Flora and Fauna of Camino Frances

[profbraddock]

Is anyone aware of a guide book on the flora and fauna of the Camino Frances? Or perhaps this exists per region? (e.g., Navarre, Galicia, Leon).

 

[dbier]

Other than knowing that European Robins can be found there through the Merlin app, I don't. Buena suerte!

 

[Tincatinker]

Is anyone aware of a guide book on the flora and fauna of the Camino Frances? Or perhaps this exists per region? (e.g., Navarre, Galicia, Leon).

I’m not. Collins “Birds of Europe”, might be useful but comes in at 750gm, never mind the binoculars. Most of the National Parks produce leaflets promoting their birds, bears or big cats and, as you might expect there’s a lot of information on-line.

I guess a Camino Frances specific guide might find a market but I suspect it would be limited. There is such a variety of biomes along that +700km that it would be a chunky book.

The fauna that you might hope to encounter but likely won’t include Eurasian Bear; Wolf, Eurasian Lynx; Chamonix and Wild Boar. You might see Golden, Booted and White Tailed Eagle plus a whole mess of hawks and harriers. There’s an assortment of Vultures too. White Storks are ubiquitous as are Greater,Lesser and Cattle Egret. Common Crane aren’t but you might encounter some and Great Bustard are often sighted around Fromista.

I saw a Pine Martin once. Once in +50 years of buggering about in Iberia.

Can’t help with Flora. When I was raised if you couldn’t eat it it didn’t have a name

 

[rojasa]

The Way of the Gardener, by Lyndon Penner.

I heard an interview with the author and it sounds like a lovely read.

 

[C clearly]

Click on the tag "nature" that has been added under the title at the top of this thread. Among the threads that you will find is one titled "Flora and Fauna along the Camino Frances." I will close that older thread so that people will continue to reply on this new one.

 

[danielle aird]

Is anyone aware of a guide book on the flora and fauna of the Camino Frances? Or perhaps this exists per region? (e.g., Navarre, Galicia, Leon).

You could read Jason Penner’s delightful book: The Way of the Gardener. One of my favourite camino books.

 

[Pelegrin]

Trees from Navarra to Galicia: pine (nigra, pinaster, pinea, halepensis, radiata), oak ( pirynaica), holm oak, ash, alder, poplar, black poplar, elm, wilow, walnut, hazelnut blackthorn. In Galicia: pine ( pinaster, radiata), oak (robur), chesnut, birch, alder, ash, wilow, black poplar, walnut, hazelnut blackthorn, eucalyptus ( globulus, nintens).

 

[Pelegrin]

I Navarra there are birch anf yew too.

 

[Pelegrin]

....and beautiful beech between SJPP and Roncesvalles.

 

[Pelegrin]

Can’t help with Flora. When I was raised if you couldn’t eat it it didn’t have a name

Then you know many fish names for sure.

 

[tbcan]

The Way of the Gardener, by Lyndon Penner.

I heard an interview with the author and it sounds like a lovely read.

I was also going to recommend this wonderful Canadian book. I learned so much about the plants along the Frances. A small book but jam packed with information - a truly delightful read!

 

[Tickbush]

I use an app calked iNaturalist. Snap a photo, click on “What did you see” and it will tell you what it is.

 

[JerryStroebele]

YES! The Way of the Gardener is superb. And also a great Camino memoir. Buen Camino

 

[profbraddock]

Trees from Navarra to Galicia: pine (nigra, pinaster, pinea, halepensis, radiata), oak ( pirynaica), holm oak, ash, alder, poplar, black poplar, elm, wilow, walnut, hazelnut blackthorn. In Galicia: pine ( pinaster, radiata), oak (robur), chesnut, birch, alder, ash, wilow, black poplar, walnut, hazelnut blackthorn, eucalyptus ( globulus, nintens).

Thanks much!

 

[profbraddock]

I was also going to recommend this wonderful Canadian book. I learned so much about the plants along the Frances. A small book but jam packed with information - a truly delightful read!

I just ordered a copy, thanks all!

 

[wynrich]

Well, this certainly doesn't answer your question but your question made me think how much I enjoy the storks and cuckoo birds on the camino. We don't have them where I live (New Mexico, USA). (But we do have lots of cool roadrunners.) I was amazed how much the cuckoos sound like the clocks!

 

[profbraddock]

Well, this certainly doesn't answer your question but your question made me think how much I enjoy the storks and cuckoo birds on the camino. We don't have them where I live (New Mexico, USA). (But we do have lots of cool roadrunners.) I was amazed how much the cuckoos sound like the clocks!

Thanks! In general, I was struck by how little commentary there was out there on the natural world encountered on The Way. Plenty on food, lodging, and internal experience.

 

[David Tallan]

I accept that I may sound like a broken record on the subject, but The Pilgrimage Guide to Santiago de Compostela: The Complete Cultural Handbook (Including art - architecture - geology - history - folklore - saints' lives - flora and fauna) by David M. Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson, does cover flora and fauna along the Camino Frances (and Aragones).

 

[profbraddock]

I accept that I may sound like a broken record on the subject, but The Pilgrimage Guide to Santiago de Compostela: The Complete Cultural Handbook (Including art - architecture - geology - history - folklore - saints' lives - flora and fauna) by David M. Gitlitz and Linda Kay Davidson, does cover flora and fauna along the Camino Frances (and Aragones).

Thanks David