Sierra de Callosa ascent
The Sierra de Callosa is the jagged lump of rock that rises out of the south-western corner of the Vega Baja plain in the deep south of Alicante province. In the area, it is rivalled only by nearby Sierra de Orihuela, which is slightly higher and slightly longer in...
Breathless at Roland’s breach
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.Mention of breaches often conjures up images of war and historical events, not least because of the immortal words of Shakespeare’s Henry V. And the one on the border between France and Spain is no exception....
Encountering the eagle
At the southern end of the long, snaking Sierra de Orihuela is the Pico del Águila; the eagle’s peak. It is not the highest summit in these mountains, but it is a dramatic looking lump of rock and it’s an interesting climb to get to the top.The name suggests...
Hail the harriers
One of the best places to see harriers in the south east of Spain is in a protected area of Alicante province.Two types of the bird of prey can be seen in La Mata-Torrevieja natural park, which is based on the salt lakes of La Mata and Torrevieja.The western marsh...
Otters on the up
Around a decade ago the authorities confirmed that otters had returned to the River Segura in the south of Alicante province. Since then, this emblematic species has started to colonise nearby El Hondo natural park, which lies in the municipalities of Elche and...
DANAs – unpredictable and sometimes destructive
Spain was hit by one of its most devastating episodes of weather ever at the end of October, 2024 leading to catastrophic flooding in different parts of the country, with Valencia province suffering the worst of it. In all, 223 people died in the tragedy; with 215 of...
Giants of the skies return
The largest European vulture, with a wingspan reaching three metres, is making a comeback.The cinereous vulture, also known as the Eurasian black vulture, underwent a dramatic decline in this continent, but thanks to the increase of the Spanish population the species...
Animals of the Pyrenees
This vast mountain chain, that includes two national parks and stretches from coast to coast, is a haven for all sorts of wildlife, as well as providing pasture for livestock. The high mountain areas near the passes and summits are home to the elusive chamois (rebeco...
Spain’s glaciers are in terminal decline
While there are great hopes for two of Spain’s unique animals, the Iberian lynx and the Iberian brown bear which were on the verge of extinction 35 years ago, very sadly there appears to be no hope at all that the country’s glaciers can avoid this...
Iberian bears – a beacon of hope
The story of the Iberian brown bear is one of most encouraging in recent times for species conservation. In a world in which human folly is leading to extinctions and plummeting populations of wildlife, it is significant to note that it was the actions of mankind...
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