Egyptian Vulture Rescued

Written by Albert Yome. Written on 15 September 2017.

A juvenile Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) was handed in to vet Mark Pizarro, having been found in a weakened state around Laguna Estate.

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Kentish Plover recorded again after decades

Written by Charlie Perez. Written on 12 September 2017.

A juvenile Kentish Plover was seen and photographed on the rocks at the western end of the runway by Trevor Hammond. This is the first time the species has been recorded again in Gibraltar after several decades.

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Ravens Return to Gibraltar

Written by Albert Yome. Written on 05 September 2017.

Various reports were received over the long weekend concerning sightings of Ravens Corvus corax over the Upper Rock.

There had been a pair of this species in Gibraltar until relatively recently (we need to check our records, although breeding was never recorded).

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Dumping at the Europa Foreshore

Written by Charlie Perez. Written on 13 August 2017.

The Europa Foreshore is a designated part of the Gibraltar Nature Reserve. Bart Van Thienen has been working in this area in collaboration with GONHS for the last five years clearing the area of rubble and waste, and clearing invasive species of plants such as the Prickly Pear Opuntia ficus-indica, the Hottentot Fig Carpobrotus edulis and the Century plant Agave americana. He has done a great job in restoring the area to a natural surrounding, and has begun to restore the Gibraltar Sea Lavender Limonium emarginatum, by planting seedlings in various areas within the site.

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Seabird Migration underway at Europa Point

Written by Keith Bensusan. Written on 11 August 2017.

In the last few weeks seabird migration has got underway at Europa Point, with birds migrating west out of the Mediterranean close inshore. The best weather conditions are usually westerly winds, although even during easterlies birds will be seen. The afternoon is the best time to watch from this site as the light is favourable, and the birds pass close providing suitable conditions for good photography opportunities.

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Resident Birds fare well in the heatwave

Written by Keith Bensusan. Written on 10 August 2017.

Over the last few weeks Europe has experienced a severe heatwave named 'Lucifer'. Gibraltar did not escape the ravages of the high temperatures, but fared better than inland areas in Spain. Temperatures increased daily with the highest recorded so far 35^oC on the 7^th August.

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Aloe Die-back in Gibraltar

Written by Keith Bensusan. Written on 09 August 2017.

A few years ago a disease was proliferating among the Tree Aloes, Aloe arborescens around Gibraltar. Large stands of the plant around Europa Point and the east side of Gibraltar were badly affected, and several stands were unable to survive, and perished. Those that did weather the storm, recovered slowly during the winter months and managed to put on the display of their colourful and characteristic flowers; the red pokers.

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Spotted Flycatchers breed successfully

Written by Keith Bensusan. Written on 09 August 2017.

Two pairs of Spotted Flycatchers bred successfully in Gibraltar. One was located at the Trafalgar Cemetery, where they raised two young, while the other pair bred near the Theatre area of the Botanic Gardens and were seen throughout the last few weeks feeding just one chick, but a few days ago two were seen together.

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Lepidoptera in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens

Written by Keith Bensusan. Written on 08 August 2017.

It is a good time of the year to see a range of butterflies and day flying moths around the gardens. A good population of Monarch Butterflies can be seen along the Main Walk and other species include the Crimson-Speckled Moth, Andalusian Blue, Small White and the Speckled Wood butterfly; all depicted in the video.

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GONHS YouTube Channel

Written by Keith Bensusan. Written on 16 June 2017.

We have recently launched our new YouTube channel GONHS You Tube Channel, where we have already uploaded a dozen videos of local wildlife.

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Little Grebe

Written by Keith Bensusan. Written on 25 July 2017.

A Little Grebe was found in Ocean Village. The bird, a juvenile, had not been recorded in Gibraltar since the 1950, when one struck the Lighthouse and was also rescued.

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Griffon Vulture Released

Written by webmaster. Written on 05 June 2017.

Yesterday we also released another Griffon Vulture tagged KY that was rescued last week which as can be seen wasted no time in taking off to continue its migration north.

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Griffon Vulture Rescued from the Sea

Written by webmaster. Written on 04 May 2017.

On Sunday afternoon a Griffon Vulture was rescued from the sea below Europa Advance Road, by officers of the Marine Units of the Royal Gibraltar Police and Gibraltar Defence Police, after it had been mobbed by Yellow-legged Gulls.

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