Trillers return with spring. Three of the migratory species arriving in Spain have already started to appear in the Iberian Peninsula as temperatures rise: the swallow widespread (rustic), common plane (delichon urbicum) And fast widespread (apus apus). Thanks to the different monitoring programs developed by SEO/BirdLife for these birds, it is possible to know their movements and migration routes in detail throughout the year.
Both Barn Swallow and House Martin are already available in large areas of Spain, but also in winter, there is a small permanent population concentrated in the southwestern part of the peninsula and in the warmer areas of the Mediterranean coast..
Monitoring programs show that migratory flows enter from Africa via the Strait of Gibraltar, the Andalusian Atlantic coast, and the Mediterranean coast. “River valleys are the ‘highways’ they often use during their journeys. breeding grounds” points out SEO/BirdLife.
Areas with a higher altitude and colder, continental climate are the last regions where their presence has always been detected, on the contrary, currently they are already starting to breed in warmer regions.
Recent analysis with the SEO/BirdLife ‘Birds and Climate’ program shows a slowdown in Barn Swallow’s progress in recent years: Progress in the arrival of the species is not perceived as progress made in the last decades of the last century..
importance of wind
Common Swift shows a later arrivaland although there are occasional observations during the winter season as well, this time of year it ‘floods’ many peninsula urban areas as it begins to emerge in the southern regions and with a more Mediterranean environment.
This species has an extraordinary ability to move from one area to another and move quickly over long distances. Swift populations are fallinga situation that experts mainly attribute to: lack of insects.
SEO/BirdLife monitors progress and delays in the arrival of these species in the Iberian Peninsula. a meteorological factor that plays an important role: wind.
It should be taken into account that the winds blowing across the Bosphorus act as a key that closes and opens the doors to the European continent for many species that use our land during breeding. then go.
“It is a reality we are in. new scenario of environmental conditions. Changes in climate are shaping bird migration“, says Blas Molina, coordinator of the SEO/BirdLife Birds and Climate program.
However, we are not faced with a scenario where only the values that change the climate such as temperature, precipitation, humidity or insolation change. the impact of human action is the factor that gains more importance. Therefore, it is appropriate to talk about it. general change“, To add.
These three species move to regions as far as South Africa after the summer, but return to Spain to breed in the spring, despite occupying large areas of the Sahel. “This area south of the Sahara is key to the conservation of many of our birds,” adds SEO/BirdLife.
fires and burns
The wintering grounds and migration routes of these three species are not tax-free. threats to their survivalalerts the protecting group. “Many regions where African countries spend the winter are affected by drought. drying up of wetlandsanyone overuse of aquifers or for him climate change. A very clear example is Lake Chad,” he emphasizes.
In addition to habitat loss, fires and burning of vegetation Some places serve these birds as gathering places for thousands of specimens, such as the swallows that gather in large roosts to spend the night.
progressive Lack of food is another of the major threats due to the global decline of insects.because it causes these insectivorous birds to have fewer resources to make these long journeys.
These three species, along with many other species that fill the skies of towns and cities, such as kestrels and many bats, shelter and nesting habitat buildings and infrastructures.
One of the most significant threats to them all is the loss of these vital enclaves due to reclamation, rehabilitation or demolition work in buildings. lack of space and cavities in new buildings.
SEO/BirdLife launched campaigns and proposals to address this issue and conserve and promote biodiversity in new businesses and new buildings, integrating wildlife conservation using buildings as shelters or nesting sites into architectural projects.
SEO/BirdLife ‘Birds and Weather’ Tracker: https://seo.org/avesyclima/
……
Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]