Prince Charles has drawn attention to the ‘barbaric slaughter’ of song birds which occurs in Cyprus during the migration season (1). Although blackcaps are a traditional delicacy on Cyprus – where they are known as ambelopoulia – the methods used to trap them, particularly bird liming and mist netting, ensnare huge numbers of other species,…
Bocage’s Wall Lizard (Podarcis bocagei), is another lizard which is endemic to (only found there in) the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. The adult males and females are sexually dichromatic – meaning that they have different colour patterns! The female lizards have a nice brown back (see photos on link 1), whilst the males have a lovely green…
I knocked tentatively on the door. “Come in, come in” said the voice. I noticed the faded sign saying ‘GOD’ in large gold lettering. “Don’t be shy; what can I do for you”? “Well it’s about a planet called Earth” I said. “We are having some problem at the moment.” “I see” He said. “There…
Schreiber’s green lizard (latin name Lacerta schreiberi) is only found in the northwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula: that is in both central/northern Portugal and northwest Spain. There are also some isolated populations in southern Portugal and Spain which might be refugia (isolated outposts) from a more widespread distribution in the past. These particular lizards like quite…
Ray Cannon's nature notes 