
Sadly, Dupont's Lark is in trouble. As noted above we had at least 13 songsters along a couple of kilometres of track at Ablitas. There seemed a lot of suitable habitat for the species in the area but evidently the birds we heard represent a third or more of the local population. Nationally, a recent survey found just under 2,300 territorial males but this figure gives an over optimistic picture as males outnumber females. Research in 2018 suggested that there were only 1,200-1,400 pairs and that the population is falling at about 4% per annum. The primary cause of decline seems to be habitat loss and fragmentation leaving many sub-populations vulnerable. Even the population at Ablitas may be at long-term risk as it is relatively isolated and the indications are that genetic exchanges between populations are low. Unless urgent remedial work is undertaken it looks likely that the species will soon become extinct in Andalusia, Valencia, Murcia and Cataluna. A key problem is that much of the population lies outside reserves and protected areas so at risk from the constant nibbling away of its habitat. Having been 'lost' for most of its history it would be tragic to lose them entirely.
For a species list of what we saw and some better photos look at eBird Checklist - 14 Apr 2024 - 31523, Ablitas ES-Navarra 41.95917, -1.61279 - 23 species