Imperial eagle numbers on the increase in province

From two pairs last year to five at present

CADIZ province (Agencies) There are some 81 areas in Andalucía with stable pairs of Iberian Imperial eagles (Aquila adalberti). That's ten more than last year, according to ornithological reports. The rise in numbers was observed last spring, when nest building and other reproductive behaviour was also seen. The Imperial population in the province of Cádiz became an incipient reproduction nucleus when the two pairs watched in 2011 grew to five. Among them are>>>PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ITEMS SUCH AS THIS WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION

two birds freed in 2008, two in 2009 and one in 2010, all within a programme aimed at reintroducing the species here. Of these fivepairs, four laid eggs but two of them lost them to the weather. The other two have reised five chicks, which have been ringed and fitted with control transmitters. Another two eagles set free at Doñana and Cádiz have formed reproduction pairs at a new setting in Southern Portugal, where they are presently breeding. Of the total of 81 nesting pairs registered in Andalucía, 67 of which are located in the Sierra Morena, 71 are breeding and the remaining tren pairs are new pairs where at least one member is not fully adult. Among the population at the Doñana Nature Park, which contains ten territories, nine registered nesting pairs have had vet checks and are marked. They are ready to fly and have also been fitted with transmitters.