Stone-curlew, Alcaraván. The Steppe hero

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The Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) is a Little leggy bird of about 77-85 cm., very difficult to observe because of its power of mimicry. We must be great observers and using good binoculars, focusing very well among the olive trees of our fields and pastures. He has more nocturnal habits tan diurnal, so we should do birdwatching in the afternoon, or very early before dawn.It is distributed in a wide swath of southern Palearctic,
from Britain and Mauritania to Central and East Asia (India and Indochina).

Stone-CurlewThese steppe birds have plumage that camouflages with stones and terrain. In one moment, you think you’re seeing it, and then you lose again. So, if not for his yellow eyes , or his peculiar singing, we can go unnoticed. During the breeding season is more detected by its characteristic and unmistakable claim, that they do at twilight hours.
It occupies a wide variety of open habitats in Spain of drier weather, whether steppes,
sandbanks or agricultural land, in this case, we found it in: Ojuelos (La Lantejuela, Sevilla).

Feeding

The curlew eat insects like beetles , ants and earthworms.

CURIOSITIES OF STONE-CURLEW

  • His perfect camouflage has a reason for being. It is absolutely necessary for these birds , like partridges and quails , walking much on the ground, go unnoticed for predators.
  • The female curlew is who incubates eggs in the nest , made on the ground. The male curlew , to protect their offspring , is able to take the lame and sick, before a predator to divert their attention from the nest and that it believes that the male curlew is an easier task than their female prey and their descendants . In this way, the predator will not kill their children. Sometimes it even leaves its life in this endeavor. It is a hero to his family.
  • The curlew emits a long, high-pitched squeal that some people say marks the time . In Portugal for example , it is said that if the curlew sings near a house is that there is a pregnant.
  • Some farmers use it as protective due to they are very effective as birds that warn farmers of other living beings for their land.

In Villapun (Palencia) narrate this story:

“The story of the fox and the curlew”

A curlew caught between the jaws of a fox makes itself believe that if it repeats his claim: curlew ate, curlew ate, its brothers will come and will hunt them too, so the fox, cheated, accepts and, when the fox opened the jaws, the bird runaway while he mocked saying: curlew ate, curlew ate… another silly but no me.

This story honors the onomatopoeia of his song and it is from the book “Las aves ibéricas en la cultura popular” of Antonio Pestana.

If you are interested in one book, you can buy it from Tundra Editions website.

If you want to know more about the Stone-Curlew and other steppe birds you can ask about our Birding Tours or our Photography hides.

I hope you like this post and enjoy Wildlife Nature and Spanish Birding. If you want, you can register in a new Social Network, Wildna.com to change information and pics.

Northern lapwing in The Real Bird Watching Tours and Photo Hides

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Northern lapwing

Northern lapwing is a wader shortbeaked bird.

Its size is about 12 inches similar to doves, with white plumage on the chest and black on the head and neck which give they a beautiful color. The head, with a white face, shows a plume of long  blackfeathers.

avefría foto Ojuelos 2016 Northern lapwing

Northern lapwing can be seen in farmland and wetlands.

They have broad, rounded wings and a thin ridge pointing upward from the back of the crown. When there is good light its dark upper partshave a beautiful greenish and purple metallic sheen. Young individuals have shorter crests and the feathers on its back and wing coverts are yellowish edges that can give a scaly appearance to their upper parts. The lapwing legs are brownish red, the beak is black and dark brown iris.

In flight the aspect is like a black and white bird, with short, rounded wings, always in flocks in general small and erratic flight.

Its appearance and origin makes that we associate them to the cold. And so, hence its Spanish name.

It occupies the regions of Northern Europe and Western Asia. Although we have stable colonies in Spain.

They live in groups to defend themselves frompredators such as many waders.

They occupy territories as different as pastures, cropland, land of height or swampy areas.

Their food consist in small invertebrates of earth, worms, beetles, spiders, also eat molluscs…

avefría imagen Ojuelos 2016 Northern lapwing

Like many birds, we have to look closely to see their beautiful iridescent colors.Camouflaged with black and            contrasting with the white, we see their iridescent purple,blue, green…

It has a characteristic tuft at the top of the head. When flying is distinguished by its wing-beats slow, similar to a butterfly.

The marshes of the Guadalquivir are known for their abundant populations, which make iteasy to their observation.

We can observe large dense flocks swirling before landing and we must look well to the ground to identify them among other waders in the wetlands.

Distinctive and precious birds to the delight of nature photography.

Pictures taken in “Hide Ojuelos” GRT The Real bird watching

Common crane, Spain

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common crane: The Real Bird Watching

Over 220.000 common cranes in Spain each Winter!

#TheRealBirdwatching #Spain #OrnithologicalTourism #Birding #Andalucia

Common crane is a graceful, chiefly gray bird with long legs, an extended neck and drooping, curved tail feathers.

Huge squads of common crane with thousand of individuals cross Spain in this time. They sound like Kruu-kruu and song with a continuous and characteristic loud trumpeting call. Groups adopt a characteristic “V” formation when they fly.

They arrive to Spain in November and stay here until February. We can observe them in big crews, eating in several spaces like pastureland or croplands while they show their big and slim figure with grey colours by our landscapes, giving satisfaction to people who see them, walkers, birders, photographers and wildlife nature lover in general.

Common crane in its adult stage is remarkable for a plume tail which make us to remember the Carnival party because they display a wonderful exhibition of beauty.

Spain is the main wintering area for common crane. Usually they come from the centre of Europe. Andalucia concentrate up to 15.000 individuals, every winter which are spread in 17 roosts, Doñana (Huelva), Fuente de Piedra lagoons (Málaga), Alto Guadiato (Córdoba)… The Real Bird Watching team have been following them in some of these places.

common crane The Real Bird Watching
Then you know that we have 5 province where you can see this bird. The most important sorted by individuals number are Huelva, Córdoba, Málaga, Sevilla and Cadiz.

If you visit Alto Guadiato areas you will have the opportunity to observe another species, more difficult to see like great bustard or black-bellied sandgrouse.

Each group is formed by families, which are together while they eat. You can recognize adults because in this stage, they have a White and black face with a red mark in their Crown. Usually parents with one or two pups, which will stay together over one year.

Stay relaxed, quiet and shut up if you want to see common crane and use camouflage wear. This is the way to do not repelled them. In Spain Winter is cold (not as Northern Europe) but come with warm clothing.

We wish you like this article.

 

 

5 REASONS FOR ADOPTING ANIMALS

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5 REASONS FOR ADOPTING ANIMALS….!!!

” WITH INCREASING OVERPOPULATION IN SHELTERS, AND RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS

SCRAMBLING TO SAVE ANIMALS’ LIVES,THERE HASNEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO ADOPT.

WHEN FACED WITH A CHOICE BETWEEN ADOPTING AND BUYING,CONSIDER THIS:

ADOPTION SAVES MONEY AND SAVES LIVES.”

Foto de la granja

What are the 5 reasons for adopting animals?

  • SAVE LIVES

    Shelter animals are almost evenly divided between those who are abandoned by their people and those picked up by animal control services. According to the ASPCA, 50% shelter dogs and 70% shelter cats are euthanized each year simply because no one will adopt them. Adoptions reduce euthanizations. An estimated 25% of shelter dogs are purebred.

  • IMPROVES HEALTH

    Spending long days in a noisy, cramped kennel is no way to live, but that is reality for many animals. According to the HSUS, adopting animals can improve quality of life for both the animal and you by reducing stress and anxiety. Research shows that pets reduce anxious outbursts in Alzheimer’s patients, help college students cope through transition periods, and reduce risk of heart attacks by almost one-third. Going for long walks and playing Frisbee improve cardiovascular health, and simply living with a pet can lower blood pressure.

  • SAVE MONEY

    With food, supplies, medical care, and training, the average cost of care for dogs and cats can total more than $800 annually. Purchasing from a breeder or pet store can tack on $1,000 or more in the first year. Most animals can be adopted from shelters and rescue groups, often already spayed or neutered and vaccinated, for around $100 or less. So, its not a big deal in giving an animal shelter.

  • FIND A PERFECT MATCH

    While what you see is what you get at the pound, pet purchasers often don’t know what’s in store for them. Kittens and puppies are cute but eventually grow to have big personalities. Most shelter dogs are at least 6 months old, and rescue groups often place pets in foster homes, so animals’ temperaments and projected size are pretty clear. With 8 to 12 million cats and dogs entering shelters each year the odds of finding a great pet are definitely in your favor. Often shelter dogs are already housetrained and crate trained and know obedience commands.

  • GAIN A BEST FRIEND

    Life on the streets and in crowded shelters makes for grateful pets. Because they’ve had difficult lives and uncertain futures, rescued cats and dogs often form deeper bonds with their adoptive parents. These loyal animals can also teach children about compassion, responsibility, and friendship. Not only do pets and people provide emotional support for each other, but a shelter dog is ready to go anywhere with his or her person. From playing in the park to swimming at the beach, people get out more with their dogs, and those looking for love or friendship always have a furry conversation starter by their side. Shelter cats are good companions for people who work long hours. Their independent nature keeps maintenance minimal, and they’re content to cuddle on the couch after a long day at work.

He have some animals adopted, you can know them Posada Niña Margarita.

Thank you very much!!!

HACKING Part 5 FINAL OUTCOME.

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HAPPY ENDING!!!
In my nocturnal excursions, I have found mice in my terrace; where I had the box in which I came to sleep everydayday, to be safe. In this place I began to meet sisters.
How good is the company, eye contact, turn my head, looking at the world down, receive messages from my partners, to hiss, compete for food, show who is the best, climb higher, stalk and flying plummet in silence. Oooohhhh this is life!!!! This is my lif!!!.
I turn finally to feel free, happy, elegant, marvelous, strong, great. I lord my heavens over, keepping the night. I laced my life with my fellows!!! I feel accompanied in my environment, in my home !!!!
My adventures took me farther and farther, higher. My domains were the whole municipality of Cabra (Córdoba in Andalusia, Spain). I met 24 fellow who told me they had happened the same than me and there are strangely good human saving owls like us to we can recover and return to live in freedom. Thanks to them we are here, and we all live in the same region, each on its territory without disturbing and feeling company, specie identification and twinning night of white ladies.
We just ask and want every night not to fall into any trap, power lines, not to eat something unfortunately poisoned by men or that we do not run over or get shot …
GOOD LUCK LITTLE OWLS. EL AMONITE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOSIATIONS DID IT FOR YOUR FREEDOM AND ECOVERY OF THE SPECIE.lechuza rebe macho y hembra - copiaFLY HIGH, FLY FREE !!
WE CALL YOU FREEDOM !!
I sgd. El Amonite
The Real Birdwatching

lechuza rebe4 - copia

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