Status of Great Bustard in Andalucia

[john]

I was recently sent an email which quoted a source as saying (of Great Butard) "Until quite recently there was a small breeding population at La Janda but the last of these died in 2006. Hence it is now extinct as a breeding species in Andalucia but there's still a chance of seeing them in winter. Perhaps the best site is just south of the village of La Lantejuela.

Although the demise of the species at la Janda is well known, I was under the impression that the species was (at least until a year ago, maybe two) still breeding west of Seville and near Osuna (i.e near La Lantejuela).  The recent (2004) Spanish Atlas appears to show breeding populations in Huelva (5 squares), Seville (20+ squares), Cordoba (8 squares) and Jaen (5 squares).  This data obviously dated since it covers 1985-2002 (or to be accurate I can't tell the difference between dots relating to 1985-1997 or 1998-2002) and includes 5 dots in Cadiz where the specieis clearly extinct. Consequently, I wouldn't be surprised if it was also gone from Huelva (though I was told they were still present in 2008), Cordoba & Jaen . However, I would be surprised if all those squares in Seville were now bereft of the species.  Can anyone give chapter and verse?,

John

[Peter]

Birds still breed near and in the Sevilla area. I am reliably informed they are still present as a breeding bird in the Cordoba area. In winter they can still be found near to La Lantejuela and Osuna (seen during 2009).

Peter

[john]

Thanks, Peter.  I see on another thread that the EU have given a grant to the local govt to help steppe species - including Great Bustard which rather confirms that they're still present,
John

[hjvandijk]

Hi Guys,

Last week I was at Osuna, and saw a Great Bustard female with chick (not visible on the pictures). Reading this topic, this could be an interesting find. Here you can see my sighting: http://observado.org/waarneming/view/49109442?lang=en&local=xx or in Spanish http://observado.org/waarneming/view/49109442?lang=es&local=xx. De pointer is about exactly.

More of my sightings you can find here: http://observado.org/user/view/12971

greatings,
Hendrik Jan, The Netherlands