Birds Around Cabrera
The Sierra Cabrera is home to many species of birds, ranging from species as familiar and commonplace as sparrows (thousands of them) up to mighty eagles. As well as resident birds, we are on an important migration route as many northern European summer migrants follow a path down through Spain in order to get to Africa passing over a minimum of sea.
Bonelli's Eagle
Without a doubt one of the birds that most quickly catches people's attention if they are fortunate enough to see one is the eagle. There used to be a breeding pair of Bonelli's Eagles that had a nest up on the rocky crag above Cabrera that became known as Eagle Rock. So far as we know, they no longer have a nest there, but eagles are quite a frequent sight over the mountains here, possibly adults who were originally born here.
An eagle effortlessly circling high over the mountains is an impressive sight. The main prey here appears to be partridges, rabbits, lizards and snakes, all of which are to be found in abundance on the mountain.
Bonelli's eagles make a nest of twigs in an inaccessible position on a mountain crag, where the female lays one or two eggs. After six weeks of incubation, the chicks hatch and take a further two months before they are fledged. It is the next stage of life that seems to be most hazardous, as the young adults leave to fend for themselves, and invariably move to hunting grounds over low-lying areas where they are more vulnerable to human persecution and other human interference.
Within Europe, the Bonelli's eagle is listed as an endangered species with an estimated population of less than a thousand pairs. Most of these are found within Spain, but sadly the numbers have declined in recent years. Fortunately the species is widespread, with far greater populations to be found in the Middle East, Africa and southern Asia.
Scops Owls
These thrush-sized little owls are summer migrants from tropical Africa, normally arriving in March each year. Strictly nocturnal (well, they are owls), the Scops Owl's main objective in life seems to be to make an electronic "pinging" sound that they will repeat at a few second intervals right through the evening and into the night. This is the sound that lulls many Cabrera residents to sleep throughout the spring, and drives a few to distraction!Bee-Eater
Arguably, the archetypal summer bird of Cabrera is the Bee-Eater.
It returns from sub-Saharan Africa in late March/April and is a true European "exotic" with its multi-coloured contrasting plumage. Few people can be anything but bowled-over by the bright flashes of green and orange iridescence as the birds flash to and fro across the hillsides. You really don't have to go far to see a bee eater as they live right within the village and are readily seen flying around the hills and houses or perching on a tree or bush, looking out for a tasty morsel of, yes, you guessed it, bee, or other large insect.
The bee-eaters make their nests by burrowing into the banks of soft limestone and schist found in this area. Their characteristic holes are therefore found in many places throughout the village and on the access roads. Easy nest sites and plentiful food means that we have the pleasure of seeing many of these wonderful birds throughout the summer. Then, with the breeding season over, the birds pack up early and migrate back to Africa in late August.
