Bird feeders in Spain (1 Viewer)

[Peewit]

Hi there

I was amazed to hear that very few (if any) people have bird feeders in Spain - is there a reason for that at all?

Regards
Kathy
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[Mike Montier]

Interesting!! I have lived in Spain (Mallorca) for just over 4 years now. I hate to say that attitudes towards birding here are probably similar to birding in the UK 40 years ago, because I love this place, the people and the birds, but sadly I think it is true. Some birders are just beginning to put food out, mostly seeds and nuts so things are starting to change but oh so slowly. When I am out birding I still get locals laughing at me and shouting names which no longer happens in the UK where birding has become acceptable, even quite cool. I have seen just one nut feeder on the whole Island and then found out that the "owners" are British!! There are some great and exciting things happening here, re-introductions, better protection and more reserves coming so they are going in the right direction. I am doing my bit by giving talks, getting out and about and trying to promote birds as best as I can. It is actually very rewarding to be part of a scene which is developing. The local birders are a great bunch of very devoted people so it is very hard when I say things like "in the UK we do this.." It sounds smug and superior so I have stopped saying it. I just get on with doing what I can. Lucky British people, almost the whole country loves birds, feed them every day and watch endless nature programmes. Ah well, one day maybe. Michael.

 

[Twite]

I think it's that the British general public just have a love of garden birds in their genes, and wildlife programmes made by the BBC and others who brought wildlife to the masses, just brought it out in them.

Twite.

 

[Mark Etheridge]

I agree with Mike that attitudes are similar to those of the UK 40 years ago, but even during the past 7 years that I have been regularly birdwatching in Spain I have noticed a significant increase in the numbers of Spanish birders in the Costa Blanca. When I first started, the other bloke in the hide with telescope and binoculars was invariably a Brit, but these days he's just as likely to be Spanish, and even with the language barrier it is evident that most are very knowledgeable.

As to laughing at birders - last year I was parked by the entrance to someone's house in the country whilst photographing Bee-eaters; the owner of the property approached me and demanded to know what I was doing there. I showed him my camera and some of the photos I had already taken, he was delighted to see the results and assured me that I could park there any time I liked in the future!

The popularity of the Rare Birds in Spain website (surprisingly still mostly in English!) is indicative of this interest, showing as it does the wealth of species which it it possible to see in the country.

And Spanish TV also shows some excellent wildlife documentaries! :t:

It may be happening slowly, but the Spanish are getting there...

 

[steve west]

I agree with Mike that attitudes are similar to those of the UK 40 years ago, but even during the past 7 years that I have been regularly birdwatching in Spain I have noticed a significant increase in the numbers of Spanish birders in the Costa Blanca. When I first started, the other bloke in the hide with telescope and binoculars was invariably a Brit, but these days he's just as likely to be Spanish, and even with the language barrier it is evident that most are very knowledgeable.

As to laughing at birders - last year I was parked by the entrance to someone's house in the country whilst photographing Bee-eaters; the owner of the property approached me and demanded to know what I was doing there. I showed him my camera and some of the photos I had already taken, he was delighted to see the results and assured me that I could park there any time I liked in the future!

The popularity of the Rare Birds in Spain website (surprisingly still mostly in English!) is indicative of this interest, showing as it does the wealth of species which it it possible to see in the country.

And Spanish TV also shows some excellent wildlife documentaries! :t:

It may be happening slowly, but the Spanish are getting there...

I'd like things to be that way Mark, but I just don't think the tendency will be the same in Spain in the next 40 years as it was in Britain in the last 40 years. National character has a lot to do with it. Most birders here are young and of limited means and are pursuing careers in biology, environmental science or such related themes. There is no real rooting in the public psyche of birds or birding. In fact I could easily postulate that there is more interest in trapping birds, especially finches, than there is in watching them. In my neighbourhood there's even a "birder's" bar, a "birder's" club and several "birder's" businesses (all related to cage birds, singing competitions etc), licit or not, while I really have to think hard to come up with 20 names of "free birders" in a city with a population of 130,000.
Brits love their gardens, the Spanish love the streets, terrace bars and public squares. That has a lot to do with the lack of bird feeders too. I could go on, but I won't for the moment.

Steve

 

[Mark Etheridge]

I would guess re the lack of bird feeders is that there is probably not the same pressure as in the UK to feed birds during the winter months; there is plenty of natural food available, and I've yet to find a terrace bar in Gran Alacant which doesn't have a resident sparrow troupe thriving on the offerings of customers!

I may be going to a more "touristy" area but I haven't seen any evidence of bird trapping around here - I do understand it goes on elsewhere :C

I remember an entertaining conversation I had with a group of Spanish birders about our respective "most wanted", they were quite envious of the Waxwings I'd seen in Aberdeen...

 

[Mike Montier]

That's a very accurate description of the way things are here Steve. Most birders are indeed students or work at bird reserves. I guess birds are just not in the Spanish psyche in the same way as the UK sadly. They colour-dye their pigeons, trap finches and keep cage birds on the balcony. I hope it will change and like to think that it will but it will be slow. I am seen as a bit wierd watching birds although farmers generally welcome me onto their land once they know what I am up to. They often think my 'scope is some kind of gun! There is great birding to be had here though, good raptor migration and stars like Black and Griffon vultures, Rock thrush, Bee-eater, a good variety of warblers, larks and pipits.

 

[steve west]

That's a very accurate description of the way things are here Steve. Most birders are indeed students or work at bird reserves. I guess birds are just not in the Spanish psyche in the same way as the UK sadly. They colour-dye their pigeons, trap finches and keep cage birds on the balcony. I hope it will change and like to think that it will but it will be slow. I am seen as a bit wierd watching birds although farmers generally welcome me onto their land once they know what I am up to. They often think my 'scope is some kind of gun! There is great birding to be had here though, good raptor migration and stars like Black and Griffon vultures, Rock thrush, Bee-eater, a good variety of warblers, larks and pipits.

I know about the birds on Mallorca Mike! And I envy your location - so close to the sea. In fact I was quite skeptical about going to Mallorca for the first time but I liked it so much I included a whole section on it in my website! Happy birding.

Steve

 

[pete wragg]

Hi there

I was amazed to hear that very few (if any) people have bird feeders in Spain - is there a reason for that at all?

Regards
Kathy
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It looks like a lot of Spaniards are going to be killing small birds,rather than feeding them.:-C

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=217541

 

[Peewit]

It looks like a lot of Spaniards are going to be killing small birds,rather than feeding them.:-C

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=217541

Hi Pete

Sad to hear that Spanish people love to shot tiny birds :-C:-C:-C

I thought the killing fields would crop up in the equation sooner or later on this thread - Just so sad as I feel bird watching is a great way to boost up the local economy in the local area.

I noted that the local House Sparrow colonies being feed (bread crumbs) in Fornells on the local pavements (1st time this year), We have never noticed any feeding in the past years back to 2005 - maybe there is a wind of change coming up.

We leave a few crumbs on the apartment floor, while living in our apartment and the House Sparrows are only too glad to hover up any left overs.

Hope that local people are starting to take their local birds much more seriously now.

Regards
Kathy
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