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Dave Watts |
Birds and mammals of the Ariège Pyrenees :
Winter report by Dave Watts
Dave Watts is a professional wildlife photographer who spends much of the year in Ariège. More examples of his work can be seen on his website, www.davewattsphoto.com. Read also reports for : Spring, Summer, Autumn
Winters here are notable for their silence with very little birdsong as the migrants have all departed south. Ariège winters vary considerably in severity although this year is notable for the quantity of snow which provides harsh conditions for many bird species. Our bird feeding stations have been overwhelmed with the frenzied feeding of Siskins, Great, Blue, Marsh, Coal, Crested and the occasional Long-tailed Tits as well as Robins, Nuthatches and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Without additional feeding many small birds would not survive the winter.
Incredibly, Bearded Vultures begin incubating their 1 or 2 eggs during January or February and incubation lasts for 56 – 58 days. The nest comprises a huge pile of branches and is built in a small cave or on a cliff edge which is usually protected by an overhang. Nests may be re-used each year or alternated with other nest sites within the pairs territory. Incubation is by both sexes with the female carrying out the larger share.
Bearded Vultures need to lay their eggs during winter due to the exceptionally long period of over 100 days that the chicks remain in the nest prior to fledging. Chicks fledge during late July or August which corresponds to a period of maximum availability of food.
Bearded Vultures together with Griffon Vultures and to a lesser extent Egyptian Vultures are dependant in the Pyrénées on the traditional summer grazing in the high mountains of cattle and sheep to provide carrion. However this is now being offset to some degree by the increase in natural prey such as Isard and Mouflon. There is a shortage of carrion available in winter for Bearded Vultures and this is being supplemented by feeding stations provided by committed people which are proving successful in aiding other couples to become established. There are approximately five pairs of Bearded Vultures in the Ariège out of a total of 115 pairs which inhabit the whole of the Pyrénées range. Although one of Europe’s most endangered birds, this spectacular raptor is slowly but steadily increasing in numbers.
One of the advantages of snow cover is that we can now quite easily identify the various species of mammal which inhabit our forests, mountains and gardens. Two species in particular, the Eurasian Lynx and the Pine Marten have evolved large feet similar to snow shoes which allow them to travel more easily in deep snow. Pine Martens are of course common in the Ariège and their often paired tracks are a common feature of snow-covered areas close to forests. I recently saw Pine Marten tracks crossing the ski fields at Guzet-Neige!
Lynx are unfortunately a rarity in the Pyrénées unlike eastern France (Vosges and Jura) where they have been re-introduced very successfully. Eurasian Lynx do however regularly inhabit wild country just east of the Ariège. The prints of Lynx are very distinctive, similar to a house cat but 2 – 3 times as large. Four toes are visible on each foot print without any sign of toenails due to the cat’s retractable claws. Dogs also have four toes showing in prints together with imprints of toenails generally visible. Dogs also have larger toe prints than cats. I have included a photo of prints of Iberian Lynx, a separate species which is now restricted to Southern Spain where it numbers only about 150 individuals. Unfortunately this, the worlds most endangered cat species has had its population decimated due to the crash in numbers of rabbits, its major prey species, as well as habitat destruction due to road developments, dam building and clearing of native vegetation. Iberian Lynx prints are almost identical to Erasian Lynx and if anyone sees similar prints in snow (or mud) in the Pyrénées we would very much like to hear about it. Better still if an actual Lynx is seen.
Foxes and Badgers do not have the large feet of the previous two species and Badgers find deep snow quite difficult to negotiate due to their bulk and short legs. Badgers frequently remain underground for several days during periods of deep snow. Foxes have relatively small feet and long legs and therefore sink deeply into fresh snow. Foxes often avoid fresh snow and await the freezing or compaction of the snow before venturing out.
Brown Bears along with Marmots and Edible Dormice are still hibernating at present. Brown Bears begin to emerge from their dens during March to begin feeding whereas Marmots will not usually emerge until April.
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