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2009 News

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GONHS at World Environment Day

UKOTCF Cayman Conference concludes

Statement to Members on Macaques

GONHS Deploys Weather Station

Short-toed Eagle released

Winter Bird Count

6 June 2009

GONHS at World Environment Day

On Saturday 6 June 2009, GONHS joined Gibraltar's celebration of World Environment Day 2009 at Casemates Square. The Department of the Environment had earlier set up a number of marquees for the participants, which also included the Environmental Safety Group, Friends of the Earth and No 2 Plastic Bags, the latter organisation on which GONHS is also represented.

The GONHS team pictured above, was comprised of (left to right: Albert Yome, Bob Wheeler, Leslie Linares and Gian Alvarez.

Harry Vangils and Paul Acolina also provided their support during part of the morning. We were able to give out many of our printed material, such as copies of Nature News, membership forms and programme of events cards, so we're hopeful of attracting some new members.

Visitors to our stand included birders from abroad, who enquired about raptor passage and Barbary partridges, whilst local people also expressed concern about the complete lack of enforcement of the nature protection laws, especially those meant to protect marine species.

4 June 2009

Overseas Territories Forum progresses

biodiversity conservation in the Territories

The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Conservation Conference, organised by the Overseas Territories Conservation Forum and the Government of the Cayman Islands, with the support of the UK Government, ended in Grand Cayman this evening.

Topics covered at the Conference included climate change, invasive species, capacity building, raising the profile of the environment, and networking – the conference went under the title of Making the Right Connections. Most of the UK’s Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies were represented at the meeting, including the British Virgin Islands, the Pitcairn Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos, South Georgia and the South Sandwich islands, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey and the Cyprus Sovereign Bases.

The conference passed a resolution calling on the UK Government to commit funds and expertise to improving capacity and conservation of the environment, and specifically biodiversity, in the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. The UK Minister for the Natural Environment, Wildlife and Natural Resources, Huw Irranca-Davis MP, addressed the conference. He recognized that the large majority of global biodiversity for which the UK is ultimately responsible is found within the Overseas Territories, and committed HMG to supporting activities in the OTs in different ways, including funding.

While the specific situation of Gibraltar is not identical to that of the other territories, the conference provided a unique opportunity for exchange of experience and ideas, which will improve the ability of organizations in all the territories to move forward their aims of attaining greater knowledge and protection of biodiversity.

Gibraltar was represented at the conference by Dr Keith Bensusan of GONHS. Also attending the conference was Dr John Cortes, in his capacity as a member of the Forum’s Council. Dr Cortes co-chaired one of the sessions and had working meetings with the UK Minister, the Governor of the Cayman Islands, and the Islands’ Minister for the Environment, as well as colleagues from the other territories.

18 May 2009

Statement to Members on Barbary Macaques

In view of letters that have appeared recently in the Press casting aspersions on the work of the Society in relation to the Barbary macaques, the Society's Council will shortly be making a statement to its members, which will be sent by e-mail and by post, reassuring them about the situation.

Council feels it important to contact our members directly in view of the statements that have been made.

A Press Release has been issued on this matter.  Other statements can be read here.

9 May 2009

GONHS Deploys Weather Station

The Caves Science Unit of the' Caves and Cliffs Section, has announced the installation of GONHS’ very own weather station.

This station has been purchased by Royal Holloway College, University of London (RHUL) in order to monitor the weather on the southern side of The Rock.

As the Caves and Cliffs Sections's base at Governor's Cottage is at the same height as the entrance to Lower St Michael's Cave, this was an ideal place for such a station.

Data is currently being downloaded manually using battery power, but the section is exploring the feasibility of automating the process, with a view to publishing its data online.

21 April 2009

Short-toed Eagle released to mark Earth Day

On the eve of Earth Day, the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society has released a Short-toed Eagle back into the wild that had been found poisoned last winter.  This was a bird that had stayed in Gibraltar, although the species as a whole normally winters south of the Sahara.  It is presumed that it ingested poison when it fed, possibly on a rat that had itself been poisoned.

It was cared for by the GONHS Rehabilitation Unit and released today at Jews' Gate after being ringed to mark Earth Day.  With the westerly winds there was a good passage of Short-toed Eagles, and the released bird was seen to fly off strongly.

22 January 2009

Winter Bird Count

The 23rd annual Winter Bird Count took place on the 12th January.  The full list of birds recorded is in the table below.  A total of twelve GONHS birders took part in an enjoyable and fruitful morning, with clear skies and a pleasant moderate westerly wind blowing.  The Rock was divided among the observers who meticulously scanned the diff rent habitats and recorded all birds seen with the exclusion of the Yellow-legged Gull and seabirds offshore.

The Upper Rock Nature Reserve held most of the birds of Mediterranean woodland and maquis habitat with the south district gardens harbouring similar species, with Robins, Blackcaps, Blackbirds, Wrens and Sardinian Warblers making up most of the numbers recorded.  Only three Song Thrush were present here but this species can be difficult to detect in the thick scrub.  The majority of Greenfinches and Chaffinches were located at the northern end of the Rock with others present in the south district gardens.  South district gardens also held the only three Firecrests of the count, but accounted for important numbers of Blackbirds.  Open areas at North Front Cemetery and the east side accounted for most numbers of Black Redstarts and Chiffchaffs, and most of the Crag Martins recorded were observed flying north along the east coast as they they emerged from their roost in the Governor's Beach area.  The east side also held good numbers of House Sparrow, a species that had declined but seems to have made a come back, with good numbers also recorded from the Western beach area, the south district and town gardens.  Windmill Hill and the south of the Rock accounted for the only record of Skylarks, a species that occasionally winters there, and for most of the Meadow Pipits, with others at Western Beach and the east side sand slope s.. 

Among other interesting observations were a single Little Owl on the east side, three Shags feeding off Camp Bay, and the now common sight of up to seven Cormorants within the Gibraltar harbour.  Curiously, the pair of Ravens, while still present, evaded the observers during the count.

2008 News

Select News title to link directly to item.

Bird report 2007 published

BirdLife in Poznan Climate Meeting

Shags survive

Shags affected by oil

European Bat Night 2008

Stop Both Worlds Villas petition

World Oceans Day

The Independent on GONHS

Power Station debate:  Final Spring?

GONHS to make statement on macaques

Barbary macaques - a few home truths

Award for Leslie

Walk postponed

Upper Rock signs

Nature News out soon

Winter Bird Count on Saturday

23 December 2008

Bird Report 2007 published

The Society has just published its annual Gibraltar Bird Report for 2007. 

Edited by Dr Ernest Garcia, it summarises ornithological observations in Gibraltar during 2007.  It also carries a summary of birds ringed here during that year and a number of articles of interest, including one on the impact of cold spells on Sardinian Warblers and Zitting Cisticolas by Keith Bensusan, and the other by Mario Mosquera on the mobbing of Short-toed Eagles by Yellow-legged Gulls during the northbound passage over Gibraltar.

08 December 2008

BirdLife in Poznan Climate Meeting

BirdLife International, of which GONHS is the Gibraltar Partner, is attending the UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan.  The main objective of this conference, which runs for two weeks, with an estimated 10,000 participants from 180 countries) is to pave the way for an ambitious climate change agreement to be concluded one year from now in Copenhagen.

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BirdLife is extremely worried about the attempts of EU governments to water down climate change policy, and is making representations to European Governments to take care of the world's future and to ensure that the EU takes the right decision at the European Council on 11/12 December in Brussels, with the following aims:

1) At least 30% cuts in European greenhouse gas emissions (made inside Europe, not by buying carbon 'credits' from overseas);

2) Additional financial assistance to support developing countries to adapt to the now-unavoidable impacts of climate change and to cut their emissions too.

More information is available on www.timetolead.eu.

19 November 2008

Mediterranean Shags survive

Despite the likely demise of at least two Shags last month following the wrecking of the FEDRA at Europa Point, regular searches for the species has revealed hopeful results.  The increased occurrence of Great Cormorants, once rare in our waters, but now regular, especially in winter, throughout Gibraltar's coastline, has resulted in observers having to be more careful in reporting shags.  It has also meant that reports from non-birders of "cormorants" cannot be assumed to be of shags, which was once the case.

Fortunately there is evidence today, from  a photograph by Shane Shacaluga, an active GONHS supporter, of at least six Shags at their traditional location on a rock off Governor's Beach.  The birds look in excellent condition.  This gives renewed hope to the survival of this small, but important colony of these beautiful and rare seabirds.

                     Count the shags.!                                                                                S. Shacaluga/GONHS

13 October 2008

Western Mediterranean Shags affected by oil

                  One of the two oiled Shags and a juvenile Cormorant (right), on the rocks at Little Bay, Gibraltar.

                                                                                                                        Photo:  C. Perez/GONHS

Fuel Oil  leaking from the MV Fedra, which is wrecked on the east side of Gibraltar's Europa Point has affected one of Gibraltar's most important seabirds.

The Western Mediterranean Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii is a vulnerable subspecies of the Shag.  Several pairs still nest on Gibraltar, but records along the Spanish coast to the north are few.

Over recent months seabird observers had noticed very few shags on their watches, partly due to an apparent shift of feeding grounds to the north of the Mediterranean side of Gibraltar, instead of within the Bay.  But there were concerns that numbers were once again dropping .

Following the wreck at the weekend, GONHS surveyed the shoreline and located three Shags, two adults and a juvenile, in Little Bay, on the southwest of the Rock.  Ironically,. this was the highest number seen together for many months.  It appears that they may have sheltered there during the weekend's easterly storm.   There was however a large slick of fuel oil in the area, and it became evident that all three seabirds were affected.  While they were swimming and feeding well, they seemed unable to fly, and would jump onto and off rocks at the base of the cliff rather than flying to and from the surface of the water which they usually do.

While an approach to the birds from the cliff above was being considered by the Caves and Cliffs Section, the Gibraltar Services Police (GSP) promptly provided a vessel which, carrying GSP officers and GONHS personnel, approached the birds from the sea.  At this the juvenile surprisingly flew away strongly, but the two adults were unable to do so. and fluttered with difficulty onto the water.   However, as they were swimming and diving well it proved impossible to catch them, despite repeated efforts from the GSP boat.

              GONHS and GSP Officers on the Gibraltar Services Police vessel that immediately responded to

               the call.                                                                                                           Photo:  C. Perez/GONHS

Although the juvenile showed patches of oil on the upper breast, it may survive if too much has not been ingested,  but the fate of the adults is less hopeful.  Unable to fly , and having probably taken in oil as they preened, it is likely that they will die.  In view of the small numbers resident in Gibraltar waters, this is a considerable proportion of the population of the species in southern Iberia. 

While the area will be surveyed again and if possible another attempt made to catch them, it may be too late.  Facilities at the Alameda Wildlife Park and the Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic were made ready to receive and treat the oiled birds, but even cleaning may not save their lives.

The likely future survival of this species in the region must now be seriously questioned.

               One of the oiled adult Shags in the water                                                      Photo:  C. Perez/GONHS

30 August 2008

European Bat Night 2008

This year's "European Bat Night" took place at the Open Air Theatre, within the Alameda Botanic Gardens on Saturday 30 August 2008.

Albert Yome (left) with bat detector.                                                              Photo: Leslie Linares / GONHS

Just over twenty people attended the event, where they could sit very much as an audience watching a performance. A breezy evening appeared to restrict the activities of the Soprano pipistrelles Pipistrellus pygmaeus which are resident in the area and would usually have been our most frequent visitors.

The Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS), which organised and promoted the event, had set up a bat detector connected to a loudspeaker, through which participants would be able to hear 'heterodyne' interpretations of the otherwise ultrasonic bat calls.

Well after sunset, the first Schreiber's or Large bent wing bat Miniopterus schreibersii began their forays over the area of the pond and stage, often providing a little more than a glimpse before they disappeared from view.

The bat detector proved its worth, by allowing all those present to hear its echolocation calls, even if some of the participants failed to spot the bat itself.

Albert Yome, GONHS coordinator for European Bat Night, was on hand to answer many questions on bats, having first introduced the evening with a short chat on Gibraltar's bats and the threats they face.

21 July 2008

Stop Both Worlds Villas Petition

We've launched an online PETITION to demonstrate the opposition to this proposed development. Please sign and forward the link to your friends, family or colleagues. Thanks.

4 June 2008

World Oceans Day (updated)

The concept of a "World Ocean Day" was first proposed in 1992 by the Government of Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Although not yet officially designated by the United Nations, an increasing number of countries mark June 8th as an opportunity each year to celebrate our world ocean and our personal connection to the sea.

The Ocean Project, working closely with the World Ocean Network each year, helps to coordinate events and activities with aquariums, zoos, museums, conservation organizations, universities, schools and businesses. Together with the World Ocean Network, it also working to have the United Nations officially designate World Ocean Day as June 8th each year.

In 2008, the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) has registered its intention to mark World Oceans Day via the Ocean Project website. GONHS has for many years been working to raise awareness of the richness of marine biodiversity around our shores, as well as in the Bay and Strait of Gibraltar.

It also aims to protect our marine life against the numerous threats posed by shipping, the bunkering industry, overfishing and coastal development.

On Saturday 7th June, the Society's Marine Section led by Eric Shaw, together with Albert Yome, held a rockpooling morning at Camp Bay. The aim of this event was to introduce members and the public to the world of the seashore, thereby stimulating interest in learning more about our marine life and its conservation.

Although the turnout was disappointing, conditions were ideal, with a very low tide and a moderate Easterly, allowing the rockpoolers to venture far down the shore in search of marine organisms.

Among these were numerous anemones, crabs, several sea slugs, blennies, gastropods, shrimps and of course green, brown and red algae.

We were also joined by Gavin Gafan from NO2PB, who provided information on the threat to marine life posed by plastic bags. Many such bags were seen floating offshore or snagged on rocks; a sorry sight indeed.

GONHS plans to hold further snorkelling evenings during the summer. We'll keep you posted.

18 May 2008

The Independent on GONHS

The Independent on Sunday carries an article by Environment Correspondent Michael McCarthy on bird migration in Gibraltar, entitled Spring Migration: take your seats for one of the greatest shows on earth , which refers throughout to the work of GONHS.

Mike visited Gibraltar several weeks ago, and was shown round the Rock and its birding assets by GONHS members, including Ian Thompson, who is featured in the article.  In a year when GONHS is trying to promote the natural history of the Strait of Gibraltar, this kind of top level exposure is particularly welcome.

It makes a good, positive read and no doubt will encourage interest in and visitors to gibraltar and its wildlife.

05 May 2008

Their Final Spring?

Power Station Debate Opens

            Part of the site proposed for the power station, Spring 2008                             Photo: L. Linares/GONHS

As Government goes ahead with preparations for a new power station at Lathbury Barracks on Windmill Hill, and regardless of the pros and cons of such an action, the wildlife of the area is thriving for what is likely to be one last time.

This part of Gibraltar is very rich in terms of wild plants and animals, lying as it does between the protected sites of Windmill Hill and the Upper Rock.  Once again this year the area is looking particularly beautiful, covered with wild flowers, many of which are protected species.

Barbary partridges in particular use the area.  They nest there, as the open habitat particularly suits their habits, and there is plenty of food for them to raise their chicks.  For Gibraltar’s unique partridge population, this area is a vital link to the Upper Rock.

For songbirds migrating in the spring time, Windmill Hill is their first landfall after crossing from Africa, and this patch is one step that they use as they move along northwards through the Rock.

Bats feed over the site, on insects that fly from the shrubbery, and a pair of Gibraltar’s very few foxes, gradually becoming re-established, also include it in their territory, linking too with the Upper Rock.  Less easy to spot are the smaller creatures, like many beetles and even a species of ant that is found nowhere in the world away from the Strait of Gibraltar and that on the Rock has its range restricted to a few hundred square metres around this site.

And the natural beauty of the area is astounding.  With the southern slopes of the Rock as a backdrop, the view – and the feel – down to the south is unique.  It is one of the few places in Gibraltar where you can really feel in close contact with nature, and view horizons to the east and to the west.

Overhead too, ravens and peregrine falcons, which all nest nearby, cross the sky regularly and add another touch of that evasive sense of wilderness, while a little owl peers out from its nest hole over, unaware that it hunting grounds will most likely soon be and that it is nesting here for the last time.

This former parade ground, denied for so many decades to the Gibraltarians while it was part of the much decried “MOD” land, is now accessible, possibly for one last spring.

Unless Government changes its mind, it will once again become forbidden territory, and give way to heavy machinery that will tear up the ground, destroying plants and animals and replacing – for ever – the beauty of nature with industrial filth.

A massive barrier will separate the wildlife of Windmill Hill with that of the Upper Rock, affecting the distribution and viability of populations such as of foxes, rabbits and partridges.  And the view south from the Upper Rock, over the Strait that has been so important in history and so intriguing in prehistory, will be ravished, destroying something that is the heritage of the world.

We urge the people of Gibraltar to visit the area at weekends or in the evenings, to enjoy close contact with nature, and enjoy its beauty on this unique location, probably, for its last ever spring.

                     Barbary Partridge - at least three pairs directly affected, plus the loss of vital green corridor

                                                                                                                                 Photo: F.Barrios/GONHS

18 April 2008

GONHS to make statement on macaques

In a statement to the Press, which will also be posted on this website as from Monday, the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History (GONHS) will be describing its position on the management of the Barbary macaques of Gibraltar.

In the statement, the Society makes clear its view that selective removal of animals may be necessary in populations such as those found in Gibraltar, while it is not in favour of the culling of splinter groups.  These, GONHS says, may nevertheless have to be removed if they become a nuisance in built-up areas.  This removal would preferably be into the wild or to parks.  However, the Society points out how difficult it is to find suitable destinations, leading to the current situation.

GONHS highlights that the main factors resulting in the establishment of urbanised groups are illegal feeding on the Upper Rock and elsewhere, leading to the animals becoming habituated to expect food from people, and the existence of rubbish, such as in bin stores which are not monkey proof.

GONHS calls on the international organisations which are now expressing an interest in the situation, to aim their contributions at these points, and at the finding of suitable destinations for splinter groups.

Locally it calls for all bin stores and similar accumulations to be protected from monkeys and for the enforcement of existing laws forbidding feeding of the macaques.  These steps will greatly reduce the chances of the present situation re-occurring.

16 April 2008

(updated 21 April)

Barbary Macaques - a few home truths

GONHS has previously provided accurate, in-depth information on the Barbary macaques. Despite this, rumour and deliberate misrepresentations abound.

Before forming your own conclusions, please visit and read the following pages.

Statement on Barbary macaques

Barbary Macaques

Gibraltar Chronicle - article on Barbary macaques

Remember Pixie? see pages 6-7 here

14 April 2008

Heritage Award for Leslie

Leslie in his natural habitat

GONHS Botanical Section head Leslie Linares has received the 2008 Heritage Award from the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, for his work in promoting natural heritage in Gibraltar.   Congratulations to Leslie for this well-deserved award. It is particularly significant in that the Heritage Trust has once again recognised the importance of natural heritage, its promotion and conservation.

13 February 2008

Walk Postponed

The "Strait Walk" west from Punta Carnero along the shore of the Strait has been postponed to Saturday 15th March.  This is due to the sustained gale force winds in the area which would make the proposed walk not only unpleasant, but also dangerous. 

Weather is a powerful feature of the Strait, and so this postponement in itself highlights one of the driving forces of the natural history of the area.

18 January 2008

Upper Rock signs

Visitors to the Upper Rock today may have noticed new signs up at key points giving information on the wildlife of the area.  These were produced as part of a European Union-Government of Gibraltar sponsored project.  They were designed by Keith Bensusan and have been placed on site by the Upper Rock Team currently working under GONHS supervision.  The signs can be seen at Jews' Gate, Douglas Path, Signal Station Road and the Apes' Den.  A further two can be seen along Mediterranean Steps.

17 January 2008

Nature News out soon

As explained at the AGM, the publication of Gibraltar Nature News 14, the second due in 2007, was delayed last autumn due to involvement of the editorial team in the Tetouan Biodiversity Conference in October.   It has suffered a further slight delay due to the current influenza outbreak affecting the printing works.  However, we can confirm that all the proof is at the printers and that it will be out and distributed to members very shortly.  The articles have been updated so that the edition will still be up to date and relevant.

This issue carries articles on subjects including the Year of the Strait, on the New Flame incident and development.  There is a look at the wildlife of the former Devil's Tower aerial farm, together with the usual Birding Scene and many other items of interest.

Issue 15 is already being prepared and is expected out on time in April.

In the meantime the Gibraltar Bird Report for 2006 is due out of the presses next week.

15 January 2008

Winter Bird Count on Saturday

This Saturday 19th January sees the 22nd annual Winter Bird Count.  GONHS birders, who make up the Strait of Gibraltar Bird Observatory, will be out throughout Gibraltar as on previous occasions logging all birds seen or heard on the day. 

Records over the past 21 years have shown interesting trends, including the arrival of the Collared Dove and the drop and then subsequent increase in House Sparrows.  Interesting birds in past years have included Great Spotted Cuckoo and Dunnock, the latter now a rarity in Gibraltar in winter.

A summary of the results will be published on this page next week.

Anyone interested in participating should contact the event's organiser Keith Bensusan.

Previous News items can be accessed from the News Archive in PDF format.

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