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The enigma of the rooks of Leon

The

rook (Corvus frugilegus ) is a corvid species very abundant in the northern and central Europe, with a total population could reach los14 million breeding pairs according to some authors. This apparent abundance contrasts with what happens in southern Europe, and specifically in the Mediterranean countries where this species is virtually absent. In the Iberian Peninsula appears only in the SE of Leon, where is located a small breeding population of about 2000 pairs.

Graja Distribution in Spain by the last breeding atlas

The origin of this population remains an enigma rooks because they are not heard from him until mid the last century, José Antonio Valverde discovered when the first settlements on the banks of Órbigo, where he counted 160 nests. This does not rule out the rook and was present for much longer no one had noticed. One of the most probable hypothesis to explain the presence of this species of corvid is concerned the last redoubt of a population that for centuries was more widely distrribuida. Perhaps after the last glaciation the rooks would have moved south in search of better climates and to withdraw the ice, a few couples had stayed here, leading to the current population.

truth is still not known with certainty the origin of this population and there are several ornithologists and scientists who are working to try to unravel the mystery. The Group Banding Iberian (GIA) for several years that is carrying out a project to study this species, on their website you can find information on it.

Last Saturday as we drove the car for the people of Villadangos del Páramo, we stopped to see one of the colonies of this population settled in a small grove of poplar trees at the edge of town . The birds had begun to repair the old nests and build new ones.

Unfortunately for the rooks, crows do not usually have such good press among the local population, as they often cut down the poplar during playback ruining the breed. I still remember the first time I saw a colony of this species, more than 20 years ago in the town of Leon Cembranos. There stood the largest colony of rooks at the time but it disappeared a few years later when the poplar on which it stood was cleared to clearcut.