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| David Lindo: concerned |
ALARM bells are screeching on the fate of the Scops owl in Spain’s Extremadura region.
According to broadcaster and author David Lindo, the population of the species has plummeted.
As recently as in 2007, there may have been 100,000 pairs of this delightful species.
But now it may be as few as three pairs.
In a live webinar presentation yesterday evening, Mr Lindo, who has been living in an apartment in Merida since Spanish lockdown in February, revealed that it was not until last Saturday that he heard his first Scops owl of the year.
He said the cause of the collapse is not known, but it is thought it could be facing as-yet-unestablished pressures in its wintering grounds in Africa.
In his absorbing 90-minute presentation, Mr Lindo noted that - despite being a favourite destination for birders from the UK and other parts of the world - Extremadura is such a vast region that many parts of it are under-watched.
He regularly conducts bird tours in this part of Spain, with sandgrouse and little bustards being among the target species of guests.
Of concern is that little bustards also appear to be in decline (as do corn buntings).
While on lockdown, Mr Lindo has been conducting live Zoom interviews with an impressive range of guests from the world of nature and wildlife.
The series - sponsored by Leica and Kings Place - is called "In Conservation" and episodes are now screening on YouTube.
He has also been working on three books, one of which is a history of birds on his local patch in London, the area known as Wormwood Scrubs (where there is also a famous prison).
It was here, as a boy, that he first encountered a migrating ring ouzel - to this day his favourite bird.
* More information at: https://theurbanbirderworld.com/live-webinars/
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