Mystery nº 8 from spain

Mystery nº 8 from Mystery nº 8 from Spain. Spain.

Geography and Geography and EnvironmentEnvironment

I am a natural I am a natural park park

I am the home of 51 species of mammals, I am the home of 51 species of mammals, 185 birds, 21 reptiles (including an endemic 185 birds, 21 reptiles (including an endemic

lizard), 12 amphibians, 11 fish and 112 lizard), 12 amphibians, 11 fish and 112 butterfly species.butterfly species.

I was designated a I was designated a Unesco biosphere Unesco biosphere reserve.reserve.

I am the home of some of I am the home of some of the oldest pines still the oldest pines still standing in Spain, nearly standing in Spain, nearly 100 laricio pines that are 100 laricio pines that are over 1,300 years old.over 1,300 years old.

There are 24 native flora here. Two endemic There are 24 native flora here. Two endemic species of daffodil live in my mountains. One of species of daffodil live in my mountains. One of

them is the smallest narcissus in the Iberian them is the smallest narcissus in the Iberian peninsula, found in early May in snow melt areas.peninsula, found in early May in snow melt areas.

You don't need to be a botanist to enjoy the scent of You don't need to be a botanist to enjoy the scent of thyme, rosemary, marjoram and lavender and thyme, rosemary, marjoram and lavender and brightly coloured wildflowers, such as peonies, brightly coloured wildflowers, such as peonies,

gladioli and orchids.gladioli and orchids.

Some of the mammals that lived in my mountains Some of the mammals that lived in my mountains disappeared because of human intervention. Bears disappeared because of human intervention. Bears

became extict in the 17th century.became extict in the 17th century.Wolves disappeared in the 1920s.Wolves disappeared in the 1920s.

Deer and wild board were re-introduced in 1960, Deer and wild board were re-introduced in 1960, together with the mouflon, a wild sheep with striking together with the mouflon, a wild sheep with striking

overlarge horns.overlarge horns.

On the highest rocky slopes On the highest rocky slopes are Spanish ibex.are Spanish ibex.

Deer watching is easy. In September or early Deer watching is easy. In September or early October you can watch the extraordinay spectacle October you can watch the extraordinay spectacle

of the berrea: Male deers bay to the winds to attract of the berrea: Male deers bay to the winds to attract any females.any females.

Sometimes their cry is answered by a challenge and then follows a fierce butting and crashing of antlers until the

weaker male gives way.

29 species of birds of prey can be seen 29 species of birds of prey can be seen frequently above the mountain peaks frequently above the mountain peaks

including griffon vultures, booted eagles, including griffon vultures, booted eagles, golden eagles, red kites, kestrels and golden eagles, red kites, kestrels and

peregrine falconsperegrine falcons

You can also watch the famous lammergeier, called You can also watch the famous lammergeier, called quebrantahuesos in Spanish, or bone breaker, due to quebrantahuesos in Spanish, or bone breaker, due to

its habit of dropping its prey down to rocks from its habit of dropping its prey down to rocks from great highgreat high

It used to breed here but no longer does. Efforts are being made to re-introduce it as a nesting species

The climate is extremely changeable. Snow and The climate is extremely changeable. Snow and frost are common in winter until late may. The frost are common in winter until late may. The

intense summer heat causes dramatic electrical intense summer heat causes dramatic electrical storms that often lead to major fores fires.storms that often lead to major fores fires.

Two of the Iberian Peninsula's most Two of the Iberian Peninsula's most important rivers have their sources hereimportant rivers have their sources here

I am Spain's largest protected I am Spain's largest protected area.area.

What's my name?What's my name?