Osprey operation mounted by international brigade
Breeding pairs of ospreys disappeared from mainland Spain in the 1980s, according to the Fundación Migres (Migres foundation).This spectacular fish-eating bird of prey could still be seen on the Iberian Peninsula but only as a migratory visitor. However, thanks to...
Unlocking the secrets of the ice caves
Scientists have been carrying out investigations in mountain caves that contain ice all year round, found in high mountain areas of the Pyrenees and Cantabrian mountains. Ana Moreno, Miguel Bartolomé, Reyes Giménez, María Leunda and Ánchel Belmonte-Ribas reported that...
Wolf protection remains in Spain
The weakening of protection for the wolf at European level will not affect the Iberian wolf.The WWF says ‘nothing will change in Spain’. A ruling by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention entered into force today (March 7), downgrading the status of...
Going for golden
The golden eagle is largest eagle in Spain, with a wingspan measuring between 1.8 and 2.3 metres.SEO/BirdLife explain that the country is home to one of the largest population of these raptors in Europe. The ornithological society states that there have been recent...
Unravelling the mysteries of the Mediterranean’s fin whales
There is still much to learn about the fin whales which inhabit waters off the coast of Spain.It had been thought that these migratory cetaceans only spent part of their time in the Western Mediterranean but marine biologists now believe that some of the fin whales...
Measures to protect the plover
The population of the Kentish plover is in rapid decline in Spain, says SEO/BirdLife.They note that it ‘faces a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild’. The principal threats for the small shorebird are the loss of habitat and intensive recreational use...
Iberia’s unique eagle expands its range
The Iberian imperial eagle is a majestic bird with a wingspan of around two metres.When hunting it glides over the countryside and drops like a stone when it detects prey out in the open.Fortunately, it is now possible to see this raptor in the skies in more areas of...
Bearded vultures bounce back
Nature’s clean-up crew; vultures do the dirty work of clearing up after death, helping to keep ecosystems healthy.This is how the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) refers to these scavengers, who play a crucial role in the environments in which they live. The...
Wolf watch
After centuries of persecution, the Iberian wolf population has been on the rise in recent times. However, campaigners fear much of the good work could be undone following a vote from the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention in December, 2024 to weaken protection...
Walking terms (and conditions)
When out walking in Spain, or looking at a map, you will see words you know, ones you recognise, and others that are less familiar. Often there is more than one term given to a geographical feature or piece of infrastructure, which can lead to misunderstandings. And...
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