Carnivorous plants in the forest of Irati.The peatlands

Pinguícula/waterworts(Pinguícula grandiflora)

In the forest of Irati Aezkoa Valley, we have two kinds of carnivorous plants. The you see in the picture is the Pinguicula or waterworts (Pinguicula grandiflora) which is now in flower. The black dots on the green leaves are small insects that got stuck in the leaves due to a secretion of mucilage (a sticky substance also found in the fruits of mistletoe formerly used as glue underpowered).

When the unfortunate creature is stuck, begins to secrete a kind of enzymes that act as digestive system in the outside.
It's their way of   to get mainly nitrogen, in areas where the soil is very poor in it.
I always see in areas of runoff water or light build. Zones and PH very acid washed, such as bogs or bogs in formation areas, of which we have some in the Irati  of Aezkoa valley(Navarre)

Common sundew(Drosera Rotundifolia)

The other plant we have is more special, and spend more unnoticed. With less than 5 centimeters, is a little bit  like carnivorous plant that we have in mind, and which sold in stores a tropical species, bigger than ours.
It is the common sundew(Drosera rotundifolia). In Mediterranean areas as Izki Natural Park (Araba, Baasque country) can be found Great sundew(Drosera/anglica longuifolia) species, which as its latin name suggests, has longer leaves.

In the high-Azpegi, in the westernmost part of Irati have peaty ecosystems (peat forming) one of which recently closed with wooden fencing to prevent livestock can step flora before  flowering. The idea is that once this has happend, we can open three wickets for the free entrance of the cattle.

It so happens that cattle trampling those plants, is at the same time preventing the growth of others, such as Gorse (Ulex europaea) that could be cause problems in this ecosystem, but also is  the responsible to create small wells with their hooves in the mud, where they later leave the most interesting plants

Etzangio Board (Azpegi summit/ Aezkoa) in front the bog.

This is the panel explaining the pre-bog ecosystem, developed by us(Itarinatura) recently.
A peatland is a zone with constant supply of water where they grow mainly Sphagnum and other mosses, along with other plants associated with that ecosystem. Over time, new mosses grow on top of the dead, that having low oxygen just rot, and over the years we may have a depth of several meters of peat, which is the type of substrate that you can find in garden stores.

Almost all of Ireland or Scotland is full of such areas as well as large areas of the Pyrenees, where the soil remains waterlogged environment. In these countries cut peat in portions to use as fuel, because long time ago that the great forests disappeared, at least as to get firewood. Literally they burn the ground in fireplaces, and what's left later in these sites is the bedrock sterile because the peat is formed in a slow process of thousands of years.

Among other types of wildlife and vegetation can talk about dragonflies, spiders that eat dragonflies, others that they eat other spiders and dragonflies, if they can, ..
Typical of these ecosystems is the Common cotton grass (Eriphorum angustifolium), a type of rush Shaggy has not still taken the flower. Certain types of orchids and daffodils,mayflowers,gentians,..too.

Common cotton grass(Eriophorum angustifolium)

Spider eating a butterfly

At the peat bog are associated many amphibians like Common frog (Rana temporaria), the Salamander (Salamandra salamandra) webbed Triton (Lissotriton helveticus) or the common toad (Bufo bufo), which attract all kinds of predators. Difficult to see them, but not his tracks. In this way we see that badgers, foxes ,bobcats  and European polecat approached those sites to hunt.

Common frogs(Rana temporaria) matting

Salamander(Salamandra salamandra)

Budger tracks(Meles meles)

If you decide to visit this place, as always, be respectful (I know what you will, but you would not be on this page) with everything you see.

Spring in Irati.The explosion of life

Roe deer(Capreolus capreolus)

After an unusually harsh winter, life is manifested in all its aspects. Herbivores  take the opportunity to break the fast of winter survival, the birds begin to mark territories and mate, flowers rush out as if it were outside life (and in part, it is, see article on plants prevernals 2011), and amphibians begin a new cycle of life.

Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Arrazola (Irati-Aezkoa)

Irati 12-4-2013

                            Although it has melted much of the snow that had accumulated, in many areas still comes above the knees. But more to clutter too, adds a special touch to the forest. It remains hard and just sinks to walk over.
This probably  may be a nuisance for different plant species having short timeframe before the leaves have come out and overshadow them, again most of them disappear until next year  

Narcissus Asturiensis (Sub.Jacetanus)

                                        Petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium)


Daffodils are probably the most striking flower that can be found these days in Irati. There are several species of them, depending on the ecosystem, and the orientation of the slope. All are protected, and never enough to remember, are great for a good photograph, but have to follow them wherever it makes sense

Narcissus varduliensis

As you see in the picture above, is now when they are coming out. During the next two weeks will sprout 90% of them all. There are always some that are ahead and others fall behind, as in everything.Probably , may be a survival strategy, and if they go well, will play an advantage over their peers.
We lack the  Narcissus poeticus or poet´s daffodil, the rarest of all, perfect white,who not bloom now, nor in Irati (yes in the valley of Aezkoa) and we will be looking at another occasion.

Anemone nemorosa(Anemona nemorosa)

Dog´s tooth violet(Erythronium dens -canis)

Wild cat tracks(Felis silvestris)

Snow gives us the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of wildlife. In this case, traces declawed  wild cat (Felis silvestris), and the proximity to a pool of frogs, tells us about an attack likely to eat jelly   brown frogs (Rana temporaria) although they may be locally abundant, is a rare and legally protected species.
I want to emphasize, though this is perhaps not the right forum, because those who follow this blog I dont think that you need it, we should try to leave nature as we have found, or even better, if we see garbage and can lead us to throw in the containers. There are always exceptions, like at all. There is nothing wrong with taking some mushrooms in autumn, in areas where it is qualified to do, and probably would not have a big problem in catching frogs as has always been done. (Hey, do not invite anyone to do it!)
The problem comes when it does many people and also some without self-control. More is better, seem to they think, and doing business with it. Then is when  restrictions appear to prevent abuse,or  that an resource for these valleys esquilme, or that a species is endangered. Perhaps one more or less common frog is not essential, but in the case of threatened species, one  roughly bearded can mean the disappearance of the species locally for a long time

Brown frog(Rana temporaria)

Erlan fall (Irati-Aezkoa valley)

Finally, this spring Irati forest water bearings are completely filled , giving us some truly spectacular photos.
If you want to see him with your eyes, I'll be happy to show it to you. You can contact me at:

:itarinatura@itarinatura.com
and see some of the activities offered in www.itarinatura.com
If you prefer to see him alone, nature lovers are always welcome

 Erlan stream (Irati Aezkoa valley)

Stream with Narcissus varduliensis(Irati-Aezkoa Valley)

Salamanders in Irati forest

Salamanders are a colorful amphibians that in Irati like the freshness of the beech, where they live under rocks, leaves, or wherever they may have moisture.

In the spring often  they go to the wells and streams to lay eggs. The youngs, at first glance,are very much like a newt, but are more minnows. In this picture we can see the gills, like feathers coming out from behind his head that  allow them to breathe in the water. Later they will disappear, as they develop their lungs.

Larva of Salamandra

These are adult salamanders, caught under a log that I wanted away. The further west we go in the Iberian Peninsula, more black and less yellow are. The colors indicate poison, and in contact with the mucous of the mouth of an animal, it inmediately spit it. If someone you touches them, wash your hands before touch yours mouth or eyes.

Salamanders(Salamandra salamandra)