The Egyptian Vulture, also called the White Scavenger Vulture or Pharaoh's Chicken, is a small vulture and relatively widely distributed from southwestern Europe and northern Africa to India. Egyptian Vultures feed mainly on carrion but are opportunistic and will prey on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They also feed on the eggs of other birds, breaking larger ones by tossing a large pebble onto them. The use of tools is rare in birds and apart from the use of a pebble as a hammer, Egyptian Vultures also use twigs to roll up wool for use in their nest. Egyptian Vultures that breed in the temperate regions migrate south in winter, while tropical populations are relatively sedentary. Populations of this species have declined in the 20th century and are endangered by hunting, accidental poisoning, collision with power lines etc.
A southern Indian temple at Thirukalukundram near Chengalpattu was famed for a pair of Egyptian Vultures that reputedly visited the temple for "centuries". These birds were ceremonially fed by the temple priests and arrived before noon to feed on offerings made from rice, wheat, ghee, and sugar. Although normally punctual, the failure of the birds to turn up was attributed to the presence of "sinners" among the onlookers. Legend has it the vultures (or "eagles") represented eight sages who were punished by Shiva, with two of them leaving in each of a series of epochs.
Sacred vultures fed by temple priests at Thirukalukundram, 1906
These birds deserve our attention and I hope you will be lucky to see one bird while making short rest on this parking place, especially if you travel here in spring or summer time.
How to get there: Highway Skopje-Veles (E75). There is parking-resting place here. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN CROSSING THE ROAD!!! THE TRAFFIC IS USUALY QUITE INTENSE. When you stop on the parking, the cache is on the left side of the road, while on the right side streches the gorge of Pchinya River (which will join Vardar River few kilometers downstream). There are high cliffs with a small white cross on the top and a church in the foothill. The cliffs are scarsely covered with trees of Juniperus excelsa (Greek Juniper). In the cliffs are visible openings and holes of various sizes, where Egyptian vultures make nests.
The cache is a magnetic film plastic box.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please, be very careful when getting out, logging and putting back the cache, in order to protect it of Muggles! In case of lost of the cache the owner can visit the location and restore it only 2-3 times per year! Be aware of snakes, especially in the summer! Check the cache place with a stick first!!!Thanks.
BE CAREFUL: The cache is magnetic, on the road fence. Dense traffic!!!! Dangerous place!!!
Sources: Internet. Photos: Internet and original (by Galejnik)