- PARIS (AFP) - European birdwatchers
are scratching their heads over why a particular species of bird, the booted
eagle, is migrating north this winter instead of the balmier south.
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- According to the Bird Protection League (LPO), nearly
1,000 of the rare eagles have been spotted in southern France over the
past two weeks -- more than 30 times the normal number -- after reversing
their normal September movement which should see them head to Africa and
India.
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- The bizarre phenomenon has never been seen before, the
LPO stressed Thursday.
-
- Speculation that the birds, which have a wingspan of
up to 1.3 metres (4.3 feet), might have been affected by weather disturbances
linked to global warming has butted up against the fact that no other species
appears to be having the same navigation trouble.
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- Normally, the booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) spends
the warmer months of the northern hemisphere breeding in southern Europe
and parts of north Africa.
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