Artificial nests and decoys to revive the black vulture in Catalonia
Cabanelles (Girona), June 6 (EFE).- The black vulture acts as a 'cleaning service' by feeding on dead animals, but only nineteen pairs nest in Catalonia, all of them in the Lleida region of Pallars Jussà. Therefore, the CustForest project aims to attract these birds to the Eastern Pyrenees with artificial nests and figures that imitate real specimens.
The chosen location is the Muga Valley, and all these activities are part of a European-funded project, CustForest, created with the support of the Rural Agents Corps to attract these birds.
The black vulture is listed as an endangered species in Catalonia, where it accounts for less than 1% of the total European population.
CustForest technician Marta Josa, a member of one of the entities participating in the project, the Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), explained to EFE that these animals are considered "umbrella species," since their protection benefits other species, both fauna and flora, associated with Mediterranean ecosystems.
With European funding obtained through the Biodiversity Foundation, what has been done in this case is to build eight artificial nests in key trees.
In addition, they have installed figures simulating black vultures with the aim of creating a call effect among the specimens that fly over the area, making them consider it attractive for breeding.
The project is supported by the Rural Agents Corps through the Mountain Support Group, which provides experience in vertical work by accessing the tops of the selected trees and securing the metal platform on which the branches for the nest are placed.
They also place the fake trees to attract real specimens, while CustForest's scientific partner, CREAF, is responsible for selecting the best trees to make the entire project compatible with sustainable forest management.
The work is also aimed at structural improvements to the forest, reducing fuel consumption, and creating favorable nesting areas.
Francesc Gomes, coordinator of the Eastern Mountain Support Group of the Rural Agents Corps, told EFE that the platforms that serve as bases for the artificial nests measure approximately one and a half meters in diameter.
Gomes specified that the majority of black vultures passing through this area come from France, while Aleix Millet, head of Biodiversity at the Pioneers of Our Time Foundation, another partner in the project, joked that all of this work amounts to "seduction efforts."
"The goal is to attract specimens passing through the area, and to do so, a fake colony has been created with nests and figures, creating the impression that there is actually a population of black vultures, the largest necrophagous bird in Europe," he added.
Unlike other birds, the black vulture maintains a close relationship with the forests where it finds refuge and builds its nests in the tallest and most robust trees.
These structures can weigh hundreds of kilos and are reused every year.
The black vulture has a beak that allows it to tear tendons and muscles and feeds primarily on carrion, mainly the remains of rabbits or large mammals such as cows and sheep.
Its extremely acidic gastric juices allow it to neutralize bacteria and viruses that are dangerous to other animals and humans, thus playing a key role in the ecosystem.
CustForest is currently working in three other areas of Catalonia, targeting the capercaillie, the Mediterranean tortoise, and the Bonelli's eagle, all umbrella species like the black vulture. EFE
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