Displaced by Atlantic storms in countries and cities with Mediterranean coastline, including Barcelona, the unusual presence of Alca, a penguin-like bird, has been detected.
Although these birds are very similar to penguins, they are not and have arrived on the Spanish and French coasts weakened or dead.
Experts indicate that bad weather in the Atlantic could be one of the causes of their displacement to places other than where they usually hibernate.
Auk, penguin-like bird
The massive arrival of these birds on the shores of the Mediterranean has experts on alert.
This bird is from the northern hemisphere and is very similar to an Antarctic penguin (although they are not), and they arrive at the coasts in a really pitiful state.
The “Alca torda”, in Catalan “gavot”, can be seen in small numbers scattered in Mediterranean waters, especially offshore.
But this year the strong storms swept a significant amount of these specimens towards the Mediterranean coasts.
As they arrive in an advanced state of weakness, they have been more easily spotted especially in Catalan ports and beaches, as well as on islands such as Mallorca and Corsica. Unfortunately, many of them arrive in agony or drop dead.
For their part, birdwatchers reacted enthusiastically at first hand to having the opportunity to take photographs of these birds. But as the days go by, ornithological experts have been warning that this situation is not flattering news.
In fact, the Institut Català de Meteorologia has already counted 458 live and 24 dead birds this month. And these figures compare with previous years where 1,170 birds were sighted in Catalonia and only one of them died. It is worth mentioning that the presence of the Alca has already been registered in several Catalan ports.
Experts also point out that the unusual influx of these birds is observed from Spain to southeastern France. The shocking thing is that they only come close to the coasts to reproduce.
The rest of the time they move through the open sea, which is why it is very surprising to see them on the coasts and in ports.
Allain Bougrain-Dubourg, president of the French League for the Protection of Birds, said that many of the birds detected so far arrive in poor condition and end up dying on Mediterranean coasts.
Why are the Alcas arriving at the ports?
They arrive en masse at ports to warm themselves with the cooling waters of fishing boats or to feed.
This species is related to the penguins that inhabit the northwest of the European continent throughout the year and that seem to be changing their normal migratory route due to the climate crisis.
