Bird's Bonus 226 Let's Not Bother to Migrate: Overwintering on the Costa Del Dump!

Until recently, all European white storks (Ciconia ciconia) used to migrate across the Straits of Gibraltar, to overwinter in Africa. Now, thousands of these birds, along with Black kites and vultures, stop off to refuel at a vast, exposed rubbish dump in Southern Spain. Gorging on waste food, can help them make a successful crossing. Many storks, however, are now electing to stay in Spain for the winter (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/28/birds-and-ornithologists-flock-to-huge-rubbish-dump-in-southern-spain). The behavioural change may be partially driven by habitat loss, following two consective droughts in Spain. Wetlands are not so wet. It's not, however, uniformly good news for these birds. Ornithologists report they are ingesting plastic, rubber and toxins, along with the waste food. Some of these toxins (including heavy metals) are spread by the birds into agricultural areas. This is yet another example of the ability of we humans to drastically modify the 'traditional' behaviour of other species.