Flora and Fauna along the Camino Frances

[Derekbarff]

I am interested in observing the Nature along the Camino Frances in May 2023. Does anyone have information on the birds, insects, flora etc that may have been documented along the route from SJPDP to Santiago? Many thanks.

 

[Tincatinker]

Oh mate. Northern Spain in May. Migrating Raptors, Storks on every sticking-up thing, more Warblers than anyone can separate. Blood red poppies flooding the Meseta with the Cornflower waiting their turn for glory.

You'll be moving between near sea-level and 2000m in elevation, over clay, sandstone, granite and limestone landscapes. There’s Lions and Tigers and Bears - well, actually there isn't but there is bears (you'll not see one), Wolves (you'll be very lucky to see one), and sh*t loads of other stuff. I saw a Pine Martin while walking the Ingles.

There's various threads on here, try the search box: "snakes" will throw up some good hits.

If you want to delve deeper: https://www.google.com/search?q=fau...SwAEB2gEGCAEQARgJ2gEGCAIQARgI&sclient=gws-wiz

 

[hawkeyepierce]

I dunno the specifics but I can say you’ll encounter the most persistent flies in the world.

 

[Tincatinker]

May ain’t fly season. Try July if you really want to spit the b*ggers by the mouthfull. And yes, that’s the season to really pay attention to the tapas display in cattle country

 

[lalaone]

There's an older book called "Walking the Camino de Santiago," by Bethan Davies. Despite limitations as an overall guidebook, I recall it differing from other Camino guides by including specific and very interesting sections about flora and fauna.

 

[naplesdon]

Depending on how severe the winter is...you may be watching the snow melting in May. Who knows?

 

[C clearly]

Click on the tag "nature" which has been placed at the top of this thread under the title, and you'll find some interesting threads.

 

[domigee]

Wolves (you'll be very lucky to see one),

We saw one on the VdlP (June 2015)

 

[bullingtonce]

I am interested in observing the Nature along the Camino Frances in May 2023. Does anyone have information on the birds, insects, flora etc that may have been documented along the route from SJPDP to Santiago? Many thanks.

I am interested in observing the Nature along the Camino Frances in May 2023. Does anyone have information on the birds, insects, flora etc that may have been documented along the route from SJPDP to Santiago? Many thanks.

Who are Flora and Fauna? Is that the guitar singing duo or are these Greed gods of nature? I know what a faun is so I guess adding the 'a' at the end means it is a female lustful rural god.

 

[Harland2019]

I love watching everything but know nothing! Spotted this in May, whilst I know (I presume) it is an insect anyone know what it is?

 

[KellyCR]

Love this post and question. I was on CF late June & July. Saw 2 mammals (not including cows, horses, sheep, dogs, and cats). Maybe it was to hot. But there were flocks of butterflies, some tiny hummingbirds, and black slugs the size of your finger in the damp areas--amazing. Favorite but common bird is a type of black and white crow. Fauna--wow. I made it my job to photograph every distinct plant for later identification (has not happened). Thistles of many shapes and sizes. Beautiful variety of grasses and wild flowers. A cool tree (that is not native to US) is a small-leaved lime or small-leaved linden. It has two different types of leaves (maybe one is a flower), and clusters of berry/seed pods. I'll be reading this post with interest!

 

[KellyCR]

Forgot about the herds of snails! They seem to like a plant that looks like dill (but is not). Here are the snails and one of the many slugs!

 

[danielle aird]

I am interested in observing the Nature along the Camino Frances in May 2023. Does anyone have information on the birds, insects, flora etc that may have been documented along the route from SJPDP to Santiago? Many thanks.

You can read Jason Penner's The Way of the Gardener - an excellent Camino book and one of my favorites.

 

[KellyCR]

You can read Jason Penner's The Way of the Gardener - an excellent Camino book and one of my favorites.

Thank you so much!

 

[xin loi]

Saw a few deer , several snakes; lots of birds. Did not see any wild Boar but there are many cafes with Trophy boar heads on the walls so they are there somewhere. Not unusual to see bird hunters with their bird dogs in the fields--not sure what type of bird they are hunting.

 

[jbreuner]

I began my Camino Frances in SJdPP on April 30th of this year and finished in Santiago de Compostela on June 5th. I chose that time of year specifically because I hoped to take advantage of the Springtime floral display, and I was not disappointed! The Flanders poppies always brought a smile to my face, as did the yellow fields of rapeseed, aka mustard. Occasionally, I even saw some California native plants, such as Western Redbud. I was so glad I went when everything was green and in bloom! As for the fauna, I didn't see a whole lot of wildlife - a snake here, a few lizards there. However, I will take exception to Tinkatinker's comment above. There were days on the Meseta when I was swatting at flies all day long! Drove me out of my mind! The black and white birds mentioned above are magpies, and they're everywhere. And the vultures over and around the Pyrenees were amazing! Of course, all the usual domestic animals - cows, horses, sheep, dogs and cats. I don't have any other time of year to compare to, as that was my first and only Camino (so far), but from my experience the timing of your journey is just perfect!

 

[gml]

I love watching everything but know nothing! Spotted this in May, whilst I know (I presume) it is an insect anyone know what it is?

Praying mantis, I believe.

 

[Harland2019]

Praying mantis, I believe.

Presumably normally just a mantis but as it was on the Camino it became a Praying mantis!

 

[ScorpioGirl22]

I am interested in observing the Nature along the Camino Frances in May 2023. Does anyone have information on the birds, insects, flora etc that may have been documented along the route from SJPDP to Santiago? Many thanks.

There is a book on plants (not fauna, sorry) written by a Canadian gardener named Lyndon Penner. It can be bought on Amazon as well as other places.

Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/088977806X/?tag=casaivar02-20

​

 

[Derekbarff]

I began my Camino Frances in SJdPP on April 30th of this year and finished in Santiago de Compostela on June 5th. I chose that time of year specifically because I hoped to take advantage of the Springtime floral display, and I was not disappointed! The Flanders poppies always brought a smile to my face, as did the yellow fields of rapeseed, aka mustard. Occasionally, I even saw some California native plants, such as Western Redbud. I was so glad I went when everything was green and in bloom! As for the fauna, I didn't see a whole lot of wildlife - a snake here, a few lizards there. However, I will take exception to Tinkatinker's comment above. There were days on the Meseta when I was swatting at flies all day long! Drove me out of my mind! The black and white birds mentioned above are magpies, and they're everywhere. And the vultures over and around the Pyrenees were amazing! Of course, all the usual domestic animals - cows, horses, sheep, dogs and cats. I don't have any other time of year to compare to, as that was my first and only Camino (so far), but from my experience the timing of your journey is just perfect!

Next May I want to possibly observe all four of the Vulture species as I travel from SJDPP to Pamplona and then on to Santiago. Buen Camino.

 

[Tincatinker]

Next May I want to possibly observe all four of the Vulture species as I travel from SJDPP to Pamplona and then on to Santiago. Buen Camino.

You’ll be lucky. Better start in Barcelona via Monserrat, slip up to the Norte and take the Lebaniego through the Picos. All four are to be seen in northern Spain but not along the Frances.
Good luck though. The sky is full of surprises. I watched Imperial Eagle from the terraza of a slightly sleazy bar in Jerez this spring.

 

[lalaone]

Next May I want to possibly observe all four of the Vulture species as I travel from SJDPP to Pamplona and then on to Santiago. Buen Camino.

Knowing that you are interested in seeing different types of vultures, I thought back to an excellent raptor center on Kangaroo Island, Australia and wondered if anything similar might be found along the Camino Frances. Here is something that might be promising - "Gurelur Fondo Navarro para la Protección del Medio Natural." It is based in Pamplona but also seems to have a site in Roncesvalles. Perhaps they might have helpful hints if you reach out with your interests? Buen Camino (and happy bird watching!)

Migration Centre Roncesvalles · GURELUR

GURELUR is a non-profit-making association which defends and divulges Navarra’s natural values. GURELUR also works in order to sort out environmental problems which affect species and spaces.

www.gurelur.org

 

[Bradypus]

Next May I want to possibly observe all four of the Vulture species as I travel from SJDPP to Pamplona and then on to Santiago. Buen Camino.

On the first day of my first Camino I reached the border in the Pyrenees feeling overheated, dehydrated and nauseous. The fuente turned out to be dry. While I was feeling pretty sorry for myself I looked up and saw a pair of griffon vultures circling above my head. An incentive to at least pretend to be alive and carry on.

 

[Jodean]

On my spring CF Camino, mid April to end of May, heard a ton of crickets as well as cuckcoos all day long. Loved them. The nattering storks were a treat in every village on every church. Tried my very best not to step on any snails and think I was successful, though they are truly all over the trail. Lots of butterflies and bees. Oh, saw one deer, maybe near Samos? Fish in some of the canals and clear creeks.

 

[Derekbarff]

Knowing that you are interested in seeing different types of vultures, I thought back to an excellent raptor center on Kangaroo Island, Australia and wondered if anything similar might be found along the Camino Frances. Here is something that might be promising - "Gurelur Fondo Navarro para la Protección del Medio Natural." It is based in Pamplona but also seems to have a site in Roncesvalles. Perhaps they might have helpful hints if you reach out with your interests? Buen Camino (and happy bird watching!)

Migration Centre Roncesvalles · GURELUR

GURELUR is a non-profit-making association which defends and divulges Navarra’s natural values. GURELUR also works in order to sort out environmental problems which affect species and spaces.

www.gurelur.org

Many thanks for that info. Interesting. Will follow it up.