Nature News
Keep up to date here with the latest news about nature and the environment in Spain; and read tips and advice about walking in this country
Saving Europe’s most endangered duck
Murcia region is taking part in the EU LIFE programme to safeguard the future of the marbled teal. According to regional environment councillor, Juan María Vázquez, it is the species of duck which is most in danger of extinction in Europe. A total of 30 marbled teals...
Lynxes return to northern Spain
Two more Iberian lynxes bred in captivity are being released in a rural area of northern Spain.The young male and female, named Villano and Viñegra, are set to join two others freed earlier this year at El Cerrato in Castilla y León region. It is the first area chosen...
Backdoor manoeuvre to allow wolves to be hunted in Spain
Rightwing parties in Parliament have conspired to allow wolves to be hunted once more in Spain.An unholy alliance, made up of the Partido Popular (PP), far-right Vox and nationalists from the Basque Country (PNV) and Cataluña (Junts), introduced an amendment to...
Stopping plastic pollution; it’s down to us
Ecologist association ANSE has highlighted the 'enormous risk' that plastic waste in the sea poses to birds, cetaceans, fish and turtles.They have been carrying out a campaign as part of the LIBERA project to fight against the dumping of rubbish in the oceans. Plastic...
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...
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 of beaches,...
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...
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...
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 fate.These wonderful...