Endangered Vultures

Recently, this handsome young vulture was found on a nearby Urbanisation. It appeared to be exhausted and 'adopted' my friend Steve Carter for a few days; allowing him to come close up to it. As it didn't eat or try to fly away, Steve called the environmental people, (Medio Ambiente). They care for wild creatures, and release them when they are able to cope.

Vultures are endangered. Apparently the EEC had decreed that domestic livestock animals that died naturally in the country, must be removed and not allowed to get into the food chain. This had a detrimenal effect on vultures and other carrion bird populations. So a chain of vulture 'restaurants' were set up in the mountains across Andalucia. When there are carcases of horses or cows to be disposed of they are taken to these feeding stations. I have walked, the steep climb to the one on 'our' Los Reales mountain. I understand there is another near Tarifa, and one near Ronda.

Missing Lynx

The Coto Donana, an hour south of Seville, is a conservation area of special importance, particularly as a breeding place for migratory birds. It is also a habitat of the Iberian Lynx; a beautiful species that grows to be about twice the size of a domestic cat. Characteristically they have tufts of hair on their ears and under the chin.

This is the most endangered of the 36 species of cats in the world. Their decline in the last 50 years has been catastrophic. It was estimated there were of 4000 in the wild in 1960. By 2000 the number was down to 400. Now, in 2009, it is believed there are only 200, with a population of about 50 in the Coto Donana region of Southern Spain, and 150 in the Andujar-Cardena area. Such small numbers may have brought this lynx close to extinction. There could be small groups in some other isolated areas. No sightings were reported but droppings have been found, and DNA analysis suggests they come from three or four individual lynx.

The main cause of the decline in lynx populations is because their primary food source, rabbits, have been decimated by myximatosis. An adult male lynx needs one rabbit a day; a female with young up to three a day. The red fox is in competition with the lynx for the scarce remaining rabbits. Saddly, development and construction erodes wild places. More roads and more traffic means the loss of more lynx. 16 were killed in the Coto Donana area between 2000-2003.

Some Iberian lynx are bred in captivity. Is this the best we can do?

Val's Vanette and Wind Farms

My email name is "valvanette". I chose it as my traveling address, because I drive this Nissan Vanette camper van! It used to have a kitchen with a gas fridge, a gas stove and washing up facilities, but I never cooked in it. Roadside 'ventas' have delicious inexpensive food on the 'menu del dia', so why bother with shopping, cooking and cleaning up? Brian dismantled the kitchen and fitted a three seater backseat that I bought (with seat belts) from a car scrapyard . Its more comfortable now for giving a lift to friends!

The 'wind farm' shown here is on the Gaucin road, 15 minutes or so from where I live. I'm ambivalent about them. They may make sense environmentally - but I'd rather see beautiful mountain scenery without such intrusions. Yes, the design has elegant simplicity - but I enjoy nature more without them. Wind farms are a hazard to bird life, especially on migratory routes; however chemicals in the food chain and pollution cause more bird deaths. The 'solution' to one problem causes another problem!

Jimena de la Frontera - the past

Andalucian towns and villages are often built on solid rocky mountains, on which it would be impossible to dig graves, so the cemetaries consist of white walls with niches, like this one at Jimena de la Frontera. They are beautifully cared for, with bright flowers and perhaps a photo. The effect is dazzling; quite different from the gloomy churchyards often found elsewhere.

The castle seen through the gates and in close up on the right can be freely explored. There are a few notices to indicate its Roman origins and Moorish development. There are wonderful views of the village from above, and over the unspoiled forests. Another good place for bird watchers.

If you want to stay for a while there are hostals and small hotels in the town, and an excellent Camp ground just outside it.

1.450m to the top of the Bermeja!

The summit of the Bermeja mountain behind Estepona is 1.450 meters! Although the road up to it is steep, narrow and twisting, it is possible to drive a car most of the way. On a clear day it seems as though you can 'see forever', and there are views of Morocco and the Sierra Nevada. In my lefthand picture Gibraltar is just visible in the distance. If you are lucky you might see Booted Eagles, Griffon Vultures, Sparrow hawks, and Long Eared Owls, or even an Egyptian Mongoose! You will certainly see a very rare species of pine tree, the Pinsapo, which only grows in Andalucia. It was discovered quite recently, in 1837, by a Swiss botanist Edmund Bosser. It has short blue-green needles, and its branches sweep low to the ground.

There is a Refugio, about a kilometer below the summit, where shelter, food and drink are often available. In winter a blazing wood fire is a welcome warmer! There are tables with long benches indoors, and wooden picnic tables under the trees for fine weather. Young people bring sleeping bags and sleep out on the 'deck', to see the glorious sunrise in the morning.

Rain Forest Rendezvous!

Fuengirola Zoo, under an hour from my place, is the most beautiful zoo I have ever seen!
The paths wander through lush cool vegetation, with excellent views of the animals and
birds in huge enclosures with great rocks, trees and pools. The breeding programme of endangered species appears to be highly successful, judging by many babies to be seen!

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is less than an hour from my place. It is well worth a day visit. The short distance from the African continent makes it a major migratory route for birds.

There is much to see on a day visit. Take a taxi from the border for the Rock Tour. Your driver will be your guide. You will be given time to explore St Michael's Cave. There is a stage inside it, where concerts are held. It is also famous for being the site where Gibraltar Woman was found - before Neandethal Man. But her significance was not recognised at the time! The Rock was a fortress, and has miles of handmade Siege tunnels inside it! You will have time to walk down them, and learn about how they were made. In the nature reserve at the top of the Rock visitors can have close encounters with the famous apes!

Castellar - a village inside a castle!

Castellar de la Frontera is the most southerly castle in Europe, with a village hidden inside it! Drive through mysterious cork forests, and up a very steep mountain road over looking a lake! Below it there is a Venta, a roadside eating place, where you can enjoy the food of the region sitting outside in the shade. Drive a little further in springtime, where electricity posts are decorated with storks nests! All this is about an hour and a half from my place!