Last Saturday, October 28th, we joined together to learn and raise awareness about our winged friends: the swifts!
On hot summer days, when the sun beats down mercilessly and the thermometer soars, we face a challenge: the early fall of swifts from their nests. But have you ever wondered what to do if you encounter one of these unyielding travelers of the air? The answer is simple but vital: you should always pick them up! These master birds of the sky don't touch solid ground unless they need our help.

Sonia Tomico, through her important work with SOS VENCEJOS, guided us through an event full of knowledge and impressions. During this talk, she enlightened us with various solutions to address this challenge, sharing:
📌 Useful tips. 📌 Dismantling erroneous beliefs. 📌 Poignant stories that highlighted the importance of collaboration in preserving and protecting these urban birds: swifts, planes and swallows.

Often, citizens are faced with situations where recovery centers are overcrowded or far away. In such moments, it is crucial that we all know a first aid protocol to provide assistance until the bird is transferred to expert hands, ensuring its well-being and speedy recovery.

In this talk, we explored a journey full of curiosities, we understood why swifts fall from their nests and how to act when we encounter one of them in our daily lives. Touching stories demonstrated the importance of quick action, underlining the message of chain cooperation of people willing to help such a small but significant being.
We also delved into fatal handling errors, learned about their feeding and the necessary utensils, as well as the differences in the care of swifts compared to common swallows and airplanes. We even explored concepts such as imprinting and exciting facts about the 2023 season of swifts rescued by SOS VENCEJOS.

This event was an opportunity to learn, be inspired and contribute to the protection of these fascinating urban birds. We thank all participants and hope to see you at future meetings. If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to contact us! 🐦💙

On October 30, we had the pleasure of delving into the world of dowsing and the search for subway water. José Antonio Barboteo, with more than 20 years of experience as a dowser, gave us an informative talk in which he revealed the knowledge behind this ancient practice. From his empirical knowledge, he shared his wisdom and introduced us to the use of instruments to locate underground water sources.

After the talk, we headed to the Calero Park, an ancient stream, for a practical demonstration. There, participants had the opportunity to try the dowsing rods for themselves, experiencing the sensation of connecting with the water currents underground.

We thank all those who joined this experience and José Antonio Barboteo for sharing his knowledge.

About the dowsing method.

The dowsing method, also known as radiesthesia, is an ancestral practice that has found its place in Spain over the years. Although its origin is uncertain, it has been passed down from generation to generation as a traditional knowledge for locating subway water and other natural resources. It has been practiced for centuries in various cultures around the world. Dowsers are individuals who have the ability to detect streams of water, minerals or other substances beneath the earth's surface without the use of conventional scientific instruments. This method is based on the belief that certain people have a special sensitivity to pick up energies and radiations emanating from subway water sources.

In Spain, dowsers have become key figures, especially in rural areas, where the search for water is essential for survival. The method involves the use of rods or pendulums, which the dowser holds while walking through a terrain. The tools are often believed to move autonomously or change position in response to the presence of water. When the dowser passes over a point with groundwater, the rods or pendulum tend to move, signaling the location of the resource. This natural gift has led many communities to rely on the dowsers' ability to find water sources for wells and agriculture.

Although dowsing has often been considered a pseudoscience due to the lack of a solid scientific explanation, it is still a respected and used practice in many regions of Spain. Its cultural legacy and influence on Spanish rural life is still evident today, and its knowledge continues to be valued for its ability to find this vital resource in places where it is scarce. Dowsing continues to be the subject of debate and controversy today. Some firmly believe in the effectiveness of dowsers, while others consider their abilities to be purely the result of suggestion, superstition or psychological factors. Ultimately, the dowsing method is an example of how cultural beliefs and tradition can influence the search for natural resources.