‘Bone breaker’ starts to thrive in south of Spain
The numbers of bearded vultures, known in Spanish as ‘bone breakers’ (quebrantahuesos), are on the up in eastern Andalucía following a very successful breeding in captivity programme. This amazing bird had become extinct in Spain’s southern-most...
Essential information about conditions on Pyrenees paths
The walking season in the Pyrenees on high-mountain paths without using snow shoes or crampons usually starts in June, depending on how much snow falls during the spring. Mountain lovers preparing to hit the trails, or launch on the GR-11 trans-Pyrenean footpath, can...
Iberian lynx population surge
The population of the Iberian lynx in Spain and Portugal increased by 19% in 2024, according to figures released this week by the ministry for the ecological transition (Miteco). They reported that the number went up to 2,401, which is 380 more than the figure...
Rock-climber bird – the wallcreeper; a unique species residing in Spain
As its name suggests, the wallcreeper is attracted to rock faces – and very high ones at that, climbing with amazing skill to locate its food. During warmer periods of the year, it is found at altitudes ranging from 2,200 metres to 3,000m above sea level. Due to its...
Spectacular cliffs made of ‘sand’
The highest ‘sand’ cliffs in Europe can be found on the south coast of Spain, inside the protected area of the Doñana in Huelva province. It is along the Playa de Castilla, between the towns of Matalascañas and Mazagón, that sheer faces rise to heights...
Trying to preserve Spain’s ‘rarest flower’
A flower which has existed for more than 25 million years and could be Spain’s rarest species of flora has been spotted in Andalucía, more than 40 years after it was last catalogued in that region. Named Gyrocaryum oppositifolium Valdés, it was thought to have...
Torrevieja turtle returns to the sea
When the loggerhead turtle Nuca, as she was later named, was rescued from Torrevieja port in February she was in very poor health. She had swallowed a fishing hook which had become lodged in her esophagus and one of her fins had been amputated in an accident,...
Spain – world leader for biosphere reserves
Spain has more UNESCO biosphere reserves than any other country in the world. The 55 sites include three which are shared with Portugal and another with Morocco. The highest concentration is found in the Cantabrian Mountains (Cordillera Cantábrica) in the regions of...
World’s fastest animal is nesting in Spain’s largest cities
The peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal; it can reach incredible speeds when it dives to catch its prey. The Science Digest website explains that researchers have been captivated by the bird, ‘conducting experiments to measure their astonishing...
The importance of the wolf
Following the backdoor manoeuvre by rightwing parties in Parliament last month to allow wolves to be hunted in Spain, environmentalists have published a simple graphic to illustrate the importance of this native animal to the biodiversity of the areas it inhabits....
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