We have heard from the team that the breeding pair has failed to fledge any chicks this year. This is obviously a serious blow. In addition, the captive pair in Syria has also been unsuccessful, but did get rather closer to breeding than last year. We will give further details as they emerge, and will update the progress/movements of the male, Odeinat - apparently the only bird with an operational tag at the moment.
One piece of more positive news is that the semi-wild Birecik population in Turkey had a far better breeding season than usual with around 38 juveniles fledging.
In reply to 'redkite''s question on previous blog - there are 105 pairs in Morocco, and just this one in Syria (that is all truly in the wild), but also the semi-wild birds in Turkey (do read elsewhere on the 'ibistracking' webpage and also on www.iagnbi.org website) as well as a large zoo population of mainly Moroccan orgin birds.
Also - we apologise that the blog has not appeared on the webpage as yet and caused me to repeat the update... some technical issues which we hope will be addressed quickly. Sorry...