ure News 11 - Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society

Bougainvillea Bougainvillea spectabilis, consists of
a Mediterranean scrub and pine Pinus pinaster
woodland, with typical scrub species including
notably the lentisc Pistacia lentiscus.
The scrub and woodland soon give way to
open ground, the beginnings of many square
kilometres of mountain continuing southward into
the Rif to Chefchauoen and beyond.
The open vegetation is largely low and
degraded, due to intense grazing by goats, except
in several pockets near the scattered villages,
where wheat is grown and where fields with wild
flowers provide spectacular colour. The vertical
cliffs are relatively protected from grazing, and
here a number of plant species thrive, including
the Giant Tangier fennel, Ferula tingitana, the saxifrage
Saxifraga globulifera, and the campion
Silene andryalifolia, which was the focus of the
GIBMANATUR work in this area. One particularly
attractive flower of the mountain is Erodium
cheilanthifolium which forms tight carpets in some
exposed areas.
The mountains have an interesting community
of birds. The main species encountered are the
Black Wheatear and the characteristic Moussier’s
Redstart, with Thekla Lark also being present.
Raptors include Long-legged Buzzard and Lanner,
while Ravens are always a feature.
Another typical mountain bird, the Chough, is
common and can be seen in flocks circling the
hillsides or feeding on the ground. Curiously,
despite the relatively low altitude, the Alpine
Chough is also present throughout the year, and
although less so than the Chough, is still common
and a likely breeder here.
The area as a whole provides stunning views
in all directions, including northwards towards
Gibraltar and the Strait.
Nestled among the hillsides are a number of
communities and traditional activities, which
include grazing of livestock and lime production.
These contrast with what is becoming a major
industry in the area, the quarrying of rock, which
is threatening some interesting landscapes and
habitats.
Echium boissieri, El Jbel
Moussier’s Redstart
Paronychia capitata, El Jbel
Traditional production of lime
Polygonum maritimum, Martil
NOTES & NEWS
MORE HYMENOPTERA IN
SECTION’S SCOPE
The GONHS Invertebrate Section is always busy.
Recently, Rhian Guillem has made enormous
headway in the study of the ants of Gibraltar,
with the Rock’s myrmecological fauna now
largely catalogued and a fine reference collection
prepared. Ants belong to the order
Hymenoptera, which includes bees and wasps.
Now, Rhian is expanding her interest to include
other groups within this enormous order. She
has begun to collect and identify Mutillidae
(Velvet Ants) and Chrysididae (Rubytail Wasps)
and is beginning to expand into other families.
Anybody wishing to know about Hymenoptera
in Gibraltar should contact Rhian Guillem
(ants@gonhs.org). Keith Bensusan (kbensusan@gonhs.org)
can provide additional information
on the activities of the Invertebrate section.
TORRES RETURNS
Jose Luis Torres is an entomologist from the
neighbouring town of La Linea. After an inactive
few years, ‘Pepe’ is now working in the field of
entomology (the study of invertebrates) once
again, following his retirement. Pepe began collecting
and studying butterflies and moths in the
1970s, but eventually moved on to beetles which
have remained his passion. An expert field
worker, Pepe does not limit his collecting to
Coleoptera. Recently, he has made significant
finds of Hemiptera (true bugs) and ants. Pepe
has a solid friendship with Charlie Perez, Rhian
Guillem and Keith Bensusan of the GONHS
Invertebrate section and visits them regularly on
the Rock. During his visits, Pepe frequently supplies
them with interesting specimens for study
and invaluable information on how to find
species that are rare or difficult to locate.
Working collaboration between Pepe and
GONHS members has already resulted in publications
in entomological journals and we
expect many more.
TO JOIN... and support our
work send your subcription
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