Wildtalk Spain # 104: Kayaking routes, bat cave, Aracena boars

[editor@wild-spain.com]

Wildtalk Spain, an email newsletter from www.wild-spain.com
19 December, 2006 - Issue 104

Clear skies, frosts and first snowbursts on our highest mountains. All set
for a Spanish Christmas - crisp and sunny. Happy holidays!


------- News Briefs

. Habitat loss, main threat for "typically Spanish" animals -
Spain's populations of Iberian lynx, European mink and capercaillie are down
by more than 50% since 1980 according to the "Sustainability in Spain 2006"
report, just out. All three species have lost much of their natural habitat
but have also been directly persecuted by man until the middle of the last
century (lynx due to their role as predators, mink for their fur
and capercaillie as hunting trophies). Other iconic Spanish animals have
fared better. Spanish Imperial eagle, Black vulture, Brown bear,
lammergeyer, Great bustard and White-headed duck have all increased in
numbers during the same period. But this is is due to the fact that they had
become very rare and soon they too will suffer from habitat limitation, said
Luis Suarez, of the Spanish chapter of WWF. Date: December 19, 2006 Source:
Consumer

. Online guide to kayaking routes in Spain -
Kayaking supplier Omei has published a first-of-it's-kind online guide to
kayaking routes in Spain. The user-contributed reports cover recreational
kayaking and canoeing in reservoirs, slow-moving rivers and coastlines in
all Spanish regions. Follow link for list, in Spanish. Date: December 19,
2006 Source: Omei Kayaks

. Bat cave opens to visitors in Zuheros, Córdoba -
A natural limestone cave inhabited by 4 species of endangered bats has
opened to the public in the Parque Natural de las Sierras Subbéticas in the
form of an "ecomuseum". Small wild colonies of Lesser Horseshoe Bat
(Rhinolophus hipposideros), Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus
ferrumequinum), Bechstein's Bat (Myotis bechsteini) and Greater Mouse-eared
Bat (Myotis myotis) may now be viewed at close quarters along a 450 km
walkway, specially designed to avoid disturbance to roosting sites. Visits
daily, by appointment. Tel. +34 957 694 545 or
informacion@cuevadelosmurcielagos.com Date: December 19, 2006 Source:
Cordoba Información

For links to sources of these News Briefs see
http://www.wild-spain.com/wsbriefs.php


------- Latest questions [ Check out answers and/or share your knowledge ]

Water management (lack of) in Coin, Málaga
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1879
Backpacking guide to the GR11
http://www.wild-spain.com/noticeboard.php?tid=1878


------- Field Reports

Latest...
Rain, chestnuts and wild boar in Sierra de Aracena, Huelva (Trevor Bending,
Navasola Nature)
http://www.wild-spain.com/wsfieldreports.php

Or post *your* report...
http://www.wild-spain.com/fieldreports.php?op=Post


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