Bringing back the birds

MORE than a dozen Scottish ospreys will nest in the Pego­Oliva marshes from July.

The fourth campaign to reintroduce the eagle in the area was presented this week, when representatives of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation visited Pego to confirm that 12 osprey chicks will be brought in over the summer to repopulate the wetland.

The Foundation is at the forefront of investigations into bird migration and have previously successfully reintroduced a wide range of species in the south of England, the Basque Country and Switzerland, among other areas.

ALICANTE’S Santa Barbara Castle welcomed around a whopping 30,000 visitors over Easter from April 6 until April 10.

Saturday, April 8, was the day when the attendance record was broken, with 9,000 people enjoying the fortress, according to data provided by Esatur.

The international visitors come from the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany and the na­

Group expert Ian Perks explained that the main difference with this campaign and previous efforts at the Marjal is the number of new chicks to be introduced.

“By increasing the number of specimens, the possibilities of survival of the species during the first year are greater,” said Mr Perks, who added that the goal to ensure full repopulation is to have at least 100 birds as soon as possible.

Pego Mayor Enrique Moll added that “the reintroduction of the osprey is vital to boost the environmental richness of the marshes and we will continue to work towards this end.”