I thought I would ask two questions in one! Although I live on the slopes of the only protected mountain in Malaga city (Monte San Anton) I don't see nearly as much wildlife (well, mammals) as I used to in Suffolk, so the increase just recently has made life interesting!

First, I was swimming in our pool recently when I noticed I had company ... a tiny animal which I guess was a shrew was paddling along desperately beside me. Would have liked to take a photo but thought I should fish it out straight away, which I did and of course it scuttled away. It was slim, grey with a long snout. Was it a shrew and if so what kind?

Second question! We are completely surrounded by pine trees and when we first arrived 9 years ago I was surprised that we never saw squirrels. Lo and behold they appeared in one of our pines about 3 months ago - a pair of very dark brown, almost black sqirrels. We were delighted that they appeared quite often in the next few weeks but haven't seen them for some time. My question: were they red or grey squirrels, and are squirrels rare in Southern Spain since we've seen them so rarely. We're very much hoping they'll visit again in the Autumn!

I look forward to a reply from the clever wildlife experts on this site, which I'm delighted to have just discovered!

Ged ... Answer/s

Category: Wildlife general Date: August 05, 2010 Answers: 0

Can anyone recomend a book on snakes in Spain that i can get from a book shop here in Spain, one with good pictures and identifcation details. ... Answer/s

Category: Wildlife general Date: July 23, 2010 Answers: 0

We are thinking of walking the GR7 in Spring 2010. We don't want to take a tent. Has anyone done this walk recently who could tell us how easy it is to find accommodation along the way? ... Answer/s

Category: Walk & trek Date: December 06, 2009 Answers: 0

We are having a couple of days in Empuria Brava followed by a week in Alpens in the Lluçanès zone of Barcelona Province in mid October. Not a great time for wildlife but has anyone any recommendations? We are keen walkers, birdwatchers and botanisers.

Thanks
... Answer/s

Category: Travel (nature/outdoor) Date: September 23, 2009 Answers: 0

Hi! I'm planning to go to Canabria - airport Santander - in august with my girlfriend for hiking, swimming and enyoing the nature. We have no car, but to 'unprofessional' equipment - a heavy tent - to carry it all the time with us. So we are looking for cheap camping sites or equivalents - shower would be nice, the rest is expendable - as a base, from where we can make day tours. Where fits the natural beauty and its diversity best to our limited mobility? Around Noja? Ideal would be one location at the coast and one upcountry, so that we can change after a week. In the third week we want to visit Bilbao/Guggenheim for a day. Finally we have to return to Santander for the flight. Any suggestions would be very nice. Even if you have smarter ideas for travelling under such conditions. Thanks ahead! Christian
... Answer/s

Category: Travel (nature/outdoor) Date: July 26, 2009 Answers: 0

I will be in northern spain soon, mainly near the coast and am trying to find out what conservation/environmental organisations are based there. With a few to help out as i have been working with the practical conservation sector for a while and have also graduated in environmental science. If anyone knows a contact that would be great
Thanks Amy ... Answer/s

Category: Conservation Date: July 24, 2009 Answers: 0

ive got a caravan, and i want to no,if theres a place in mallorca that i could put it on all the year round.thanks ... Answer/s

Category: Travel (nature/outdoor) Date: March 03, 2008 Answers: 0

Hello all,
I have an interest in finding/visiting natural hot springs in Spain. Not the Balneario sort at €200 / day - more the mucky river bed, natural sort.
For example Alhama de granada, or Arnadillo (Rioja). If anyone knows of more likely candidates for me to splash in I'd be grateful for any info. ... Answer/s

Category: Travel (nature/outdoor) Date: July 15, 2007 Answers: 0

Hello.
I am travelling in Spain and thought I spend some time around Tarifa during the spring bird migration. Does anyone know of a place to find cheap rooms for rent for a few weeks?
I am looking right near the town since I don't have a vehicle.
Thanks,
Eric ... Answer/s

Category: Bird watching Date: February 17, 2007 Answers: 0

Looking for climbing partners around Barcelona or Mallorca Dec7-14.I am on a short trip from Canada.Trying to find people to climb with.Climbed for many years although nothing for the last few months.So out of shape.Ideas on where to stay and meet climbers greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jayson ... Answer/s

Category: Climbing Date: November 26, 2006 Answers: 0

I have realised that Mallorca is more than marinas and touristed beaches.

In fact the panoramic images shown on:
http://www.panoramicearth.com/index.php?europe/spain/mallorca
show that there is much more.

As an outdoor person with a liking for natural photography, is there anything special on the island that I should be on the lookout for? ... Answer/s

Category: Travel (nature/outdoor) Date: July 31, 2006 Answers: 0

On this property is an outdoor "barn" made mostly from large pine trunks - probably 50 years plus. These were initially untreated and by the sounds of chewing coming from inside the logs had quite a few carcoma (woodworm).
Over the winter the trunks have been treated using several gallons of woodworm killer.

Over the past two weeks there have been hundreds of beetles appear on the logs. These vary in length from half a centimetre to about 2 centimetres. They are mostly black in colour, but some have a browner colour. I would say they are all the same species and from what I can find on the internet, they could be furniture beetles.

I would also guess they are emerging from inside the trunks, but they also seem to be able to fly.

If any one knows for sure what species these beetles are I would be very grateful for info.

Many thanks in advance

Tim Atkinson

Over the past week there have been hundreds ... Answer/s

Category: Wildlife general Date: June 17, 2006 Answers: 0

My son and I are coming down from Paris to paddle the Costa Brava coast line. We are seasoned paddlers from New York and would like to rent a couple of kayaks. Does anyone have any suggestions on where we can rent a couple of kayaks.
Thanks,
Ron and Justin Ellard ... Answer/s

Category: Canoe & kayak Date: June 13, 2006 Answers: 0

hello ,fantastic website all,
I have a great need to go walking in the catalunya area, i am on a limeted budget i have a small camper van ,but do not need a electricity supply so i want to avoid high camper fees on big sights , as i am self sufficient is there anywere i can park safely for free ,i do not wish to break any laws, but i also need to feel safe.any information on were to stay free or cheaply would be greatfully received ... Answer/s

Category: Adventure Sports (nature/outdoor) Date: May 04, 2006 Answers: 0

Hi all,
I suppose this is technically a 'Wild France' question, but as it's about the Pyrenees it probably just qualifies ;)
I've been following the recent release of the Slovenian bear in the Ariege region with interest (we were in the area where the last one was shot by hunters about two weeks before it happened). In one news report, a statistic was quoted that "Bears are responsible for one percent of the 15,000 to 20,000 sheep lost each year by stockholders in the region," the mayor said.
I had to re-read this several times, 15-20,000 sheep 'lost' each year? To what? Anyone got any information on this. OK, there's predation (by what?), there's road-kill, there's poaching/rustling, there's accidental deaths and disease. I still find these numbers pretty staggering, anyone got any thoughts?
Cheers,
Graham ... Answer/s

Category: Wildlife general Date: April 27, 2006 Answers: 0