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2008 News
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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
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 opf 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 taht it will be out and distribiuted 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, whio 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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