I am commencing research into the changes in flora and fauna in the Almanzora Valley. Changes in the respect of the large swathes of land that have been cleared to make way for new housing. Has that had a detrimental impact or an unexpected positive impact on vegetation and subsequently the fauna. And if this then had an impact and water consumption.
The questionnaire is completely private and no personal information is required unless you complete the last question asking for your email address if you are prepared to answer further questions if needed.
I am open to suggestions for other questions to be included but only for the next 48 hours. Please PM me if you have any.
There are 22 short questions. It should take no more than 10mins to complete it. Click here to go to the questionnaire:
http://www.impressity.com/Survey/sl.aspx?SurveyLinkId=yddjdvxxmlhedjxkzygl
Thank you to the 11 people that have so far completed the questionnaire.
To the other 100 or so people that have read the post and not completed the QA please PM me if you have concerns about completing it. There are NO personal questions, I do not ask for your name, DoB, address or anything. It is completely anonymous. Once the research has been completed and the paper written I will provide a copy for everyone to read on here.
Why am I doing it? Because as a former lecturer in geography and Environmental management I still retain an interest. Whilst there has been an abundance of development of urbanisations in the Almanzora Valley. My view is that as far as the environment is concerned this has probably been a positive thing. I want to write about that.
I am looking for at least 200 respondents and would be grateful if forum members could contribute to this research. Thanks Phil
So have i, just to add, seem to be far more Bee Eaters nowadays, is it my imagination?
Many thanks to the now 27 respondents. Yes, I agree the Bee eaters have returned here in Limaria too after a couple of years of not many around.
Now up to 36. Thanks.
I have been asked if I would be prepared to do a talk at the Gardening club. This I am happy to do once the research is completed. So look out for an announcement in the Autumn.
another for you Phil.
One more, Phil
Hi Phil,
I am one of that 100 not to repsond, just to let you know the reason we did not submit, took a look at the questions and we feel that a large percentage of them were not relevant to where we live, and therefore not much help to your research, good luck with it all though.
Thanks folks. Up to 67 now. only another 133 to go :)
You must live in an apartment then cheeky. Hard to grow a tree in a window box :lol: Thanks anyway.
Isn't it just important to get a few of those who haven't got plants/gardens to see what they have noticed generally?
Sue
Possibly Sue.
That would need a separate QA. And may come about later if I find that we need that built into the research project.
Would forum members be good enough to post on here any sightings of Linx, deer, fox, Tortoises, boar, Eagles. If anyone can come up with other suggestions of animals that are not often seen please say so here.
IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, AND RIGHTLY SO, THAT I SHOULD ASK MEMBERS NOT TO POST THE LOCATION OF ANY SIGHTINGS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF ENDANGERED SPECIES SUCH AS THE LINX AND TORTOISE. HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE USEFUL INFORMATION IF YOU CAN PM OR EMAIL ME THE LOCATION. THIS WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED IN THE PAPER. BUT MAY BE USED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO OTHER RESEARCH GROUPS RESEARCHING ENDANGERED SPECIES IN ALMERIA.
If you can take a photo or two that would be even better. You can send them to me at phil@rentinspain.co.uk Any photos will ONLY be used with the photographers permission and will be credited in the paper when it is published. Possibly one of these journals: Geomorphology, Journal of Arid Environments, Journal of Environmental Management or European Journal of Wildlife Research
This is not that scientific, but if it can be shown that theses animals are being seen by people out walking etc then it may be useful information. Thanks Phil
Phil
I have seen a single fox cub on 4 occasions on the mountain road just past the waterhousing building as you drive out of Limaria, not seen either of the parents.
Also lot's of flat snakes with tyre marks all over them.
Andy.
We had a pair of those very large lizards, (one was about 18" and the other 24" from head to tail) set up home and had a family at the bottom of our garden a few years ago. We have not seen them in the garden since, but we now have 2 dogs and a cat! I have seen a couple while walking the dogs. We have quite a variety of birds that feed from our bird table. We now have blackbirds which were not here 7 years ago. We also see buzzards and the occasional eagle, but can not tell which type. There are foxes here, but have never seen a boar although our neighbours have. Bees by the thousand, including carpenter and bumble, and those little ones with the "spear on the front"! There are also several different types of dragon fly and preying mantis. Hope this is helpful.
I FORGOT TO MENTION THE LOCUSTS, THE ENORMOUS SPIDERS AND SEVERAL TYPES OF SNAKE. I HAVE NOT SEEN A SCORPION OR HUGE CENTIPEDE YET THIS SUMMER, BUT IT IS STILL EARLY.
I'm a walker so could explain why I get to see a few things...
A year or so ago I saw a boar, it was feet away but at a higher level, made me jump out of my skin, wasn't aggressive but sounded like a heard of buffalo when it arrive (or something similar)
I saw a very young tortoise last Sunday, I had to move it as it was right in the middle of the track. It seemed happy enough eating away, this was towards the coast, so not too far. On the same walk I also saw a massive black snake and a black fox....
Also about a month or so ago I saw two young Ibex. This was pretty high up but not too far away from Arboleas.
Not sure if this counts but last year I also saw a nude man, well except for his trainers walking towards me and the person I was walking with on the track, this was just outside Mojacar, not on a nudist beach either and it was about 2pm. (I don't he was part of an endangered species, hence mentioning the location) ::)
I live in Los Carrascos and think I have a fox visiting my garden
My dog often smells of fox ****
I am told they roll in it to smell like their predators we have quite large fences etc in the garden but I am beginning to think they are visiting the garden
Quote from: Suej on June 21, 2010, 16:10:15 PM
I'm a walker so could explain why I get to see a few things...
A year or so ago I saw a boar, it was feet away but at a higher level, made me jump out of my skin, wasn't aggressive but sounded like a heard of buffalo when it arrive (or something similar)
I disturbed a big boar once when walking along a stream valley high up in the Filabres beneath Calar Alto. He was HUGE!
I don't know which of us was the more scared though! :)
Fortunately he ran away from me faster than I could run away from him. I agree he made a hell of a noise as he crashed off, even squealing with fear!
Hi Phil
I have already mentioned the 1.30 m Adder (or so I was told) in my garden at Los Carasoles a few weeks ago. I used to rent at Bedar and regularly had (before Xmas)6 Ibex, 2 adult and 4 young. I heard that there were 11 around El Pinar and they were a protected species, so they could have come from there. We have wild boar come onto the land next door to us and understand that they are shot at sometimes. I am told there is a HUGE male boar in the hills above us and lots of large snakes seen on the rambla here.
We have lots of swallows here and a few bee-eaters.
We have submitted too.
Unusual things seen this year;
Smooth snake
Horseshoe whipsnake
Deathshead moth (As in Silence of the lambs)
Shrews (x2 dead in the pool)
Hawks and Eagles overhead (species unknown but hawks NOT kestrels)
Hares x2
Fox
Wild Boar (running across road @ trinidad)
Huge (5") Solitary locust
Gecko (moorish I think)
Huge (18"-20") fat and very fast lizard (species unknown)
Dragonfly (weird cos no water nearby)
Toad (Speceis unknown - Big, fat and warty green/yellow)
:)
That's reminded me! I don't know if I can revisit my survey to add a locust (on the orange tree) to my list of fauna?
And, on the question of locusts, when do they become a thtreat to vegetation? I presume they have to swarm so a solitary one isn't a problem, but what triggers a swarm/plague? Anyone know? And how likely is that to happen in Spain?
We had a very large solitary Locust in our garden 2 weeks ago - we are in Los Higuerales.
Also spotted eagles flying overhead recently.
About 2 years ago I spotted a pair of badgers ambling along the road between Limaria and Los Hig around 11pm
Some while ago, around 23.30, driving towards the old Arboleas railway station, I followed a full size Badger and a couple of cubs. Have never seen them since. No, I hadn't been drinking!
Many thanks for all the replies. Roz, this is why I st up this section to help people recall what they have seen. All we need now are some photos. So take your camera or camera phone with you when out and about :lol: :lol:
85 respondents now.
Chelseaphil what a wwonderful idea. We have filled in the form but not left our email address but you are welcome to use it now. Isn't it surprising what we have seen but not noted. We will certainly take our camera with us when we are out and about. We live on the outskirts of Cantoria and regularly see foxex, after a neighbours chickens, in and around us. My Spanish neighbour is often seen walking the hills with his goats and we are going to ask him what, if any, he has seen. He is very knowledgable about the flora as well... Jarick
I also missed quite a lot off the questionnaire. We have a gecko living in our roof (we call him Gordon) and he's been there a couple of years now. Not sure if there's more than one but never seen two together. We have loads of dragonflies around the pool and they're not afraid to come to within a foot of you whilst you're standing in the pool. We also have a couple of tiny owls that perch on our wall or on the lamposts outside our house, we've been seeing them for 3 years now. Almost forgot the bats - at least half a dozen most nights flying around the same two lamposts. We had a snake in the pool a couple of weeks ago - about 4ft long and quite slim. We have big crickets and small crickets - not sure if the big ones are locusts but don't ever see more than a couple at the same time. Oh yes, and praying mantis - not seen one this year so far but last year we had one that didn't want to leave a certain window reja. He wasn't afraid at all and would just sit and look at you. Most days we see eagle-type birds, but not sure what they are, also a lot of magpies chasing the smaller birds - what a racket they make. I'll add more as I think of them.
You can use any of these images if you wish Phil...
ooops! sorry, forgot to resize!
All done now.
(http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/8909/dscn0187z.jpg)
(http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6636/locustf.jpg)
(http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1825/pict0003nu.jpg)
(http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/2997/pict0008pq.jpg)
(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/2752/pict0018te.jpg)
(http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/8627/pict0029e.jpg)
(http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/1549/pict0045j.jpg)
(http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/5530/pict0047ru.jpg)
(http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/3946/pict0050d.jpg)
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Thanks Neil, But is there any chance of reducing the size of them and reloading them please? They take ages to load up all of them because they are so big :) Some of them stop loading half way through. They look great though.
please dont tell me what that spider has on its back are baby spiders!!! :o
Brilliant pix, but think I'll stay indoors from now on! :lol:
Us too mickandJan :o
My best spot was a 'pole cat' near Oria. not an otter - no water; not a pine martin - too small.
Also wild boar, the size of a small horse - I whistled loudly the rest of the walk!
Wild goats or something else?
Deer.
I love seeing the eagles - Golden and Bonnelli.
I have seen in 2 years,
2 wild Boar (seperate occasions)
1 bear
1 large (7 foot long) snake
multiple smaller snakes
multiple scorpions
orange and black caterpillars (the nasty ones that keep running when you cut them in half)
processionary caterpillars
Im sure the missus may add to this list....
Does not compete with lynx, wild boar ect but just found little frog in the pool. River is drying up so they must be trying to find a new home
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Bear!?
Perhaps your bear was my pole cat?
Also, I have met 3 people who have claimed to have seen wolves/jackals???
Quote from: Gwilym on June 22, 2010, 18:30:31 PM
Bear!?
Perhaps your bear was my pole cat?
Also, I have met 3 people who have claimed to have seen wolves/jackals???
Maybe they were the now almost extinct "builder" or "estate agent" species?
Thanks for all the photos and replies on here. Good lot on info. Could with more so please do not be shy :clap: :clap:
Same applies to the questionnaire. Nearly 800 people have read the thread and even allowing for re-reads could still do with a few more responses to the questionnaire. got 92 now only another 100 or so pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Go on, you know you really want to :lol: :lol:
HI Phil
Yes bear, we also have
wolves,
foxes,
rollers,
badgers,
Bee eaters
hawks
eagles,
Numerous other things.
Phil is you PM I will give you the details for the Bear, but ONLY in the strictest confidence as they are so rare in Spain etc.
Also it is worth contacting Serpona in Albox they have access to the nature Shelter near here for the rehibilitation of endangered and endemic species of the area. Its a fanstic facility but not open to the public, but you may be able to talk to the people that run it, for help with statisitcs. There are 8 I think in total in the Almeria area and the nearest one covers this area.
Hope it helps
:wave
Quote from: Starynightsky on June 22, 2010, 17:54:47 PM
orange and black caterpillars (the nasty ones that keep running when you cut them in half)
Why should anyone want to cut a living creature in half?
QuoteWhy should anyone want to cut a living creature in half?
Get a bite from the fangs of one of
those centipedes and believe me,
you will be reaching for the spade too! :vomit:
(http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/4114/jawcent.jpg)
Hi Neil
That would be them.
They are also toxic and will land the average person in AE, never mind animals and small children.
Thats why even the spainish recommend killing them when you find them. The bigger they are the more dangerous. We have had them a foot long up here.
But if Tim1 wants me to call him next time I find one to perform a rescue operation I will gladly call him if he would like to PM his phone number.
We had one of them crawling up the bed linen one night. Just glad we saw it BEFORE we went to bed!!
Thanks for the heads up on the Seprona office. Will sorry that one out. Please PM me the bear info. I will NOT disclose any information about any of the exact locations of endangered species. It will be sufficient to state that they have been seen in the province of Almeria.
All this info you people are providing is great. I have been asked to do a talk on the research for the gardening club. But I would be happy to arrange another talk somewhere local for non gardening club members if there is enough interest.
By the way, I have had a couple of emails questioning my reasons for this and implying that I am only doing it for the money. Well, for those that are not aware writing academic papers is done 'free'. Unless some good soul coughs up funding for the research. Which in this case is NOT happening.
just out of intrest :wave
if you do get a nasty nip,you can buy a syringe / sucker kit from the chemists,if you break the skin with a stanley knife blade,so it bleeds then get the sucker on it, relives the pain prety sharpish.
S :tiphat:
I've had a Cryptic mantis in Saliente, along with a bee eater, badger and we have lots of frogs/toads in our local fuente.
Near Turre I saw a tortoise making its way across the road a few weeks ago. I have seen boar on the Limaria-Arboleas mountain road
We've got far too many cats by our bins
And I have a sometimes wild animal that likes to pass himself off for a plumber by day, sneaks into my bed at night!!
I could still do with some more members completing the questionnaire if possible please. 98 so far and could do with another 100.
I repeat none of the questions ask for personal details and it is ALL totally anonymous unless you agree to include your email address in the last question.
There are 22 short questions. It should take no more than 5 - 10mins to complete it. Click here to go to the questionnaire:
http://www.impressity.com/Survey/sl.aspx?SurveyLinkId=yddjdvxxmlhedjxkzygl
Just completed the survey. About mains water, no option for not on mains. Similarly for existing planting, in an old cortijo, no planting but no option. Have had to make up answers to avoid a red mark. :whistle:
galeras, Many thanks. Trouble with QAs is that even though I run it by a few people to check it over you will always not think about a couple of things. Maybe if I do another in future.......... Phil
Now up to 105 respondents. Many thanks everyone.
It looks like I will be giving a talk on the topic sometime in October to various groups in the region, so watch out for news if you are interested. If it is a members only event I will look for another location to do a second talk for those that are non members.
But that is a four months away, let's enjoy the summer first. :lol: :lol:
http://www.impressity.com/Survey/sl.aspx?SurveyLinkId=yddjdvxxmlhedjxkzygl
Just to say thank you to the 108 members that were kind enough to complete the questionnaire for me. Anyone else that would like to do so has until Monday. I will then start the task of analysing it all. Watch out for a report later in the summer.
Link to survey.
http://www.impressity.com/Survey/sl.aspx?SurveyLinkId=yddjdvxxmlhedjxkzygl
Hi Phil. Not sure if anyone else has seen these, but about a week ago 5 young deer came down over the hill by us and crossed our rustic land and up the other side. First time we have ever seen deer in this area. Alan
I mentioned earlier about the bats that fly around the lamp posts outside. Early this morning (about 0630) one was seen to go under an end tile on our roof. Don't know if it's roosting there or just found a nice cool place to rest. Only saw one but there could be more.
Just a thank you to the 122 members that have filled out the questionnaire for me.
I have extended it until the end of this week just in case some were away on holiday etc.
Phil
The QA can be answered here and only takes a few minutes.
http://www.impressity.com/Survey/sl.aspx?SurveyLinkId=yddjdvxxmlhedjxkzygl
I can't complete the survey as I am in Turre but I notice one of the questions refers to Siempreverde hedging. Do you think this has a negative effect on wildlife?
In my personal view it enhances the wildlife. Birds nest and roost in it overnight, thousands of bees head for it when it is in flower. When the leaves drop it adds nutrients to the soil and builds up a layer of humus over time. It helps with the food chain effect. Bees are plentiful = more insects for the birds to go for and so on up the food chain.