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In January 2008 Radiodata were approached by www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com concerning a Natural History project that they had been invited to Broadcast Live on the Internet. Simon Littlejohn a Professional Photographer and Wildlife enthusiast had asked WBC to Broadcast live, a Griffon Vulture Nest Site Colony, from a remote location on the Rock Sierra Crestalina close to the Historical White Mountain Village of Casares in Andalucia, Spain. The nearest Broadband and Electricity supply was between 1 and 3 Kilometres from the Nesting Site, The remote location and terrain made any wired solution to broadcast the Griffon Vulture Nest Site Colony impossible. Radiodata were asked to advise and supply a Wireless Radio Solution. Using Solar Energy to supply the power needed for equipment, WBC were able to supply a bespoke Wireless Radio system to make this exciting project possible. WBC are also in the process of supplying Rye Harbour Nature Reserve with a Wireless Radio System to Broadcast Nesting Sea Birds within the Nature Reserves Site. The Griffon Vulture
The Griffon Vulture is 95-110 cm (37-43 in) long with a 230-265 cm (91-105 in) wingspan, and it weighs between 6 and 13 kg (13.2 and 29 lb). It is a typical Old World vulture in appearance, with a white bald head, very broad wings and a short tail. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers. Spain has a large population of Griffon Vulture, now numbered in the tens of thousands from a low in 1980 of a few thousand. Like other vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over open areas, often moving in flocks. It grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion. Although now in some areas the population has been affected by an EU ruling that due to danger of BSE transmission, no carcasses must be left in fields, which has critically lowered food availability. Although the Griffon Vulture does not normally attack larger living prey, there are reports of Spanish Griffon Vultures killing weak, young or unhealthy living animals as they do not find enough carrion to eat. The Griffon Vulture breeds on crags in mountains in southern Europe, north Africa, and Asia, laying one egg every other year. Griffon Vultures may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident. They mate on rocky ledges near to the breeding colony, which will consist of between five and fifty pairs of birds. Each pair makes a nest of sticks and greenery which is at least two metres (6'6') from its nearest neighbour and strongly defended. One egg is laid, and both parents share the job of incubation for about 52 days. The young will not fly until it is about 110-115 days old. Casares  The Historical Village of Casares is the closest Village to the Sierra Crestalina, the Mountain range where the Griffon Vulture Nest Site Colony is located. The history of Casares is wide ranging from Prehistoric, Roman and Arabic. Prehistoric remains can be found at different places all around Casares, such as the caves and shelters of Ferrete, Crestellina, Pelliscoso, the La Novia hill, Utrera and the farmstead of Alechipe (or perhaps Alepiche). The Wildlife of Casares is as wide ranging as its History. It includes amongst others Ibex, Wild Boar, Eagle Owls, Egyptian Vultures and the Griffon Vulture of which this project we are involved in concentrates on. Contact RADIO DATA TECHNOLOGY LIMITED for: |
