Ok - Dutch Birding

mededelingen
Lesser Short-toed Lark in Portugal Only occasional and largely anecdotal
data have been avaikable on the status of Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella
rufescens in Portugal (cf Cramp 1988). In order to obtain well-documented
data, an investigation was started in 1987, financed by the Serviro Nacional de
Parques, Reservas e Conservapao de Natureza . Suitable areas to be examined
were argued to be those consisting of habitat preferred by Lesser Shorttoed,
located near Spanish breeding sites. In Spain, the species breeds in Andalucia,
in the lower Ebro valley and along the coast south from the Ebro delta
(Bernis 1971, Cramp) ; therefore the survey was carried out in the southeastern
corner of Portugal .
In February 1987, three sites were examined in the southern Algarve : Tavira,
Villa Real de Santo Antonio and Castro Marim . The habitat of Lesser Shorttoed
Lark overlaps with that of Short-toed Lark C brachydactyla, but Lesser
Short-toed tends to subsist on drier, more saline or clay-based sites (Cramp) .
Subsequently, because of these habitat preferences, the research was concentrated
in the latter two areas . The vegetation is dominated by salt-tolerant
species. The pastures and saline flats which make up most of the 'sapal' are
vegetated with swards of halophytic plants including Arthrocnemum glaucum,
A fruticosum, Mesembryanthemum nodrflorum, Spergularia salina and, less
frequently, Salicornia nitens. These vegetated patches are interspersed with
large expanses of bare stony clay, 'charcas', completely devoid of plants . Between
February 1987 and June 1988 the area was examined seven times .
in February 1987, small scattered parties of Lesser Short-toed Larks were
found on saline flats east of Castro Marim (table 1) . Further observations in
April 1987 confirmed the species' preference for this location. Three more birds
were seen in similar habitat just west of Castro Marim (Graham Catley pers
comm). In July and August 1987, birds were found more widely scattered
around the reserve on the edges of saline pools, on earthen banks and in expanses
of short cropped grass ; three lree-flying juveniles were seen . In April
1988, singing birds were located in the reserve ; in May and June 1988 repeated
food-carrying took place by eight individuals to at least five sites, each one
located at the base of Arthrocnemum tufts. The habitat was shared with Calanrna
Le 1 Numbers of Lesser Short-toed Lark Calanrlre!!a ruiescens at Castro Marim ,
Portugal, in 1987-88 .
1987 198 8
Feb Apr Jul Aug Apr May Ju n
individuals 60 45 20 30 40 25 3 5
singing birds 10 12 - - 1 6 8 1 2
tood-carrying birds - - - - 5 8
fledged ju" niles - - 3 - - - -
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