing the sea. Here they are met by territorial <span style="color: red;">Peregrine Falcons <em>Falco peregrinus brookei</em></span> and <span style="color: red;">Yellow-legged Gulls <em>Larus michahellis</em></span>.</div>
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The <span style="color: red;">Peregrines</span> are defending their nest area and have daily battles with the gulls for rights to airspace</div>
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The gulls do the same, hanging in the wind above the nests, ready to pounce on anything that comes near...</div>
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The levels of aggression increase now that the young have hatched...</div>
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So migrating raptors are up against it...</div>
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For starters, they have the sea crossing, often in high winds. Here a <span style="color: red;">Booted Eagle <em>Hieraaetus pennatus</em></span> struggles to reach the Rock. In the background, Ceuta on the North African coast, where it has come from, with the tall Rif Mountains behind.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bz3Sr-fUog/T50pgcoo8tI/AAAAAAAADOw/0LBPTGS1b-M/s1600/Booted+Eagle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bz3Sr-fUog/T50pgcoo8tI/AAAAAAAADOw/0LBPTGS1b-M/s400/Booted+Eagle+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Utterly exhausted, it crash lands</div>
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Others, like this <span style="color: red;">Black Kite <em>Milvus migrans</em></span>, are immature birds in moult or with many flight feathers missing. This doesn't help either...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6o-umX8cx8/T50qPUd9TNI/AAAAAAAADPA/79R9mDbOubg/s1600/Short-toed+Eagle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6o-umX8cx8/T50qPUd9TNI/AAAAAAAADPA/79R9mDbOubg/s400/Short-toed+Eagle+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then there are the gulls and the falcons...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZusFN4gq3rQ/T50qiuH6-JI/AAAAAAAADPI/wQ72pnIsIVg/s1600/Griffon+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZusFN4gq3rQ/T50qiuH6-JI/AAAAAAAADPI/wQ72pnIsIVg/s400/Griffon+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQQzVW5Ur6A/T50qoo1N57I/AAAAAAAADPQ/cEq1B7_juZs/s1600/Griffon+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IQQzVW5Ur6A/T50qoo1N57I/AAAAAAAADPQ/cEq1B7_juZs/s400/Griffon+7.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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That also forces unexpected landings...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qbs1avA-pTI/T50q08FdBZI/AAAAAAAADPY/8M6b5VCg794/s1600/Short-toed+Eagle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qbs1avA-pTI/T50q08FdBZI/AAAAAAAADPY/8M6b5VCg794/s400/Short-toed+Eagle+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some of these birds recover and fly off but others are not so fortunate...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nROsLaRYzkQ/T50rBLnt0_I/AAAAAAAADPg/wEePuydaCeI/s1600/Griffon+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nROsLaRYzkQ/T50rBLnt0_I/AAAAAAAADPg/wEePuydaCeI/s640/Griffon+3.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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they ditch in the sea, and drown...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOPmRghYbcI/T50rSiC4ODI/AAAAAAAADPo/tl2s6aNNedk/s1600/Griffon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eOPmRghYbcI/T50rSiC4ODI/AAAAAAAADPo/tl2s6aNNedk/s400/Griffon+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So this is the real drama of life and death. Can we blame the gulls and the falcons? I think not. They are just defending their own...</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-57692701246039053062012-04-08T20:04:00.000+02:002012-04-08T20:04:57.145+02:00Where the Imperial Eagle is Lord and Master<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CPSUxW8M9E/T4HPnbNe7jI/AAAAAAAADMg/a0-e0-Pu05Q/s1600/ImpEag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CPSUxW8M9E/T4HPnbNe7jI/AAAAAAAADMg/a0-e0-Pu05Q/s400/ImpEag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent some time watching and photographing the rare <span style="color: red;">Spanish Imperial Eagle <em>Aquila adalberti</em></span> in one of its traditional haunts, in the Monfrague National Park of Central Spain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the home of the <span style="color: red;">Griffon Vulture <em>Gyps fulvus</em></span>, which nests in colonies on the impressive cliffs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here the vultures come and go as they please, it seems, but this time they weren't to have everything their way...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The morning seemed quiet enough, even a newly arrived <span style="color: red;">Short-toed Eagle <em>Circaetus gallicus</em></span> pausing to look for unsuspecting snakes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An adult <span style="color: red;">Imperial Eagle</span> arrives - it has decided to nest on some trees close to the <span style="color: red;">Griffon</span> colony</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r1k7aqHw3cA/T4HSGckLWOI/AAAAAAAADNQ/OTPnhRYpASE/s1600/Blog+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r1k7aqHw3cA/T4HSGckLWOI/AAAAAAAADNQ/OTPnhRYpASE/s640/Blog+1.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It patrols the cliff line and even comes down near to the vultures' nests</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--q-80cAPWQo/T4HSWcXnvnI/AAAAAAAADNY/-5gkHFpPFA4/s1600/Blog+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--q-80cAPWQo/T4HSWcXnvnI/AAAAAAAADNY/-5gkHFpPFA4/s640/Blog+4.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is an amazing bird at close quarters...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcuVmbLGLPo/T4HSfXdvyXI/AAAAAAAADNg/Gn8OZJh3jdk/s1600/Blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dcuVmbLGLPo/T4HSfXdvyXI/AAAAAAAADNg/Gn8OZJh3jdk/s400/Blog+2.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and it chases off any Griffon that ventures near!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We watched the eagles for a couple of hours and Stewart came home with a wonderful range of images of this spectacular eagle. All where the Mediterranean forest meets the cliffs in Monfrague</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-68422912544355000582012-03-26T19:58:00.000+02:002012-03-26T19:58:14.018+02:00When bad weather brings the migrants down, especially the males<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yg_QiZ9d66g/T3CqyClJeoI/AAAAAAAADLY/xm_yKFleHMo/s1600/Nightingale+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yg_QiZ9d66g/T3CqyClJeoI/AAAAAAAADLY/xm_yKFleHMo/s640/Nightingale+1.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Easterly winds, grey skies and showers at this time of year tend to bring down migrants at Gibraltar. Here they can feed in the olive scrub and woodland, sheltered from the wind. Many have just crossed the Sahara and are ready to feed and drink as they await better weather. This past weekend saw a large arrival of migrants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGEUHGAr4Kg/T3CrUOXBzZI/AAAAAAAADLg/nRsVhSxuheU/s1600/Blackcap+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGEUHGAr4Kg/T3CrUOXBzZI/AAAAAAAADLg/nRsVhSxuheU/s400/Blackcap+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Among the main species were<span style="color: red;"> Blackcaps <em>Sylvia atricapilla</em></span>. These large, pale, long-winged birds (above) rapidly outnumbered the greyer local birds (below) which are now breeding. The latter soon gave up trying to chase all the newly arrived males from their territories!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TGkT6JJL18/T3Cr04k3RtI/AAAAAAAADLo/we2t-TwGdbo/s1600/Blackcap+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TGkT6JJL18/T3Cr04k3RtI/AAAAAAAADLo/we2t-TwGdbo/s400/Blackcap+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of these early migrants are males aiming to set up territories ahead of the females. The latter will dominate the migration later on</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84SOAwRGgD4/T3CsGSj8_6I/AAAAAAAADLw/qJy3lSz3exY/s1600/Blackcap+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84SOAwRGgD4/T3CsGSj8_6I/AAAAAAAADLw/qJy3lSz3exY/s400/Blackcap+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Willow Warblers <em>Phylloscopus trochilus</em></span> (above) and <span style="color: red;">Chiffchaffs <em>P. collybita</em></span> (below) were also numerous</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rquchRpqieQ/T3CsoM7NyMI/AAAAAAAADMA/Cju0kR9NTLk/s1600/Chiffchaff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rquchRpqieQ/T3CsoM7NyMI/AAAAAAAADMA/Cju0kR9NTLk/s400/Chiffchaff.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGYFlrnpguQ/T3Cstiyv-_I/AAAAAAAADMI/gogM0lQIi6c/s1600/Redstart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IGYFlrnpguQ/T3Cstiyv-_I/AAAAAAAADMI/gogM0lQIi6c/s640/Redstart.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Males also dominate the <span style="color: red;">Common Redstart <em>Phoenicurus phoenicurus</em></span> (above) component at this time but <span style="color: red;">Nightingales <em>Luscinia megarhynchos</em></span> (below) are more difficult to separate </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8nOZrTfmBeY/T3Ctj6iTWNI/AAAAAAAADMY/HNEXkC2F4l4/s1600/Subalpine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8nOZrTfmBeY/T3Ctj6iTWNI/AAAAAAAADMY/HNEXkC2F4l4/s400/Subalpine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male <span style="color: red;">Subalpine Warbler <em>Sylvia cantillans</em></span> completes the male-dominated migration</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-57281772712822791012012-03-14T18:43:00.000+01:002012-03-14T18:43:21.332+01:00In the Land of the Iberian Lynx<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vW18VeasKtU/T2DQFIn8VfI/AAAAAAAADJI/1oGgjd_BCLY/s1600/Landscape+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vW18VeasKtU/T2DQFIn8VfI/AAAAAAAADJI/1oGgjd_BCLY/s640/Landscape+2.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two of us (Geraldine and Clive) spent a few days in the stronghold of the world's most endangered cat - the <span style="color: red;">Iberian Lynx <em>Lynx pardina</em></span>. This animal was familiar to us from the fossils we have excavated in prehistoric and medieval sites in Gibraltar and we had had a couple of close encounters with them in Donana in the 1990s. So we decided to travel up into the Sierra Morena north of Andujar to see if we could find old friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The habitat of the lynx can be described as open Mediterranean forest though we prefer to call it wooded savannah, a habitat that was typical of the emerged coastal shelf off Gibraltar for thousands of years. Here in Andujar, there are tens of thousands of hectares of this wild country, home of <span style="color: red;">Spanish Imperial Eagles <em>Aquila adalberti</em>, Black Vultures <em>Aegypius monachus</em></span> and <span style="color: red;">Black Storks <em>Ciconia nigra</em></span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-HkWQXM5_E/T2DRlJsa_RI/AAAAAAAADJY/IQjZCPnea3g/s1600/Hoopoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-HkWQXM5_E/T2DRlJsa_RI/AAAAAAAADJY/IQjZCPnea3g/s400/Hoopoe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Among the smaller species, <span style="color: red;">Hoopoes <em>Upupa epops</em></span> (above) and <span style="color: red;">Dartford Warblers <em>Sylvia undata</em></span> (below) are abundant and widespread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Red-legged Partridges <em>Alectoris rufa</em></span> abound here too and are potential prey of the lynxes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But it is the <span style="color: red;">Rabbit <em>Oryctolagus cuniculus</em></span> that is the favoured prey, and there are lots in these hills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvDUnAyCj8M/T2DTH3yuHLI/AAAAAAAADKI/vW5udzBKLrU/s1600/Ladder+Snake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvDUnAyCj8M/T2DTH3yuHLI/AAAAAAAADKI/vW5udzBKLrU/s400/Ladder+Snake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For two days the lynxes were proving elusive, only distant views down the valley confirming their presence. But other predators of the rabbit made themselves visible. Geraldine took time to focus on a large adult <span style="color: red;">Ladder Snake <em>Elaphe scalaris </em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and the mating dance of the <span style="color: red;">Iberian Wall Lizards <em>Podarcis hispanica</em></span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vItDp7AoGnQ/T2DUAqYkUNI/AAAAAAAADKY/nrr7R6T62ZY/s1600/Red+Deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vItDp7AoGnQ/T2DUAqYkUNI/AAAAAAAADKY/nrr7R6T62ZY/s400/Red+Deer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the sun started to go down on our last evening we turned our attention to the herds of <span style="color: red;">Red Deer <em>Cervus elaphus</em></span>, not wanting to admit defeat to ourselves but knowing that there would have to be another time for the lynx.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then, driving back with a wonderful evening light a movement caught our eyes as two lynxes wandered into Cistus scrub to our left. We saw them for a split second and they were gone! Fifty metres down we paused by a firebreak in hope as the animals had been moving in that direction. Five minutes went by and nothing. The light would soon fade. Then, out of the Cistus emerged a female with a yellow collar, barely 50 metres away! She sat down and waited for her one-year old cub who promptly sat close to her. Cameras were clicking frantically by then as the lynxes seemed more interested in some <span style="color: red;">Magpies <em>Pica pica</em></span> than in us. This is what we got...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Collared female (left) and one-year old cub (right) with Magpie (middle ground) and Red Deer (background)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female (above) and cub (below)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now the sun could set!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YmuurX-urJE/T2DWUZxiP3I/AAAAAAAADLQ/8opr1Esg4sI/s1600/Matilde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YmuurX-urJE/T2DWUZxiP3I/AAAAAAAADLQ/8opr1Esg4sI/s640/Matilde.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">During our stay in these hills we stayed at Villa Matilde which we thouroughly recommend. Our hosts - Merche and Roland - are committed and knowledgeable conservationists. They took wonderful care of us and the evening meals were wonderful! On our return to Gibraltar an email from them confirmed than the collared female had been born in 2008 and was known by the name Elam...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For over a week now we have seen a most wonderful spectacle - the spring migration of raptors across the Strait of Gibraltar. Many species are now coming through but the star of the show has been the <span style="color: red;">Short-toed Eagle <em>Circaetus gallicus</em></span>. Many thousands have passed north and today's migration was spectacular. The birds coming through are all adults that are heading for their breeding grounds in Iberia and beyond.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vzrOdMtvlio/T1ZPzwtFpnI/AAAAAAAADIY/vCG278uP__Q/s1600/STE8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vzrOdMtvlio/T1ZPzwtFpnI/AAAAAAAADIY/vCG278uP__Q/s640/STE8.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adults are easy to identify by their heavily barred plumage and dark heads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strong westerlies drifted many of these majestic birds towards the Rock of Gibraltar. Flying over the sea in these conditions is hazardous and the birds were visibly exhausted on arrival.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Soon, all the adults will be back in their breeding territories and the short-lived spectacle will be over for another year, but other species will come in instead. Spring raptor migration now continues until June!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gT7RRv9HR2k/T1ZQ-yAGHAI/AAAAAAAADJA/sUNg3zpJ_jQ/s1600/STE3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gT7RRv9HR2k/T1ZQ-yAGHAI/AAAAAAAADJA/sUNg3zpJ_jQ/s400/STE3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today we start a new section of our blog, dedicated to species profiles. We start with the Eurasian <span style="color: red;">Black Vulture <em>Aegypius monachus</em></span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This species is a solitary tree nester that survives in good numbers across large tracts of Central Spain, in Sierra Morena (Andalucia) and parts of Extremadura in particular.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlSVWKN3mOs/T1M9i0rVJVI/AAAAAAAADGI/9oibRrncJFU/s1600/BV12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlSVWKN3mOs/T1M9i0rVJVI/AAAAAAAADGI/9oibRrncJFU/s400/BV12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In these remote forests and dehesas (parklands) they share the territory with another Iberian tree nesting jewel - the <span style="color: red;">Spanish Imperial Eagle <em>Aquila adalberti</em></span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8MuWJ062CY/T1M9_qLm-cI/AAAAAAAADGQ/Q0zW4akyJU0/s1600/BV10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8MuWJ062CY/T1M9_qLm-cI/AAAAAAAADGQ/Q0zW4akyJU0/s400/BV10.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <span style="color: red;">Black Vulture</span> is a species that is typical of the forests of the mid-latitude belt, from Iberia eastwards into Central Asia. Its success has been the exploitation of trees as nest sites, keeping it well clear of the colonies of cliff-nesting <span style="color: red;">Griffon Vultures</span>, and allowing it to reach carcasses ahead of the Griffon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This has given rise to the established, but false, idea that <span style="color: red;">Griffon Vultures</span> are subordinate to <span style="color: red;">Black Vultures</span> and must wait the arrival of the powerful <span style="color: red;">Black Vulture</span> to tear into the hide of dead animals. While a <span style="color: red;">Black Vulture</span> can oust a <span style="color: red;">Griffon Vulture</span> in a one-to-one contest, and it can even barge into a group, the reality is that it gets easily overwhelmed by a mass of <span style="color: red;">Griffons</span> and often stays along the edge of the activity picking up scraps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Though considered sedentary,<span style="color: red;"> Black Vultures</span> will disperse southwards in autumn and some regularly cross the Strait of Gibraltar between Europe and Africa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The old territory of al-Andalus remains Europe's stronghold for this rare species, the largest of Palaearctic vultures</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We hear a lot these days about the cold conditions in Europe and how these have forced many <span style="color: red;">Lapwings</span> and other birds south to our area. But the marismas in the south-west function like an African locality more than a European one. Here, spring has been underway for close to two months now and tens of thousands of <span style="color: red;">Swallows</span> have already arrived to breed. So have good numbers of <span style="color: red;">Black Kite, Great Spotted Cuckoos</span> and other species. Today, in these marshes we saw the first <span style="color: red;">Whiskered Terns</span>, just arrived from south of the Sahara. But there were also good numbers of some special birds...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ik10hYZMFwY/T0AeIcrE8sI/AAAAAAAADEw/HZyYPGa6YsU/s1600/GWEgret+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ik10hYZMFwY/T0AeIcrE8sI/AAAAAAAADEw/HZyYPGa6YsU/s400/GWEgret+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: red;">Great White Egrets</span> have been on the increase for some years now and their presence is particularly obvious. Soon they will have to share the pools of water with <span style="color: red;">Purple Herons</span> that will arrive from the tropics.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PS00r7pR1aA/T0AetI_qYwI/AAAAAAAADE4/EvTa1r5Duxo/s1600/GWEgret+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PS00r7pR1aA/T0AetI_qYwI/AAAAAAAADE4/EvTa1r5Duxo/s400/GWEgret+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The winter has been a dry one so many of therse birds are now concentrated on the few pools of freshwater that survive</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZncxgJgsY8/T0AfDY3Jz4I/AAAAAAAADFA/3u8nkMF3iD0/s1600/GWEgret+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JZncxgJgsY8/T0AfDY3Jz4I/AAAAAAAADFA/3u8nkMF3iD0/s640/GWEgret+3.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uvQqcHaY680/T0AfTOhjnKI/AAAAAAAADFI/igweuL_Saos/s1600/Penduline+Tit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uvQqcHaY680/T0AfTOhjnKI/AAAAAAAADFI/igweuL_Saos/s400/Penduline+Tit+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The <span style="color: red;">Penduline Tit</span> is another reed bed speciality. For now it shares the beds with <span style="color: red;">Cetti's Warblers</span> and wintering <span style="color: red;">Chiffchaffs</span> but <span style="color: red;">Reed</span> and <span style="color: red;">Great Reed Warblers</span> will be arriving soon to establish breeding territories here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wk1_218jTCo/T0Af1f__adI/AAAAAAAADFQ/xlp7HwV-uM4/s1600/Penduline+Tit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wk1_218jTCo/T0Af1f__adI/AAAAAAAADFQ/xlp7HwV-uM4/s640/Penduline+Tit+1.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc_e_3FtaYs/T0AgCJvI2vI/AAAAAAAADFY/b0AuEzgzVts/s1600/MaH2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gc_e_3FtaYs/T0AgCJvI2vI/AAAAAAAADFY/b0AuEzgzVts/s400/MaH2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The predators will also have to share the reed beds with newcomers. For now, <span style="color: red;">Marsh Harriers</span> rule the roost here but <span style="color: red;">Black Kites</span> are now arriving and will dominate in numbers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMxj6rFnp-M/T0AgZ06Vi8I/AAAAAAAADFg/tYIqKi6abkw/s1600/MaH+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMxj6rFnp-M/T0AgZ06Vi8I/AAAAAAAADFg/tYIqKi6abkw/s400/MaH+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With remperatures reaching 20 degrees Celsius today, it was hard to fathom that much of Europe is immersed in a cold winter...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-H3dSTruTs/T0AhQP3KIpI/AAAAAAAADFw/depbypjAPkM/s1600/GWEgret+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-H3dSTruTs/T0AhQP3KIpI/AAAAAAAADFw/depbypjAPkM/s400/GWEgret+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-66774415460690959812011-09-28T18:26:00.000+02:002011-09-28T18:26:09.275+02:00September Feeding Frenzy in the Strait of Gibraltar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iFDF3chGEyw/ToNF2IDQaoI/AAAAAAAADDs/5cc36Yh60gc/s1600/Dolphin+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iFDF3chGEyw/ToNF2IDQaoI/AAAAAAAADDs/5cc36Yh60gc/s640/Dolphin+2.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the time of year when flying fish are passing through the Strait of Gibraltar. They attract many predators that chase them and catch them below or above the surface of the water. These concentrations provide a unique opportunity to see large concentrations of marine predators. Last Sunday we were able to experience this amazing event. See our blog of 20 September, 2010, for a similar event.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5u8XTlJbXY/ToNGljkZfQI/AAAAAAAADDw/qfaZPx83NM4/s1600/Rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5u8XTlJbXY/ToNGljkZfQI/AAAAAAAADDw/qfaZPx83NM4/s400/Rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last year we found them in the Mediterranean, east of Gibraltar, but this time they were in the Strait within view of the mist-covered and imposing Rock. Below are some scenes from this magical event...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NfRt_mML8Y/ToNG7lwyGPI/AAAAAAAADD0/hv2MZtXvfaM/s1600/Dolphin+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NfRt_mML8Y/ToNG7lwyGPI/AAAAAAAADD0/hv2MZtXvfaM/s640/Dolphin+4.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leading the underwater action were<span style="color: red;"> Common</span> and <span style="color: red;">Striped Dolphins</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFEFsbpnFy8/ToNHabFeIYI/AAAAAAAADD4/PiujFd1pmYc/s1600/Dolphin+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFEFsbpnFy8/ToNHabFeIYI/AAAAAAAADD4/PiujFd1pmYc/s400/Dolphin+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OK1X3jiv0AA/ToNHkbUxdaI/AAAAAAAADD8/SCRKvh9-apk/s1600/Cory%2527s+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OK1X3jiv0AA/ToNHkbUxdaI/AAAAAAAADD8/SCRKvh9-apk/s400/Cory%2527s+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the surface, the main predator was <span style="color: red;">Cory's Shearwater</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AR5rhjkoYsU/ToNHzrQ-JlI/AAAAAAAADEA/tpApt1tx7Dk/s1600/Cory%2527s+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AR5rhjkoYsU/ToNHzrQ-JlI/AAAAAAAADEA/tpApt1tx7Dk/s400/Cory%2527s+1.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They wait patiently, and peacefully, in rafts until, that is, the dolphins bring the fish to the surface. Then the squabbling commences!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YKOOjvt1u9Y/ToNIKvnhJNI/AAAAAAAADEE/1ooXxj5Ze98/s1600/Cory%2527s+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YKOOjvt1u9Y/ToNIKvnhJNI/AAAAAAAADEE/1ooXxj5Ze98/s400/Cory%2527s+3.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaeGEEtWEWw/ToNIUZQSzuI/AAAAAAAADEI/qnhRyOVbLOg/s1600/Cory%2527s+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaeGEEtWEWw/ToNIUZQSzuI/AAAAAAAADEI/qnhRyOVbLOg/s400/Cory%2527s+4.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DplnwEw12-U/ToNIb2Ky7FI/AAAAAAAADEM/VJ7j0p4niP0/s1600/Cory%2527s+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DplnwEw12-U/ToNIb2Ky7FI/AAAAAAAADEM/VJ7j0p4niP0/s400/Cory%2527s+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4VKyu81VYg/ToNIo6VhmJI/AAAAAAAADEQ/4xwA2nVfRK4/s1600/Cory%2527s+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4VKyu81VYg/ToNIo6VhmJI/AAAAAAAADEQ/4xwA2nVfRK4/s400/Cory%2527s+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just like the smaller vultures at a carcass, the <span style="color: red;">Balearic Shearwaters</span> (below) operate on the fringe as they wait for scraps</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jX2h2esB9ok/ToNI52FiJ1I/AAAAAAAADEU/ElBpucftvy0/s1600/Balearic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jX2h2esB9ok/ToNI52FiJ1I/AAAAAAAADEU/ElBpucftvy0/s640/Balearic.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdSceMLcLsg/ToNJJeESlqI/AAAAAAAADEY/umft6IA0P7s/s1600/Gannet+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GdSceMLcLsg/ToNJJeESlqI/AAAAAAAADEY/umft6IA0P7s/s400/Gannet+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Gannets</span> arriving from the Atlantic to winter also join in. Most are juveniles or immatures. There are very few adults right now, most will arrive in October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xrIjN_BalHY/ToNJfPu6_RI/AAAAAAAADEc/OqWcIjyh8Ic/s1600/Gannet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xrIjN_BalHY/ToNJfPu6_RI/AAAAAAAADEc/OqWcIjyh8Ic/s400/Gannet.jpg" width="343" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These past weeks have been very busy for us in the field, so we need to catch up with a number of stories. So keep visiting our blog!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-12914669812100941342011-09-04T20:30:00.000+02:002011-09-04T20:30:38.228+02:00The Day of the Honey Buzzard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MC8_58g7vbs/TmPA4uZKzdI/AAAAAAAADDI/gqv9omarnUE/s1600/HB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MC8_58g7vbs/TmPA4uZKzdI/AAAAAAAADDI/gqv9omarnUE/s400/HB1.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Late August and early September mark one of the most incredible and impressive of bird migration spectacles - the passage south of the <span style="color: red;">Honey Buzzard <em>Pernis apivorus</em></span> across the Strait of Gibraltar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q04e3GzIOr4/TmPBSeylfYI/AAAAAAAADDM/8cG29YVm2Og/s1600/HB4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q04e3GzIOr4/TmPBSeylfYI/AAAAAAAADDM/8cG29YVm2Og/s400/HB4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tens of thousands of <span style="color: red;">Honey Buzzards</span> migrate south in the space of a week or so. They come in tight flocks which adds to the air of spectacle. These birds are coming from Scandinavia, western Russia and Western Europe. They are bound for the tropical forests of West Africa.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBYV9yAhb7g/TmPBwPetIDI/AAAAAAAADDQ/7Gc6xDH9ICA/s1600/HB7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBYV9yAhb7g/TmPBwPetIDI/AAAAAAAADDQ/7Gc6xDH9ICA/s400/HB7.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Their plumage is very variable and we can identify three main plumage types or phases - they are linked to each other by intermediate patterns. The most common phase is the intermediate or barred (above)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7gwGRRdFg4/TmPCMniI7NI/AAAAAAAADDU/yODxgVZNy-4/s1600/HB6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V7gwGRRdFg4/TmPCMniI7NI/AAAAAAAADDU/yODxgVZNy-4/s400/HB6.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This bird is of the light phase</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_uQ9S0CPWg/TmPCVUOByqI/AAAAAAAADDY/y-IAkqfE7XQ/s1600/HB8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0_uQ9S0CPWg/TmPCVUOByqI/AAAAAAAADDY/y-IAkqfE7XQ/s400/HB8.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and this one is of the dark morph</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GC4Dum6sc3c/TmPCzLadEII/AAAAAAAADDc/0oxS5uDrsRw/s1600/HB9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GC4Dum6sc3c/TmPCzLadEII/AAAAAAAADDc/0oxS5uDrsRw/s400/HB9.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this image we see all three phases together</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Gyh6denX-8/TmPC913Pr4I/AAAAAAAADDg/AVJjZ1e64Mg/s1600/HB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Gyh6denX-8/TmPC913Pr4I/AAAAAAAADDg/AVJjZ1e64Mg/s400/HB2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All the images in today's blog were taken today over the Rock of Gibraltar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WkoH-tVWjw8/TmPDHXL1KOI/AAAAAAAADDk/yhpANbyO450/s1600/HB5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WkoH-tVWjw8/TmPDHXL1KOI/AAAAAAAADDk/yhpANbyO450/s400/HB5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not all were high and some, incredibly, flew low over the town</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-ip00eZV20/TmPDUN0j6UI/AAAAAAAADDo/SOVeOpHudWM/s1600/HB3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-ip00eZV20/TmPDUN0j6UI/AAAAAAAADDo/SOVeOpHudWM/s400/HB3.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The passage continues and more species will pass over the next two months...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-33851000034592709612011-08-04T18:20:00.000+02:002011-08-04T18:20:22.118+02:00Activity in the Strait of Gibraltar in mid summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBXCXDzCPE8/TjrAOWu9KoI/AAAAAAAAC_o/6qswN7s9jeA/s1600/orca+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBXCXDzCPE8/TjrAOWu9KoI/AAAAAAAAC_o/6qswN7s9jeA/s640/orca+5.jpg" t$="true" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The <span style="color: red;">Orca</span> activity in the western end of the Strait at this time of the year is related to the exit of the <span style="color: red;">Red Tuna</span> from the Mediterranean towards the Atlantic. The tuna enter the Mediterranean in April to breed and leave in July and early August. The Strait is very deep, reaching 1000 metres, but in the west a sill rises from the sea bed and the depth is reduced to around 200 metres. Any fish passing this is forced upwards allowing a chance for fishermen (below) and <span style="color: red;">orcas</span> (above) to catch the fast fish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUrKDj-wy8A/TjrBWoBuLcI/AAAAAAAAC_s/IG0fFdAPnJc/s1600/fishing+boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUrKDj-wy8A/TjrBWoBuLcI/AAAAAAAAC_s/IG0fFdAPnJc/s400/fishing+boats.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One interesting aspect is that the highly intelligent<span style="color: red;"> orcas</span> have learnt to go for the <span style="color: red;">tuna</span> which have been caught in the fishermen's hooks. It is not unusual for the fishermen to pull up a tuna head, rest of the body missing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0jfPjLcfUQ/TjrB65MLroI/AAAAAAAAC_w/YnWeBpMoegE/s1600/orca+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0jfPjLcfUQ/TjrB65MLroI/AAAAAAAAC_w/YnWeBpMoegE/s400/orca+8.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The groups of <span style="color: red;">orcas</span> seem to fuse and split at different times as they hunt for the fish. Here is a pod of females, recognizable by the small, curved, dorsal fins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2A7y4CovJ0Y/TjrCYLkLRwI/AAAAAAAAC_0/Z9zEHF63EC8/s1600/orca+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2A7y4CovJ0Y/TjrCYLkLRwI/AAAAAAAAC_0/Z9zEHF63EC8/s400/orca+6.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male (right) with higher fin than female (left)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIwLgdhlzWc/TjrCkjpt1DI/AAAAAAAAC_4/A7DxC3yIVNU/s1600/orca+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIwLgdhlzWc/TjrCkjpt1DI/AAAAAAAAC_4/A7DxC3yIVNU/s400/orca+1.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female with young</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFZiIu5RFto/TjrCuRrAgGI/AAAAAAAAC_8/W5mcuzgJxN0/s1600/orca+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFZiIu5RFto/TjrCuRrAgGI/AAAAAAAAC_8/W5mcuzgJxN0/s400/orca+7.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Strait is a busy shipping lane so the <span style="color: red;">orcas</span> have to be alert to this danger at all times</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4sgzDZ6kXc/TjrC-wymNZI/AAAAAAAADAA/T6gVR-_jKjA/s1600/orca+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4sgzDZ6kXc/TjrC-wymNZI/AAAAAAAADAA/T6gVR-_jKjA/s400/orca+4.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male <span style="color: red;">Orca</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7rYi15wpG8/TjrDMJ0rYxI/AAAAAAAADAE/MOzLlc7BMhM/s1600/orca+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g7rYi15wpG8/TjrDMJ0rYxI/AAAAAAAADAE/MOzLlc7BMhM/s400/orca+2.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Female starting a dive</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bx2SLXhHZ8Q/TjrDT9GpeXI/AAAAAAAADAI/dlCx6WnE2nE/s1600/orca+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bx2SLXhHZ8Q/TjrDT9GpeXI/AAAAAAAADAI/dlCx6WnE2nE/s400/orca+3.jpg" t$="true" width="381" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Male showing the large fin clearly</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZOXoaaRPog/TjrDoz-FJMI/AAAAAAAADAQ/jaM2VUDN-AQ/s1600/dolphins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZOXoaaRPog/TjrDoz-FJMI/AAAAAAAADAQ/jaM2VUDN-AQ/s400/dolphins.jpg" t$="true" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While watching the orcas we picked up other activity which we illustrate from here down, with images from our own archives, taken in the Strait at other times. Here is a group of <span style="color: red;">Common Dolphins <em>Delphinus del</em></span><span style="color: red;"><em>phis</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvO5A_BmXNI/TjrEFAU70KI/AAAAAAAADAU/aXQqUScHhMg/s1600/turtle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JvO5A_BmXNI/TjrEFAU70KI/AAAAAAAADAU/aXQqUScHhMg/s400/turtle.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Loggerhead Turtle <em>Caretta caretta</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKivXQxO-K0/TjrEY5dXLMI/AAAAAAAADAY/YS2ISCIQ0jY/s1600/Common+Tern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKivXQxO-K0/TjrEY5dXLMI/AAAAAAAADAY/YS2ISCIQ0jY/s640/Common+Tern.jpg" t$="true" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Common Tern <em>Sterna hirundo</em></span> - steady flow of birds migrating towards the Atlantic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohbAm8mNkLI/TjrFcXCDqVI/AAAAAAAADAc/quGz8NTIxNk/s1600/Black+Tern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohbAm8mNkLI/TjrFcXCDqVI/AAAAAAAADAc/quGz8NTIxNk/s400/Black+Tern.jpg" t$="true" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Black Tern <em>Chlidonias niger</em></span> - The first birds are now moving into the Atlantic </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bwqYXegzlQ/TjrFuhVcRYI/AAAAAAAADAg/SxqZlWBoHl8/s1600/Balearic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8bwqYXegzlQ/TjrFuhVcRYI/AAAAAAAADAg/SxqZlWBoHl8/s400/Balearic.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Balearic Shearwaters <em>Puffinus mauretanicus</em></span> - coming from the western Mediterranean to feed in the rich waters of the Strait</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86kTJ_Xiv3Y/TjrGAJQLwTI/AAAAAAAADAk/He1XqAzppp4/s1600/Cory%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86kTJ_Xiv3Y/TjrGAJQLwTI/AAAAAAAADAk/He1XqAzppp4/s400/Cory%2527s.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Cory's Shearwaters <em>Calonectris diomedea</em></span> - also feeding in the upwellings of the Strait</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-2656156708341862442011-08-03T19:36:00.000+02:002011-08-03T19:36:25.221+02:00Magical 24 Hours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5m2AJ9gb944/TjmFoZtUA8I/AAAAAAAAC_c/FoDAgPKl-Es/s1600/Orcas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5m2AJ9gb944/TjmFoZtUA8I/AAAAAAAAC_c/FoDAgPKl-Es/s400/Orcas.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last 24 hours have been magical. Few places can offer what the Strait of Gibraltar can. Here an <span style="color: red;">Orca <em>Orcinus orca</em></span> off Tangier, Morocco, this morning...Last night 10 thousand <span style="color: red;">Black Kites <em>Milvus migrans</em></span> and up to 100 thousand <span style="color: red;">Common Swifts <em>Apus apus</em></span> migrating south over the Rock of Gibraltar (below)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5y4Ics_yEXw/TjmGieBAVmI/AAAAAAAAC_g/jgyIzETvfVE/s1600/Black+Kites+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5y4Ics_yEXw/TjmGieBAVmI/AAAAAAAAC_g/jgyIzETvfVE/s400/Black+Kites+2.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part of a large flock of <span style="color: red;">Black Kites</span> yesterday</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jn2uXyDe0cQ/TjmGtDi6BOI/AAAAAAAAC_k/rTI76ANl-WU/s1600/Kites+and+Swifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jn2uXyDe0cQ/TjmGtDi6BOI/AAAAAAAAC_k/rTI76ANl-WU/s400/Kites+and+Swifts.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Black Kites</span> against a backdrop of migrating <span style="color: red;">Common Swifts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">This is a quick news flash. These stories will be developed in future blogs...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-8232272235170267662011-07-31T17:11:00.000+02:002011-07-31T17:11:49.761+02:00Raptor Migration in late July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QxPKYG4fCjU/TjVsu5OEpZI/AAAAAAAAC-8/1E9Exo5sB4E/s1600/BK+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QxPKYG4fCjU/TjVsu5OEpZI/AAAAAAAAC-8/1E9Exo5sB4E/s640/BK+1.jpg" t$="true" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We saw the last <span style="color: red;">Black Kites <em>Milvus migrans</em></span> migrating north in mid-June. Now they're back, heading south for Africa with this year's youngsters!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2NWQHBesF0/TjVtHE0jg_I/AAAAAAAAC_A/F61voscokIk/s1600/BK+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2NWQHBesF0/TjVtHE0jg_I/AAAAAAAAC_A/F61voscokIk/s640/BK+5.jpg" t$="true" width="338" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For a few days now small groups of <span style="color: red;">Black Kites</span> have been crossing the Strait of Gibraltar as they head for the tropical African savannas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpfp8a-oT6k/TjVteBuY_YI/AAAAAAAAC_E/HHZrpKGOjBc/s1600/BK+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpfp8a-oT6k/TjVteBuY_YI/AAAAAAAAC_E/HHZrpKGOjBc/s400/BK+6.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But yesterday evening, around 6pm we saw a big "rush" of birds over the Rock of Gibraltar. My friend Mario Mosquera estimated 1500 birds in the flock, a taste of things to come. With westerly winds these birds drift over Gibraltar from where they gain height to start the crossing. If the wind is too strong some turn back, often having already started over the sea, and try the next day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USfYCTtgarE/TjVuLag9gtI/AAAAAAAAC_I/n_aNMVOuapM/s1600/BK+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USfYCTtgarE/TjVuLag9gtI/AAAAAAAAC_I/n_aNMVOuapM/s400/BK+2.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of yesterday's birds were juveniles, birds that have been born this spring. You can tell them by the pale, rufous, plumage and the fresh wing and tail feathers. Breeding among the Iberian birds is timed to coincide with the spring abundance of food. The Iberian adult <span style="color: red;">Black Kites</span> arrive in February and early March. It is these birds, and their young, that are now leaving to avoid the summer drought. Their arrival in sub-Saharan Africa will coincide with the onset of the summer rains there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5llKTN0zNQ/TjVvA7LlLvI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/X77sIKiT7G4/s1600/EleFalc+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5llKTN0zNQ/TjVvA7LlLvI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/X77sIKiT7G4/s400/EleFalc+3.jpg" t$="true" width="338" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not everything is leaving after breeding. <span style="color: red;">Eleonora's Falcons <em>Falco eleonorae</em></span> are just arriving in the area from their wintering grounds on the island of Madagascar. These rare and elegant falcons breed in remote islets and unfrequented coastal sites across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast of North Africa. They arrive late for a reason. Their young will hatch in September and will be fed on the millions of small migrating birds that will then be heading for Africa. It is a wonderful example of a perfectly tuned specialised strategy. It's not easy to find these birds on migration so it was a treat to see this female (above and below) yesterday at Europa Point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcxWd98Vemw/TjVv6d22T7I/AAAAAAAAC_U/1u-ty18NikE/s1600/EleFalc+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcxWd98Vemw/TjVv6d22T7I/AAAAAAAAC_U/1u-ty18NikE/s640/EleFalc+2.jpg" t$="true" width="368" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xOyLkJzX6g/TjVwEfyIZ5I/AAAAAAAAC_Y/1XIki8IdJ6U/s1600/BK+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xOyLkJzX6g/TjVwEfyIZ5I/AAAAAAAAC_Y/1XIki8IdJ6U/s400/BK+4.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-9064598683932775112011-07-26T19:51:00.001+02:002011-07-26T20:45:19.525+02:00Forest animals of Cazorla<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJk8uj0NfM0/Ti72SNmRkzI/AAAAAAAAC-M/dxWEeMBvsp8/s1600/Cazorla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJk8uj0NfM0/Ti72SNmRkzI/AAAAAAAAC-M/dxWEeMBvsp8/s640/Cazorla.jpg" t$="true" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mountains of Cazorla (above) in south-east Spain are a reservoir of trees, insects and forest animals. It is here that the Guadalquivir River (below) starts its long journey towards the distant Atlantic Ocean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vjSIl13yhy8/Ti72uLizW4I/AAAAAAAAC-Q/u7jh7vDtdDo/s1600/Guadalquivir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vjSIl13yhy8/Ti72uLizW4I/AAAAAAAAC-Q/u7jh7vDtdDo/s640/Guadalquivir.jpg" t$="true" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUlKkz3srAc/Ti723DeKEnI/AAAAAAAAC-U/LJvXKkSGLIQ/s1600/Red+Deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUlKkz3srAc/Ti723DeKEnI/AAAAAAAAC-U/LJvXKkSGLIQ/s640/Red+Deer.jpg" t$="true" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Spanish Red Deer <em>Cervus elaphus hispanicus</em></span> (above) and <span style="color: red;">Fallow Deer <em>Dama dama</em></span> (below) thrive in these forests</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwUTxLepYTU/Ti73d5e0xlI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/55QTJIZaVKc/s1600/Fallow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwUTxLepYTU/Ti73d5e0xlI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/55QTJIZaVKc/s400/Fallow.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWkhwt5w5BE/Ti73r_lDQwI/AAAAAAAAC-c/PDzOoLrfBAo/s1600/Squirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CWkhwt5w5BE/Ti73r_lDQwI/AAAAAAAAC-c/PDzOoLrfBAo/s640/Squirrel.jpg" t$="true" width="296" /></a></div><span style="color: red;"> Red Squirrels <em>Sciurus vulgaris</em></span> have a southern European stronghold here as do many forest birds (below). The degree of sub-specific differentiation testifies to the isolated nature of the Iberian Peninsula, a refugium, during glacial times<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-VcPSwssAM/Ti74PmaVUfI/AAAAAAAAC-g/_57nQbiAA-I/s1600/Chaffinch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-VcPSwssAM/Ti74PmaVUfI/AAAAAAAAC-g/_57nQbiAA-I/s640/Chaffinch.jpg" t$="true" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Iberian Chaffinch <em>Fringilla coelebs balearica</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTYhCPbd7uQ/Ti74vFtG-wI/AAAAAAAAC-k/1cFGrJXT_4g/s1600/Nuthatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTYhCPbd7uQ/Ti74vFtG-wI/AAAAAAAAC-k/1cFGrJXT_4g/s640/Nuthatch.jpg" t$="true" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Iberian Nuthatch <em>Sitta europaea hispaniensis</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CV3ns9iIfuo/Ti75NFE7OaI/AAAAAAAAC-o/v26fxEoqDWo/s1600/L-t+Tit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CV3ns9iIfuo/Ti75NFE7OaI/AAAAAAAAC-o/v26fxEoqDWo/s640/L-t+Tit.jpg" t$="true" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Iberian Long-tailed Tit <em>Aegithalos caudatus irbii</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5k0V-48sEKE/Ti75fo8rEOI/AAAAAAAAC-s/_Jcmx9gUg3g/s1600/Crested+Tit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5k0V-48sEKE/Ti75fo8rEOI/AAAAAAAAC-s/_Jcmx9gUg3g/s640/Crested+Tit.jpg" t$="true" width="254" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Iberian Crested Tit <em>Parus cristatus weigoldi</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yGY1mJY48E/Ti751RFP2gI/AAAAAAAAC-w/M8IloM7wiCg/s1600/Coal+Tit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yGY1mJY48E/Ti751RFP2gI/AAAAAAAAC-w/M8IloM7wiCg/s400/Coal+Tit.jpg" t$="true" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Iberian Coal Tit <em>Parus ater vieirae</em></span>, now in body moult</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9l7t28Uolc/Ti77pveHsfI/AAAAAAAAC-0/OxCQ2Q7tu8c/s1600/Jay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9l7t28Uolc/Ti77pveHsfI/AAAAAAAAC-0/OxCQ2Q7tu8c/s640/Jay.jpg" t$="true" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Iberian Jay <em>Garrulus glandarius fasciatus</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x16u28Bn5Z8/Ti78KptdraI/AAAAAAAAC-4/Bsi0HnCguuY/s1600/Crossbill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x16u28Bn5Z8/Ti78KptdraI/AAAAAAAAC-4/Bsi0HnCguuY/s640/Crossbill.jpg" t$="true" width="476" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Iberian Crossbill <em>Loxia curvirostra balearica</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-68735313022348532282011-07-16T10:52:00.000+02:002011-07-16T10:52:07.658+02:00More migration towards the Atlantic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_L0U3KEUAs/TiFNjNqeVFI/AAAAAAAAC9o/y0x83KHxFQI/s1600/MG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T_L0U3KEUAs/TiFNjNqeVFI/AAAAAAAAC9o/y0x83KHxFQI/s640/MG2.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Audouin's Gulls <em>Ichthyaetus audounii</em></span> are not the only gulls now leaving the Mediterranean for the rich waters of the Atlantic (post of 10th July). The attractive <span style="color: red;">Mediterranean Gulls <em>Icthyaetus melanocephalus</em></span> are also on the move.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jFCI6G65y2g/TiFORRxaoMI/AAAAAAAAC9s/Sr4t3PV82es/s1600/MG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jFCI6G65y2g/TiFORRxaoMI/AAAAAAAAC9s/Sr4t3PV82es/s400/MG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many of the birds coming past are adults, with very worn plumage after breeding and already in head moult</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5YlDoBQezA/TiFOgIwy4RI/AAAAAAAAC9w/9r11RHCGXtw/s1600/MG4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5YlDoBQezA/TiFOgIwy4RI/AAAAAAAAC9w/9r11RHCGXtw/s640/MG4.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Juveniles, noticeably browner and greyer than the adults, follow the adults on migration (above) though often adults also travel without youngsters (below)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4N1Xhff1vc/TiFO692vf-I/AAAAAAAAC90/RxS1hk9hgSU/s1600/MG5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m4N1Xhff1vc/TiFO692vf-I/AAAAAAAAC90/RxS1hk9hgSU/s640/MG5.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNQeFvZn1jM/TiFPF51S6_I/AAAAAAAAC94/jzDLYj5CUyM/s1600/MG6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNQeFvZn1jM/TiFPF51S6_I/AAAAAAAAC94/jzDLYj5CUyM/s640/MG6.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Immature birds are also moving. Above is a first summer bird already going into second winter plumage. Below is a second summer bird, looking almost like an adult but with black outer primaries </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUCy8ticVD4/TiFPfjFbNoI/AAAAAAAAC98/k1mtKopGVnE/s1600/MG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUCy8ticVD4/TiFPfjFbNoI/AAAAAAAAC98/k1mtKopGVnE/s640/MG1.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJVyWrn656g/TiFPv26lEII/AAAAAAAAC-A/dEPKR5ZhT-Q/s1600/BHG2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jJVyWrn656g/TiFPv26lEII/AAAAAAAAC-A/dEPKR5ZhT-Q/s400/BHG2.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also moving out of the Mediterranean are <span style="color: red;">Black-headed Gulls <em>Chroicocephalus ridibundus</em></span>, and they travel in larger groups, of adults and juveniles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtAftau3Ef8/TiFQLeJSWmI/AAAAAAAAC-E/pzphhF4pWIg/s1600/BHG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtAftau3Ef8/TiFQLeJSWmI/AAAAAAAAC-E/pzphhF4pWIg/s400/BHG1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfCPfN9Q0Ak/TiFQR-6LRUI/AAAAAAAAC-I/zDQntgUxzqU/s1600/Peregrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfCPfN9Q0Ak/TiFQR-6LRUI/AAAAAAAAC-I/zDQntgUxzqU/s400/Peregrine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>All this activity does not go unnoticed. <span style="color: red;">Peregrine Falcons <em>Falco peregrinus</em></span> fly close to the sea (see post of 12th July), ever watchful of an opportunity to take one of these small gulls... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-85632464524530481512011-07-14T19:36:00.000+02:002011-07-14T19:36:01.798+02:00Cattle Egrets of all shapes and sizes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uGXVjzEXeE/Th8mv1bUMzI/AAAAAAAAC9I/7tCGtLPXZms/s1600/Cattle+E+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uGXVjzEXeE/Th8mv1bUMzI/AAAAAAAAC9I/7tCGtLPXZms/s640/Cattle+E+3.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In our blog of 24th April, Stewart had visited a breeding colony of <span style="color: red;">Cattle Egrets <em>Bubulcus ibis</em></span> that was starting up. Now he returned to find thousands of birds in a colony in full swing, from incubating birds, to small juveniles, and others recently fledged. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPhJZsV5O6c/Th8ncO2lWZI/AAAAAAAAC9M/0oJbfNSNMR0/s1600/Cattle+E+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPhJZsV5O6c/Th8ncO2lWZI/AAAAAAAAC9M/0oJbfNSNMR0/s400/Cattle+E+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Incubating adult. Going for a second brood or retrying after a first failure?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6KWhYnwReQ/Th8npSPBc9I/AAAAAAAAC9Q/V93ywNUlNPU/s1600/Cattle+E+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6KWhYnwReQ/Th8npSPBc9I/AAAAAAAAC9Q/V93ywNUlNPU/s640/Cattle+E+7.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cute juveniles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnwYF9mB7FU/Th8nz8b1aDI/AAAAAAAAC9U/m0tpSj7xC5Y/s1600/Cattle+E+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnwYF9mB7FU/Th8nz8b1aDI/AAAAAAAAC9U/m0tpSj7xC5Y/s640/Cattle+E+8.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">feeling the heat - it regularly gets above 40 degrees celsius here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXPwOtQ4UiU/Th8oGmGP2JI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/EVvedZDNuDM/s1600/Cattle+E+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXPwOtQ4UiU/Th8oGmGP2JI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/EVvedZDNuDM/s640/Cattle+E+2.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">adult on lookout duties</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Chex4nVWY4s/Th8oTEL9BeI/AAAAAAAAC9c/qBKdxlD6Xik/s1600/Cattle+E+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Chex4nVWY4s/Th8oTEL9BeI/AAAAAAAAC9c/qBKdxlD6Xik/s640/Cattle+E+4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">part of the colony</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orWPeHc5yt4/Th8ogfkAN4I/AAAAAAAAC9g/hIdIdqE93M4/s1600/Cattle+E+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orWPeHc5yt4/Th8ogfkAN4I/AAAAAAAAC9g/hIdIdqE93M4/s400/Cattle+E+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">recently fledged hooligans</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPvX-jP-Hv4/Th8orbOFWEI/AAAAAAAAC9k/8mPPS_w6yoE/s1600/Cattle+E+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPvX-jP-Hv4/Th8orbOFWEI/AAAAAAAAC9k/8mPPS_w6yoE/s640/Cattle+E+1.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">adult on guard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-86587519927709596512011-07-12T19:29:00.000+02:002011-07-12T19:29:02.764+02:00Peregrines - the New Generation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P83SrmShxos/ThyBO-B5VkI/AAAAAAAAC8o/bbuIuKGM9YE/s1600/Peregrine+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P83SrmShxos/ThyBO-B5VkI/AAAAAAAAC8o/bbuIuKGM9YE/s400/Peregrine+8.jpg" width="347" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Juvenile <span style="color: red;">Peregrine Falcon <em>Falco peregrinus brookei</em></span> at Europa Point, Gibraltar - 10th July</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x0TtRfR8GaY/ThyBm6S40QI/AAAAAAAAC8s/WglHWURmqtw/s1600/Peregrine+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x0TtRfR8GaY/ThyBm6S40QI/AAAAAAAAC8s/WglHWURmqtw/s400/Peregrine+6.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was back on the 22nd February that we got this shot of the adult peregrines mating. We've been following their progress and three weeks ago three youngsters fledged...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zi2U3MsJLP4/ThyB9lgyouI/AAAAAAAAC8w/0e99Xul_rlA/s1600/Peregrine+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zi2U3MsJLP4/ThyB9lgyouI/AAAAAAAAC8w/0e99Xul_rlA/s640/Peregrine+5.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The juveniles are largely independent now and are terrorising the neighbourhood! Juveniles of other species that nested on the same cliffs better beware! Here a juvenile peregrine as a go at a young <span style="color: red;">Yellow-legged Gull <em>Larus micahellis</em></span> which doesn't appreciate the gesture...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UO7G6HzLqnQ/ThyCfcYPyJI/AAAAAAAAC80/8K3gjeZa7HU/s1600/Peregrine+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UO7G6HzLqnQ/ThyCfcYPyJI/AAAAAAAAC80/8K3gjeZa7HU/s400/Peregrine+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...but they have to watch out as mummy doesn't take kindly to their approaches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ElqxJ-Wa1g/ThyCruBTuoI/AAAAAAAAC84/flAgzsBujNE/s1600/Peregrine+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ElqxJ-Wa1g/ThyCruBTuoI/AAAAAAAAC84/flAgzsBujNE/s400/Peregrine+1.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This afternnon they had a go at a young, and noisy, <span style="color: red;">Common Kestrel <em>Falco tinnunculus</em></span>, that managed to get away minus a few tail feathers. The lower peregrine had its crop full so she must have been helping her sister get a snack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xbBzodcVGo/ThyDNTb2fdI/AAAAAAAAC88/DBFx9pIJ4QQ/s1600/Peregrine+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0xbBzodcVGo/ThyDNTb2fdI/AAAAAAAAC88/DBFx9pIJ4QQ/s640/Peregrine+3.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are rapidly becoming experts at their job</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vG3yV-xRAu4/ThyDZADghGI/AAAAAAAAC9A/SAsOngNStd0/s1600/Peregrine+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vG3yV-xRAu4/ThyDZADghGI/AAAAAAAAC9A/SAsOngNStd0/s400/Peregrine+4.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">equally at home mover the sea as over land</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUyS81kT0Ns/ThyDiwKYpRI/AAAAAAAAC9E/1jC29UMBafc/s1600/Peregrine+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUyS81kT0Ns/ThyDiwKYpRI/AAAAAAAAC9E/1jC29UMBafc/s640/Peregrine+2.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we'll keep an eye on them in the coming weeks but, for now, they're doing very well, even if their neighbours don't share the sentiment!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-15120884247703621752011-07-10T21:00:00.000+02:002011-07-10T21:00:05.314+02:00We're back !After a short break, we're back with the Natur-al-Andalus blog and we hope to provide you with the latest information of what's going on. Gerry and Stewart Finlayson previously contributed to this blog. Now they join us - the complete Finlayson Nature Photography team - so expect even more than before! We will be busy this summer - as usual! In August we'll be excavating at the Neanderthal cave site at Gorham's Cave so watch out for news soon. For now, we start with what's going on right now. The migration of the rare <span style="color: red;">Audouin's Gull <em>Ichthyaetus audouinii</em></span> is under way...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rq4MKwN-ikU/Thn0il96WaI/AAAAAAAAC8I/OyOMQUUokLo/s1600/ag4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rq4MKwN-ikU/Thn0il96WaI/AAAAAAAAC8I/OyOMQUUokLo/s400/ag4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These birds were very rare before the early 1980s but they have recovered substantially since then although they remain vulnerable as they only breed in a few scattered colonies in the Mediterranean, mostly in Iberia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NI21f0HcQU/Thn1Az0s_CI/AAAAAAAAC8M/iN2jJcEAAxs/s1600/ag6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NI21f0HcQU/Thn1Az0s_CI/AAAAAAAAC8M/iN2jJcEAAxs/s400/ag6.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are amazingly elegant and beautiful birds and they are now migrating in numbers past Europa Point, Gibraltar, on their way out to spend the non-breeding season in the rich waters of the Atlantic off West Africa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ53qIqk7v4/Thn1aBLCNbI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/ovHKf7MjQbE/s1600/ag7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ53qIqk7v4/Thn1aBLCNbI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/ovHKf7MjQbE/s400/ag7.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This afternoon, in 3.5 hours of observation, we counted 120 going past Europa Point. Most were adults and their plumage was not as tatty as it usually is at this time of the year. We don't expect so many adults this early and it may be that they've had a bad breeding season and are leaving early. The relatively good condition of the plumage seems to bear this out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8dGWcK7sQE/Thn17XhQs5I/AAAAAAAAC8U/QJAZSsMOrv8/s1600/ag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8dGWcK7sQE/Thn17XhQs5I/AAAAAAAAC8U/QJAZSsMOrv8/s400/ag3.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adult passing Europa Point lighthouse</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEFKAuXoFTQ/Thn2FDbgElI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/pBIXMyY1hTI/s1600/ag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEFKAuXoFTQ/Thn2FDbgElI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/pBIXMyY1hTI/s400/ag2.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These birds travel singly, in pairs or loose flocks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqY8B2NfQRA/Thn2T-N8KYI/AAAAAAAAC8c/xjsvDJuChM8/s1600/ag5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqY8B2NfQRA/Thn2T-N8KYI/AAAAAAAAC8c/xjsvDJuChM8/s400/ag5.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's blog has been a brief prelude of what is to come. Keep visiting us for more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-501515293726328812.post-16187572718453946222011-04-24T18:35:00.000+02:002011-04-24T18:35:17.672+02:00In a colony of egrets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssB47FZ-F0Q/TbRPkFXubNI/AAAAAAAAC7U/uhAvf-LVIG0/s1600/Cattle+Egret+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ssB47FZ-F0Q/TbRPkFXubNI/AAAAAAAAC7U/uhAvf-LVIG0/s400/Cattle+Egret+4.jpg" width="362" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Among the spectacular sights of southern Iberia in the spring is a colony of nesting egrets. Stewart went on a mission to capture the beauty and elegance of the <span style="color: red;">Cattle Egret <em>Bubulcus ibis</em></span> in full breeding plumage. He caught up with them in a colony on white poplars. The photographs speak for themselves...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QPRHDQ-ddI/TbRQQZdWqsI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/u8MPq25nh54/s1600/Cattle+Egret+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9QPRHDQ-ddI/TbRQQZdWqsI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/u8MPq25nh54/s640/Cattle+Egret+1.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ztMl_QwO94/TbRQXGkYoaI/AAAAAAAAC7c/kIJVCsHH_q8/s1600/Cattle+Egret+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ztMl_QwO94/TbRQXGkYoaI/AAAAAAAAC7c/kIJVCsHH_q8/s400/Cattle+Egret+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVu7ZmICzrw/TbRQiDNEAvI/AAAAAAAAC7g/vDmHV98FK8o/s1600/Cattle+Egret+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVu7ZmICzrw/TbRQiDNEAvI/AAAAAAAAC7g/vDmHV98FK8o/s640/Cattle+Egret+3.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9wTG0LlAB4/TbRQrMofoSI/AAAAAAAAC7k/ppd6bXJRM6Q/s1600/Cattle+Egret+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r9wTG0LlAB4/TbRQrMofoSI/AAAAAAAAC7k/ppd6bXJRM6Q/s400/Cattle+Egret+5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lR6cm9ZZhEE/TbRQxaf1CsI/AAAAAAAAC7o/URPRs8Nb2cI/s1600/Cattle+Egret+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lR6cm9ZZhEE/TbRQxaf1CsI/AAAAAAAAC7o/URPRs8Nb2cI/s400/Cattle+Egret+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Blog followers may want to add our new facebook page by visiting our new site and clicking "Like" at:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Finlayson-Nature-Photography/210991865597226?ref=ts&sk=wall">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Finlayson-Nature-Photography/210991865597226?ref=ts&sk=wall</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVX4xx6I9Uc/TbRRIKEirPI/AAAAAAAAC7s/PJbqlKU7vFE/s1600/Cattle+Egret+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVX4xx6I9Uc/TbRRIKEirPI/AAAAAAAAC7s/PJbqlKU7vFE/s400/Cattle+Egret+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0