Hello Mark,
I don't have the full list of Odonata recorded at Doñana close to me at this moment, but if you could send me a private e-mail to nature@investnatura.org I could try to compile records to make one for you. Unfortunately I cannot make it before the weekend as I have to travel to Cádiz.

I have most of the dragonflies watched at the area since the early 60's, but some of the species were recorded many years ago and no new records have been added to their nowadays status.

So, if you decide to come over Doñana and make any dragonfly watching, your records will be highly welcome.

Salu2 desde Doñana

Jorge Garzón

Hi Simon,
M'alaga coast in Easter is quite busy!!! If you want to get good places for birdwatching with your MTB, why not? I would recommend you as a base, any of the small villages inland (Coín, Guaro, Ojén) or the eastern past of the province (Frigiliana, Cómpeta, etc...) This area, called "The Axarquía", is one of the most beautiful areas in the province, and the ranges around are uncrowded and wild enough to enjoy every minute!!!

Salu2 desde Andalucía

Jorge Garzón

Hello Albert,
Early June is a superb time for flower-watching. Most of the country can give you excellent views and endemisms, but if I have to recommend easy places to enjoy the Iberian flora this is Andalucía, no doubt!

Here you can enjoy the Iberian endemisms, the Andalucian ones, North African species present here and dozens of restricted plants distributed in our mountain ranges.

If you need further information, you can contact me at my private e-mail at any time.

Saludos desde Doñana

Jorge Garzón

Mark,
Regarding to Andalucía (southern part of Spain), you can contact with the Environment Agency of the Regional Goverment. You could use Google and write: Consejería de Medio Ambiente+Junta de Andalucía.

Also, some statistic details can be found also here typing:

Instituto Andaluz de Estadística+Junta de Andalucía

If you need further information, PSE, don't hesitate to contact at any time.

Saludos desde Doñana

Jorge Garzón
INVESTNATURA - Nature & Birdwatching

Dear Roger,
Andalucía is, whithout doubt, a real paradise for Butterflies & Moths. We have 525 species of them flying in our region, but -as John Muddeman says- not all the species cover the whole region, due to several habitats found here. We have three Butterflies & Moths "hot spots" in our land:

1. Mountain Ranges in the east (Almería, Jaén & Granada provinces)

2. The Coastal Mediterranean side (from Almería to Cádiz)

3. The Huelva province and the corridors connecting the Sierra Morena hills with coastal marshes & Doñana.

This extremely richness in Lepidoptera come from the endemic species, North African species crossing the Straits of Gibraltar & the Mediterranean (some of them settled here), Mediterranean basin species, Iberian species & small northern populations which survive isolated in selected areas. We also have vagrants & powerful migrants that also can be seen wintering in Andalucía.

June is better time than July to observe Lepidoptera, as some broods have a 'diapause' in summertime due to the hight temperatures and lack of rain. The best time is the end of winter and spring and autumn, later on.

I use to tour in Andalucía, South Portugal & Morocco with small groups for Butterflying, Dragonflying & Birdwatching, if you are interested to contact me, better do it to my private e-mail.

Most of the books in English just "touch" slightly some of the commonest species living here, although there are a couple of books very interesting on Lepidoptera, but both of them are written in Spanish and don't show specific locations for watching purposes, so you must rely in local contacts to find the desired species or roam the region by yourself, trying to visit the best habitats.

Right now, the first broods are already flying and dozens of species more will do it in the following weeks (larvae are doing well after the cold winter we had) Most of the species are polivoltine, but fly the mildest days, not being evident days after if meteo conditions are not the right ones!

I hope this information helps you!

Saludos desde Doñana

Jorge Garzón
INVESTNATURA
"Nature & Birdwatching"

Sue,
As Damian says: ¡No Monk Seals in the Peninsula! The closest colony is found in the "Desertas Islands" facing the island of Madeira (Portugal). About 18-22 Monk Seals live there, they are recovering and juveniles were succesfully born last season. The last Monk Seal in Spain was seen late 80's in the Chafarines, Spanish islands facing Morocco. It was a solitary ex. named "Peluso". This seal was briefly seen at Cabo de Gata time before, that's why the signs remain there, but... not the seals!!!

Saludos desde Doñana
Jorge Garzón

INVESTNATURA
"Nature - Botany - B'watching"

Hello Sarah,
In general, the least visited zones in Spain are inland, far from the large cities or any other spot not easily accesed by motorways or main roads.

But, as well said before, the western part of Spain is less populated and visited due to lack of big cities and good roads.

It still remain (in southeastern Spain) an impressive area that we used to call "Mapped in white" with a few small villages and very isolated. If you can imagine an area (triangle shaped) with the following corners:
The village of Huéscar in Granada province; the village of Almansa in Albacete and the village of Vélez-Rubio in Almería province... you got it!!! Just a dream!!!

This and the previous ones are the places chosen when we tour with bird, insects or botany-watching purposes.

You will be in heaven there!!!

Hope this helps you!!!

Salu2 dsd Doñana

Jorge Garzón
INVESTNATURA
"Nature - Botany - Birdwatching"

Hello Robert,
At INVESTNATURA we have a large picture file on our watching trips & conservation activities.

If you need further information, you can get us at our e-mail address.

We have worked three times for film projects as specialized guides and pre-production duties (locating landscapes, choosing times & dates and many other things) for French productors & Wild Nature RAI programs (Italy)


Salu2 dsd Doñana


Jorge Garzón
INVESTNATURE "Nature - Botany - Birdwatching"
Aznalcázar

All the Genus "Quercus" trees produce acorns. The encina "Quercus ilex" has two different sub-species: "Quercus ilex spp. ilex" and "Quercus ilex spp. ballota". Most of the sweet acorns found come from the spp. "ballota" and were used as Damian pointed in his answer. Quercus ilex ballota is an endemism from the Iberian Peninsula & North Africa and can be likely found inland up to 2.000 m. a. s. l.

Saludos desde Doñana

Jorge Garzón
Investnatura-South Birds
Aznalcázar

Leo,
Most of the times, the month of June in Sierra Nevada range is warm to hot, but have in mind that June is also time for our latest snowfalls in the season. Last June maximum temperature in Sierra Nevada (2.000 m altitude) was about 20ºC and minimum about -1ºC. So, being June a warm month in our mountains, you could experience snowfalls and blue bright skies the day after.

You could find more about Climate in Sierra Nevada in the book "Andar por Sierra Nevada, Ed. Penthalon" written by myself.

You can find real temperatures through the ski resort web page at: http://www.cetursa.com/default.asp

Try the link (on the left) under: "On the piste" and upper right: "El tiempo"

Hope this helps you!

Saludos desde Doñana!

Jorge Garzón
Investnatura-South Birds
Aznalcázar