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As it is usual in autumn, according with the ripening of flowers and seeds of the Sea aster (Aster tripolium), important flocks of presaharan little birds stop over in the marshes in order to recover energy and to take advantage of the few days that lasts the productivity of seeds of this plant characteristic of the high marsh.
The Sea aster, is common in the edges of the canal of the interior zone of the estuary, but at the same time, it´s one of the pioneers in marshal zones with tidal influence that have been modified for any reason. This year, due to the massive effort of the eradication of the invading plant Groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia), many areas that were covered by this plant have been cleared and left exposed.
Areas of Sea easter in the edge of the canals and details of the ripen inflorescence.
As a result of this action, somesuitable areas for the Sea aster were created because as it is a pioneer plant, it spread easily and created temporary patches, that are important in extension. Therefore, we can consider this year as outstanding because of the availability of seed that offers the marsh.
Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus)
Thanks to the mentioned above, during the ringing sessions that are being carried out at the Constant Effort Site of the marsh, it has been noticed a significant increase of ringed birds, mainly, of those whose diet is composed of seeds of different kind of plants.
Most of the birds that feed on these seeds, are still migrating to the south towards their wintering grounds, although many of them will stay wintering with us until the beginning of the spring.
Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) Dunnock (Prunella modularis)
Within all these birds, because of their abundance, we remark Reed Buntings, Common Chaffinches and Dunnocks and we want to mentionas well, the ones that are no so common visitors such as Penduline Tits and the first Bramblings, that are the prelude of the approaching of the winter.
 
Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) |
