ure News 11 - Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society

Quercus suber in the mist
The mammal fauna of these woods is rich
and abundant in areas. Predators are represented
by the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes, Badger
Meles meles, the common but highly nocturnal
Small-spotted Genet Genetta genetta and the
more diurnal Egyptian Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon.
These last two species share a predominantly
African distribution; both are widespread
in the Afrotropics. Although the Genet
extends into France, it is likely that both species
were originally introduced to Iberia by the
Moors, perhaps in an effort to control vermin.
Present for hundreds of years though, they are
well established elements of the mammalian
fauna of Iberia. Large ungulates are also present.
Male Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus can be
heard barking in the woods during the autumn
months. Although the habitat is prime for Wild
Boar Sus scrofa, the population of this species in
‘Los Alcornocales’ has been diluted by feral pigs
which have interbred with their wild counterparts.
Near the top of the Sierra del Bujeo, at
around 750m above sea level, lies the Llano del
Juncal. This is a truly magical area. The Llano
itself is a flat and at-times boggy area of grasses
and rushes. This creates an opening within
extensive woodland of the deciduous Portuguese
Oak Quercus faginea. The approach to the
Llano del Juncal is of exceptional beauty.
Frequently shrouded in cloud (often the infamous
Levanter), these woods are often referred
to as ‘cloud forest’. The exceptionally humid
conditions allow the formation of thick clumps of
moss, which hang off trees and rotting branches.
Searching within these mosses, or under rotting
branches or logs, may reveal the beautiful
black and yellow Fire Salamander Salamandra
salamandra. Another feature of these woods
which reflects their humidity is the understorey,
which is composed in part of native
Rhododendrons Rhododendron ponticum
baeticum. This plant is a relic of cooler periods
and is now largely restricted to watercourses in
southernmost Spain and Portugal. However, the
woodland around the Llano del Juncal is humid
enough for the species to grow freely in the
understorey. Beautiful Calopteryx damselflies
are common in the area, as well as the stunning
yellow and black dragonfly Cordulegaster
Frangula alnus
boltonii, especially
along streams.
Leaving the woodland,
a scrub composed of
Erica species and
Cistus populifolius may
reveal Sardinian
Warblers Sylvia
melanocephala and
Dartford Warblers
Sylvia undata. On the
slopes, Holly Ilex
aquifolium towers over
the Cork Oaks. This
plant, which is common
in central and
northern Europe, is
very rare and localised
so far south. Finally,
one is met with a stunning
view across the
bay, including the Rock
of Gibraltar with the
horizon above it!
Most of the woodland
on the southern
shore of the Strait suffers
from degradation,
particularly overgrazing
of goats and
sheep. With the
exception of Bouhachem between Tetouan and
Chefchaouen, cork oak woodlands in Morocco
are now by and large in a very poor state compared
to their Spanish counterparts. This makes
it especially important to conserve those areas of
woodland that are in good condition. The designation
of the ‘Alcornocales’ reserve goes some
way towards achieving this. Having said that,
some parts of these Cork Oak woods suffer
from overgrazing by goats and sheep. Others
are affected by the practice of ‘desbroze’, the
clearing of understorey which, it is claimed,
invigorates the growth of cork. Such claims
remain unsubstantiated and are in any case
firmly at odds with the conservation of plant and
animal diversity within this important nature
reserve. A key word in environmental circles
nowadays is ‘sustainability’. Although the commercial
use of natural habitats often contributes
towards their conservation, the resulting activities
can sometimes be detrimental to their wellbeing.
Large areas of the ‘Alcornocales’, including
parts of the Sierra del Bujeo, are well-managed
from a wildlife perspective. It is up to the
management of the Reserve to ensure that all
areas are equally well managed. Most importantly,
a balanced approach to the sustainable
use of these important habitats should always be
sought.
NOTES & NEWS
GIBRALTAR BEETLE IN RARE
INVERTEBRATE PUBLICATION
Buprestis sanguinea subsp calpetana, a beetle
known only from Gibraltar, featured in the
recently published ‘Libro Rojo de los
Invertebrados de Andalucía’. This publication,
which deals with rare and threatened invertebrates
in Andalusia, bases the inclusion of this
jewel beetle on the possibility that populations
may exist elsewhere in southernmost Iberia. The
chapter on this species was prepared by Antonio
Verdugo Paez, a friend of Charlie Perez and
Keith Bensusan of the GONHS Invertebrate
Section, with whom he described this beetle as
new to science.
SHORT-TOED EAGLE
POISONED
A Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus that had
been spending the winter on the Rock was
handed in to the GONHS Raptor Rescue team
recently, apparently with a broken leg. However,
when inspected by local veterinarian Mark
Pizarro, it transpired that the bird had in fact
been poisoned, and that the weakness noted in
the legs of the bird was a result of the toxin and
not a breakage. It is likely that the poison had
not been laid out for birds of prey, but rather
against vermin, which the eagle may then have
fed on. However, this highlights the danger that
such baiting poses to wildlife. GONHS would
like to take this opportunity to thank members of
the public who hand-in birds that are injured or
ill, as well as the Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic for
its untiring support of our raptor rehabilitation
work.
NATURAL HISTORY COURSE –
AUTUMN 2008
14 people attended the second course on
Natural History organised by GONHS, and coordinated
by Albert Yome and Leslie Linares.
Everyone who attended enjoyed the experience,
and learnt much about Gibraltar’s biodiversity
and of the work and research being carried out
by GONHS. Because of the time of year, the
weather played its part in causing some outings
having to be rescheduled, and also on numbers
attending some lectures. Careful thought will
have to be given as to whether autumn, and its
unpredictable weather, is a good time to run a
course or not.
TRIPARTITE FORUM
GONHS, the Environmental Safety Group, and
the Spanish environmental group AGADEN,
submitted a document, through the Gibraltar
Government, to the parties that make up the
“Tripartite Forum” of discussion, the
Governments of the United Kingdom, Spain and
Gibraltar. This document was directed to the
technical meeting held in autumn 2008, and
was accompanied by an offer to provide more
extensive information to the full political meeting
in the spring. The groups urged the
Governments to give priorities to environmental
matters in their discussions, including the issues
of pollution, the need for epidemiological studies,
nature conservation outside protected areas,
and the need to include Gibraltar and its waters
in the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve that
currently includes only Spain and Morocco.
GIBRALTAR NATURE NEWS
9