No.15 - Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society

In this year of the Strait, decisions and 

actions being taken are set to change the vista 

south from Gibraltar, and north to Gibraltar. 

The traditional suburban South District, with 

its trees and gardens, and the rich wildlife of 

the internationally important Windmill Hill 

Flats are giving way to high density residential, 

amenity and industrial developments. The 

unco-ordinated way in which these conflicting 

projects are being introduced does not fail to 

amaze all those who aim to take stock and 

come to terms with what is happening in 

Gibraltar’s south. 

And that is without even considering the 

drastic interruption of the natural views of a 

site of huge global pre-historic, historical and 

landscape interest and importance. 

From the time, around six million years 

ago, that the Atlantic broke through between 

the African and European continental masses, 

and a waterfall of massive proportions 

cascaded south of Europa Point for thousands 

of years, the view from the top of the Rock – 

or whatever was there then – will have been 

incomparable. Had there been a tourist 

industry then, it would have been one of the 

top destinations on the planet. Tourists flock 

southern discomfort 

Future view to 

the north. 

to the Rock now, only to be increasingly 

defrauded as the views they expect get 

scraped away with buildings such as Clifftops, 

the new Prison and a power station. 

There is clearly a need for Gibraltar to 

continue to grow, and social needs such as a 

prison and a power station need to be 

fulfilled. It may be that on occasion views 

have to be compromised in order to achieve 

these, but not in every case. 

Not only is wildlife protection important, 

but there is a need for Gibraltar to retain 

some areas of countryside, away from the 

Upper Rock, where one can escape to and be 

able to be in contact with nature. There are 

hardly any such places left. 

There is a real concern that the needs of 

the natural environment, and the need to 

have quiet places with pleasing views, are not 

featuring enough in the evidence that 

decision-makers consider when about to give 

the final go-ahead. This is not due to a lack 

of lobbying, it just doesn’t seem to be given 

the due importance. 

The result will be that, while the needs will 

be more or less provided, much of less 

definable value will have gone. 

When this is due to 

construction of much less 

necessary edifices such as a luxury 

block of flats and a private 

retirement home, the unfortunate 

becomes offensive to those who 

love nature. If in addition 

commitments entered into for 

mitigation or compensation are 

not met, dissatisfaction mounts 

further. In the case of the Prison, 

the agreed plan is to clear a large 

tract of alien invasive prickly pear 

cactus to restore habitat for 

Barbary partridges. 

Whether or not there was any 

real co-ordinated thought given 

Summer 2008 - No. 15 

to the developments in the South, we may well 

never know. GONHS made several 

unsuccessful attempts at offering its services 

to assist in such a co-ordinated effort. We 

asked for all the needs for the area to be 

considered at once, and balanced with the 

need to protect wildlife and the landscape. 

Failure to engage us at the early stages leads 

to subsequent complaints and generation of 

adverse publicity – which comes in for criticism 

from those who seem to believe that we are 

just out to block progress. 

We will keep on trying to protect our 

natural history – which includes our landscape 

– and will be judged, not by those who look 

at short-term interests, but those who look 

back on this part of our history and are 

grateful for what we did achieve and wonder 

why nobody listened to all the rest. 

Their last spring. 

Present view to the south.

GIBRALTAR NATURE NEWS 

2 

SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT 1 

EDITORIAL 2 

NATURAL HISTORY COURSE 2 

EASTERN PROMISE 3 

JBEL MOUSSA 4 

OBITUARY: JUAN DE FERRER ANDREU 6 

A NEW ANT SPECIES FOR EUROPE 

FROM GIBRALTAR 6 

MACAQUE TURMOIL 6 

REFURBISHMENT OF CHARLES V WALL 7 

PINAR DEL REY 8 

TARIFA & SANTUARIO DE LA LUZ 10 

BANKSIA IN FLOWER 12 

MORE LIVERWORTS AND MOSSES 

IDENTIFIED 12 

BIRDING SCENE 13 

RAGGED STAFF CAVE 13 

TANGIER TO LARACHE 14 

CATS – WILDLIFE’S ENEMY NUMBER 2 16 

Paul Acolina 

Fernando Barrios 

Keith Bensusan 

Leslie Linares 

John Bugeja 

Charles Perez 

Harry Vangils 

Photo credits 

Items with the Ischnura 

logo are generated by 

the GONHS Biodiversity 

Project team co-ordinated 

by Charles Perez. 

cperez@gonhs.org 

Published by the 

Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society 

Natural History Field Centre, Jews’ Gate, 

Upper Rock Nature Reserve 

P.O.Box 843, Gibraltar 

Tel. 200 72639 - Fax. 200 74022 

e-mail: naturenews@gonhs.org 

http//:www.gonhs.org 

Editorial team: 

John Cortes, 

Leslie Linares, 

Charles Perez, 

Keith Bensusan. 

Brian Lamb 

John Cortes 

Charles Perez 

Peter Hodge 

Jean Paul Latin 

Rhian Guillem 

Mark Ainsworth 

Designed and printed by 

Roca Graphics Ltd. Gibraltar 

21 Tuckeys Lane, Gibraltar. 

Tel. +350 200 57955 

Editorial 

The political agreement reached in 

Cordoba now over a year ago between the 

Governments of Gibraltar, the United Kingdom 

and Spain included an understanding to 

progress on environmental matters. Public 

reference to developments on this front have 

been limited, and it would be easy for those of 

us whose main work is the environment to 

express frustration through criticism. But actually, 

it may well be our own fault. 

How well versed are the politicians and 

officials on all three sides on the most pressing 

environmental needs of our region? How 

many facts and figures do they have in their 

active files which remind them constantly of the 

importance of and dangers to our regional 

biodiversity, that we need to progress on ship- 

March saw the start of the first Natural 

History course organised by GONHS after 

many years. Interest in the course ran high, and 

with the limited space available at The Cottage 

at the Alameda where the lectures were being 

given, numbers were limited to 25. A number 

of people had to be put on a waiting list for the 

next course once this number was reached. 

The course covered many aspects of 

Natural History, including habitats, plants, 

birds, bats, invertebrates, marine life, the 

macaques, cliffs and caves and conservation. 

The format of the course consisted of a series of 

lectures and a few outings. The course was 

LETS TELL THEM 

ping and pollution, and on environmental 

health matters. It is all very well for us to think 

that these are the most important issues of the 

moment – but are we doing enough to push the 

message in the right quarters? 

A tri-partite forum – and with the Strait 

being foremost in our minds this year, when it 

comes to environmental matters it should be 

quatri-partite, with Morocco being the fourth 

element – can be as productive as the material 

put before it. It is time for the NGOs of the 

region to get together to advise formally on the 

main problems and suggest the best possibilities 

so that the environment can truly become 

the priority it needs to be. 

NATURAL HISTORY COURSE 

Group photo at the end of the course. 

John Cortes 

launched on Thursday 13th March, with the 

first lecture delivered by Botanical Section 

Co-ordinator Leslie Linares, on Habitats and 

Plants. The first outing was held on Saturday 

29th March, and 19 of the students enjoyed a 

climb up Mediterranean Steps to get a practical 

experience of, and learn more about, invertebrates 

and plants. 

Course outing to Med. Steps. 

Attendance at the lectures was excellent 

throughout. The average attendance was 21 

(84%), whilst the average attendance for outings 

was less, 15 (60%). Certificates of attendance 

were handed out at a small reception held 

following the last lecture on conservation delivered 

by Dr John Cortes. Those following the 

course were also asked to provide us with some 

feedback by filling in a survey form, and the 

results from this have been very encouraging 

and positive, indicating that the course had 

been a great success. There are now plans to 

hold a second course in the autumn.

The east side of Gibraltar is due to change 

drastically in coming years. The major East Side 

Development, once known as "Sovereign Bay" 

has received outline planning permission following 

acceptance by the Development & 

Planning Commission, of the Environmental 

Impact Assessment of the site. This was an 

extensive document that highlighted a number 

of environmental concerns, both short and long 

term. 

Concerns included a reduction in quality of 

the bathing waters in some sections of beach, 

the need to analyse the material in the fill as 

toxicity could not be ascertained during the 

study, and impact of dredging on coastal processes. 

In its own representations on the matter, the 

Catalan Bay community provided a great deal 

of evidence referring to the degradation of the 

marine habitat in the area. The EIA had, for 

example, dismissed the effect on the sandy seabed 

communities because it has already deteriorated 

due to conch raking. The Catalan Bay 

representations state that this is not an argument, 

as the habitat could recover with time if 

protected. Indeed some of the points raised 

regarding the deterioration of the marine habitat 

are alarming. The Eastside development will 

do nothing to improve this. 

East side sand 

slopes with lotus 

arenarius 

The visual impact of the development will 

be huge. Advocates of the scheme hail this as 

adding an attractive feature to the area. Most 

people fear the adverse effect on the natural 

look of Gibraltar's north-eastern sea-cliff landscape, 

which will become distorted for ever. 

At least, one would have thought, most of 

the coastline to the south of this development, 

would retain most of its natural character, 

retaining its historical, wildlife and landscape 

value. Not so. In reviving an old scheme which 

most had wanted to forget, ABCO, a Gibraltarbased 

company, applied for planning permission 

to build on the sand slopes above Sandy 

Bay. 

This area is adjacent to a protected Site of 

Community Interest, listed by the European 

Union. It is a green site with an interesting 

natural community. Moreover, it allows a clear 

view from the main road of the impressive 

Great Sand Slopes and the cliffs above, providing 

one of the few views of almost completely 

natural landscape in Gibraltar. 

The construction will block much of this 

EASTERN PROMISE 

One of the plans for six luxury villas 

view, and this feeling of wilderness, to be 

replaced with an impacting development of six 

luxury villas. Thus six people will replace what is 

currently there and, judging by the trends elsewhere 

in Gibraltar, the owners will be absent for 

most of the year. 

An environmental statement was prepared 

for the developer by a UK-based firm, 

Environmental Gain Ltd. The same firm also 

prepared a statement for the Government which 

requested this as an Appropriate Assessment, 

which was required as the site is adjacent to a 

Community site. GONHS considered that neither 

document was thorough enough nor that all 

environmental aspects were addressed. Outline 

planning permission was nevertheless given. 

The site is partly covered with invasives, but 

on the other hand holds a wide range of plant 

species and is important for molluscs and reptiles, 

with Bedriaga's Skink, a species of European 

importance being found there. 

Representations have been made to the 

pertinent authorities to have the permission 

reversed, and Nature News will report on 

progress. 

An on-line petition urging the Gibraltar 

Government to halt the project can be accessed 

on http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-bothworlds-villas. 

This development cannot be considered in 

isolation. Together with the larger Eastside 

project, another project by ABCO to the south of 

Sandy Bay, and plans adjacent to the nearby 

Caleta Hotel, Gibraltar's eastern coastline could 

suffer irrevocable damage and the natural character 

of the area obliterated. 

GONHS's Leslie Linares on 

Mediterranean Steps - overlooking the 

site of the proposed villas 

NOTES & NEWS 

SILENE TOMENTOSA RE-INTRODUCTION 

In November 2006 members of the Cliffs and 

Caves Section of GONHS helped in planting out 

eight young Silene tomentosa on the cliffs above 

Mediterranean Steps. This was reported in Issue 

No. 13 of Nature News. This last spring, two of 

these plants were seen flowering for the first time. 

The plants looked healthy and well established on 

the cliff, and hopefully seeds from these plants will 

germinate elsewhere around the site. 

GiBrALtAr cAmPion on 

the eAst side sAnd sLoPes 

Every year, a botanical survey is carried out of the 

restored sand slopes on the East Side. This year, 

during the survey carried out on 24th April, an 

amazing discovery was made: a Gibraltar campion, 

Silene tomentosa, growing on the sand slopes. 

The plant is a mature one, some four or five years 

old, and is in extremely good condition, as seen on 

the photograph. The last time that a plant of this 

species was seen growing in the wild was in 1994, 

14 years ago! 

What makes the find especially astonishing is the 

fact that it is growing on sand and in a completely 

exposed situation. In all the floras from the 19th 

century and later, this species is always described 

as growing on limestone cliffs and outcrops. In fact, 

all recent sightings of this very rare, endemic species 

have been precisely on limestone outcrops. The 

discovery of this plant in this habitat turns on its 

head all previous notions about the species. 

Some 20 seeds were collected from this plant during 

a seed-collecting visit to the slopes in July. 

senior heritAGe AWArd 2008 

GONHS Botanical Section Co-ordinator Leslie 

Linares has to be congratulated for obtaining this 

year’s Senior Heritage Award from the Gibraltar 

Heritage Trust. This award is in recognition of his 

dedicated researching and recording of Gibraltar’s 

flora over the last 30 years. It is noteworthy that this 

award recognises that our natural heritage is an 

important and integral part of Gibraltar’s 

Heritage. 


3


4 

IN THIS YEAR OF THE STRAIT, WE ARE DEDICATING PART OF NATURE NEWS TO PROMOTING KNOWLEDGE 

OF SOME OF THE MAIN WILDLIFE SITES OF THIS FASCINATING REGION 

Information used in these articles was collected during GIBMANATUR, the Gibraltar-Morocco Interreg IIIA 

project of collaboration between GONHS and the Institut Scientifique of the University of Rabat-Agdal 

Making up much of Gibraltar’s southern 

horizon, and lying 25km away across the Strait, 

Jbel Moussa rises from the sea to a height of 

851m. Although from the north it appears to 

be one mass with one summit, it actually 

consists of two main hills, running approximately 

north-east to south-west, separated by a col. 

The alignment of the hills means that this can 

only be appreciated when the mountain is 

viewed from the north-east or the south-west, 

and therefore this cannot be seen from the 

European side. 

North African scholars claim that the 

mountain is named after the Prophet Moses, 

who features in Jewish, Christian and Muslim 

traditions. To the Romans it was Mons Abyla, 

with Gibraltar (Mons Calpe) one of the twin 

Pillars of Hercules, which marked the end of the 

world. An early English name was the much 

less romantic Apes’ Hill, nevertheless a factual 

title, as there are Barbary macaques there to 

the present. 

A reference to the Barbary macaque 

Macaca sylvanus in the region of the Strait is 

contained in Abou Obeid el Bekri’s work of 

1068 AD. This refers to there being “no place 

on earth with more monkeys than Merça 

Mouça”. Recent estimates suggest that there 

may be about 90 macaques in four groups 

ranging throughout the area, down to the sea 

cliffs. They have been observed by GONHS 

SITES AROUND THE STRAIT 1 

JBEL MOUSSA 

and Rabat University researchers during the 

GIBMANATUR Interreg project. 

Jbel Moussa is made of limestone, the 

western mass being mainly Jurassic limestone 

similar to the Rock of Gibraltar. On the shore of 

the Strait it forms rocky platforms, including the 

offshore island of Laila (“Isla del Perejil”). This is 

the habitat of a population of extremely stunted 

Gibraltar Sea Lavenders Limonium emarginatum, 

subjected to both heavy grazing pressure by 

Laila (Isla del 

Perejil). 

goats and extremely windy conditions. Wind is 

a feature at all levels on Moussa, at sea level 

both easterlies and westerlies rage past, while at 

the col, easterlies in particular are channeled 

through with tremendous force, and then tumble 

down the lee side, sculpting the lentisc scrub into 

a low, tangled thicket. 

Most of the north of the mountain is either 

sheer cliff or very steep slopes, although a 

narrow path crosses it near the sea giving access 

to hamlets in the several picturesque sandy 

coves. In one such cove, near the village of Ben 

Yunes, lies the ruin of an old whaling factory. 

From near this point, the view of the summits of 

Moussa have given it the Spanish name of “la 

mujer muerta” (the dead woman). The cliffs, 

screes and rocky slopes provide a habitat to 

many plant species, all subject to grazing, which 

include species typically found in Gibraltar, such 

as Giant Tangier Fennel Ferula tingitana and 

Joint Pine Ephedra fragilis. 

The upper reaches of the gentler south-west 

slope is very heavily grazed, only Lentisc growing 

to any height, with some plants, such as Bear’s 

Breech Acanthus mollis clinging on to the least 

accessible crevices. Lower down on this slope 

are another series of hamlets, each with their 

mosque. Around these inhabited areas there is 

more vegetation, and in some years a profusion 

of wild flowers can be seen in the spring, which 

includes the Moroccan endemic larkspur 

Delphinium staphisagria. 

The eastern slopes of the mountain are quite 

bare on the upper reaches, but lower down, 

where the gradient is gentler, have developing 

scrub and woodland. Some of it is similar to the 

matorral on Gibraltar, and on one rocky outcrop 

there several specimens of Gibraltar Candytuft 

Moussa from the south. 

Wooded eastern slopes. Looking north east from the col. The eastern peak.

Iberis gibraltarica were found during a 

GIBMANATUR expedition. Lower down the soil is 

more acidic and shrubs and trees include Tree 

Heather Erica arborea and Strawberry Tree 

Arbutus unedo. 

Nesting birds on Jbel Moussa include 

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala in the 

scrub, Wren Troglodytes troglodytes in most of 

the habitats, and Blue Rock Thrush Monticola 

solitarius on the cliffs. Raptors nesting on Moussa 

include Peregrine Falco peregrinus and possibly 

Lanner Falco biarmicus and Bonelli’s Eagle 

Aquila fasciatus. Black Redstarts Phoenicurus 

ochruros are resident also, not just at the 

summit, but also, unlike what is the case north of 

the Strait, right down to the sea level. The most 

typical bird of Moussa however, also extending 

from the summit to the sea, is the outstandingly 

beautiful Moussier’s Redstart Phoenicurus 

moussieri. Importantly also, there is at least one 

colony, near the sea, of apparently pure wild 

Rock Doves Columba livia. 

Jbel Moussa, as a large geographical 

feature in a very windy region, is both an 

obstacle and an aid to migrating soaring birds. 

During migration periods flocks of storks and 

raptors can regularly be seen soaring in the 

area, either before deciding to cross to the north 

in the spring, or in autumn, after they have just 

arrived from across the Strait. 

Like the Rock of Gibraltar, although on a 

larger scale, Jbel Moussa has many different 

characters depending on the weather, ranging 

from stunningly clear days to days when it takes 

on a mantle of thick mist. In whichever 

condition, this protected area retains a charm, 

which, together with the stunning landscape and 

varied wildlife, makes the visitor want to keep 

returning. 

Wild barbary macaques. 

La Mujer Muerta. 

The old whaling factory. 

Coastal scrub. Delphinium staphisagria. 

The foothills. 


5


6 

OBITUARY: JUAN DE FERRER ANDREU 

Juan de Ferrer Andreu passed away on 

the 22nd of June 2008, at the age of 83. 

Juan studied Coleoptera (beetles) and was an 

internationally renowned expert on the family 

Histeridae. Originally from Catalonia, Juan 

settled in Algeciras in the 1960s after living in 

the Canaries and Ceuta. His ceaseless 

entomological activity in the area resulted in 

a collection of beetles from southernmost 

Spain of enormous importance and value. 

Juan collected beetles wherever he went and 

the collection of Histeridae that he has left is 

of a truly global scope. 

Juan was a chemist by training and his 

passions also included mineralogy. Juan was 

an intellectual man and his vast knowledge 

extended far beyond his hobbies and his 

wisdom was second only to his humanity. He 

had an extremely kind and likeable personality, 

and he was always very generous with his 

NEW ANT FOR 

EUROPE, FROM 

GIBRALTAR 

A new ant species to Europe has been 

found in Gibraltar. The ant Technomyrmex 

vexatus, recorded by GONHS Invertebrates 

Section members Rhian Guillem and Keith 

Bensusan, is common in the maquis of the 

Upper Rock. This is the first Technomyrmex 

species to be added to the Iberian fauna. The 

species had previously been thought to be 

endemic to Morocco, only being recorded 

from Tangier and Ceuta. T. vexatus appears 

to have a very restricted distribution and could 

be a Strait endemic. The account is published 

in the prestigious journal ‘Myrmecological 

News’, which deals with ant taxonomy and 

ecology. The paper can be downloaded as a 

pdf from www.myrmecologicalnews.org. The 

article citation is: Guillem, R. & Bensusan, K. 

2008. Technomyrmex vexatum (Santschi, 

1919) from Gibraltar: a new ant species for 

Europe and genus for Iberia. Myrmecological 

News, 11: 21-23. 

Technomyrmex vexatus on 

Olive in the Upper Rock 

knowledge and eager to help beginners in his 

subjects of expertise. A consummate family 

man, Juan’s affection and dedication to his 

wife and offspring shone through in everything 

he did. 

Juan acted as an advisor, mentor and 

good personal friend of some of the members 

of the Invertebrates section of GONHS, who 

visited Juan regularly at his home right up to 

his passing. In particular, Juan was 

instrumental in providing advice, assistance 

and encouragement when Charlie Perez and 

Keith Bensusan began to build a reference 

collection of the beetles of Gibraltar. His 

expertise, generosity, sense of humour and 

solid friendship will be sorely missed. 

Juan is survived by his wife, three 

daughters and a son. 

Gibraltar’s Barbary macaque population 

repeatedly attracts international attention, 

often for the wrong reasons. A statement in 

the Gibraltar Parliament about an intended 

cull was picked up and led to representations 

from individuals and organizations around 

the world, including the Born Free Foundation 

and the International Primate Protection 

League. 

GONHS issued a lengthy policy statement 

on the Macaques, the full text of which can be 

found on the Society’s website (www.gonhs. 

org), and was involved in the public debate. 

This included a live Gibraltar Television 

discussion programme , Viewpoint, which saw 

contributions from the Hon E M Britto MP, 

Minister for the Environment, the Hon Fabian 

Picardo MP, Opposition spokesman on the 

environment, Helen Thirlway from IPPL and 

John Cortes from GONHS. 

The GONHS position throughout has 

been one of considering culling only as a last 

resort, and working tirelessly on the options, 

which include exportation of offending groups. 

MACAQUE TURMOIL 

On this occasion, it was incursions into the 

Catalan Bay and Both Worlds area that was 

causing public concern and putting pressure 

on the authorities. 

In its statement, GONHS stressed the 

importance of proper management of the 

macaques beyond what is currently done. 

While some of these improvements may require 

further investment, much of it would possible 

with adequate law enforcement and policing. 

Illegal feeding of monkeys at key locations 

continues, and serves to attract groups, help 

them get established, and to have the monkeys 

expect handouts from people. This in turn 

leads to the macaques harassing residents and 

passers-by. 

Meanwhile, GONHS is working with the 

Government with the aim of improving the 

overall situation, and with international bodies 

to attempt to introduce new measures and 

have the option of a destination for “surplus” 

groups. 

The ultimate aim is a healthy, stable 

population without the need for culling.

Work on the 

refurbishment of Charles 

V Wall started at the 

beginning of the year and 

rapid progress made, 

with the official 

inauguration taking place 

on 3rd July. GONHS was 

involved with this project 

from the beginning, with 

Co-ordinator of the 

Botanical Section, Leslie 

Linares, attending a 

number of site meetings 

to advise on, and check 

the progress of, any work 

requiring the removal of 

vegetation from the wall’s 

surface. The work of 

refurbishment was carried 

out by Nuttall Ltd, and 

funded by the Bonita Trust. 

A number of woody shrubs which 

were growing out of the wall had to be 

removed, but none of these were of any 

Repairing the south facing surface. 

REFURBISHMENT OF 

CHARLES V WALL 

significance. The only exception was a large 

and old hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna 

subsp brevispina, which was growing from the 

west-facing surface of the wall’s second 

landing. Hawthorns are quite rare in the 

Upper Rock, and following our request, this 

tree has been left in place as it does not 

threaten the wall’s integrity or stability. 

Cracks and holes in the wall have 

been filled in with a special cement mix. The 

surface of the cement has been roughened, 

again on our recommendation, in order to 

encourage new growth of mosses, liverworts 

and ferns. It was also quite satisfying to note 

that, on their own initiative, the contractors 

had decided to coat the cement surface with a 

thin layer of soil while the cement was still wet. 

The resulting effect is quite good both visually 

and environmentally, as the soil will contain 

nutrients that will encourage the 

re-establishment of those species of plants 

that have had to be removed during the 

works. 

Following the recommendation of 

GONHS, many of the smaller plants growing 

on the wall have been left in place, and only 

those that had to be removed were destroyed. 

But it won’t take long for those bare parts of 

the wall to become re-populated once again 

as seeds from the 

plants left behind 

drop into cracks and 

hollows and 

g e r m i n a t e . 

Important species 

found on the wall 

are the Gibraltar 

thyme, Thymus 

willdenowii, and the 

hairy toadflax or 

c l i f f - h a n g e r , 

C h a e n o r r h i n u m 

villosum. Both of 

these species grow 

well on the wall, but 

only on the shadier 

north-facing side. 

On the sunnier 

south-facing side 

the main species 

are the toothed 

lavender, Lavandula 

dentata, the wall 

h e l i c h r y s u m , 

Helichrysum boissieri, and the rock phagnalon, 

Phagnalon saxatile. 

Clearing vegitation. 

Repairing the top surfaces. 

notes & neWs 

in memorY of eLdA 

Elena Scialtiel recently donated £1000 to GONHS 

in memory of her grandmother Elda Vita Levi Coen 

Sacerdotti, who sadly passed away on the 25th July 

2007. The money shall be used to plant trees as 

requested by Ms Scialtiel, who has expressed a 

preference for the trees to be planted at the Botanic 

Gardens or on the East Side. GONHS thanks Ms 

Scialtiel for her very generous gesture and hopes 

that the trees selected will go some way towards 

preserving the memory of her grandmother. 

neW interPretAtion BoArds 

for the uPPer rocK 

A number of interpretation boards have been 

placed at different points along the Upper Rock 

Nature Reserve. These boards have been designed 

by GONHS biodiversity team members Charles 

Perez and Keith Bensusan, and have been produced 

by GONHS with the help of EU funds. The 

boards have been fitted into place by the Upper 

Rock Team currently working under GONHS. 

The boards follow the pattern of those already in 

place along Mediterranean Steps. One has been 

placed by the Pillars of Hercules monument at Jew’s 

Gate, with information about birds of prey. Another 

has been placed at the entrance to Douglas Path 

with information about invertebrates, and another, 

giving information on Gibraltar habitats, has been 

placed at the top of Signal Station Road. One more 

is in place at the Ape’s Den with information about 

the macaques. Two larger boards have also been 

erected at the entrances to Inglis Way and Royal 

Anglian Way, displaying the route followed by these 

footpaths, together with information and photographs 

of the wildlife likely to be seen along the 

way. 

nArroW-LeAVed PhiLLYreA, 

PHILLYREA ANGUSTIFOLIA 

A young tree of the species Phillyrea angustifolia 

has been recorded from the East Side sand slopes. 

At present the tree has the appearance of a shrub 

about 1 metre tall, but eventually it will grow into a 

small tree that can reach 2.5m. This species is common 

in Spain, but has not been recorded for 

Gibraltar before, although a different species 

Phillyrea latifolia grows on the Upper Rock. The 

likelihood is that this tree has sprouted from a seed 

deposited with some bird dropping. There were 

plans to introduce this particular species to the sand 

slopes, but it seems that nature has beaten us to 

it! 


7


8 

Two types of woodland habitat predominate 

in the area of the northern shore of the Strait 

of Gibraltar. The most typical of the region is 

Cork Oak (Quercus suber) woodland. The 

large ‘Parque Natural Los Alcornocales’, which 

covers some 177,000 ha., is comprised mainly 

of this. However, pockets of pine woodland of 

varying size also occur. These are mainly 

composed of Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster), 

examples of which can be found on the Sierra 

del Bujeo, and Stone or Umbrella Pine (Pinus 

pinea). The Stone Pine is the characteristic, 

umbrella-shaped species that people in 

Gibraltar are most familiar with. One fine 

example of Stone Pine woodland in the area of 

the Strait can be found very close to Gibraltar. 

Most Gibraltarians are familiar with the 

pinewoods of ‘Pinar del Rey’, which lie a few 

minutes’ drive to the north of San Roque. This 

woodland is composed largely of Stone Pine 

but also includes Cork Oak and Algerian Oak 

(Quercus canariensis), as well as Alders (Alnus 

glutinosus) and Poplars (Populus spp.) around 

the Rio Alhaja. 

Pinar del Rey. 

The understorey in these woods is varied. 

Around recreational areas, the amount of 

shrubs and woody vegetation providing ground 

cover is sparse and often completely absent. 

Away from these areas however, the vegetation 

can be very rich. Typical shrubs include the 

Narrow-leaved Phillyrea (Phillyrea angustifolia), 

Lentisc (Pistacia lentiscus), Mediterranean 

Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) and Kermes 

Oak (Quercus coccifera). Lower down, the 

gorse Ulex borgiae is common is some areas. 

This plant is endemic to the province of Cádiz 

is southern Andalucía. Particularly striking is 

the oak Quecus fruticosus. This woody plant 

forms dense mats over the ground. It creeps 


PINAR DEL REY 

and does not grow high enough to form 

bushes. As is the case in other woodlands with 

acid soils in the region, heaths or heathers 

(Erica spp.) are a feature of the understorey. 

The most common species is the greenflowered 

Besom Heath (Erica scoparia), but 

particularly attractive is the more localised 

Erica umbellata, with pink and white flowers. 

Some large areas of understorey are dominated 

by Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum). This fern 

has a cosmopolitan distribution, being found 

on all continents except Antarctica. 

One striking feature of the understorey is 

Halimium atriplicifolium, a plant that is typical 

of sandy substrates that are exposed to the 

sun. This species of rockrose has bright yellow 

flowers that open early in the morning, most 

flowers having dropped their petals by midday 

only for the shrubs to flower again the next 

day. These flowers contrast sharply with their 

grey, smooth and fleshy leaves. Rockroses 

belonging to the genus Cistus are also 

common. The Sage-leaved Cistus (Cistus 

salvifolius) is particularly abundant, Grey- 

Woodchat shrike. Pimelia maura. 

leaved Cistus (Cistus albidus) and C. crispus 

being more localised. Cytinus hypocistis can 

be found under some Cistus and Halimium 

bushes. This beautiful plant is a root-parasite 

of rockroses. It has no leaves and produces 

no energy of its own, relying entirely on that of 

its hosts. Inflorescences of this species form 

small mats of bright yellow and red. 

The community of herbaceous plants at 

Pinar del Rey is also striking. Two species of 

Lupin occur. Perhaps the most notable due to 

its abundance in some areas is the Yellow 

Lupin (Lupinus luteus). Another attractive 

flower is the Tassel Hyacinth (Muscari 

comosum). These bulbous plants produce blue 

flowers that are evident during the Spring. 

Orchids are always popular with botanists and 

the Mediterranean region is rich in species. Of 

the three species of pink and red Tongue 

Orchid that occur around the Strait, the largest 

and most striking is the Heart-flowered 

Serapias (Serapias cordigera). This beautiful 

flower grows well in the sandy soils of the Pinar 

del Rey. The most prominent orchid in this 

woodland however is the Limodore (Limodorum 

arbortivum). This lovely plant is a parasite 

(Saprophyte) of pines that lacks green leaves. 

In some years, these violet flowers can be 

abundant and noticeable during the flowering 

period in mid-Spring, usually growing close to 

the bases of pine trees. 

The assemblage of woodland birds 

inhabiting Pinar del Rey is similar to that of 

Cork Oak woodlands in the hinterland. 

Attractive species that can be found at the site 

include the Great-spotted Woodpecker 

(Dendrocopos major) and Short-toed 

Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla), as well as 

Woodchat Shrikes (Lanius senator) and 

Serapias cordigera. Lupinus luteus 

View of the Woods 

Nightingales (Luscinia megarrhynchos) during 

the Spring and Summer Months. Less common 

but also present all year round are the Cirl 

Bunting (Emberiza cirla) and Hawfinch 

(Coccothraustes coccothraustes). Crested Tits 

(Parus cristatus), show a preference for 

pinewoods throughout their range and are 

particularly common at this site, perhaps more 

so than other Tit species. They are certainly 

more abundant here than at any other site 

around the Strait. Due to the site’s sandy soils 

and profusion of insects, the Pinar del Rey 

provides an ideal habitat for Bee-eaters 

(Merops apiaster) to breed. These very 

colourful and audible birds are very much a 

feature of these pinewoods during the Spring 

and early Summer. A bird you are less likely 

to see due to its cryptic plumage and nocturnal 

habits is the Red-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus 

ruficollis), which hawks for insects mainly 

during the late evening and early morning.

Lupinus habitat 

The birds of prey of the Pinar del Rey are those 

typical of woodlands in our region. Booted 

and Short-toed Eagles (Aquila pennata & 

Circaetus gallicus) and Common Buzzards 

(Buteo buteo) are present during the breeding 

period. Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) can be 

seen overhead all year round. 

As with any of the woodlands in our 

region, the Pinar del Rey is inhabited by some 

Crested tit. 

species of large mammal including European 

Badgers (Meles meles), whose sets can be 

found on sandy banks along gullies. Reptiles 

abound too. The Spanish Psammodromus 

(Psammodromus hispanicus), which does not 

occur in Gibraltar, is found here. So too is the 

Spiny-footed Lizard (Acanthodactylus 

erythrurus), a species that is a specialist of 

sandy soil. The spines on the toes of this 

Cytinus hypocistis 

Woodpecker 

species are not too large, but those on other 

species of Acanthodactylus are as an adaptation 

to walking on loose desert sands. The burrows 

of the Ocellated Lizard (Timon lepidus) are also 

a common feature in the Pinar del Rey’s sandy 

soils. This is the largest species of lizard in 

Europe, adults reaching a length of 60cm. 

The invertebrate fauna of the Pinar del Rey 

is extremely rich. Cistus species provide a 

Erica umbellata. 

habitat for a wide variety of insects. The 

reddish, very spiny leaf beetle Dicladispa 

testacea can be found feeding on plants 

belonging to this genus. Beetles typical of 

sandy soil abound, such as the darkling 

beetles Pimelia maura. The large ground 

beetle Scarites cyclops hunts darkling beetles, 

whose thick cuticle it breaks through with its 

very large and sharp jaws. Cattle are kept in 

fenced areas outside of picnic sites. Their 

dung attracts a diverse fauna of dung 

beetles. Large species belonging to the 

genus Scarabaeus (Scarab Beetles) are 

common in flight on warm days and are 

frequently found on the ground, sometimes 

rolling balls of dung for their larvae to feed 

on. The butterfly fauna of the Pinar del Rey 

is very rich. Indeed, a subspecies of the 

Portuguese Dappled White (Euchloe tagis 

davidi) is found nowhere else. This 

subspecies was described by Antonio 

Verdugo and José Luís Torres, both of whom 

are friends and collaborators of members of 

the GONHS Invertebrate Section. 

The Pinar del Rey has been the subject of 

considerable controversy lately, since plans 

are afoot to build a new motorway that will, 

if present plans are executed, run through 

the pinewood. This would constitute an 

ecological disaster. The Pinar del Rey is the 

only mature Stone Pine woodland for many 

kilometres. In addition, the flora and fauna 

of the site are diverse and important. 

Furthermore, this woodland has been 

enjoyed as a recreational area for people 

from the region for generations. Every effort 

should be made to ensure that the motorway 

is diverted and that the Pinar del Rey remains 

in its current, healthy state for many 

generations to come. 

notes & neWs 

Visit to rABAt BY Gonhs 

BiodiVersitY teAm 

Keith Bensusan, Rhian Guillem and Leslie Linares 

paid a working visit to the Institut Scientifique of the 

Université Mohammed V, Rabat-Agdal from 8th to 

11th July this year. Research was concentrated in 

the herbarium and the insect collection of the 

Institute. Leslie dedicated himself to checking out all 

references to plants which are special to Gibraltar, 

such as the Gibraltar campion, taking notes and 

photographs of the specimens. Similarly, Keith 

researched a number of succulent specimens in the 

herbarium, and then helped out Rhian who was 

studying ants in the insect collection. We are grateful 

to the Director of the Institute who very generously 

placed their facilities at our disposal and to 

Prof. Mohamed Mouna for his kind help and excellent 

hospitality. 

remoVAL of eXotic trees from 

the eAst side sAnd sLoPes 

Christian and Richard 

removing blue leaved 

wattle 

Following from the excellent work removing the 

stand of prickly pear cactus at Governor’s Lookout, 

the Upper Rock Team currently working under 

GONHS turned their attention to removing introduced 

species on the East Side sand slopes. 

There are a number of species that have become 

established on the sand slopes. Some are more 

invasive than others. The most problematic in the 

area is the Red-eye wattle or Rooikrans, Acacia 

cyclops. This is a dense, much-branched, evergreen, 

shrub or small tree from 1 to 5 m tall, which 

forms thickets, resulting in the exclusion of other 

native species. This is very noticeable on the slopes 

above the Caleta Hotel. A number of these trees 

have appeared on the re-vegetated slopes where 

the water catchment sheets were removed, and 

these trees are among those that have been targeted 

by our hard-working team. 

Other problematic species in the area that are 

being removed, are the blue-leaved wattle, Acacia 

saligna, the Cape wattle or stink-bean, 

Paraserianthes lophantha, the shrub tobacco, 

Nicotiana glauca, and the Canary palm, Phoenix 

canariensis. Chopping down the trees is not enough 

to kill them and some will sprout again in due 

course. In an attempt to prevent this happening the 

stumps were treated with a specific herbicide that 

was hoped would lead to the destruction of the 

roots. However, just a few months after the operation, 

and despite the herbicide, some of the stumps 

have started to sprout as seen in the photograph. 

So, it’s back to the drawing board! 

Work on tackling these trees has not been easy as 

the sandy, sloping terrain is difficult to work on, and 

on a sunny day the heat can be unbearable; so we 

have to be grateful to the Team for their hard work. 

GONHS would also like to thank Aquagib for 

allowing access to the area through the Waterworks 

tunnel. 

Re-growth of Acacia saligna 

4 months later 


9


10 

The town of Tarifa comprises the most 

southerly point of mainland Europe. 

Furthermore, at a distance of just 14km, the 

area of Tarifa is closer to Africa than any other 

part of the European continent. This places the 

area around Tarifa at a strategic point for 

wildlife viewing, both terrestrial and marine. 

Whale-watching takes place off Tarifa. Longfinned 

Pilot Whales (Globicephala melas), 

Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) and Sperm Whales 

(Physeter macrocephalus) are seen regularly, 

as are three species of dolphin. Tarifa lies 

close to the meeting point of the Mediterranean 

Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and it is unsurprising 

that the rich sea life that inhabits the rocky 

shores around this town contain elements of 

Atlantic and Mediterranean marine 

ecosystems. 

To naturalists, Tarifa is best known as the 

site where migrating soaring birds – raptors 

and storks – converge during migrations, 

especially before their crossing to Africa in the 

summer and autumn. More birds cross at the 

Strait of Gibraltar than at any other point in 

Europe, including the Bosphorus Strait. Of 

these, most fly past Tarifa where the crossing is 

narrowest. As a result, many thousands of 

birds of prey and storks accumulate at this site 

twice a year. Particularly abundant are White 

Storks (Ciconia ciconia), Honey Buzzards 

(Pernis apivorus) and Black Kites (Milvus 

migrans), although a number of other species 

are also numerous. These birds often sit on 

the fields just north of Tarifa, known as the 

Santuario de la Luz, during spells of bad 

weather or strong winds when they are forced 

to postpone their crossing of the Strait. During 

such times, many hundreds or even thousands 

of birds may be grounded, dotting the fields as 

they rest and await better conditions. 

The beach of Los Lances, extending 

towards the northwest from Tarifa, receives 

protection as a nature reserve and provides 

stopover habitat for other birds. Waders, Grey 

Tawny Pipit 


TARIFA AND SANTUARIO DE LA LUZ 

Herons, Little Egrets, Great Cormorant and 

gulls and terns frequently sit on the beach, 

particularly around the estuaries of the Jara 

and Vega rivers and the tidal lagoon of the 

former, during migration periods and also 

during the winter. Flocks of Audouin’s Gulls 

(Larus audouini) are regular on the beach 

during most months of the year. Flocks of 

terns during migration periods often include 

the one or two Caspian Terns (Hydroprogne 

caspia) or Lesser-crested Terns (Sterna 

bengalensis). Outside of breeding colonies 

where singles or pairs of Lesser-crested Terns 

occasionally turn up, Los Lances is probably 

the most reliable site at which to see this 

species in Europe. Rare migrant waders 

include records of Eurasian Dotterel (Charadrius 

morinellus) during most years, especially in the 

late summer. 

The dunes and sandy fields bordering the 

beach hold small numbers of breeding Kentish 

Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) and Shorttoed 

Larks (Calandrella brachydactyla). The 

dunes hold typical vegetation that includes 

Marram Grass (Ammophila arenaria), Sea 

Holly (Eryngium maritimum, which looks like a 

thistle but is actually an umbellifer), Sea Stock 

(Malcolmia littorea) and Sea Spurge (Euphorbia 

paralias) among other plants of sandy habitats. 

Behind the dunes and to the north of the Rio 

Jara is a thin strip of Stone Pine (Pinus pinea) 

woodland. This wood is very young and is not 

rich in vegetation. The understorey, where 

present, consists mainly of White Broom 

(Retama monosperma), Thorny Broom 

(Callicotome villosa), Aromatic Inula (Dittrichia 

viscosa) and Spiny Buckthorn (Rhamnus 

lyciodes ssp. oleoides). However, a few 

interesting plants can be observed within this 

wood. Four species of orchid are fairly 

common: The Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera), 

Two-leaved Genaria (Genaria diphylla), 

Tongue Orchid (Serapias parviflora) and 

Autumn Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis). 

The first three species flower during the spring, 

whilst the last flowers during the autumn after 

Scolymus hispanicus 

Stonechat 

the first rains. A large ground beetle, Scarites 

cyclops, can be found crawling on the sandy 

soil, where it searches for its prey of darkling 

beetles (family Tenebrionidae). 

Behind Los Lances, across the N-340 

road, lies the Santuario de la Luz. The open 

habitat at this site goes brown during the 

summer when it is dry, but comes alive during 

the spring with a flora that is diverse in species 

and colour. Some of the fields become 

periodically covered in the flowers of colourful 

herbaceous plants such as Honeywort (Cerinthe 

major), Mallow-leaved Bindweed (Convolvulus 

althaeoides), Spanish Mallow (Malva hispanica) 

and Purple Viper’s Bugloss (Echium 

plantagineum). The large, blue thistles Carduus 

cardunculus and C. humilis are characteristic of 

this open habitat, as is the yellow-flowered 

Spanish Oyster Plant (Scolymus hispanicus). 

The basal leaves of this last species are 

stripped of their spines and sold in local 

markets as ‘Tagarnina’, for stewing or making 

omelettes. A very attractive plant that flowers 

during the autumn is the Mandrake 

(Mandragora autumnalis). The large, blue 

flowers of this species grow close to the 

ground. Although myths that Mandrake roots 

that are dug up scream and cause the death of 

anyone who hears are untrue, these should not 

be removed nevertheless: fields with Mandrake 

are recognised as a habitat of European 

importance under the EC Habitats Directive. 

On a windless day during the spring, the 

Santuario de la Luz comes alive with the songs 

and calls of nesting birds. The breeding 

avifauna provides a taste of the birds of open 

plains for which much of central Spain is 

famous. Little Bustards (Tetrax tetrax) can 

sometimes be seen; a male regularly displayed 

in the area until at least two or three years ago. 

This bird shared a field with a pair of Montagu’s 

Harriers (Circus pygargus) and Common 

Quails (Coturnix coturnix). Zitting Cisticolas 

(Cisticola juncidis), Corn Buntings (Emberiza

calandra), Thekla Larks (Galerida theklae) and 

Calandra Larks (Melanocorypha calanda) are 

all numerous and their calls and songs are 

loud and distinctive. Tawny Pipits (Anthus 

campestris) and Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla 

flava iberiae) also breed, as do small numbers 

of Black-eared Wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe) 

and Woodchat Shrikes (Lanius senator). 

Melodious Warblers (Hippolais polyglotta) and 

Nightingales (Luscinia megarrhynchos) move in 

during the spring from their African wintering 

grounds to breed in thicker vegetation 

bordering streams. A permanent feature of 

the Santuario are the Griffon Vultures (Gyps 

fulvus) which circle slowly over these fields in 

search of carrion, breeding on crags and cliffs 

in the nearby hills. A dead calf or cow will 

sometimes attract two or three hundred 

vultures. Occasionally, these are joined by 

one or two Black or Cinereous Vultures 

(Aegypius monachus) wintering in the area or 

Santuario landscape 

on passage, as well as Rüppell’s Vultures 

(Gyps rueppelli), a sub-Saharan species that 

has become regular in the Strait area. Flocks 

of Lesser Kestrels (Falco naumanni) can also be 

seen flying and hovering over these fields, 

which are part of the foraging grounds of the 

colony that breeds in the old walls at Tarifa. 

The Santuario is not just important for 

migrating and nesting birds. The area is rich 

in invertebrates. It has a very diverse and 

interesting fauna of ground beetles (family 

Carabidae) and is one of the sites where 

Anochetus ghilianii, an ant species that is 

almost endemic to the area of the Strait, can 

be found. The richness in large invertebrates 

and nesting birds makes the site ideal for the 

Mandragora autumnalis 

Nightingale 

largest lizard in Europe, the Ocellated Lizard 

(Timon lepidus). Individuals can frequently be 

seen sitting on rocks during the spring and 

summer months, basking in the sun. Once 

alerted to the presence of humans or predators, 

they very quickly slip under the large rocks on 

which they sit. Short-toed Eagles (Circaetus 

gallicus), which feed mainly on reptiles (earning 

them the alternative name of Snake Eagle) 

frequently hawk over the fields at the Santuario 

and include Ocellated Lizards among their 

prey. These birds of prey nest on trees in the 

hills that surround the Santuario. 

Much of the countryside surrounding Tarifa 

remains unprotected. This is unfortunate given 

that most of it is important for wildlife, most 

particularly birds. The 

hundreds of wind turbines 

that line hilltops certainly 

pose a hazard to birds of 

prey, migrant and resident. 

However, a much more 

serious threat is posed by 

recurring plans for 

development of parts of 

this countryside, most 

notable some of the fields 

of the Santuario de la Luz. 

notes & neWs 

the ruBBLe mountAin 

A botanical survey of the rubble mountain between 

Eastern Beach and Catalan Bay was carried out on 

13th May this year. Despite the composition of the 

mound which contains all sorts of construction 

material and rubbish of all descriptions, the whole 

site was ablaze with colour from the flowers growing 

on it. A total of 111 species were recorded on 

the site, including a number of Gibraltar candytuft, 

Iberis gibraltarica; wild parsley, Petroselinum 

crispum; and Succowia balearica, all of which are 

protected under Schedule 3 of the Nature Protection 

Act 1991! Other interesting species found here 

were a large number of white buttons, Anacyclus 

clavatus, a rare species on the rock; a single plant 

of the rare small-flowered bugloss, Echium parviflorum; 

a small stand of the Italian sainfoin, Hedysarum 

coronarium, which is otherwise only found on 

Windmill Hill Flats; and a couple of castor oil 

plants, Ricinus communis, which are rare on the 

Rock. 

If the mound is not removed soon, it could well 

become a protected habitat!!! 

toiLets for the uPPer rocK 

The Tourist Board is in the process of constructing 

much needed public toilets in the Upper Rock 

Nature Reserve. One of these will be situated by the 

Moorish Castle ticket office and another by the car 

park at the bottom of the hill leading to The Great 

Siege Tunnels. In connection with these works, new 

sewage pipes have had to be laid from the car park 

all the way down to Hay’s Level and on to the 

Moorish Castle ticket office. 

Representatives from GONHS attended to a site 

meeting at Moorish Castle to discuss the environmental 

impact of the construction at this site. The 

structure will result in the loss of habitat in the form 

of a clearing, which contained a community of 

fairly common species of plants, including the giant 

Tangier fennel, Ferula tingitana. This species is in 

Schedule 3 of the Nature Protection Act, and therefore 

a protected species and their removal will 

require a licence. In compensation for this loss of 

habitat, the representatives from the Tourist Board 

agreed to re-locate plants to the slopes below the 

ticket office where the habitat can be re-constructed. 

No such consultation was held with respect to the 

other toilet site. Here the first GONHS heard of 

these works was when the contractors were already 

digging away at the site. A site meeting was 

requested and at this meeting it was discovered that 

there were plans to lay the pipe in a trench to be 

dug along the top of the ancient wall which runs 

down Willis’s Road from Princess Caroline’s Battery 

to the Lime Kiln. GONHS presented strong objections 

to any tampering with this wall, especially 

since there are protected species growing on it, in 

particular three stands of the rare brown bee 

orchid, Ophrys fusca, and one stand of the Gibraltar 

saxifrage, Saxifraga globulifera subsp gibraltarica. 

Following our representations, it was decided that 

the trench would be dug along the road itself and 

the wall left untouched. However, as can be seen 

on the photos, not much care was taken to respect 

the wall. Barriers, pipes, and even diesel oil containers 

can be seen littering the top of the wall! 


11


12 

Work continues on the search, identification 

and classification of the bryophytes found on 

the Rock. Botanical Section Co-ordinator Leslie 

Linares has been hard at work collecting 

specimens and making photographic records 

of as many species as he can find. To date he 

has found16 different species of mosses and 

11 different species of liverworts. 

Identifying and classifying these species is 

not an easy task as this requires microscopic 

analysis of several characteristics, and the use 

of appropriate identification keys. Although 

there are some good books to help with this 

task, these mainly concentrate on the bryophytes 

of the British Isles. Searching the internet is 

sometimes fruitful, but not always. 

The spring 2007 edition of Nature News 

contained some of the mosses already 

identified. Included here are more, together 

with some liverworts. Orthotrichum diaphanum 

Plagiochasma rupestre 

Targonia hypophylla 

A wonderful member of the family 

Proteaceae, Banksia ericifolia, flowered for the 

first time at the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens 

during the spring of 2007. The plant had been 

grown from seed by Botanic Gardens 

horticulturalist Andrew Abrines, having been 

sown eleven years prior to its first flowering. 

Chrysolina banksi 

IDENTIFICATION OF MOSSES AND LIVERWORTS 

is a tiny moss which forms small clumps on the 

bark of trees and old walls. Homalothecium 

sericeum is a moss which forms extensive mats 

on old walls and can be identified by its silky 

texture. The liverwort Riccia lamellosa forms on 

bare earth, usually on footpaths and is easily 

Fossombronia caespitiformis 

BANKSIA IN FLOWER Banksia 

The seeds were originally donated to the 

Gardens by Ana Greeno, who collected them 

at the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The 

species is originally from Western Australia 

and can grow up to 7m in height. The 

specimen at the Gardens is 1.5m tall. 

The genus Banksia was named after Sir 

Joseph Banks, the famed 18th Century 

naturalist and botanist who joined Captain 

Cook on his first voyage to the Antipodes. 

There are some sixty species within this genus, 

native to all parts of Australia. Banksia dentata 

is also found in New Guinea. 

The influence of Banks on natural history 

and horticulture is far reaching and over eighty 

species have been named after him. One of 

these is a leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae) 

that is native to Europe and found commonly 

in Gibraltar. Chrysolina banksi feeds on a 

variety of plants but in Gibraltar it is most 

commonly recorded on Dock (Rumex spp.). 

distinguished by the densely packed, bluegreen 

thalli, usually branching into two. 

Lunularia cruciata is one of the most common 

liverworts, easily identified by the crescentshaped 

ridge of tissue protecting the gemmae. 

Perhaps the most common liverwort on the 

Rock is Targonia hypophylla which forms 

extensive cover on old walls around town. The 

ribbon-shaped, dark green thalli have a dark 

purple involucre on the underside of the thallus 

near the apex. Plagiochasma rupestre is a rare 

liverwort, found on bare soil on rocky outcrops 

in the Upper Rock. It can be distinguished by its 

blue-green thalli, with purplish, lobed margins. 

Fossombronia caespitiformis is a leafy liverwort 

that can form extensive mats. It is easy to 

distinguish because its tiny leaves form dense 

rosettes, making them look like miniature 

lettuces. 

Orthotrichum diaphanum Homalothecium sericeum 

Riccia lamellosa Lunularia cruciata

The end of last summer saw the return of 

small numbers of Zitting Cisticolas to Gibraltar; 

a species that had become established on 

Windmill Hill and on the Aerial Farm at North 

Front but had all succumbed to the cold record 

temperatures of the winter of 2005. Populations 

in Andalucía also suffered a marked decline 

and it has taken several years for the species to 

recover. This spring three Zitting Cisticolas 

have been seen and heard on the east side 

Sand Slopes, so there is a possibility that the 

species may re-establish a breeding colony in 

this new area. The late summer also produced 

some interesting observations including a 

White-rumped Swift, third record; a Longlegged 

Buzzard, two Rock Thrushes which 

stayed feeding in the vicinity of Levant Battery, 

a Quail at North Front Cemetery and a spate 

of records of Olivaceous Warblers with two in 

the Botanic Gardens and several more in the 

Cemetery. 

Owls were recorded on the Upper Rock at 

night in the late summer, with Tawny Owl 

heard calling and Scops Owls frequenting the 

perches along Middle Hill Road prospecting 

for lizards, moths and other prey items. They 

were usually accompanied in the area by Rednecked 

Nightjars sitting in the middle of the 

road, picked up in the car headlights, as their 

big eyes reflected the light at a good distance. 

A Long-eared Owl sitting in a eucalyptus tree 

on the night of the 20th Sept was only the 

fourth record for Gibraltar. 

By the autumn, finch passage was 

surprisingly dominated by Siskin flocks moving 

south, with other finch species also in 

attendance. A single Ring Ouzel was observed 

on Windmill Hill in mid October together with 

a Woodlark, and a Woodcock was found dead 

in the South District in November. A Kittiwake 

was seen at Europa Point during this month 

In the Rock of Gibraltar one can find many 

caves and tunnels. Of all these caves none is 

as complex and large as Ragged Staff Cave. 

Found at the far end of Ragged Staff tunnel, it 

is believed to go as high up the Rock as the 

apes den. 

Measuring the cave starting 

from the upper entrance 

THE BIRDING SCENE 

after an absence of four years. The species is 

scarce in the Mediterranean, but on occasions 

wintering numbers have been larger, and the 

species is then often recorded in late January 

and February. 

The end of last year also saw the return of 

wintering Thekla Larks in the area of Europa 

Point where at least a couple has been 

returning for the last few years. 

The winter saw a remarkable increase in 

the number of Cormorants recorded along 

our shoreline, with frequent records of birds 

feeding inside the harbour off Europort, along 

GOING DEEPER UNDERGROUND 

The caves and cliffs section of GONHS has 

this year re-started the exploration of the cave. 

The aim is not only to map the cave, but to 

explore every single crack that can be found in 

this marvel of the Rock. 

The exploration started in February this 

year with two main trips having been completed. 

The first was just a quick investigation to find 

out how long it would take to get to the main 

chamber. This also was to plan the amount of 

equipment needed to go deep into the Rock. 

As part of this exploration, water samples 

were collected from the two lakes found in the 

cave and electronic devices that take periodic 

temperature and humidity readings were put in 

place. 

Zitting cisticolas 

the North Mole, off Europa Point and along the 

east side of the Rock. The increased activity of 

this species is in stark contrast with the decline 

in records of the Shag off Europa Point, with 

very few observations of this species, which has 

seen it changing its feeding grounds to the 

area off Eastern beach. The Shag was already 

encountering the increased shipping activity in 

the Bay of Gibraltar, and presumably 

abandoned its feeding grounds off the North 

Mole in favour of the more ubiquitous 

Cormorant; a species more tolerant of human 

activity. 

The reason for several preliminary trips 

into the main chamber is due to a thirty metre 

squeeze which has to be passed. This squeeze 

(very narrow passage) is very tight and 

uncomfortable making it difficult to pass any 

equipment through it. This makes the whole 

approach into and out of the main chamber 

(known as Crystal Cave) very slow and 

exhausting. 

The Caves and Cliffs members will be 

returning in the close future to carry on the 

exploration of the cave. They hope that this will 

result in finding new chambers and the 

discovery of any secrets which the Rock maybe 

hiding. 

Mark taking compass bearings inside 

the cave for mapping Jean Paul collecting a water sample 


13


14 

The southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar 

is as diverse in habitats and wildlife as is the 

northern Shore. The habitats that stretch 

southwards from Tangier, dominated by plains 

and wetlands, are rich in birdlife particularly. 

The first notable site along this stretch is the 

large and cosmopolitan city of Tangier itself, 

where House Buntings (Emberiza striata 

saharae) have recently become established. 

Will they be crossing into southern Spain 

next? 

An area of typical Mediterranean scrub 

dominated by fruit-bearing shrubs (particularly 

Lentisc, Pistacia lentiscus) and Cistus species 

existed until recently immediately south of 

Tangier along the Atlantic coast. This scrub 

was an important site for migrating passerines, 

sometimes holding large concentrations of 

species such as Song Thrush (Turdus 

philomenos) and Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). 

Such sites are undoubtedly important to 

migrants making their way along this coast. 

This scrub also held a population of Blackcrowned 

Tchagra (Tchagra senegala cucullata), 

a largely sub-Saharan species of Bush Shrike 

with a subspecies that is endemic to northwest 

Africa. Unfortunately, the entire stretch of 

scrub was cleared very recently, no doubt in 

order to develop the area for tourists as is 

occurring at many sites along the Atlantic and 

Mediterranean coasts of Morocco. Such 

development is being carried out insensitively 

and one can only guess what repercussions 

such widespread habitat loss might have, not 

only to Morocco’s avifauna but also to that of 

countries whose migrant birds winter in or 

migrate through Morocco. 

Although the scrub has been lost, a patch 

of Cork Oak (Quercus suber) woodland still 

remains immediately east of the beach. Most 

woodland sites in northern Morocco are in a 

very bad state, due largely to overgrazing of 

goats and sheep, the result of which is a 

depleted understorey. However, this area is in 

a better state than most of its counterparts. 

The understorey is well-developed with the 

typical Heaths (Erica species), Rockroses (Cistus 

species) and Lentisc that dominate such habitat. 

Some of the typical woodland species of 

Morocco can be found here, such as the 

African Blue Tit (Cyanistes teneriffae 

ultramarinus) and the African Chaffinch 

(Fringilla coelebs africana). Although currently 

considered a subspecies of the European 

Chaffinch, it would come as no surprise if this 

were eventually considered a good species due 

to its distinctive plumage and song. 

The extensive Plains that roll towards the 

south from Tangier 

hold an interesting 

assemblage of bird 

species. Breeding 

birds include the last 

Great Bustards (Otis 

tarda) of Africa. The 

population of this, the 

heaviest flying bird, is 

critically small and 

unless some very 

Phoracantha 

semipunctata 

drastic measures are 

taken, it will in little 


TANGIER TO LARACHE 

Marsh owl 

time become extinct there as it did in the Plains 

of La Janda on the Spanish side of the Strait 

area a few years back. As with open habitats 

in southern Spain, Spanish Sparrow (Passer 

hispaniolensis), Calandra (Melanocorhypha 

calandra) and Short-toed larks (Calandrella 

brachydactyla) all breed. Common Cranes 

(Grus grus) can be fairly numerous here during 

the winter and migration periods, with several 

hundred birds occurring. These plains also 

include some large expanses that flood 

Little Swifts 

seasonally. During the winter, these flooded 

areas hold some of Morocco’s only wintering 

Greylag Geese (Anser anser) as well as 

thousands of duck, of which the Pintail (Anas 

acuta) stands out. 

The marshes around the estuary of the 

Oued (River) Tahadart, situated along this 

stretch, are extremely extensive. The area is 

Moroccan Toad 

dominated by salt marsh of glassworts 

(Salicornia, Sarcocornia and Arthrocnemum 

species) and includes extensive tidal mudflats. 

The salt flats of the Tahadart estuary are home 

to a small number of Marsh Owls (Asio 

capensis tingitanus). This race of an otherwise 

sub-Saharan species is endemic to Morocco 

and is critically endangered. It has a very 

small range (northwestern Morocco) and the 

population is declining. An estimated 50-140 

pairs are left. The marshes around the mouth 

of the Tahadart are an important stopover site 

for migrating waders and waterfowl and 

regularly hosted migrating Slender-billed 

Curlews (Numenius tenuirostris). This bird is 

now perilously close to extinction. Morocco 

was its main wintering ground but there is only 

one record for the country since 1995. Birds 

wintering in the Tahadart estuary include 

European Spoonbill (Platalea leucoridia) and 

Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus), as 

well as an assortment of waders that includes 

Grey Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola), Eurasian 

Curlews (Numenius arquata) and Bar-tailed 

Godwits (Limosa lapponica). 

The fields along the road south from 

Asilah to Larache are probably the best area 

along these plains to see Black-winged Kites 

(Elanius caeruleus), which are 

never the less found throughout 

the whole of the area. These 

very beautiful, small raptors 

can sometimes be seen 

veering alongside the road, 

searching for their prey which 

consists largely of small, 

terrestrial animals such as 

rodents and lizards. A notable 

feature of the area between 

Asilah and Larache, and some 

areas to the north of Asilah, 

are the extensive plantations 

of Australian trees belonging 

to the genera Eucalyptus and 

Acacia. These can also be 

seen south of Larache, towards 

Rabat. Eucalyptus, used 

widely in the paper 

manufacturing industry, is 

extremely detrimental to indigenous floras. 

These trees release allelopathic chemicals into 

the soil which inhibit the growth of other 

species. The result is that Eucalyptus plantations 

are largely devoid of indigenous flora and 

fauna. It is interesting to highlight though that 

two species of Australian longhorn beetles 

which feed on these trees, Phoracantha 

semipunctata and P. recurva, have also become 

established in North Africa and southern 

Europe. 

The town of Larache sits above the south 

bank of the estuary of the Oued Loukkos. 

Larache has strong Spanish influences due to 

its colonial past. Less touristic than Asilah, it is 

an attractive and charming place with a lovely 

little Medina and a bustling life, particularly 

during evenings. Larache is home to many 

pairs of Little Swift (Apus affinis). This attractive, 

stocky bird with a squared tail and broad white 

rump is a mainly sub-Saharan species, but is 

locally common in scattered locations across

House Bunting 

North Africa and the Middle East. Recently, 

small numbers have established themselves in 

southern Spain. The ‘Plaza de Liberación’ is a 

particularly good place to see them as they 

wheel about and fly under the archways that 

support their nests. These are very characteristic, 

constructed as large, overhanging bundles of 

feathers and other material. The flocks 

wheeling around the square are best 

appreciated over coffee and ‘churros’ (fried 

dough that is popular as breakfast in southern 

Spain and northern 

Morocco) on the terrace of 

the Café Lixus. This café, 

named after the Carthaginian 

ruins across the Loukkos to 

the north of Larache, is not 

without its natural-historical 

connotations. Lixus is a 

genus belonging to the 

beetle family Curculionidae 

(commonly known as 

weevils) and such a name 

for a café by delights 

coleopterists. The coach 

station at Larache is another 

fabulous spot to see nesting 

Little Swifts at close 

quarters. 

Immediately to the north 

of Larache and east of the 

road lie the salt pans of the Loukkos estuary. 

These are very rich in gulls, terns and wading 

birds, as is the case with salt pans in southern 

Spain. Pied Avocets (Recurvirostra avocetta) 

and Black-winged Stilts (Himantopus 

himantopus) are numerous as can be expected 

and breeding Little Terns (Sterna albifrons) can 

be found here during the spring and summer 

months. The drier areas, covered with a 

vegetation dominated by salt loving species 

such as glassworts and purselanes (Sarcocornia, 

Arthrocnemum and Halimione), hold many 

pairs of Collared Pratincole (Glareola 

pratincola). Wintering Ruff (Philomachus 

pugnax) are regular here, as well as other 

typical species such as Common Redshank 

(Tringa totanus), Greenshank (Tringa 

nebularia), Dunlin (Calidris alpina), Sanderling 

(Calidris alba) and occasional Little Stints 

(Calidris minuta). Numbers of Greater 

Flamingos are regular along the Lower 

Loukkos. These birds probably originate from 

the colony at Laguna de Fuente de Piedra in 

Antequera (Malaga), Spain. Prospecting of the 

mudflats close to the mouth of the Loukkos, 

adjacent to the salt pans, can also be very 

rewarding. In winter, a flock of Eurasian 

Wigeon (Anas penelope) can often be seen 

here, sometimes navigating between moored 

fishing boats. 

To the west of the salt pans lie the 

freshwater expanses of the Lower Loukkos 

marshes, with their associated birds. Like the 

Tahadart, these marshes are home 

to a few pairs of Marsh Owl. 

However, the species is more 

numerous here than further north 

(some 10-25 pairs) and a wait 

during late evenings may sometimes 

reward the patient observer with 

views of these birds. Another 

special bird of these marshes is the 

Moustached Warbler (Acrocephalus 

melanopogon) which breeds in the 

extensive beds of Bulrush (Typha 

dominguensis). Other notable 

breeding species of these marshes 

include a Moroccan subspecies of 

the Reed Bunting (Emberiza 

schoeniculus witherbyi; Larache is 

now the only site in the world for 

this subspecies and there are perhaps ten pairs 

left), Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta 

angustirostris) and Ferruginous Duck (Aythya 

nyroca), a small population of which breeds in 

an area dominated by Yellow Flag Irises (Iris 

pseudacorus). The Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica 

cristata), an extremely rare bird in southern 

Spain, is by far the most common of the two 

species of Coot in these marshes. Glossy Ibis 

(Plegadis falcinellus) are abundant, numbering 

more than a thousand during the winter. 

Little Swift Nest 

The springtime is extremely rewarding too. 

Whiskered terns (Chlidonias hybrida) float 

lazily over pools of water, whilst Squacco 

Herons (Ardeola ralloides) lie in wait in thickets 

of rushes and on watersides. Purple Herons 

(Ardea purpurea) breed in the huge beds of 

bulrush and are constantly seen flying low over 

these or fishing in pools of water. As with other 

wetlands in northern Morocco, amphibians are 

very much a feature of these wetlands. The 

assemblage of species includes the large, 

attractive and seasonally noisy Moroccan Toad 

(Bufo mauritanicus). 

Many habitats in northern Morocco are 

under immense pressure from humans. The 

maintenance of the habitats and populations 

of species mentioned in this article is of vital 

importance to the conservation of Morocco’s 

still exceptionally rich 

biodiversity. However, 

the health of 

populations of 

migratory birds in 

their breeding ranges 

is dependent on 

c o n s e r v a t i o n 

measures being taken 

throughout their 

entire range. As 

such, Morocco is of 

crucial importance to 

Europe’s migratory 

birds. 

Phoracantha recurva 

notes & neWs 

KeW contAct continues 

Regular contact between Gibraltar and the Royal 

Botanic Gardens, Kew, continues both with GONHS 

and the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens. Visits to 

Gibraltar bt Tony Hall from Kew and to Kew by 

John Cortes are setting up new lines of collaboration 

which include access to plants and seeds, and 

advice and assistance on plant records and tree 

management. More details will be made available 

in due course. 

summer uniVersitY 

John Cortes, GONHS General Secretary, was 

invited to lecture at the University of Malaga's summer 

course on Gibraltar held at the Palacio de 

Congresos in Marbella in August. Dr Cortes's lecture 

dealt with the history of Gibraltar's ecology, its 

biodiversity, present problems and future possibilities. 

The lack of progress in regional co-operation 

on the environment was highlighted in the session, 

as was the omission of Gibraltar was part of the 

Biosphere Reserve covering both shoes of the Strait 

but including only protected areas in Spain and 

Morocco. 

forum reVieW 

A three-man team, made up of John Cortes from 

GONHS, Rob Thomas of the Scottish Zoological 

Society and Oliver Cheesman of the Forum, was 

tasked by UK Overseas Territories Conservation 

Forum to undertake an in-depth review of the 

Forum's aims, composition and operation. 

Following a wide consultation of Forum members 

and former members b y way of a questionnaire, 

and subsequent discussion where necessary with 

respondents, as well as two day-long meetings in 

London, the team presented an extensive report, 

with recommendations, to Forum Council early in 

August. Council's comments will be circulated, with 

the report, to all consultees. 

succuLents WeLL 

In 2004 Dougie and Ina Hopkins, from Wembley, 

London, donated a large collection of succulents to 

the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, it included an old 

Agave victoria-reginae from Mexico. This year a 

flower spike some 3.5m high appeared. The plant 

is about 60-70 years old, and sadly is one of the 

few Agaves that does not produce offsets, but just 

dies after flowering. A large number of seeds was, 

collected, however. 

Professor fuentes 

Agustin Fuentes, who leads one of the research 

teams working on Barbary macaques in Gibraltar 

in collaboration with GONHS, and has been 

most supportive of the GONHS role in macaque 

management has been promoted to the post of 

Full Professor. Professor Fuentes, until now an 

Associate Professor at Notre Dame University in 

Indiana, USA, takes on his new role in the 

autumn. 

He will continue with his work in Gibraltar, 

following on from that which has been regularly 

published over the last two years, and co-authored 

with local researchers. The work includes studies 

on interactions between macaques and humans, 

disease transmission, and behaviour. 

Professor Fuentes is considered one of the 

world’s macaque experts, having also worked on 

other macaque species in Asia, notably in Bali. 

to Join… and support our 

work send your subscription 

to Gonhs, Po Box 843, 

Gibraltar with your name 

and address, or fill in the 

on-line form at: 

www.gonhs.org 


15


16 

CATS - WILDLIFE´S ENEMY NUMBER TWO (AFTER US) 

the Global Perspective 

Cats (Felis catus) have been introduced 

everywhere by humans. Wherever humans 

have settled, they have taken their cats with 

them. Today, cats have become one of the 

world’s most popular pets with an estimated 

500 million cats in the world. But how many 

of us actually realise the destruction that they 

cause to wildlife? Cats are often overlooked in 

discussions of exotic nuisance animals due to 

their ubiquity and our familiarity with them as 

companion animals. Such introductions have 

become so well established all over the world 

that the cat is a catastrophic invasive alien 

species on every continent except Antarctica. 

After habitat destruction, the introduction of 

invasive animals by humans is the secondary 

cause of species extinctions in the world, and 

the cat is one of the most ecologically damaging 

introduced animals worldwide. 

Each year domestic and feral cats kill 

billions of small mammals, birds and reptiles. 

Britain has 8 million domestic cats and a 

further 1 million feral cats and it is estimated 

that 275 million mammals, birds, reptiles and 

amphibians are caught annually by these cats. 

As well as many common birds decreasing due 

to predation by cats, some of the rarer protected 

species are also greatly threatened such as 

Dormice, Water Voles and Sand Lizards. There 

are indications that cats can push small 

mammal populations to unnaturally low levels, 

causing a knock-on effect to bird of prey 

populations. In addition, the United States 

host 70 million feral cats and in New Zealand, 

cats and other introduced predators have 

nearly exterminated native bird species. 

The most destructive effects of cats have 

been seen on islands, where the native fauna 

has evolved in isolation of predators and 

where birds nest on the ground. Cats 

accompanied colonists and sailors on their 

travels, with serious consequences for the 

native fauna wherever they went. Today in the 

Galapagos Islands, native rodents exist only 

on those islands where cats do not, and the 

endemic Marine Iguana is greatly endangered 

due to predation from these introduced 

animals. Cats have eliminated a number of 

species of island birds, and others such as the 

New Zealand Kiwi and Kakapo are on the 

brink of extinction. The most famous example 

of a species extinction caused by a single living 

species is that of the Stephen’s Island Wren in 

New Zealand, a flightless species which was 

completely wiped out by a lighthouse keeper’s 

cat in 1895. There are now major cat 

eradication programmes in the Galapagos, 

New Zealand and Australia amongst other 

places. 

Turtle Dove killed by cat 

Gibraltar’s cats 

Gibraltar has an enormous feral cat 

population, with an estimated 2000 living on 

the Rock. That amounts to 300 feral cats per 

km2! In contrast the UK, with a big problem 

of its own, has 4 feral cats per km2. When you 

also take into consideration the number of 

domestic cats, Gibraltar may have some 800 

cats per km2. This is possibly the highest 

concentration of cats in Europe and has huge 

implications for native wildlife. 

Gibraltar is a very important place for 

migrating birds and many are killed every year 

due to predation by cats. Within the Upper 

Rock, feral cats are a cause for serious concern. 

Current law for the Upper Rock Nature Reserve 

states that it is illegal to introduce any animal 

or plant which is not ordinarily resident in a 

wild state, and illegal to allow pets to roam 

around a nature reserve. However, this has 

been ignored so far. The feeding of cats on 

the Nature Reserve regularly takes place 

outside St Michael’s cave. This greatly 

encourages them to congregate in the area. 

The native Rabbit, Barbary Partridge and 

White-toothed Shrew are particularly vulnerable 

to cat predation, especially since these species 

seem to be becoming less common on the 

Rock. Chicks of the Barbary Partridge are 

especially easy quarry for cats. Birds ringed at 

Jew’s Gate field station are also affected by 

Cats being fed 

cats roaming in the area. Fine mist nets are 

used to capture, ring and process birds, but on 

many occasions these birds have been taken 

directly from nets by cats. With such a reliable 

food source here, cats are attracted to the 

area. At times this has become a very serious 

problem for ringers, who have sometimes had 

to abandon their scientific operation temporarily 

due to this. 

Feral cats can carry and spread diseases 

such as salmonella, rabies, and FIV (feline 

immunodeficiency virus), as well as spreading 

fleas and other parasites. These diseases can 

in turn be transmitted not only to domestic 

cats, but also mammals and birds, and in 

some cases even humans. 

solutions? 

What can be done about the feral cat 

problem in Gibraltar? The option of culling is 

by far the most efficient way of controlling the 

population and instantly reduces the effect 

upon native wildlife. However, there has been 

much objection over this solution and as 

always with animals, humane options are to be 

preferred when these are shown to be effective. 

At the moment, the more indirect method of 

neutering is being used. In June 2004, the 

Gibraltar Cat Welfare Society set up a neutering 

programme for stray cats in Gibraltar. Over 

1200 cats have been neutered so far and are 

recognised by their snipped left ear. Whilst 

Cat damage 

most populations have had a zero growth rate, 

there are still problems with ferals around 

Alameda House and Catalan Bay. Worryingly, 

these cats are greatly encouraged by people 

feeding them, especially around the Alameda 

estate. As a result, these cats have destroyed 

various plants within the Botanic Gardens as 

well as killing many birds and reptiles there. 

Many would argue that sterilisation is the 

best method. However, it is costly, not 100% 

effective and whilst there are still feral cats 

around it does not solve the immediate 

problems posed to wildlife on the rock. It is 

important to recognise that the Cat Welfare 

Society receives no Government funding. They 

are helping to solve the problem of an excessive 

feral cat population, so far having done a 

good job under the circumstances. 

Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go. 

Government should take firm steps to 

control Gibraltar’s feral cat problem, either by 

supporting the efforts of the Cat Welfare 

Society or by embarking on a control 

programme themselves. Feral cats within the 

Nature Reserve should be removed since these 

are the ones that pose the most imminent 

threat to wildlife. It is also time for existing 

legislation to be taken seriously and reinforced 

where necessary. One possibility would be to 

introduce cat licenses, as is the case for dog 

owners. Cat owners should be made aware of 

the problems caused by cats to wildlife, and 

should be encouraged to neuter their pets if 

these are not to be used for breeding purposes. 

This would go some way towards controlling 

the problem of domestic cats breeding with 

strays. Equally, people should realise that if 

they do not want their cats, there are people 

such as those in the Cat Welfare Society and 

the GSPCA who may be able to offer advice or 

even help. It is especially important that 

people refrain from feeding the stray cats. The 

recent controversy surrounding the Macaques 

has served to highlight the many problems that 

can result from the feeding and habituation of 

wild or feral animals. As with Macaques, stray 

cats that are fed by humans even develop 

problems with obesity. The problem of stray 

cats needs to be tackled effectively and soon, 

for the benefit of both wildlife and cats 

themselves. 

Special thanks must go to Nanette Roberts 

of the Cat Welfare Society who very helpfully 

provided information on their activities on the 

Rock.

No.15 - Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society

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