Wintering Raptors in SW Andalucia

[john]

Are more raptors, traditionally regarded as 'summer visitors', wintering in SW Andalucia in recent years?   Unfortunately, I am rarely able to get out to Spain between November and February, but have been surprised to see Booted Eagles on those few occasions I've been there in December (and am certainly not too surprised to see them in November & February).  I've also been told that Short-toed Eagles  have turned up more regularly in winter than previously; remarkably so considering their largely reptilian diet.  Lesser Kestrel, I know have long wintered in small numbers, but have numbers increased and, if so, by what factor?  My pretty casual observations of the Lesser Kestrel colony at Alcala de los Gazules suggest that numbers have built up well by mid-February (60+) and that numbers reduce to a handful round the village by November, but have increased somewhat (two handfulls?) by December.   So what is the situation?

John

[Stephen]

Hi John, Numbers of Lesser Kestrels that winter fluctuate each year. This latest cold air from the north at the end of last month moved on some juvenile Lesser Kestrels that were hanging around the Vejer area. It's quite often the case when I travel in Morocco at the end of the year that Lesser Kestrels can be seen in low numbers hunting almost anywhere on the Atlantic coast where the weather is milder than towards the interior and the cooler effects of the Atlas chain.
Short-toed Eagles are here all year although this species and Booted Eagles can be seen in greater numbers from January onwards. Looking at the lizard activity and especially the Ocellated Lizard, there are still lots moving around on sunny days.
We have one nesting pair of Bonelli's Eagles and both adults and this year's chick have stayed in the area. Normally adult Bonelli's head south across to Morocco from their traditional, higher breeding areas and the juveniles descend to the southern coastal stretches. Incidentally a few Bonneli's juvs. have been taking one or two of the Northern Bald Ibis near Barbate, but then again Eagle Owls have also taken at least one bird!
In short the situation of traditionally migrating species seems to be that more are wintering and what we normally regard as springtime seems to be occurring earlier than normal. So you are quite right when you report that February can see the build up of more numbers of Lesser kestrels in the "Pueblos Blancos" like Alcala.
We have more Ring Ousels wintering than before and Great Spotted Cuckoos are returning from Africa in greater numbers in December.
All in all it's difficult to get accurate numbers in such a large area, but my general impression is that territorial and breeding competition amongst migrants is taking place earlier each year due to the availability of food and of course the warmer air temperature. The downside for parents is that the available daylight hours stays the same regardless of warmth and food. With less time to hunt for food for earlier broods - even although the climate is warming up, this could have an effect on survival rates if there is not enough daylight hours to find the food!

Stephen

[Peter]

Hi Stephen,

Good to have you aboard. Excellent piece and some beautiful pictures. Quite a few of our adult Bonelli's stay around during the winter, but obviously occupying extended territories. Did you know that recently an adult was found 'struck-out' at a windfarm near you?

Certainly during the last couple of years our Lesser Kestrels have increased during winter. There is a theory that non-migratory populations are increasing with lower mortality rates for juvenile birds due to warmer/milder winters. From a personal view, based on observations around Sierra de Libar, the adults do not appear to attempt early breeding despite being present throughout the year.

Very naughty Bonelli's and Eagle Owl to be taking Bald Ibis!

Peter

[john]

Thank you both.  As always, Stephen, some fabulous photos. 

I am probably reading too much into this, but I do wonder whether, to some degree, we may be seeing evolution in action here.  I'm sure a handful of Lesser Kestrels in particular have always occasionally wintered, but this tendency has been swamped by a predisposition for birds to migrate.  As the balance of advantage shifts towards staying on rather than migrating (due to global warming, problems on wintering grounds, etc.) then so too will the numbers wintering,

John   

[mike in Jerez]

Hi , I thought I`d add my grain of sand (grano de arena) to this while I remember. There are a couple of wintering Booted Eagles just 800 metres from where I live, also saw a Short-toed on Sunday. Lesser Kestrels are quite common in Jerez although there are fewer in winter, especially in the town, but you can always see a few hovering over fields. I have a short film(from a mobile, I thik) of about 6 chicks which bred in a plantpot on someone`s  11th floor windowsill, just up the road. A bit hefty to send though, but I´m sure if someone could tell me how to reduce its size then other people could enjoy it.