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Study Area
Our study area is located in the “Sobarriba” (42° N, 5° W), a rural area in North-Western Spain, about 15 km away from León. It comprises 45 Km2 of lands surrounding 7 villages (Villaseca, Villacil, Villavente, Villalboñe, Solanilla, Carbajosa, Villafeliz) under the administration of Valdefresno, a community of about 2000 inhabitants.
The study area, situated about 850 meters above sea level, represents traditional Spanish low intensity agricultural landscape, with a mosaic of crops, meadows, poplar and pine plantations, scrubs, oak forest patches and uncultivated land. The climate is continental, with dry and hot summers and cold winters. Precipitations occur mainly in spring and autumn. |
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Apart from cooperative carrion crows, numerous bird species can be observed in La Sobarriba. Among them, red-legged partridges, white storks, stone curlews, several raptors (kestrel, hobby, sparrow hawk, hen harrier, Montagu’s harrier, buzzard, black and red kite, booted eagle) and many more. Among mammals, wolves, foxes, badgers, roe deers, hares, rabbits, weasels, genets, and wild boars can be spotted.
Our facilities
Our field station is located in Solanilla, in the core of the study area. A house with 3 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, washing machine and garden is available to students and collaborators during fieldwork. A small lab with blood centrifuge, microscope, and video equipment is also available.
Our aviaries (see current research) are situated just outside the village, at walking distance from the field station.
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