Ukraine war unforseen circumstances?

Yecla 27th May

Earl starts on the road by 7:20

Although the war in Ukraine may seem a long way away, the effects are being felt here in Costa Blanca, In response to shortages caused by the conflict, almost every available square meter of land has been turned over to agriculture. Wheat, barley, maize, silage, and other crops like wine groves, olive trees, which now cover areas that were once fertile natural scrub-land. Now turned over to intensive farming. 

The impact on local wildlife has been dramatic. Habitats that were once excellent for birding have disappeared beneath cereal crops and the intensive farming of fruit and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes soft fruits and poly tunnels ect. 

Black-throated Black-eared Wheatears

 With the war entering its fourth year, you can spend almost an entire day driving around searching for birds and barely see anything of note in areas that were once full of life.

Even so, today’s visit to Yecla was still enjoyable, although hard going, It was great to get out with Geoff, despite the difficult conditions and increasing heat, We still managed to see more species than if I’d stayed in GA.

Crested Lark
 This bird got me thinking initially though it was Theka because of the bill but no its juvenile Crested lark

What was especially noticeable were the omissions not a single Pallid Swift, Bee-eater, Roller, or Woodchat Shrike. These are normally the “filler birds” between the highlights, such as Golden Eagle, lesser Kestrel, which unfortunately we also failed to connect with today.

Black -throated Black-eared Wheatears

That said, we still recorded around 12+ Hoopoes, both Black-throated and White-throated Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Calandra Lark, Thekla Lark, Corn Bunting, Black Wheatear, Crested Lark, little Owl, Greater Short-toed Lark, Chough, Buzzard, 6 Common Kestrel, and we heard several Golden Orioles. And lots of the little things like Serin, Linnet, Green Finch, Gold Finch, and common birds

Have Fun go birding

Cheers Bryan