Life | 03/01/2011 - 6:22 pm
Urban
life and biodiversity are compatible. Therefore,
the falcon
peregrine comfortable in Barcelona. That
at least conveys the impression that the copy is installed on the last shelf
glass building of the tower Barcelona
, in Plaza Francesc Macia. Is
about 80 meters high, at the epicenter of one of the sites in Barcelona with
more density. But
the transfer or urban, or noise, or pollution seem to bother him. Nor
does it make a dent in this cold winter morning. Urban
stress is not affected.
Between
offices, shops and law firms, the hawk has found one of the best vantage points
for Barcelona. In
fact, the existence of tall buildings with ledges support and good visibility in
a vast territory is one of the key factors that have facilitated the success in
the falcon reintroduction program in the city. Good
adaptation to the urban environment is favored by the massive presence of its
primary prey, the pigeon. But
also, a good climate in winter, night light hunting and exotic dish representing
the parrots explain the occupation of other areas of Barcelona.
The
presence of the peregrine falcon in the Plaza Francesc Macia is a testament to
how this animal has been installed in new areas of the Catalan capital since it
was reintroduced from 1999. The
city is friendly, and his flight here it is truly sustainable. In
the area of Diagonal, in Tarragona Street and other streets with tall towers
becoming more frequent. "The
Diagonal like their tall buildings with ledges. Still have not found sites for
breeding, but here they have everything they need," says Eduard Durany,
head of the team carrying out the reintroduction program.
The
falcon remains on the last ledge of the tower Barcelona (Barcelona Open Group
headquarters) immutable. Occasionally
turn, move the wings slightly better position and is facing the glass, as one
looks back a unique landscape. "The
hawks choose highlights for their prey to see better, look at the environment
and the presence of danger," says Durany.
The
buildings are not a shelter. Outside
the city, hawks sleep on rocks, not looking for a hiding place for refuge.
Therefore,
in the towers of the Diagonal can sleep in any corner protected from the higher
ledges. Their
adaptation has another explanation. The
hawks are in Barcelona easy meal in spring and autumn. The
large food supply contributing species living all year in the city (pigeons and
parrots, for example) increases in times of passage of migratory birds going to
and from their winter quarters in Africa. "The capital Catalonia is located
on the migratory route of many birds, many of which make this trip at night. The
urban hawks take advantage of night lighting of the city so they could be
hunted, "says Durany. This
expert has been identified in Barcelona to 38 species of birds that serve as
prey for hawks, and among these prisoners, more than 60% are doves. But
on the menu no shortage of other dishes: thrushes, parakeets Argentine and
collared doves, but also moorhens, lapwings, starlings, snipe, gulls, sparrows,
or even the teal.
The
presence of falcons in the Diagonal demonstrates the success of the
reintroduction program driven Durany team with the support of Barcelona City
Council. The
peregrine falcon disappeared from Barcelona in the early 70's for hunting.
Before
the reintroduction project was not uncommon to see the Sagrada Familia a
wintering hawk. However,
when he got the breeding season, leaving the city.
The
reintroduction program began in 1999 when it carried out the first releases (falconsbarcelona.
net). Between
1999 and 2003, 47 falcons were released at many points in Barcelona (Hotel
Princesa Sofia, Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi, the English Court of the Plaza
Catalunya ...). The
first nesting pair was established in 2003 in the heat of Sant Adria de Besos,
and now the Catalan capital has three breeding pairs permanently established: one
in the Sagrada Familia
, one in the Penya-Segat Marítim de Montjuïcy a Macosa third in the tower of
Diagonal Mar, in the Poble Nou. The
latter has not been bred, however, in the last two years have been molested
during the breeding season.
In
total, since 1999, the program has been born in Barcelona 54 hawks (27 in the
sea cliff of Montjuïc, 16 in the Sagrada Familia and 11 in the tower Macosa in
Diagonal Mar).
Recently,
we have to count a new partner in l'Hospitalet, established in the building
Realia 2009, the result of a project similar to Barcelona, from individuals
released in Sanitària Ciutat de Bellvitge, and one in the building of the
Allianz Tarragona Street and unpaired individuals who frequent places like
Calatrava's Montjuic Tower Agbar Tower, among many others.
The
establishment of fixed breeding pairs from 2003 has served as a focal point and
has led to population growth. Thus,
new examples that in principle they had stayed in the capital have found it a
favorable place to establish their residence mate and breed.
However,
in the Barcelona area, the population fluctuates. In
this area, there are now about six couples and a few solitary specimens. Population
increases in winter, coinciding with the migration of hawks in northern Europe,
while in summer remain on all the breeding pairs, subadult specimens and
unpaired animals.
"Still,
we always talk of a modest number, as the hawks are territorial animals. Where
are established, couples are very jealous of their territory," says Durany.
In
fact, from their place of settlement make moves within a radius of two
kilometers, but may vary depending on the season and the difficulties of finding
food.
However,
the re-introduction has not always been easy. In
2000, he moved to the tower building of the plaza Catalunya PaïsosCatalans of
the first pair. Occupied
this spot three years, but did not get a suitable place to breed. The
refurbishment of the building did away with all plans.
Other
European cities have also introduced the hawk, but the most significant is the
U.S.. UU.
Had
almost disappeared from the whole, reached only 38 nesting pairs counted.
However,
by 1970 he created the Peregrine Fund, and captive hawks began a macro recovery.
The
success was such that the animal was no longer included in the 1999 Red List of
endangered species in America. Now,
all you hawks cities (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago ...).