Dispersion and overwintering of Spanish Imperial Eagles (Aquila adalberti) in Morocco, and northern Africa in general, is becoming regular and in relatively good numbers (for an endangered ‘sedentary’ species). As in previous years, this autumn at least 4 eagles crossed the Strait of Gibraltar to North Africa. We say “at least” because not every bird can be seen during migration at the Strait, and probably there are other birds tracked by satellite (from other Spanish regions or Portugal) we don’t know about. Here are the 4 birds we know so far this season (all of them are juveniles):
– A bird photographed, after crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, at a vantage point just behind the Tanger-Med Port on 12 September (R. El Khamlichi).
– A bird photographed at the same place on 6 October, also just after crossing the Strait (R. El Khamlichi).
– A bird photographed also at the same site on 10 November (R. El Khamlichi, Cécile Krystelle and Radu Adrian). These three birds are shown in photos 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
– A bird satellite-tracked in Andalusia crossed the Strait in September. The bird travelled from northern Morocco, Algeria, and then back to the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara and Guelmim. It then went northwards to the Atlantic coast between Casablanca and Rabat. Here, after information exchange about its position, Karim Rousselon was able to locate and photograph the bird on 27 October (photos 4 & 5). What a great traveller!
Jose Rafael Garrido, the coordinator of the conservation project of the species in the Government of Andalusia, added: “This young bird was released this year in the south of Spain (Cadiz region) by the Government of Andalusia with 5 other birds in the framework of the conservation project of the species. It was rescued from the nest in northern Andalusia because of the risk of death from lack of food and was released in June”.
Thanks to J. R. Garrido, K. Rousselon and R. El Khamlichi for the information and the photos!
Read (English summary):
Morandini, V., Florencio, C., Garrido, J. R., Muñoz, F., de Diego, S., González, M., Torralvo, C. & Ferrer, M. 2016. Aguila imperial ibérica: recuperando espacio más allá de las fronteras. Quercus (361): 24–29.
