Spanish lynx (1 Viewer)

[John Cantelo]

I found them with relative ease in early September, and its a good time, bellowing Red Deer rather evocative early mornings...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t29CZcGAbs

Thanks - we'll certainly make a more concerted effort either in May or September - perhaps both!

 

[Jos Stratford]

Thanks - we'll certainly make a more concerted effort either in May or September - perhaps both!

May is certainly very pleasant with a lot of other birds in the area as you probably already know.

 

[KFC]

May is certainly very pleasant with a lot of other birds in the area as you probably already know.

Loved you blog post/trip report, Jos. A really good read and certainly made me keen to go in spring.

Ken

 

[MiguelM]

I wonder if people looking for the lynx won't disturb and stress him out? Maybe we should try to avoid see him at all?

Oh, and it's Iberian Lynx not spanish lynx, since Iberia is Spain+Portugal and the lynx is native to both countries

 

[Jos Stratford]

I wonder if people looking for the lynx won't disturb and stress him out? Maybe we should try to avoid see him at all?

Oh, and it's Iberian Lynx not spanish lynx, since Iberia is Spain+Portugal and the lynx is native to both countries

Observers always, and with no exceptions that I have heard about, stay on the road - the Lynx have large areas to roam over and could avoid the road area if they wish, but in my experience at least, do not see the observers as any threat and frequently pass near by, basically without paying any attention at all. I think there is no stress or distrubance caused at all.

Further, the local interest and revenue generated to the community that live in the area is critical to the survival of this species - chances of illegal persecution are reduced many times over if the community value their animals, both at a sentimental level and an economic level.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Regarding name, Spanish Lynx, Iberian Lynx - I too prefer Iberian, but no big deal. Common English names frequently do not reflect geographical accuracy - eg. Spanish Imperial Eagle, Dartford Warbler, Kentish Plover and one for the Portuguese, Madeiran Storm Petrel.

 

[Isurus]

Observers always, and with no exceptions that I have heard about, stay on the road - the Lynx have large areas to roam over and could avoid the road area if they wish, but in my experience at least, do not see the observers as any threat and frequently pass near by, basically without paying any attention at all. I think there is no stress or distrubance caused at all.

Further, the local interest and revenue generated to the community that live in the area is critical tothe survival of this species - chances of illegal persecution are reduced many times over if the community value their animals, both at a sentimental level and an economic level.

This. You really have to be there to appreciate the way viewing is undertaken to see how little disturbance is likely (or to be perfectly honest even possible). Each one of my three sightings (really must finish that trip report) involved a lynx moving closer to us rather than away from us and in each case crossing a public road. As Jos said they culminated in surprisingly close passes initiated by the lynx. To the extent people are making what may constitute a disturbance I doubt this will stress the lynx in any way, shape or form - they just won't see a lynx which will probably take a slightly different route and circumnavigate them.

 

[Simon Wates]

I wonder if people looking for the lynx won't disturb and stress him out? Maybe we should try to avoid see him at all?

Oh, and it's Iberian Lynx not spanish lynx, since Iberia is Spain+Portugal and the lynx is native to both countries

Hi Miguel,

I think in this case, its actually beneficial to Iberian Lynx conservation. Jos has put it very well and I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[Simon Wates]

Regarding name, Spanish Lynx, Iberian Lynx - I too prefer Iberian, but no big deal. Common English names frequently do not reflect geographical accuracy - eg. Spanish Imperial Eagle, Dartford Warbler, Kentish Plover and one for the Portuguese, Madeiran Storm Petrel.

Worth noting that Spanish Imperial Eagle in Spanish is; Águila Imperial Ibérica so at least its not the Spanish people's fault. As this species (and hopefully Iberian Lynx in the future) is becoming well re-established in Portugal now, I think its a good candidate for an English name change.

Maybe a lot of folk don't realise just how large the Portuguese Iberian Lynx population was just a few decades ago - even up to the mid-90's we still had 15+ inds in the far southwest. There is a captive breeding programme here in the Algarve that's going rather well - lets hope that the re-introduction plans work!

 

[Cream Tea Birder]

I wonder if people looking for the lynx won't disturb and stress him out? Maybe we should try to avoid see him at all?

Oh, and it's Iberian Lynx not spanish lynx, since Iberia is Spain+Portugal and the lynx is native to both countries

Dear Miguel,

I think it is always good to question such things. However, a few things from my experience that might re-assure you:

The land on which the majority of the Iberian Lynx sightings occur, are on private estates, with no access. If an animal does appear on tracks where people are, they do this through their own choice and often seem far from bothered. Personally, I think it is also very important that both local people and visitors get the opportunity to see these fantastic animals to re-inforce how essential it is that they do not become extinct. As Jos has already mentioned, the revenue that visitors bring is essential and further highlights the importance of the species as well as bringing community protection. In particular, it has been great to see the large number of highly passionate young Spaniards who I have met at the site.
Finally, you may also be interested to hear that, whenever I take small groups to this site, a donation is made to Programma Lince which is working in Portugal to try and improve habiata for both the Iberian Lynx and the Black Vulture.

 

[keith]

Dear Miguel,

I think it is always good to question such things. However, a few things from my experience that might re-assure you:

The land on which the majority of the Iberian Lynx sightings occur, are on private estates, with no access. If an animal does appear on tracks where people are, they do this through their own choice and often seem far from bothered. Personally, I think it is also very important that both local people and visitors get the opportunity to see these fantastic animals to re-inforce how essential it is that they do not become extinct. As Jos has already mentioned, the revenue that visitors bring is essential and further highlights the importance of the species as well as bringing community protection. In particular, it has been great to see the large number of highly passionate young Spaniards who I have met at the site.
Finally, you may also be interested to hear that, whenever I take small groups to this site, a donation is made to Programma Lince which is working in Portugal to try and improve habiata for both the Iberian Lynx and the Black Vulture.

I was also impressed by the numbers of young Spaniards who came to look for the Lynx, that's where the future lies for them both.

 

[John Cantelo]

More confirmation of the unthreatening nature of the observations is that a radio tagged male which previously inhabited an area out of sight from the track has chosen this year to move into an area right next to it where it seems happily settled. (This from a Spanish guy who spends a lot of time looking at the lynx).

 

[Isurus]

I was also impressed by the numbers of young Spaniards who came to look for the Lynx, that's where the future lies for them both.

Agreed. Although the guys whose car smelt like an amsterdam coffee shop who pulled up beside us to show off gripping cell phone photos they'd taken on their evening cruise were a bit much!

 

[MiguelM]

Dear Miguel,

I think it is always good to question such things. However, a few things from my experience that might re-assure you:

The land on which the majority of the Iberian Lynx sightings occur, are on private estates, with no access. If an animal does appear on tracks where people are, they do this through their own choice and often seem far from bothered. Personally, I think it is also very important that both local people and visitors get the opportunity to see these fantastic animals to re-inforce how essential it is that they do not become extinct. As Jos has already mentioned, the revenue that visitors bring is essential and further highlights the importance of the species as well as bringing community protection. In particular, it has been great to see the large number of highly passionate young Spaniards who I have met at the site.
Finally, you may also be interested to hear that, whenever I take small groups to this site, a donation is made to Programma Lince which is working in Portugal to try and improve habiata for both the Iberian Lynx and the Black Vulture.

Hello,
Sorry for the delay in my response, but I've been away.

After reading all of your responses, I feel reassured now and I might even consider going there in the near future as part of a birdwatching holiday I'm planning

 

[John Cantelo]

Hello,
Sorry for the delay in my response, but I've been away.

After reading all of your responses, I feel reassured now and I might even consider going there in the near future as part of a birdwatching holiday I'm planning

I think you've only gained our respect for asking such a pertinent question. It was something that concerned me before I went. Although I was assured otherwise, it was only when I got there and saw the situation for myself that I fully appreciated that the Lynx were under no threat from the appreciative watchers - quite the reverse. Even if the Lynx weren't there I fully recommend a visit to the area - I've never found Spanish Imperial Eagle so easy to find or Azure-winged Magpie so abundant.

If you're planning a trip across the border then do check out my blog/notes should you venture into Cadiz Province

 

[John Cantelo]

Missing Lynx no longer …..

In February, as noted elsewhere on this thread, my wife and I ventured into the Sierras near Andujar in search of Iberian Lynx. The naïve hispanophile might have been fooled into thinking that the almost constant noise in the background on that trip was the clattering of castanets, but I knew that sound too well to be fooled – Liz’s teeth were chattering. It was cold and, worse, wet. The animals scarcely showed and only when we were elsewhere.

Having put this previous trip behind us, we had planned to look again in September having been told that May - when were next in Spain - was a poor month for seeing the species. Fortunately, wiser counsels prevailed (thank you Jos!) so we tried again earlier this month.

We had planned to drive over in time for an evening vigil at El Encinarejo on the 4th, but instead spent two hours driving in ever decreasing circles, although ever increasing stress, looking for our accommodation. Once found the chalets at San Gines proved a pleasant base - slightly less convenient than Los Pinos, but near an open area great views and some good senderos.

We started somewhat later on the 5th than I’d hoped so we didn’t venture along the famous La Lancha track until just after 09:00. As usual, Azure-winged Magpies were everywhere (never a dull bird) and there was a good supporting cast of over birds. Having stopped and scanned a few times it was about 9:25 when we started the approach to the site of our purgatory in the winter - a sharp bend near the white concrete blocks where we elected to start our stake out. Some 300-400m short of our destination we eased round one of the many sinuous bends in the track to find ourselves looking more or less up the backside of a Lynx blithely ambling along the track to our right some 10m from the car! Gently coasting just a little further to avoid a potential accident we watched in awe as the stunning cat continued its morning passeo along the road. It veered to the left, allowing us to see that it was wearing a natty radio collar, before crossing the road right in front of us and slowly climbing the hill above the car. Sensational is the word and elated the feeling! An absolutely fantastic encounter with this feline! We later learnt that this was ‘Dingo’ and could see from the photos that it was blind in one eye.

We didn’t see another Lynx over the next couple of days, but then the pressure was off! An even luckier group of Belgians saw an uncollared Lynx trot across the ‘main road’ up to the Santuario just past the turning to El Encinarejo. This animal evidently sat down in the field near the road allowing the guys to get some fantastic shots (anyone who knows if they’ve posted the pictures somewhere please let me know).

As found on our previous trip, the international force of birders/wildlife enthusiasts (Belgian, Dutch, French and, of course, Spanish) were extremely helpful in passing on information about latest sightings, tips, etc. Sadly, the one exception was a bunch of Brits whose surliness and apparent belief that we were invisible, was amongst the most ill-mannered performances I can recall for a long time. With very few tracks over a vast area you see the Lynx on its own terms so we just got very, very lucky!

 

[StuartReeves]

Wow, it certainly looks like you had superb views John!

 

[keith]

Hopefully, here's a photo I took in January, my first go at this.

 

[Farnboro John]

Blimey O' Reilly, some excellent pix this year!

John

 

[John Cantelo]

Another shot - much reduced & resized to post here - of the animal as it climbed up the hill,