Raptor activity has been great on a day-tour to the Baixo Alentejo-area last week - we observed at least three different
Spanish Imperial Eagles (
Aquila adalberti) one of which was an adult, an immature
Golden Eagle (
Aquila chrysaetos) and a pair of adult
Bonelli's Eagles (
Aquila fasciata) were among them. Further the first two
Short-toed Eagles (
Circaetus gallicus) of the year, near the Guadiana river, a pair of
Black-winged Kites (
Elanus caeruleus), as much as 70
Red Kites (
Milvus milvus) some
Hen Harriers (
Circus cyaneus) and a
Peregerine Falcon (
Falco peregrinus). The rather cold weather might have delayed the arrival of Lesser Kestrel and also Great-Spotted Cucckoo for a few days this year.
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Common Cranes (Grus grus) - background and Great Bustards (Otis tarda) in the foreground - are sharing the same habitat in winter.
Castro Verde-area, 03-Feb-2015. Foto: Georg Schreier. (click the photo for magnification). |
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| Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) and Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in a little "airbattle" - can you tell by the silhouette, which is which? Note the difference in wing-shape, for instance.... Alentejo, 03.02.2015. Foto: GS. |
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| Spanish Sparrows (Passer hispaniolensis) are aback around their nest sites now. |
