AAnnddaalluuccííaa BBiirrdd SSoocciieettyy www.andaluciabirdsociety.com NEWSLETTER Volume 1. Edition 1. Date of issue. 31st March 2009 In this edition: x Migration time is here already! P1 & P2 Our bird of the moment – Hoopoe or should that be Hoopoo? P1 & P3 Editorial P4 Starting or joining a local group P5 Privilege travel programme P6 Rarities report for the first quarter of 2009 P6 & P7 Proyecto eremita P7 to P10 Member’s day P10 & P11 The Desembocadur a del rio Guadalhorce P11 to P13 Join us in Morocco MIGRATION TIME IS HERE OUR BIRD OF THE MOMENT: Hoopoe or should that be Hoopoo? ALREADY…. At around the time of this publication, one of I don’t know about you, but for me at least it seems just a short while ago that I sat near to Tarifa watching the our most familiar birds large exit of raptors from Europe headed towards the the Hoopoe Upupa near shores of North Africa. Every year, around the start epops will have become much more visible as of September, I am either leading groups or making my wintering numbers are own pilgrimages to the Atlantic seaboard of Andalusia in supplemented by large search of the spectacle that is migration. influxes of migrants that are returning to their The sheer volume of birds involved in the autumn rush to breeding grounds. Migration is in evidence as early as the leave for warmer climes is staggering. For the grand second half of February and these early returning birds spectacle, then the larger migrants perhaps offer the brighten our winter. Not just a beautiful looking bird, if audience the star attraction, but to see thousands of our somewhat strange as well, the Hoopoe also has a few smaller passerines, such as Bee eater Merops apiaster, nasty habits that can be read on page 3………. forming colourful clouds as they leave our shores is, I think, a sight that all should witness at least once in their lifetime. Of course migration, whether in Spring or Autumn, can bring along the unexpected or very rare migrant. Apart from the now regular autumn visitor Rüppell’s Vulture Gyps rueppellii, last autumn saw African White Backed Cortijo de las Piletas is a country hotel located in the heart of Andalucia. Only 12km. from the picturesque town of Ronda, Vulture Gyps africanus taking a bow! It all adds to the occasion and acts as a magnet for birdwatchers the in the Natural Park of Grazalema, the Cortijo allows visitors to explore a great variety of natural environments, both on the world over. property grounds as well as the surrounding areas. So we can count our Beautiful patios and gardens surround the house offering blessings, that we are cozy nooks for our guests to relax in harmony with nature. very fortunate to live so Centenarian trees and a variety of aromatic plants provide close to areas where we cool shade, colours and aromas while we take walks, swim or can bear witness to one sunbathe. In the evening, in the gardens near the threshing of the natural wonders floor, we can enjoy spectacular sunsets beyond Grazalema. These are just a few of the special moments awaiting you of our world. It is almost impossible to absorb during your stay at Cortijo de las Piletas. the spectacle of this We look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable stay number of birds, either leaving for or arriving from Africa, with us ... without being curious about why and how it is all made possible? Ph: +34 605 080295 - Fax: +34 951 230603 - e-mail: Continued on Page 2………….. [email protected] Website: www.cotijolaspiletas.com 1 MIGRATION TIME IS HERE ALREADY…. We are so very privileged to live in the southern reaches of the Iberian Peninsular. Here we are able to witness firsthand the incredible spectacle that is bird migration. Enormous populations of birds from the northern reaches of Europe become concentrated during the late summer and autumn as they approach the short sea crossing over the Straits of Gibraltar. Larger birds, such as Eagles, migrate during the daytime when they are able to take advantage of rising thermals and up-draughts, whilst many small birds migrate at night and take their direction from the position of the setting sun. As well as seeing the sun go down, small birds also seem to see the plane of polarized light caused by it, which calibrates their compass. Travelling at night also provides other benefits. Predators are avoided and with the danger of dehydration, due to flying for long periods in warm, sunlit skies, is also reduced. An added benefit to night migration is also apparent when the air structure is cool and smooth and conducive to sustained, stable flight. Flight gives birds the power to fly in any direction for as long as they have the energy to keep going. They have lightweight, hollow bones, navigation systems that simply defy belief, and an ingenious heat-conserving design that concentrates all blood circulation beneath layers of warm, waterproof plumage leaving them fit to face life in extreme climates. Bird migration occurs in each natural region of the world, each country, each county and even each parish, where birds will come and go with the seasons. Many make vast journeys to reach their wintering grounds. Swallows, for example, may breed and spend the summer in one place, but it spends most of the rest of the year travelling back and forth to its wintering grounds in Southern Africa. Bird migration evolved as a way for birds to exploit resources that are seasonally abundant and, equally important, to go elsewhere when the resources become scarce or harsh weather arrives. Many species can tolerate cold temperatures if food is plentiful, but if food is not available they must migrate. I guess the secrets of bird migration will remain as curious as any of life’s other unsolved mysteries. Sadly, some never complete their journeys, but I always look forward to the spring and the return of those who have survived. For all the complexities of migration I consider myself lucky to live in ‘The Magic Corridor’ that is for many European birds the main flyway for autumn and spring passage. Some viewing areas to watch both spring (March/May) and autumn (August/October) migration: Tarifa area: Strategic observatories can be found both east and west of Tarifa and these are Algarrobo, Cabrito, Cazalla, Santuario, La Peña, Puerto de Bolonia and Puerto de Facinas. Other areas: Serranía de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema: Puerto de las Palomas, Sierra de Libar, Acinipo, Casares. Photo 1. Rüppell’s Vulture Gyps rueppellii by George Reszeter Photo 2. White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus by Markus Varesvuo Photo 3. Knot Calidris canutus plus friends by Pieter Verheij 2 OUR BIRD OF THE MOMENT: Hoopoe or should that be Hoopoo? Hoopoe Upupa epops (Abubilla) I guess the first impressions you get from seeing a Hoopoe for the first time is a mixture of the comical as well as the beautiful! With its striking colours and very distinct black and white wing pattern the Hoopoe is a favourite among even the most casual observer. The Hoopoe is a one-off polytypic species¹ and is distributed widely throughout the Western Paleartic, but is only a resident in southern Spain, northern Africa, Egypt and the Lebanon. It is one of those birds whose presence during the winter months can more than make-up for the cooler temperatures. In Andalusia we are fortunate to see these beautiful birds all year round and of course during times of bird migration the local birds are joined by those passing through on their way to northern and central Europe. Although a bird essentially of level or gently undulating terrain that has good areas of bare surface i.e. silt, rock and sandy soils, they have taken to the grassed golf courses of the Costa’s and are a common sight in coastal areas. They can be seen at varying altitudes within the province ranging from sea level to well over 1400m above. Here Mole- crickets and beetle larvae form the bulk of their diet, although they show a great liking for both larvae and pupae of butterflies and moths. So mostly their diet is insects and almost entirely animal, they are also known to take lizards, frogs, toads and very rarely bird eggs! It has a long and thin bill which suits probing soft ground and under leaf litter where I have seen it take millipedes and centipedes, but once I saw it grapple with a small scorpion and this makes the bird a friend of mine!! Hoopoes nest most commonly in the holes of trees, but are also known to use buildings and ground holes. Normally between 5 and 7 eggs are laid and incubation can range from 14 to 20 days. The young, which take anywhere from 26 to 29 days to fledge, are at first brooded almost continuously by the female and are fed by the female until almost ready to fledge when the male, although always the provider in the earlier stages, will also directly help feed the chicks. It is when the young are over 6 days old that they are able to largely prevent unwanted attentions from predators and of course yours truly. When disturbed they can exude an evil and intolerable smelling fluid from enlarged and modified oil glands and if this wasn’t enough they acquire the dubious ability to forcibly squirt a hatful of liquid faeces and gut contents accurately over a distance of 25 to 30cm.