Fauna / Flora
Fauna
Situated on the north-south European axis, the Basque Country benefits from a mild climate and a gently sloping terrain. Terrain that is quite propitious for a large diversity of birds. Some of these birds only traverse, others spend only the winter or come to reproduce, and some live year round
During the autumn migration, one can observe the wealthy variety of Scandinavian birdlife. As early as the month of August, just go to the "Col d'Organbidexka" where guides will unveil the secrets of migratory birdlife. Or if you wish make the trek alone, it's worth it.
High up in the mountain meadows, wild hoofed animals have largely relinquished their place to domestic animals, but wild scavengers are still present. You may see the Vautour(vulture) Fauve, easily recognizable due to its large size and flocking habits but alas endangered by extinction.
White, small and fringed, with black bangs, is the Vautour Percnoptère which reproduces in the Basque Country before returning home to Africa. Also in decline, only 20 couples make the annual journey at present.
As for the legendary Barbed Gypaete, few endure and you will be lucky to see one in the Basque Country.
From October til November, upon raising your eyes toward the sky, you will see the flight of migrating passenger pigeons and the release of all the passion that goes with this traditional hunt. Similarly, the long beaked migrating woodcock is stalked in November by hunters with dogs.
In our mountain rivers and streams, the common trout, or Fario, is fished and is quite appreciated at meal time.
Nearby, on the riverbanks hides the Desman : a unique pyreneen rodent similar to a mole in appearance with a long tail and a bugle snout.
We now leave the aquatic world for the forest. Herein, stags, weighing as much as 150Kgs, are seen. Imposing antlers crown the males head, and although seemingly ornamental, they are effective weapons, especially during the mating season (september/october). In the same season, at dusk, their belling can be heard. The deer, his mate, has a gestion period of 8 months and gives birth to one or two fawns per fold.
Also seen in our forests is the roebuck an animal which sheds its antlers in November with regrowth occurring throughout the winter. Wild boar, weighing as much 100kg are found in our mountains.
The sow gives birth to 4-6 offspring, after a gestation period of 4 months. Fox are classed as harmful creatures that move at will through the forests. The list goes on : hare, badgers squirrels and other wild animals find sanctuary in our mountains.
The pottoks are semi-wild remnants from another era. These small brunette horses are rustic, hardy and free to roam with the other beasts.
Warning : Our mountains are a fragile environment. We struggle to protect them along with the plants and animals within. Help us in our task by observing without perturbing the different species you encounter. Keep dogs on leash and do not litter. Thank you.
Association SAIAK : 05.59.37.24.61
Flora
Plant life is diverse and abundant. The peat is plentiful and hosts many ferns.
Within this environment are found the largest beechwood forests of Europe and river ecosystems protected by numerous local ecological groups : ONF, CPIE, URTXINTXENEA.
The diversity of the vegetation depends on its altitude. Most of our land is found at hill level where the moor, the hills and the oak forest conflux. Above, we have the mountain pastures and beechwood forests. Still higher, we find the subalpine and alpine regions. These last two sectors are not present in our topography.
At the hill stage (500-600) we mostly find the moor, infiltrated by heather, bracken and gorse. The moor varies according to human intervention, the characteristics of the soil, sun exposure and the influence of the seasons.
Heather, are small trees with dense ramifications covered in small leaves. Purple bell shaped flowers form tight clusters that bloom summer through autumn. They flourish in dry, rocky porous soil Gorse proliferates on steep rocky slopes. This tiny tree is robust, spiny and evergreen with yellow flowers and cloven fruits.
There are many varieties of bracken on the gentle slopes, in the brush, etcetera, but most common is the eagle bracken. They usually take to silica and limestone.
Many farmers use bracken to make stable bedding. Bracken mixed with animal excrement make an excellent fertilizer. Relentless scything has favored the expansion of the bracken at the expense of the other species. They are harvested and piled high to form lofty haystacks prevalent in Aldudes.
The most prevalent tree species encountered in the hill country are oak and chestnut.
In humid and acid soil, the stalked oak is found – solitary and centenary. The Tauzin oak is in constant regression. It grows on fresh, dry, sun drenched slopes. Chestnut treeswith life spans of several centuries grow in silica soils. They bloom in July and August and their nuts are gathered in the autumn. Amongst these trees, we find holly and the toxic foxglove.
At the mountain stage (700-800 metres), the beechwood dominates. Iraty forest is one of the largest beechwood reserves in Europe.
There are 2300 hectares on the French side and 14.700 hectares of beech are also found in Haira forest near the Aldudes valley. The beech tree thrives in all soils : limestone, clay, sandstone etcetera. Its dense foliage inhibits solar penetration and thus little plantlife grows under its boughs. Also present at mountain level, are the conifers: pine and fir. Most often, they are near the summits but sometimes, they are found in conjunction with beech wood trees.
All these forests provide a habitat for a large variety of mushrooms and mushrooms seekers.…