Project Life fight illegal poison in Spain

Action to fight illegal poison use in the natural environment in Spain

Project background

The ‘Red Book’ of Spanish Birds (‘Libro Rojo de las Aves de España’) highlights illegal use of poisons as a threat to endangered species protected by the Birds and Habitats Directives. Action is required to eliminate illegal use of poisons for predator control in Spain and so minimise such threats to the coun­try’s Red List species.

Project objectives

The main aim of the LIFE Nature VENENO NO project is to achieve a significant reduction in illegal poisoning incidents affecting protected species in Spain. Prior­ity species targeted by the project include the Spanish Imperial Eagle, the Lammergeier Vulture, the Red Kite and the Egyptian Vulture (including the Canary Islands subspecies). All of these raptors are included in the an­nexes of the Birds and the Habitats Directives. Overall project goals aim to make important contributions to Spain’s national strategy against the use of poisoned bait in the natural environment, approved by the Na­tional Commission for Nature Protection.

Expected results:

• Reduction in the illegal use of poisons for predator control, particularly in sites covered by Spain’s SPA network;

• Approval of regional action plans and protocols to help authorities tackle illegal use of poisons for predator control;

• Introduction and maintenance of new specialised control patrols that will serve as a model for similar species protection initiatives;

• Increased public support for the prevention of il­legal poison use in predator control; and

• Greater controls on the sale of licensed toxic products.

SEO/BirdLife in charge of the project VENENO

New article on Identification of Iberian Chiffchaff in Ornithomedia

Again a wonderful and complete article on Identification of Iberian Chiffchaff, is possible to see in Ornithomedia.

With a reference to the post of Birds in the North of Spain on the Song of Iberian Chiffchaff.

Abstract

“The Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus was previously referred to erroneously as P. brehmii and until recently was treated as conspecific with P. collybita and P. canariensis; It has been elevated to rank of full species on basis of bioacoustics, morphology and molecular biology.
It breeds in South-western France, Northern and Western Spain, in Portugal and very discontinuously in Southern Spain, Northern Morocco, Northern Algeria and North-western Tunisia; non-breeding range is not well known, includes North-western Africa (principally Tunisia), but main area appears to be farther South, in tropical Western Africa.
Several birds were reported during Mid-April 2010 in French departements (Vendée, Loiret, Indre) situated quite far from the Pyrénées. We present you a list of features to identify this recently-recognized species.”

Mammaling

A good birding and “mammaling” day. Today I leave to see birds but mammals too. A trip in the south of Merindades region, Iberian Chiffchaff, Bonelli´s Warbler, Bullfinch, Tits, Wryneck, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Buntings… a lot of common birds, a total of 45 species, but today the best are the mammals, a Rabbit, Badger, Fox, eight Roe Deer, Weasel, Hedgehog (dead in the road) and a Otter in the river, a great mammal day.

Conservation Status of Birds in Spain

CONSERVATION STATUS OF BIRDS IN SPAIN

The latest available information about bird populations and

IBAs for the ‘InternationalYear of Biological Diversity

General results

It has not been possible to halt the loss of biodiversity

during the last decade.

Birds in farmland habitats

Modern farming methods are the cause of conservation

problems for many birds in Spain.

Birds in steppe habitats

This is the most neglected habitat in terms of conservation

measures, and almost all bird species associated with it

suffer conservation problems.

Birds in scrub habitats

The DartfordWarbler and the Southern Grey Shrike are

highlighted as the most endangered species of this

environment.

Birds in forest and woodland habitats

Although in general the conservation status of forest and

woodland birds is better than that in other habitats,many

species are still threatened.

Birds in alpine habitats

Currently this is one of the habitats with the least

information on bird populations.

Birds in rock face habitats

Although most birds of prey associated with this

environment show positive population trends, they are

still threatened.

Birds in wetland habitats

After years of working to conserve Spanish wetlands,

the situation for most of the associated bird species has

not improved and many are still seriously threatened.

Birds in marine habitats

This group includes many species which have been very

little studied; moreover, at sea there are numerous

threats which mean that many of them are endangered.

Birds in urban habitats

Although the overall population of the bird species

found in our cities is huge, some of them show worrying

population declines.

The status of Important BirdAreas

The network of important areas for bird conservation

has been completed thanks to the identification of

marine IBAs.

Good Morning

It is already possible to enjoy spectacular mornings, a good number of birds sing from the dawn, the Iberian Chiffchaff to sing its characteristic song, easily distinguishable of the Common Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Blackcap, a great concert.

*Birds Today

Gryffon Vulture

Great Tit

Blue Tit

Song Thrush

Mallard

Robin

Wren

Black Kite
Egyptian Vulture**
Short-toed Eagle**
Crag Martin
Dipper
Barn Swallow
Common Raven

**First of season

Save the Spanish Vultures

Platform Save the Spanish Vultures want the re-opening of the traditional “Muladares” and enough food in the field to maintain these protected bird populations. Muladares are the traditional places around the villages where farmers bring their dead animals to be eaten by Vultures and other scavengers.

SIGN HERE TO ASK RE-OPENING THE MULADARES

*Birds Today

Gryffon Vulture

Egyptian Vulture*
Great Tit
Blue Tit

Siskin
Blackbird
Short-toed Treecreeper

Alpine Chough
Long-tailed Tit
Dipper

Common or Iberian Chiffchaff

Black Kite*

Crag Martin*

*The first of the season.

Ornithological Yearbook of Burgos Vol. II

The new edition of the Ornithological Yearbook of Burgos Vol II has supposed the consolidation of this great project, and doubtless it locates to the of Burgos ornithology like one of best of Spain. This new volume concentrates in the records of years 2006, 2007 and 2008 with 3,700 accepted records, 250 collaborators, 256 species in this yearbook of the 313 recorded in Burgos, have confirmed the reproduction of three new species in Burgos, Black Wheatear, Black Woodpecker and Siskin.

Four records of species considered rare for Spain, Whooper Swan, Smew, Marabou Stork and Pectoral Sandpiper.

Hot spots in Burgos, water reservoir of the river Ebro and gravel pits of Grijalba and Suzana.

198 birds

These days there is much activity in the feeders, with a flock of Siskin of 110 birds, eating seeds in the ground, underneath the feeders, some birds also eating directly of them.

I have gotten to count in 15 minutes, 110 Siskin, 20 Great Tit, 32 Blue Tit, 15 Common Chaffinch , 3 Marsh Tit, 6 Greenfinch, 5 Robin, 4 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird ,1 Nuthatch, 1Dunnock, everything a spectacle.

Breeding season is ready

Like every year, at the end of February, there are many records by all north of Spain of birds that begin to arrive from Africa, already are here Black Kites, Martins, Hoopoe, Swallows, Swifts… In this season is possible to find a mix of winter birds and summer birds.

Also they are possible to be begun to listen to several birds singing, Tits, Chaffinch, Dipper…The breeding season is ready.