Saturday, 4 March 2017
30-1-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PINE PROCESSIONARY CATERPILLAR (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)
If you live here in Spain, you need to be aware of a dangerous and often deadly critter known as the Pine Processionary Caterpillar (Thaumetopoea Pityocampa).
Unlike the vast majority of caterpillars, this particular species can be harmful to young children and sometimes fatal to dogs and cats.
Many dog owners have lost their pets after coming into contact with the caterpillars so you must be familiar with them and the potential dangers.
In early spring, the processionary caterpillars leave their nests high up in the Mediterranean pine trees and head to the ground to pupate. When this happens, they potentially come into contact with young children and curious pets.
In early spring, the processionary caterpillars leave their nests high up in the Mediterranean pine trees and head to the ground to pupate. When this happens, they potentially come into contact with young children and curious pets.
The processionary caterpillar is mostly found in wooded forests and can be identified by the thousands of small fine poisonous hairs or bristles that cover their bodies.
The caterpillars are 3-4cm in length and are usually an orange and brown colour.
The name ‘processionary’ comes from the fact that they create a procession or caterpillar style ‘conga’ from head to tail to form a long chain. It is not unheard of to see chains with hundreds of them all joined together.
In recent years, Europe has seen a big increase in numbers with Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium experiencing plague-like infestations.
The caterpillars can often be found in oak trees, which is where they were first discovered in the UK in 2006. However, here in Spain, they are more commonly found in pine trees which of course are a frequent sight.
The caterpillars are not only extremely toxic and therefore dangerous to anyone who comes into contact with them, they are also responsible for the destruction of the pine trees they inhabit.
Their nests are like tents and are usually found high up in the pine trees. The larvae (caterpillar) are considered to be real forest pests and will frequently come out at night and feed on the pine’s leaves.
When the larvae are ready to pupate between late winter, and early spring, they will march single file down the tree to the ground where they disperse looking for somewhere to continue their life cycle, often burrowing just below the surface.
Unfortunately, you don’t have to visit a forest to put yourself in harm’s way. Many of the parks and communal areas in Spain feature pine trees meaning that you can just as easily find them in urban areas.
Although many of the local councils will spray down the local municipal parks to prevent their spread, this isn’t always enough to keep them completely at bay.
Friday, 3 March 2017
2-3-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)
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European robins are active during the day, however, they may also hunt insects on moonlit nights or near artificial light at night. These are generally solitary and territorial birds, and males are noted for their highly aggressive territorial behavior.
Baby robins are helpless at birth but reach the size of their parents after just two weeks. Robins fly at 17 to 32 mph. Robin have about 2,900 feathers. Only the male robin sings the "true robin song," and he sings it to declare his personal nesting territory.
But likely the most important reason is that the patch of red feathers serves as a warning to other robins to stay off their patch. Robins are highly territorial birds, and may wish to defend an area because it has good food and water provisions, or is a good place to find mates and raise their young.
European Robins eat seeds and berries during the winter. In summer they feed mostly on ground-dwelling invertebrates, even accompanying gardeners to grab insects and worms exposed by freshly turned soil.
Habitat. European Robins inhabit shaded woodlands ranging from backyard gardens to mossy coniferous forests. In general, this species frequents cool, damp, shady habitats that offer undergrowth for cover, perches for singing, small patches of bare ground for foraging, and walls, banks, or rocks for nesting.
2-3-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - BOOTED EAGLE (Hieraaetus pennatus
The booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus, is a medium-sized bird of prey, with a stature comparable to the common buzzard. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females being larger, weighing approximately 840–1,025 grams, while males are lighter at 510–770 grams. The species measures around 40 cm in length and boasts a wingspan ranging from 110 to 132 cm. It is characterized by two distinct plumage morphs: a pale variant with light grey feathers and a darker head and flight feathers, and a darker morph with mid-brown plumage and dark grey flight feathers.
When identifying the booted eagle, look for the white markings on the wings, often referred to as "landing lights," which are visible when the bird is in flight. The pale morph is dominant, but the darker morph can be more prevalent in certain eastern populations. The call of the booted eagle is a distinctive shrill "kli-kli-kli."
The booted eagle favors wooded, often hilly landscapes with some open areas. It breeds in rocky, broken terrain but is adaptable during migration, utilizing a variety of habitats except dense forests.
This raptor has a wide distribution, breeding in southern Europe, North Africa, and across Asia, with a disjunct breeding population in southwestern Africa. Northern populations are migratory, wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, while the southern African populations are sedentary.
The booted eagle is typically observed flying at low altitudes, making it quite conspicuous. It is often seen in pairs or as solitary individuals. The species is known for its sophisticated courtship rituals involving elaborate flight displays.
The booted eagle's vocalization is a piercing "kli-kli-kli," which can be heard during its flight.
Monogamous by nature, the booted eagle lays 1-2 eggs in a nest constructed from sticks and lined with green leaves, either in a tree or on a crag. The female incubates the eggs for about 45 days, while the male provides food. After hatching, the female continues to guard the nest and the young, with the male supplying all the nourishment until the chick fledges after 70-75 days.
The dark morph of the booted eagle may be confused with other local medium-sized birds of prey due to its coloration and size.
The booted eagle hunts small mammals, reptiles, and birds, often stooping from flight with wings folded and feet extended to capture its prey. In Southern Africa, birds are the most common prey, although frogs are also suggested to be an important dietary component elsewhere.
The booted eagle is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. However, there is a notable lack of research on this species, particularly the Southern African populations, which were only discovered in the 1980s. Changes in climate and human land use may influence migration patterns, underscoring the need for further study to understand the ecology and conservation status of this species.
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
Sunday, 26 February 2017
26-2-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)
The White wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small insectivorous bird of the open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas, it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It is the national bird of Latvia and has been featured on the stamps of several countries.
The White wagtail is a slender bird with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. There are a number of other subspecies, some of which may have arisen because of partial geographical isolation, such as the resident British and Irish form, the pied wagtail M. a. yarrellii, which now also breeds in adjacent areas of the neighbouring European mainland. The Pied wagtail exchanges the grey colour of the nominate form with black (or very dark grey in females), but is otherwise identical in its behaviour. Other subspecies, the validity of some of which is questionable, differ in the colour of the wings, back, and head, or other features. Some rraces show sexual dimorphism during the breeding season. As many as six subspecies may be present in the wintering ground in India or Southeast Asia and here they can be difficult to distinguish.
White wagtails breed throughout Eurasia, only being absent in the Arctic. They also breed in the mountains of Morocco and western Alaska. These birds are residents in the milder parts of their range such as western Europe and the Mediterranean, but migratory in much of the rest of their range. Northern European breeders winter around the Mediterranean and in tropical and subtropical Africa, and Asiatic birds move to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Birds from the North American population also winter in tropical Asia. White wagtails occupy a wide range of habitats but are absent from deserts. They inhabit grasslands, seashores, rocky shorelines, sand beaches, tidepools, rivers, lakeshores, farmland, gardens, and parks. They are also often found in towns and villages.
26-2-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (MALE) (Serinus serinus)
The European serin, or simply the serin (Serinus serinus), is a diminutive member of the finch family, Fringillidae. This sprightly bird is the smallest within its family, closely related to the Atlantic canary. It is characterized by its short tail and a length that spans a mere 11 to 12 centimeters. The serin's plumage is a tapestry of nature's palette, with upper parts dappled in dark-streaked greyish green and a conspicuous yellow rump. The underparts are a canvas of yellow breast and white belly, both adorned with heavy streaks.
When attempting to identify the European serin, look for the male's radiant yellow face and breast, which stand out against the greenish backdrop of its feathers. The male also boasts yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides, which can be quite helpful in distinguishing it from similar species. Both sexes share a buzzing trill of a song that resonates through their Mediterranean habitats.
The European serin is partial to open woodland and cultivated areas, often with a sprinkling of conifers. These environments provide the perfect backdrop for breeding and foraging.
This species has a breeding range that extends across southern and central Europe and into North Africa. Populations along the southern and Atlantic coasts tend to be resident, while those in the north are migratory, seeking warmer climates in southern Europe during the winter months.
Outside of the breeding season, the European serin is a sociable creature, forming flocks that may sometimes mingle with other finch species. It is an active and often conspicuous bird, its presence easily announced by its distinctive trill.
The serin's song is a distinctive buzzing trill, a sound that becomes part of the ambient music in regions where these birds are common.
The European serin weaves its nest within the shelter of a shrub or tree, where it lays a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs. The chosen breeding habitats are often areas of open woodland and cultivation, with a preference for some conifers.
Diet and Feeding
The diet of the European serin is predominantly seeds, but it does not shy away from including insects during the breeding season, providing essential protein for its young.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List categorizes the European serin as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face any imminent threats to its survival.
26-2-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba)
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The White Wagtail is mostly an aquatic bird, but this species can be common in various types of habitats, as well near water to hunt as in urban parks and cities for roosting in trees.
The adult male of nominate race in breeding plumage has black and white head. The forehead, lores, cheeks, ear-coverts and head sides are white. Chin and throat are black, as the rear crown, the nape and the hind neck.
On the upperparts, mantle and scapulars to uppertail-coverts are grey. The upperwing shows greyish, black and white pattern, forming two white wingbars.
The long tail shows black central pair of rectrices finely edged white. The outer two pairs are white. The tail is similar in length to the wings.
On the underparts, following chin and throat, breast is black too and contrasts strongly with the white belly. Breast sides and flanks are washed pale grey.
The pointed bill is black. The eyes are blackish-brown. Legs and feet are black.
The female in breeding plumage has slightly duller head pattern, with sometimes some grey on crown and nape. There often are some pale spots on the black throat.
In non-breeding plumage, both sexes have olive-grey wash on both crown and nape. Chin, throat and breast are white with some black mottling.
Immature has brownish-grey head with dusky malar stripe. Chin and throat are greyish-white with narrow grey-brown gorget. The underparts are greyish-white with buff tinge.
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