Author: Jesús Solana Ramos. Photography: Joaquin Vázquez.
Since January 2010 has been observed the presence of wintering Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus) in Alange (Badajoz). In 2011-2012 it was found to remain during the entire winter season of at least eight individuals (read more). In 2012-2013 was done several visits between October 10, 2012 and March 7, 2013. The method was to wait in the square of the church from half an hour before to half hour after sunset. During this past winter has been observed at least two wintering individuals. Apart from these two birds, the latest swift recorded was on November 22, 2012 and the first on February 5, 2013 (5 birds seen by José Guerra and Marc Gálvez). Between these two dates, on five occasions were two swifts always entering the same hole in the front of the church.
A phenomenon in decline? If we consider the specific observations in early January 2010 and 2011 and compared them to the same dates in 2012 and 2013, we see a sharp decline in the number of birds recorded.
Other atypical wintering species. During the monitoring of pallid swifts was detected continued presence of 1-3 House Martin (Delichon urbicum) and one Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) in December by M. Galvez and J. Guerra.
