BLAST FROM THE PAST - 2008 - Montseny

In June 2008 a group of us (all families with small children) went to spend a weekend at Can Pareras Vell in Montseny. Here are some extracts from my diary describing our stay there:

" The views are spectacular - across to Montnegre and Sant Celoni and the sea beyond. It's not entirely silent, but there is a general feeling of real tranquility. There are not any neighbours to speak of and we are deep in the countryside. There are geese and hens and fruit trees. I've seen a jay and heard a cuckoo."

"The view this morning was amazing; sunny but with fog settled in the valley below. I went for a run through the woods and saw little waterfalls and heard cow bells. It was very peaceful."

Dead salamanders

Fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) are generally nocturnal, although they can be seen during the day when it is wet and rainy. This morning it was exceptionally rainy and therefore perfect weather for salamanders. Sadly the only salamander I saw whilst out walking in the hills was dead; it had risked crossing the track and been squashed by a vehicle. This is the second dead fire salamander I have seen in the hills surrounding La Garriga. Perhaps people using the forests tracks in cars or on bikes should take more care when the conditions are wet and there is a risk of squashing one of these interesting little amphibians.

Fire salamander / Salamandra (Salamandra salamandra) photographed 21/3/15 

Fire salamander / Salamandra (Salamandra salamandra) photographed 17/2/13

Success!

My first attempts with my new trail cam were a success. I got some footage of small rodents (too small to see what they were but it was fun watching their little glowing eyes whizzing across the screen!) and birds but I hit the jackpot with a visit from my favourite small mammal - the genet. So here's a video from this week for you to enjoy.

Spring by the river

Yesterday I took a short stroll by the River Congost in La Garriga. The sun was shining and spring was definitely in the air. The steady drone of traffic on the dual carriageway which passes over the river did not detract from the beauty of the day and the clear birdsong. In fact in the short time that I was there, I saw magpies, mallards, a pied wagtail, a coal tit, blackbirds and various other small birds. I was also pleased to hear a splash when I went down to the riverbank and to see a frog swimming quickly away. I'm sorry I disturbed him but it was a lovely spring sight. Some pretty wild flowers brought the river path to life with their vibrant colours. I have tried to identify them but I'm not too sure about the violets that I saw. I've plumped for Viola alba but would be happy to be corrected if someone thinks I am wrong. Could their English name really be "white violet" when they are clearly purple in colour? I've also found websites that call them "parma violets"which I find funny as, to me, parma violets are those funny soapy flavoured sweets that nobody really likes!

River Congost 

White violet (Parma violet?) / Viola d'alzinar (Viola alba)

Lesser celandine / Gatassa (Ranunculus ficaria)

Spring blossom