Wildtalk archives

Wildtalk Spain # 90: Blossom, boars and bird flu

Wildtalk Spain, an email newsletter from www.wild-spain.com
20 February, 2006 - Issue 90

Ken Sumner reports on lemon and almond blossom, and encounters with wild
boar in Lecrín Valley, Granada, whilst Steve West tells us how he finally
got his Goldeneye in the Ebro Delta.

And we continue to scan the headlines as the link between bird flu and
migrating wildfowl becomes more evident. To date the H5N1 virus has been
detected in Europe in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, France, Italy and
Greece, but not yet in Spain.


------- News Briefs

. Migrating ducks could bring bird flu to Spain -
Bird flu could reach Spain this spring with the return of migrating birds
from Africa, say government officials. Prime candidates for bringing the
H5N1 virus to Spain could be wild ducks, in particular Marbled Duck or
Northern Pintail, two species known to be currently affected in Nigeria,
where the outbreak was detected last December in the Hadejia-Nguru delta.
15,000 Pintail travel through Doñana National Park every year and, although
Fernando Hiraldo, director of the Doñana research station, says he thinks
the migrating bird theory is unlikely, there is mounting evidence to the
contrary. A recent report based on samples from 13,000 migrating birds and
51,000 domestic birds has just been presented by seven Chinese laboratories
and a WHO-approved team from Saint Jude's Hospital in Memphis. Date:
February 15, 2006 Source: El País

. More Black Vulture poisonings in Toledo -
Toledo province continues to hold a sad record for Black Vulture poisonings,
says WWF. Two radio-tagged vultures were found dead last January in an
estate near Guadamur. Another radio tag, already removed from a Black
Vulture, was found inside a bale of hay in Santa Cruz de Retamar (close to a
spot where 6 dead vultures were found hidden in a well in September 2004).
At least 55 Black vultures have been killed by poison in Toledo since 1994,
says Carlos Cano of WWF, who laments the lack of official response and
effective convictions. Date: February 15, 2006 Source: WWF/Adena

. Iberian wolf field course -
CPN Mundo Salvaje is running a course on Iberian wolves, including field
trips to wolf habitats. Dates: 31 March - 3 April, in Riopar (Albacete), and
from 13 - 17 April, in Zamora. Contact: CPN Mundo Salvaje, Apdo. de Correos
29.007, 08080 Barcelona, tel. 606 80 51 85, email osollop@yahoo.es Date:
February 15, 2006 Source: Quercus

. Interior and mountain tourism show in Pamplona -
Navatur, the international outdoor trade show, will be held this year in
Pamplona. Dates: 3-5 March. Venue: Palacio de Congresos Baluarte, Pamplona.
Follow link for info or call 629097100. Date: February 15, 2006 Source:
Ferias de Navarra

For links to sources of these News Briefs see
http://www.wild-spain.com/wsbriefs.php


------- Latest questions [ Check out answers and/or share your knowledge ]

Birdwatching in Alicante
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1511
GR11 from Barcelona
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1506
Catalonian drylands vs. irrigation
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1503
Mistery of the holes
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1502
Supplies for backpacking in Granada
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1500
Vulture-watching in Garganta Verde, Grazalema
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1494


------- Field Reports

Latest...
- Natural history of Lecrín (Ken Sumner)
- SEO birding trip to Ebro Delta (Steve West)
http://www.wild-spain.com/wsfieldreports.php

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