ARCHIVED - Close quarters vulture observation hide to open in the mountains of Huelva
The black vulture is the fastest raptor bird species in the Iberian Peninsula
Plans have been unveiled by the department of Agriculture, Farming, Fishing and Sustainable Development in the regional government of Andalucía to create a concealed ornithological observatory in the mountains of the province of Huelva to make it possible to observe the behaviour of various scavenging birds including the black vulture.
The Eurasian black vulture (Aegypius monachus) inhabits large areas of temperate Eurasia and is also known as the monk vulture. It is the fastest raptor bird (including birds of prey and scavengers) in the Iberian Peninsula and adult wingspans can reach 3 metres, allowing it to glide in complete silence without beating its wings.
The largest colony of the species in Spain is in the Natural Park of Sierra Pelada y Rivera del Aserrador, located in the north of the province of Huelva in the municipalities of Aroche, Almonaster la Real, Cortegana and Rosal de la Frontera, and last year as many as 150 pairs nested in the park. It is here, specifically in the area known as El Mustio, that the regional government plans to create its hide, making it possible for groups of up to 5 people to watch from behind one-way glass as the animals attack supplementary carcasses left for the birds to ensure that the population is not threatened by starvation.
The hide is just a few metres from the area where the carcasses are left, attracting not only black vultures but also griffon vultures, Ruppell’s vultures, Egyptian vultures, various species of eagles and even bearded vultures. The contract to manage the hide is being put out to tender and it is anticipated that the initiative will provide a boost to eco-tourism in Huelva, at the same time generating economic activity while protecting the natural heritage of Andalucía.
Once it is open and running the hide will directly employ three people while generating estimated annual economic activity of around 700,000 euros, and eventually the aim is to replicate the project in other parts of Andalucía.