OK I'll admit that I'm not the all-round naturalist that I'd like to be, but every so often I do look at other kinds of wildlife! Admitedly the mammal list from the terrace is pretty feeble compared to the bird list - three "species" of bat (pipistrelle sp., noctule sp. and that big low flying one) and, if I can count dead animals, one shrew sp (it was dangling from a Lesser Kestrel's bill!).
However, if you look there are things to see. That said, a good few of the wild rabbits I've seen here have been on large plates next to a pile of chips (Venta Puerto de Gallis is reknown for its game). Still, it's good to see them about since, after all, it's the animal that gave Spain it's name. Hares are a bit less frequent, but as most authorities reckon they're a seperate species, Iberian Hare, worth catching up with if your fanatical lister. Predators I've seen include Fox (much less easily seen than in the UK), Otter (once) and Mongoose (three times), but the mountains are supposed to harbour Genet & Beech Martin. One surprise recently was seeing some Ibex at the far end of the Molinos valley - according to the relevant Spanish atlas they shouldn't be there! With the nearest population over in the Grazelema Natural park.
The mammilian highlight, though, is a trip out into the straits from Tarifa for cetaceans - Bottle-nosed & Common & Dolphins, Pilot and Killer Whales.
No comments:
Post a Comment