Observing the life of emblematic birds of prey and scavengers in the Iberian Highlands any time from home is now possible thanks to the streaming cameras installed next to five nests located in this landscape.
The cameras are set close to nests of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus), Egyptian vultures (Neophron perctopterus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata). This initiative is the result of Rewilding Spain’s partnership with Directo Natura channel, a live video broadcasting platform with 67 cameras located in high-value natural areas throughout Spain, which has been broadcasting the life of Iberian wildlife live, providing high-quality images for more than five years. Rewilding Spain and Directo Natura got support and authorisations from Alto Tajo Natural Park to make this action possible. In the case of the griffon vulture and Egyptian vulture this is pioneering, as so far there is no other place in Europe that allows real-time monitoring of these species throughout the year.
Now, in addition to contemplating the majestic flight of vultures and other birds of prey in the Iberian Highlands’ skies, thanks to these cameras it is also possible to observe directly and at very close range the life of these magnificent birds, whose role is key in the ecosystem. The cameras were installed next to two griffon vulture nests, an Egyptian vulture nest, a golden eagle nest and a nest that is occasionally occupied by various species, such as the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) or the booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus).
The devices were strategically placed during the winter, months before the animals arrived permanently in the observation areas, to ensure authentic and undisturbed viewing. The cameras are perfectly camouflaged and arranged in such a way that they do not disturb the animals, while still allowing their behaviour to be observed in high quality images and in spectacular close-ups.
Access to the cameras is now available through a specific Directo Natura channel on Youtube and will facilitate live observation of the birds behaviour not only for nature lovers, but also for researchers and experts in wildlife aetiology and monitoring.
Remote monitoring through video cameras provides information of scientific interest on aspects such as incubation, breeding and evolution of the chicks. This knowledge is especially valuable in the case of Iberian wildlife species that are threatened, such as the Egyptian Vulture, considered a vulnerable species and which has one of the most important populations in Europe in the Upper Tagus (Alto Tajo) region, within the Iberian Highlads.
A benchmark spot for rocky birds of prey and scavengers
The Alto Tajo Natural Park is a European benchmark spot in terms of the reproduction of rocky birds of prey and scavengers. It is home to one of the highest populations of griffon vultures, with almost a thousand breeding pairs, and also has a notable presence of Egyptian vultures, with 65 pairs living in the area; golden eagles, with 20 pairs; and Bonelli’s eagles, with 6 pairs. There are also abundant forest birds of prey such as the goshawk and the booted eagle.
‘With this initiative we can bring the Iberian Highlands wildlife closer to many people, as well as highlight the role of species such as the griffon vulture and the Egyptian vulture. Despite they are not the most popular in terms of general knowledge and are even surrounded by missconceptions and myths, scavengers play a key role in the maintenance of healthy and functional ecosystems’, explains Basilio Rodríguez, Naure for People manager in the Iberian Highlands landscape.
‘We hope that these channels will also help us to generate interest in the landscape, because the natural heritage of the Iberian Highlands has great value and is a destination that no nature lover should miss’, he added.
