{"id":2273,"date":"2020-01-20T18:21:45","date_gmt":"2020-01-20T17:21:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/roquedos\/"},"modified":"2025-12-14T13:47:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T12:47:54","slug":"crags-in-andalusia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/blog\/crags-in-andalusia\/","title":{"rendered":"Crags in Andalusia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>The power of petrified nature: limited access and remarkable wildlife.<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/P1120696-e1604926015207.jpg\" class=\"lazyload\" alt=\"Crags in Andalusia: the Berrueco Rock\" title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/P1120696-e1604926015207.jpg\" alt=\"Crags in Andalusia: the Berrueco Rock\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Among the many steep cliffs of the young and limestone sierras of Andalusia, the spectacular Pe\u00f1\u00f3n del Berrueco stands out.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andalusia is a mountainous region, with an abundance of limestone mountain ranges characterized by <strong>steep and rugged reliefs<\/strong> and abundant <strong>rocky outcrops, immense walls, canyons and crags<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/P1100725-e1579091201830.jpg\" class=\"lazyload\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/P1100725-e1579091201830.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The cliffs of the Guadiaro River Natural Monument are home to true natural hanging gardens of dwarf palms (Chamaerops humilis) and wild olive trees (Olea europaea sylvestris).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regarding the rock vegetation, it is scarce due to the verticality of the environment and the non-existent or minimal soils. But there are some species and, in fact, the <g id=\"gid_0\"><g id=\"gid_1\">Mediterranean rock vegetation<\/g> is quite diverse<\/g> and is enriched by the species found in the basal canchales of the wall (saxicolous plants). The characteristics of the substratum vary according to the parent rock (limestone, dolomite, siliceous) and humidity (orientation, shade, water filtration) and favor the existence of a variety of species, <g id=\"gid_2\">many of them endemic<\/g> and of high conservation value. Also noteworthy are the curious groves of <strong>palmettos <\/strong><em>(Chamaerops<\/em> <em>humilis<\/em>) and <strong>wild olive trees <\/strong><em>(Olea <\/em><em>europaea<\/em> <em>sylvestris<\/em>) that literally hang from some cliffs.     <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_8663.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14617 lazyload\" title=\"IMG_8663\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_8663.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14617\" title=\"IMG_8663\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_8663.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_8663-380x213.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/IMG_8663-800x449.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The high Mediterranean mountain of Sierra Nevada and its famous permanent lagoons (&#8216;borregiles&#8217;).<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cliffs are inaccessible places and ideal nesting sites for large birds of prey: <strong>Griffon vulture<\/strong><em>(Gyps<\/em> <em>fulvus<\/em>), <strong>Golden<\/strong><em>Eagle (Aquila <\/em><em>chrysaetos<\/em>), <strong>Bonelli&#8217;<\/strong> s<em>Eagle (Aquila <\/em><em>fasciata<\/em>), <strong>Bearded Vulture <\/strong><em>(Gypaetus<\/em> <em>barbatus<\/em>). They also host a specialized avifauna of passerines such as the <strong>rock thrush <\/strong><em>(Monticola<\/em> spp), the <strong>Black Wheatear<\/strong><em>(Oenanthe<\/em> <em>leucura<\/em>), the <strong>redstart <\/strong><em>(Phoenicurus<\/em> <em>ochruros<\/em>) and the <strong>Crag<\/strong> Martin<em>(Ptyonoprogne<\/em> <em>rupestris<\/em>). We should also remember many urban birds that have adapted to live in cities and that are native to rocky environments, such as the <strong>Lesser Kestrel<\/strong><em>(Falco <\/em><em>naumanni<\/em>) and the House <strong>Martin<\/strong><em>(Delichon<\/em> <em>urbicum<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/P1120490-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"bouquetin d&#039;Espagne (Capra pyrenaica)  \" class=\"wp-image-27319 lazyload\" title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1050\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/P1120490-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"bouquetin d&#039;Espagne (Capra pyrenaica)  \" class=\"wp-image-27319\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/P1120490-scaled.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/P1120490-scaled-380x285.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/P1120490-scaled-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The ibex (Capra pyrenaica) is an extraordinarily agile mammal that makes itself at home on the rocky walls of the crags in Andalusia.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>mountain goat<\/strong><em>(Capra <\/em><em>pyrenaica<\/em>) is the queen of the sierra, moving with great agility through these ecosystems like no other mammal.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Caves are numerous in karst environments and host large populations of <strong>bats <\/strong>and <strong>invertebrates <\/strong>restricted to subterranean environments (hypogean).  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/reptiles-de-andalucia\/\">reptiles<\/a> <\/strong>are also very abundant in stony areas where they have hiding places among the stones.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/dog-walker-11.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-125 lazyload\" title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1349\" height=\"95\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/dog-walker-11.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-125\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/dog-walker-11.png 1349w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/dog-walker-11-380x27.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/dog-walker-11-800x56.png 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1349px) 100vw, 1349px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1\"><strong>Typical nest of Griffon vulture<em>(Gyps fulvus<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/P1100738.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4064 lazyload\" title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/P1100738.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4064\" title=\"\"><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Located on a narrow ledge halfway up a <strong>high<\/strong> limestone <strong>cliff<\/strong>, probably at the level of an ancient gallery or cave of the <strong>karst model<\/strong>; formed by a large and rough accumulation of twigs on the ground and only protected by the overhang; the rocky walls stained with <strong>white guano<\/strong>, the nest environment covered with <strong>nitrophilous plants<\/strong>. The adult watches over the chick to ensure thermo-regulation, both the heat of midday and the cold of the night. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"is-style-default has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">One of my best memories is watching a huge flock of <strong>more than a thousand Red-billed Choughs<\/strong> in the Sierra de Baza.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2\"><strong>Blue Rock-thrush&#8230; in town<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Monticola-solitarius-male.jpg\" alt=\"Monticola solitarius m\u00e2le\" class=\"wp-image-37014 lazyload\" title=\"\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Monticola-solitarius-male.jpg\" alt=\"Monticola solitarius m\u00e2le\" class=\"wp-image-37014\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Monticola-solitarius-male.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Monticola-solitarius-male-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Monticola-solitarius-male-800x533.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This species likes crags and any rocky substrate with verticality&#8230; No wonder it is so common in the Serran\u00eda de Ronda. <strong>Very curious by nature with its big eyes, observant posture and intense activity<\/strong>, this magnificent bird hunts all day long for numerous invertebrates, often rare species&#8230; The Blue <strong>Rock-thrush (<em>Monticola solitarius<\/em>)<\/strong> is my favorite bird and &#8211; icing on the cake &#8211; it breeds in front of my balcony on the roof of the village!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Power of petrified nature &#8211; limited access and remarkable wildlife. Crags in Andalusia (cliff ecosystems). <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":26605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[594],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ecosystems-in-andalusia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2273","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2273"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2273\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2273"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2273"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2273"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}