Movement – at last
Nature Trail by Malcolm Palmer
As I write there are, at last, signs that autumn bird migration is under way.
The continued fine weather throughout August gave the impression that little was moving, as birds flew over non-stop on their way south.
There are always signs, of course, that migration is happening, even if they are negative ones, such as the absence of Swifts, as they have departed from their breeding sites weeks ago.
But in the last few days, I have noticed a big increase in Spotted Flycatchers in a patch of woodland I watch frequently, and the occasional Whitethroat has shown up too.
Bee Eaters have flown over my house daily, calling unmistakably. Down on the Vega Baja, bands of Glossy Ibis continue to fly around in search of food, and big flocks of Mediterranean Gulls can be found. Raptors have been slow to show up at this season, but a few Booted Eagles have drifted over on each of my visits to the area, whilst my friend Barry saw several Marsh Harriers this morning (5th September) as well as what appeared to be a Pallid Harrier. This last is more than a little interesting, bearing in mind the news of the first breeding record of the species in Spain, after a considerable increase in the number of sightings.
As is the case with several other raptors, the increase in observations owes much to the efforts of ‘Operación Migres’ – volunteers watching the migration in spring and autumn across the Straits of Gibraltar. Should you have any observations you wish to share, or any queries, do send me an email at malcaves@yahoo.es