Tag Archives: Ecology

The kind nature

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The rains are watering these days an island that looked thirsty. The water is very welcome for many of the seeds that were lying dormant, waiting for enough miraculous liquid. Now the greens of the grasses will burst forth, and the fauna will be able to feed.

The incipient autumn is giving us this year curtains of water combined with the full clarity of the star. Days when the colours of the magic arc adorn the sky, and the combination makes it very understandable that ancient peoples sought explanations for such a surprising phenomenon of beauty.

With the beginning of the new season, the birds also arrive that leave behind the cold of the north. One of the best knowns is a round, curious, and beautiful little bird, which very rightly symbolizes the kindness of nature. Whoever meets a robin these days and shows a calm attitude will see a little animal that seems to want to establish a relationship of friendship.

Those years when the traps would catch them by the thousands are behind. The metallic device was half buried and only the worm remained outside—alive and trapped between tiny irons—moving all the time in an attempt to escape. The robins were among the first to arrive and died from the blow of the spring. Generally, they were captured much more abundantly than thrushes.

For a long time now, these traps have been prohibited, the forests have regained extension compared to the mid-twentieth century, and the robins have a less risky life. Whether by naivety or by gratitude, they are birds that tend to approach humans.

The forests are also denser now than before. The charcoal burners no longer remove the shrubs to make the quick fire that the lime kilns required, nor the trunks that they converted into charcoal on the piles. The recovery of more rustic livestock, such as the red cow, increasingly abundant on the island, could be a good resource to graze some forest areas again and transform biomass into meat, while taking advantage of the shade, reducing the risk of fire, and improving soil composition.

The robin benefits from the presence of livestock. The excrements of mammals end up generating worms, beetles, and other little animals, which provide the necessary protein for these birds. Although it also eats wild fruits, such as mastic or wild olive, which will soon reach the point of ripeness to be consumed.

The cordial attitude of the robin, with a chubby appearance because it separates its feathers slightly in order to increase the hot air that surrounds it, can help us look at the world with kinder eyes. Such a small bird may seem like little, but some have crossed all of Europe, from the North Sea or from the warlike east. They have seen very different landscapes, they have evaded predators, and perhaps they have seen refugees and pain.

Now they are in Menorca, and we have the opportunity to treat them well. Especially, it is important to avoid poisoning their food with insecticides. Hopefully, the idea of spraying the forests in the coming months will be abandoned, with the biological catastrophe that this would imply.

Reaching out to nature, prospecting and trying to understand the relationships that occur there, and seeking to favour it instead of preying on it, is one of the best opportunities to generate a better world.

GOB calls for transparency in the Territorial Plan

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Last week, a round table on the Island Territorial Plan was held at the Ateneu de Maó. The two rooms of the venue were filled. The event was recorded, and the session has already exceeded a thousand views.

These figures show the great public interest generated by the attempt to make a punctual modification of this instrument, which is one of the main foundations of Menorca’s distinctive model.

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Come to the Island Territorial Plan plenary session on Monday, September 15th, at 10 am

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Next Monday, September 15th, an extraordinary plenary session on the Island Territorial Plan will be held at the Island Council of Menorca. At 10 in the morning. Everyone who is concerned about the future of the island and is available at that time should attend the hall in Biosfera square, Maó.

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International concern and appeal over Rafal Rubí

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UNESCO has responded to the letter sent by nine social and scientific organizations regarding the project that the Consell Insular plans to build at the Rafal Rubí junction.

The international body states that this double-level structure, affecting lands that are part of Menorca Talaiòtica, was already a matter of concern for the World Heritage Committee at the time of inscription in 2023, and that it is closely monitoring the state of conservation of the protected site in collaboration with the competent authorities in Spain.

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Nautical activity and marine fauna

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On August 16, near the beach of Binibèquer, an adult sea turtle appeared dead with a large cut on its shell. Some people towed the body to shore.

The protocol was activated by calling 112 and the animal was collected for an autopsy. The turtle’s body clearly showed a prominent fracture in the posterior part of the shell, an injury very likely caused by a collision with a boat propeller. At sea, there are few things that can cause a break of this size in the back of a sea turtle, and due to the large dimension of the break and the clean, linear cut it showed, the staff of the Recovery Center ruled out that it was due to a shark attack.

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The main water consumers, a priority for inspections

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The GOB wishes to thank the joint action carried out by the Civil Guard and Water Resources to close an illegal well that extracted 40 tonnes of water daily at a rural hotel in Alaior. Ending the feeling of total impunity that has been observed in water abuse cases is essential for Menorca to have a future outlook on this issue.

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August 21: Via Menorca action — ‘Convindria xerrar-ne’ [‘It Would Be Good to Talk About It’]

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On Thursday, August 21, at 7:30 p.m., there will be a collective snack organized by the Via Menorca campaign in front of the fish market in Maó. During the gathering, the main changes that the Island Council is preparing for the Island Territorial Plan will be explained, as well as the consequences that these may entail.

Everything will take place in a summer format: sitting with tables and chairs in the street, creating community and bonds, occupying public space, and playing games that will help understand the magnitude of the threats hanging over Menorca.

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