My wife and I moved out to Spain in November 2017. Not a permanent move, rather just a chance to see some new areas and try to spot a bit of the local wildlife.
From November to the start of January we moved to the rural area (campo) 42 km to the east of Malaga. The old farmhouse we lived in had stunning views all the way down to the coast. On the minus side the place had no glass in the windows, just metal shutters, which was fine when the sun shone but not so good when the winter blew through the valley.
View from patio down the valley.
Reptile sightings around the place included;
Large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – numerous, mainly on trackside walls and nearly all juveniles. The ever present Moorish Geckos (Tarentola mauritanica) – around the exterior lights after dark and Turkish Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) – usually found when turning ground cover. The only amphibians seen were Iberian water Frogs (Pelophylax perezi), which inhabited most of the small water reservoirs built into the farm buildings.
In late November we experienced our first drop of night time rain and this resulted in several good sized Spiny Toads (Bufo spinosus) coming out of hiding to sit and enjoy the drizzle.
The garden and house were home for many species of spider, most spectacular of which were a species of European Huntsman (Eusparassus levantinus), large, speedy arachnids that would appear on the bedroom walls after dark.
European Huntsman (Eusparassus levantinus)
The birdlife in the valley was dominated by the Black Redstarts. Also several raptors were about, including Peregrine Falcon, Booted Eagle and Kestrel. Somewhere further up the valley an Eagle Owl could often be heard calling but we were never able to track the bird down.
Unfortunately photographs from around this time are few following the theft of my camera bag from the boot of a hire car which was parked in Ikea car park on the outskirts of Malaga. I always knew my insurance company would shaft me somehow and because the car had been unattended when the theft took place I was not surprised to hear they wouldn’t pay out. I ended up borrowing one of my son’s old cameras and a couple of lenses to get me up and running again.
We made several excursions to a nature reserve on the outskirts of Malaga. It had proved a happy hunting ground on previous visits and, back in 2009/10, been a great place to spot reptiles. It once again didn’t disappoint.
Horseshoe Whip Snakes (Hemorrhois hippocrepis), both adult and juveniles, were spotted around the reserve, in particular during the mornings when they could be seen warming up on the flood defence boulders along the side of the path.
On most visits to the reserve I managed to spot a large male Western Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus) which came out to bask on the same clump of vegetation at the back of a bird hide. The first time I noticed it, the snake was moving back into the rocks at some speed as I had walked too close and disturbed it basking. I stood back and waited for about half an hour and the snake’s head kept looking out from between the boulders to see if the coast was clear. It was very wary and seemed to spot other people using the path from some distance away.
Montpellier peeking out from between the rocks.
On later visits I approached the basking area more carefully and managed to get some nice views of the snake as it lay basking in the base of the plants. I was slightly conscious of the odd looks I was getting from those using the same hide as I appeared to be looking the wrong way.
A second smaller Montpellier was also seen along the same stretch of pathway but was much harder to observe.
Red eared Terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans) were seen on the main waterway through the reserve but Spanish Terrapins (Mauremys leprosa) didn’t appear around the lagoons until the middle of February and at that time many were still caked in winter mud.
Mediterranean Chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon), adult and juveniles were spotted in the reserve also.
The Caminito del Rey is now fully reopened having previously been known as “The world’s most dangerous walkway.” The walkway is attached high up on the sides of the canyon at El Chorro. We got to finally walk the 7.7km path on my 60th birthday. As it was a chilly December morning there were no reptiles about but many Griffon Vultures warming their wings and soaring along the canyon walls.
In early January we moved from the campo to an apartment on the coast at Algarrobo which had proper glass windows.
Vaucher’s Wall Lizards (Podarcis vaucheri) were numerous along the borders and flower beds next to the beach. At that time of year none were that brightly marked.
Pv – Caleta de Velez
Pv – Caleta de Velez
Pv – Torrox
Pv – Torrox
We took a trip north east along the coast to Roquetas de Mar, a short distance from Almeria, in the hope of finding some Spanish Wall Lizards (Podarcis hispanicus). We found several Podarcis but all looked a little familiar and turned out to be P.vaucheri. The map I’d referred to had now been superseded by an up to date version which moves the border between vaucheri and hispanicus further east towards the Cabo de Gata N.P.
Pv – Roquetas de Mar
Pv – Roquetas de Mar
It mattered not as we also took the chance to visit the Tabernas desert. Interesting enough but little found in the way of reptiles during our brief visit.
Desert sky.
Fort Bravo main street. Setting for many spaghetti westerns.
More to follow...