I've been wanting to explore the Cape Mondego Natural Monument for some time. Yesterday was finally the day.
This coastal protected area in the county of Figueira da Foz was created more to protect geological features than fauna or flora, but these Jurassic rock cliffs, with alternating greyish marl and limestone layers filled with fossils (like ammonoids or belemnoids, or even dinossaur footprints), still provide a substrate to an interesting assemblage of animals and plants.
Although quite a few introduced plants, like Carpobrotus edulis, Agave americana, Jacobaea maritima (syn. Senecio cineraria) or Cortaderia selloana, can be found in the area, most of the local flora is native, with Rock samphire, Crithmum maritimum, being particularly abundant. Other interesting plants can also be found, including Armeria welwitschii, a Portuguese endemic sea thrift.
The terrestrial fauna is not very exuberant. I only found two species of snails, and a few common birds, the most interesting of which was to me Arenaria interpres, a typical bird in coastal cliffs, though not unusual elsewhere. Although I wasn't exactly on the lookout for them, I found three species of insects, but I didn't get a clear view of one of them (a dragonfly).
I believe the marine life in the submerged part of these cliffs should be interesting, but the tide didn't allow me to explore it properly, so I only found a few common species. I really have to go back during the low tide.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal. The pattern seems to be that of this species, but feel free to correct me.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal. This small snail (about 5mm each) can often be found in small groups in the splash zone or in the middle of the barnacles.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal. ID based on the shape of the operculum (kite-shaped, rather than oval like in Chthamalus stellatus).
Subspecies Motacilla alba alba. In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal. This species has thinner colms than another member of its genus that can also be found in Portugal, Arundo donax (which I found just a few meters away from this one: http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/856192).
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal. An ancient introduction, it is still considered an invasive species in Portugal.
Syn. Senecio cineraria. In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal. Considered an invasive species in Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
Windswept specimen. In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
Endemic to Portugal. In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
Syn. Inula crithmoides. In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
Aestivating. In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
Invasive species. In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal. Very common in the cliffs.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
Invasive species. Near the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
Introduced species. Near the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
Calendula suffruticosa subsp. algarbiensis, an Iberian endemic subspecies. In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
In the Cape Mondego Natural Monument, a coastal protected area in central Portugal.
Comentarios
Wow you got a lot of good shots!
Thanks! This is a really great place, the light is just amazing!
Do you live their ?
No, I was just visiting.
Oh, neat!
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