Tag Archives: Fauna

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.

Menorca’s Wildlife Recovery Centre opens its doors to the public this summer

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Nature and wildlife lovers in Menorca have the opportunity to visit the Menorca’s Wildlife Recovery Centre this summer. From Monday, 7 July, until 30 August, the Centre will be open to the public from Monday to Saturday, starting at 6 p.m. and until sunset.

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Objections to jet ski project at Sant Tomàs beach

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Jet skis are the basis of an activity that frequently generates complaints. They tend to be noisy, can pose a danger to swimmers, and have a high potential to impact the marine environment. GOB has submitted objections to a facility currently under administrative review, planned for installation in front of Sant Tomàs beach.

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Help us count butterflies!

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Would you like to take part in an outdoor activity, in contact with nature, and help monitor biodiversity in Menorca’s countryside? We’re looking for volunteers to help with biodiversity monitoring in farms involved in the Agri-environmental Stewardship Programme.

This is a springtime activity, open to everyone—no prior experience is needed! You’ll learn to observe nature with a new perspective, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know.

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Join the biodiversity monitoring

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Do you love nature and want to spend time outdoors while contributing to an important cause? Every spring, a group of passionate volunteers interested in agriculture and biodiversity heads out into the Menorcan countryside to monitor bioindicators on farms participating in the Custòdia Agrària (Agri-environmental Stewardship) program.

The goal? To show how sustainable farming practices benefit biodiversity—while enjoying a unique experience in nature.

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2024: A year of efforts and achievements in wildlife protection in Menorca

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The Menorca Wildlife Recovery Center, managed by the Consortium for the Recovery of Wildlife in the Balearic Islands (COFIB) and GOB Menorca, has released its 2024 Annual Report, summarizing the key moments of a year dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of the island’s wildlife.

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Wednesday, November 13, book presentation: Portfolio 1 – Photographs and Stories of Extraordinary Birds

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This coming Wednesday at 7:30 PM, the GOB’s Maó office will host the presentation of Portfolio 1 – Fotografías e historias de aves extraordinarias [Photographs and Stories of Extraordinary Birds], published by Lynx Nature Books. A work by ornithologist and photographer Rafael Armada, who has published in numerous specialized ornithology magazines. His work has illustrated many publications and has earned him multiple awards and recognitions. Also joining the event will be Alejandra Rendón, author of the texts accompanying the images.

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