Re-introduced Bald Ibis

[mike in Jerez]

Therewas an article in last Sunday`s El País (Andalucía section) about this bird (Ibis eremita in Spanish). There are now an estimated 30 birds in the province, reintroduced  with help from the Dept. of the Environment of the Junta de Andalucia and the Ministry of Defense. Last year the birds bred for the first time on land adjacent to the Retin barracks in Barbate. Favourite feeding grounds are the golf courses at Montenmedio, Montecastillo(Jerez) , another in Marbella and also in Portugal (Vilamoura-the director is a keen birder - and Lagos). As courses are constantly watered the ground is soft enough  and grass short enough for them to stcick their beaks in to get at larvae and beetles, plus they appreciate the open spaces and visibility.

[john]

Favourite feeding grounds are the golf courses at Montenmedio, Montecastillo(Jerez)

Hi Mike, I'm out in Spain next month in Alcala de los Gazules with a couple of guys who are keen to see these birds - I've never bothered - so can you enlarge a little on exactly where these sites are?

John

[mike in Jerez]

Hi John - I´ll check out the Montecastillo golf course-it`s right next to the "Circuito" (Formula 1 track) as it`s nearest to me and my neighbour works at the hotel there. The Montenmedio course is on the Vejer - La Janda/Tarifa road, where you`ll probably be heading. I`ve never bothered either, although have seen the Glossy ibis (morito)in the rice fields. I`m pretty sure I`ve seen some leaflets - in a bar !!- about the re-introduction.

[john]

Thanks Mike,

John

[Stephen]

Hi Everyone,

I have written an article regarding the current Northern Bald Ibis re-introduction project, which I often help with on Birds and Birding in this website here's the direct link: http://www.andaluciabirdsociety.org/forum/index.php?topic=59.0
It gives local and international information on various aspects of this rare birds plight.

I live quite close to the military zone and keep up to date with how the birds are progressing and have in the past helped with tracking.

Access to the site within the military zone is off limits to the general public and the road between Barbate and Zahara de Los Atunes is fairly narrow and very difficult to pull off with a vehicle, if you are lucky enough to spot the birds feeding at any points along the coast.
There is always the possibility that some birds may turn up anywhere on the Iberian peninsula and ones from the project have both metal and plastic coloured leg rings. Most of the birds also carry radio transmitters with a long antennae.
I'd be happy to pass on any sightings or any other relevant information to the biologists working from Jerez Zoo or at the project site. Here are the Zoo's contact details:

Zoobotánico Jerez - Ayuntamiento de Jerez
Teléfono: 956 149 785 / Fax: 956 149 055
C/ Taxdirt s/n 11.404 - Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz) - ESPAÑA

[mike in Jerez]

There was a short film of these birds on Canal Sur yesterday afternoon. It seems, at least in the film, to be a very tame bird indeed, eating out of the hand of the monitor!

[harryabbott]

Hi Stephen,
I was speaking to one of the wardens/rangers in the Guadalmar reserve (Gaudalhorce Estuary) yesterday,30th Jan. , and he told me that they had a single bald ibis in the reserve last week.
Harry.

[clive]

This topic is being discussed in depth at

http://www.andaluciabirdsociety.org/forum/index.php?topic=59

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