No.15 - Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society

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GIBRALTAR NATURE NEWS 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 SITES AROUND THE STRAIT 4 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 GIBRALTAR NATURE NEWS 15
Page 1 and 2: In this year of the Strait, decisio
Page 3 and 4: The east side of Gibraltar is due t
Page 5 and 6: Iberis gibraltarica were found duri
Page 7 and 8: Work on the refurbishment of Charle
Page 9 and 10: Lupinus habitat The birds of prey o
Page 11 and 12: calandra), Thekla Larks (Galerida t
Page 13: The end of last summer saw the retu

No.15 - Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society

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