The common tern, already in danger of extinction

The common buzzard (Tetrax tetrax) is already endangered. The smallest bustard in our region was always a relatively abundant bird in the cereal steppes of our ancestors. However, due to the current decline of its populations, our future generations may never know it. Unfortunately, its current situation reflects the major transformations that agrarian ecosystems have undergone throughout Europe.

The habitat

Its main breeding habitat is open land with low vegetation. It is incredibly threatened and its current situation is critical. To observe today a common earthquake camping in our fields and steppes is almost more than an “incredible miracle”.

Threats

Among its main problems are the transformation and changes in the use of agricultural land. Intensive agriculture that acts directly against their nesting sites. The use of harmful plant protection products and herbicides. The use of seeds “shielded” with highly toxic varnishes to prevent the attack of insects or fungi. The lack of measures to protect their habitat, the power lines accompanied by the anthropization of the landscape. Abuses and poaching are also major threats. All this means that it is currently in a critical situation and its populations are increasingly reduced, clearly showing a highly worrying downward trend.

Endangered

It has been several years since the Ornithologists we rise the voice about this serious problem and, although later than many of us would have liked, it seems that the different groups have already realized that, if urgent measures are not taken, there is a potentially high risk of its total and absolute disappearance. They say that it is better late than never, and for this reason, the decision has been reached in the 13th Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Wild Species What has taken place in Gandhinagar (India), and supported by Spain through the Ministry of Ecological Transition, to give the common earthquake the category of endangered, thus obtaining the highest degree of protection.

The latest data

Through the latest censuses coordinated by SEO/BirdLife, the male population throughout the country is estimated at less than 40,000 specimens, of which 65% are found in Castilla La Mancha, making it one of the most important (if not the most) breeding populations in Spain.

Almost half of the specimens present in Castilla La Mancha are in the province of Ciudad Real, housing 45% of the total specimens in our region. It is followed by Albacete with 30%, where, in recent years, there has been a slight increase in population. In third place is the province of Toledo, with 20% of the total specimens registered in Castilla La Mancha. The populations corresponding to the provinces of Cuenca and Guadalajara are very scarce, with less than 5% mainly due to climatic conditions, given their high average altitude.

What we can do

In these last few weeks when it has been heard so often that we must all row in the same direction due to the great crisis of COVID-19, all groups: politicians, farmers, athletes (who use natural environments), hunters, developers of facilities in rural areas, builders, etc. must be aware. We must do our bit for the conservation of current and future generations of one of the most beautiful and emblematic birds in our fields.