Category: Fauna & Flaura


Iberian Fauna: animal tracks, feeding signs, and droppings

Iberian Fauna: animal tracks, feeding signs, and droppings

“Sierra-Trekking” to the summit of Sierra Magina – Day 1

“Sierra-Trekking” to the summit of Sierra Magina  – Day 1

A weekend break for Spanish trekkers C.D.Ecologistas Sherpa, brought them to the province of Jaen, where Sierra-Trek were delighted to guide them safely to the summit of Sierra Magina. At over 7,100 feet, this colossus of a Sierra offers truly magnificent views accompanied by a wonderful array of botany peculiar to the area.  Sierra-Trek’s Jose Luis Sanchez Balsera was able to give informed interpretation throughout the ascent on the natural wealth of this gem of a mountain range.

“Sierra-Trekking” through Sierra Mágina – Day 2

“Sierra-Trekking” through Sierra Mágina – Day 2

More trekking in and around the sierra.

IN SEARCH OF THE LAMMERGEIER IN MOROCCO – EXPEDITION XI

IN SEARCH OF THE LAMMERGEIER IN MOROCCO – EXPEDITION XI

Sierra-Trek’s Jose Luis Sanchez Balsera is invited to add his considerable ID skills to an international party of ornithologists by Alto Alas conservation group to go in search of the Lammergeier in Morroco. On 23 October, 2010, the ten-day journey set out from Spain, crossed the straits, and headed down to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, and then on to lands skirting the edge of The Sahara. On this occasion, although we encountered an impressive array of wildlife, there...

A visit from our friends in England – day 2

A visit from our friends in England – day 2

Leaving Baeza around mid day we ventured out to visit Guadalén reservoir, where every year 1-3 Ospreys come back to winter. Since Sierra-Trek, we are going to try the Ospreys breed in this reservoir. We are going to carry out an introduction project.  On the route to the reservoir we passed the River Guarrizas where the remains of an old Roman bridge, and its accompanying tower still stand.  Wild otters are often seen feeding by this bridge. On reacing the...

A visit from our friends in England – day 1

A visit from our friends in England – day 1

A few friends visited us today from England so we decided to give them a quick tour of Sierra de Cazorla.  We had a quick stop over in the olive groves for refreshments with good opportunities for a few photographs.  Moving upwards, we stopped at some beautiful rock formations on the way to the new public Bird watching hide to view Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus).  The day was cloudy and a little wet, but we managed to spot some roosting,...

The w.w.t. (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust) Visit Guadalén reservoirs and Giribaile – Day 3

The w.w.t. (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust) Visit Guadalén reservoirs and Giribaile – Day 3

Friday 19 November. Last day of Matthew Simpson’s visit to Ubeda. Today we went to see two reservoirs north of the city. Reservoir and Giribaile Guadalén. Two important wetlands, where we can find a diverse bird community.Waders such as Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, stilts. Ducks such as the spoon, Mallard, Gadwall, teal. For several years, you may also see an exotic bird that has found ideal conditions to settle here. Nile goose. There is a small group that almost certainly from a nearby farm from which...

The w.w.t. (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust) visit to “La Laguna de la Herradura”- Day 2

The w.w.t. (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust) visit to “La Laguna de la Herradura”- Day 2

Second day of work with Matthew Simpson. At 9 am we left the Hotel Las Casas del Consul in Ubeda, where our guest houses, towards the Bridge Reservoir La Cerrada, which is located further north into the Natural. There we see with Fernand Exposito, a technician from the ADR de Cazorla, who will explain more about the problems of treatment and management of the olive. Upon arrival, the picture is bleak, it is almost empty, because the regulating dam at the head,...

The w.w.t. (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust) visit to “la Laguna de la Herradura” Day 1

The w.w.t. (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust) visit to “la Laguna de la Herradura” Day 1

WWT. English is a foundation, leading global restoration, conservation and management of wetlands. Today, on November 17, 2010, we received the visit to the Laguna de la Herradura as technical, Matthew Simpson. Matthew is Associate Director of WWT Consulting, responsible for project development analysis, restoration, preservation and creation of wetlands, as well as planning and economic development of the area. Sierra Trek, along with the city of Ubeda, WWT requested a study on the conservation status of the Alto Guadalquivir Natural Area and...

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