Tajo Internacional (Natalio/M and Zica/F)

[marika.solo]

Analysis with help of AI GeminiChat:

Analysis: Unusual Snake Activity in the Quarry

Based on our three seasons of monitoring this nest in Alcántara, today’s high snake activity is very unusual. Here is our analysis of why we are seeing so many snakes (likely Viperine water snakes - Natrix maura) in the water today:

Rising Water Levels: Spain has experienced heavy spring rains recently. The water level in the stone quarry is significantly higher than in previous years.

"Exodus from Paradise": We believe the rising water has flooded the snakes' usual winter shelters and holes in the lower parts of the cliffs. The snakes are now forced to leave their "paradise" and find new, higher ground.

Cold and Windy Weather: Despite the cold wind and choppy water, the snakes must move to survive. The flood has displaced them from their dry hiding places.

Summary: This is not "normal" spring behaviour. We are witnessing a mass displacement caused by the changing water levels in the quarry. This environment is very dynamic this year.

[marika.solo]

- 08:28 Natalio: nest maintenance (short) - observing the area -and so on
- resting, guarding



these colours


(N. ate very good - still full crop)

[marika.solo]

- 09:54 calling for her Zica
- 09:54:32 ZICA lands, nice greeting ritual as always



-N. down and up, sometimes rearranging
- preening and allopreenig

- 09:58:37 MATING

EDIT - thx for hint toVida (Natalio is down)


- 10:30:59 MATING

- 11:30:38 ZICA out
- 11:33:19 NATALIO out

[marika.solo]

- 13:02:40 male stork arrived singing (the STRANGER - INTRUDER)
- sitting in the nest (defending it? its mine?)



- 13:13 up, 13:15 calling for one female

[marika.solo]

- 16:09 singing - 16:09:19 female arrives




- the stork who arrived settled down
- 16:10 the male preens himself
- up, and both preening

[marika.solo]

- 16:16:19 (the Stranger) male out

- the second stork stayed, observing his flight (maybe)



- still there



- for a very short while rearranging

[marika.solo]

- waiting for ... ?

[marika.solo]

18:45:30 stork moved and pooped



- a little rearranging, checking the area



- and resting, waiting

[marika.solo]

- 19:37:10 wing stretching and back waiting/resting in the same posture

[marika.solo]

- I may have missed something, or I might just be a bit overtired at the moment.
- With all the documenting, moderating YouTube chat, and balancing personal responsibilities, it’s been quite a lot to manage within 24 hours (especially with only a few hours of sleep recently).
- I reviewed the rewind quickly, I may have mixed up who is who on the nest.

- It might be more effective if each of us could focus on one nest at a time, so things stay clearer and more consistent.
- One of our main challenges right now is coverage. It would really help to have more active members involved so we can support each other, cover all nests, and keep the documentation strong.
- If anyone has the capacity to step in, even a little, it would make a big difference for the whole team.

Thank you all for your help and support—it really means a lot.


7:43 PM @Светлана-ни
​​Это Наталио
it is Natalio

7:47 PM @Светлана-ни
​​Я думаю что 13:02 - 16:16 - это была Зика
I think that 13:02 - 16:16 - it was Zika

It can be, the stork on the nest did not spread its tail feathers into the typical fan shape (fanned tail). The arriving stork settled down immediately, just like Natalio usually does."