mysteries of the past of Irati forest and ..how long will leave the leaves?

Even if one takes a long time walking and watching, we always leave things to see.
Recently a oldman of my village, Orbaizeta, I told me that some  years ago He founded like "stone igloos" in a praeries area where he had walked all his life, but never, until that day he had noticed them.
  In the  Aralar range (Navarre and Gipuzkoa )exist "Arkuek" which would be the same structures,and the knowlegde about that is quite poor.
A good link about that (spanish):

http://www.basozaina.com/2014/03/los-arkuek-de-el-aralar-primera-parte.html

"Arkue" intact

I finally went with him today (I prefer not to mention his name if he doesnt said me the opposite) and he show  me the place. Certainly it is away from busy paths, and is well camouflaged.
It has a hole against the rock of the bottom, which probably serve for make fire, and due the form of the hole, prevents rain or snow can enter. Its orientation to the south, protected from the prevailing winds, is perfect.

On the right, there is another one, but unfortunately due to a slide some years ago, now is destroyed.
He does not remember any mention of these structures, and certainly is nothing similar nearby.

Capping entry

The fact that for a person who knows "almost" perfect place, with a lot of experience in those places, have gone unnoticed, and they are practically sealed, making them very valid elements for a future investigation into its origins and use.
Excuse me, for that reason, that does not give more information about its location, until they have been investigated, of which I'll try to take care giving notice to the Aranzadi Science Society, which I am a membership.

Another curious thing is the following picture:

Hunting tramp

At first glance there seems not to be more than beech trees, and a rock rising on the right. As we can not see in the photo, I will comment you that in the rocks on the right, there is one small way to a closed sinkhole.
If you look deeper, you can see that there is a horizontal row of rocks, in the middle  of the picture, and on the Left, another one rising at an angle of 90 °.

They were once stone walls, whose purpose, like elsewhere in Europe, were to contain wild animals in prehistoric hunting pressured from above, and animals went running to the sinkhole on the right, where stones, arrows and spears thrown from above, kill them.

This whole area has abundant prehistoric remains in the form of dolmens, prehistoric funds hut, stone circles, and even menhirs. Megalithic areas like Ilarrita on Mount Okabe (Irati Behe Nafarroa) and  Azpegi in the  Irati of Aezkoa valley, are respectively the first and second longest in the Pyrenees.

Finally, I want to show you two photos taken with 7 days difference between April 30 and May 7, from Ibañeta (Santiago´s way).
As you can see, although not to be Irati forest, this is a natural continuation of a forest that does not know place names,and  the real extention of the forest is much higher than the 17,100 hectares of Irati. We can see Orreaga Roncesvalles  lower right first, and farn away Auritz / Burguete. The mountains to the left are the South of  Aezkoa valley.
More words are unnecessary ...

finally..the autum ( 12 november 2013)

Beeches,Larches and red firs

Finally, the fall has been postponed more than in previous years, and still will remain about two weeks before most of the trees lose their leaves, but with the forecastof of low temperatures, leaf drop can accelerate.

Little stream, now with water

As for several days is raining, all aquifers are overflowing, and water  springs up everywhere.

 Suspension Bridge over the River Irati In Aribe(Aezkoa Valley)

We can appreciate the flow that carries the Irati river waters on their way down the ancient spa, where can see a dam that was built for the barranqueo, or transporting timber across the river, a practice which the Indians, (people from the valley who emigrated to America and back) brought to displace the rafts, that it was the most ancient of wood out of the forest.

 Irati  river after Aribe village(Aezkoa valley)

Small moth that will no longer fly.

Moss with sporophytes, where will leave the spores.

Much moisture comes in handy to mosses, lichens and fungi, although fungies are a little bit it soggy and rotten,as also the worms that eat them thrive in these conditions.

Pubescent oak (Quercus humilis) of several hundred years in the old path to the Spa

Irati River bank near one of Hemingway's fishing sites

Lower Maple (Acer campestre)

araneus sp.

If you love photography of autumn, these are good days for this, and although light rain that is falling these days difficult the work, it also gives a special touch that a sunny day can not give.

A sea of clouds

 Foggy downing Mount Ezkanda (Irati-Aezkoa)

Eastern Irati,  from Mount Mendilatz (Aezkoa Valley, Navarre)

There are no goats in Irati.  This is Belagoa valley , from the stone of St. Martin.(French border)

In summer is quite common to look the fog falling down when north wind (cold air) is blowing , and therefore heavier, spreads down the slopes to the south after the northern valleys of the Pyrenees have been filled fog.

Fog is not alwais dangerous. Can be beautifull-

The advance of fog to the south  isdepending of  the heat  that its find this on the southern slope,with hot air going up that tends to slow it when it is falling down.
In these photos, in the end of the day, hot air loses strength and when it cooled, begins to accumulate in the bottom of the valleys, as I have told, by the weight of the cold air.This is called termical inversion because in  normal circumstances, at higher altitudes, colder.
In the next day, when the sun rises and warms the air, the fog will tend to rise and disappear.
There is a great saying I heard that my great-grandmother, who says: "Fog in the morning , afternoon for walking"

Valle de Belagoa, valley with Larra on the left side.

Fog can be very dangerous if you do not know the terrain, and even if we know it. I know stories of shepherds who have spent the night in the open pasture lost by those who walk every day.
It is highly recommended to always carry a map of the area and a compass. If you carry GPS also much better, but do not confide everything to technology, because if this fails, you will see a serious problem.
If you like the exciting world of meteorology, I highly recommend this book. Besides good information, it's funny and readable:
:GUIA DEL OBSERVADOR DE NUBES.
Autor: GAVIN PRETOR-PINNEY
Ed: SALAMANDRA
http://cloudappreciationsociety.org/

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)

Easter holidays¿What to see in the forest of Irati?

With the arrival of the Easter holidays, many people will choose to come visit Irati forest. To make the trip as enjoyable as possible, we must bear in mind a few things;

Mount Azalegi(Aezkoa,Navarre)

1. There is still snow on the mountains. This may be an incentive, or a disadvantage depending on how prepared we go. Thus, hiking boots, if you walk out of the tracks, or even to walk on some of them, are highly recommended.
2. Of the two entries on Navarre to Irati  (Aezkoa and Salazar) at the moment only Aezkoa valley is open, (from Orbaizeta) because by Otsagabia / Ochagavia (Salazar Valley) there is still too much snow and not pass snowplows. This may change, so the  best is to ask in the information Office of Otsagabia: oit.ochagavia @ cfnavarra.es In any case, the village of  Otsagabia and Salazar/ Zaraitzu valley in general well worth a visit.                                                                                                  The time point Arrazola information is from 9:00 to 19:00 from Saturday 23 March until 1 April inclusive.
3. As the weather forecast indicates that something will upset your best if you go with warm clothes, spare clothes, and I will also recommend the umbrella than a raincoat only. Around here at least, you will not see a shepherd in the rain with a raincoat. They use the umbrella, because  it's what you'll driest maintain.

Megalithic area of Azpegi(Aezkoa,Navarre) with Mendilatz nature reserve in the background

     4.Bad weather can be an opportunity to visit the villages of these Pyrenean valleys, nooks filled with a lot of mystery, magic and history. Within half an hour we pass from one valley to another, around landscapes that will be in the memory for a long time.

Narcissus asturiensis

5. Dont take  flowers  that are beginning to emerge. Although some sites will look very abundant, it may just be in that small area, and outside to be very slim. You can remember best by a good photo. Moreover, in this way, the coming years this plant will be reproduced and  will be still mor

            6. The wildlife starts to move. About three weeks ago I took this photo of a wild cat (Felis silvestris) while waiting in the middle of a meadow vole or to a field mouse move to remove some of the hunger winter. It was not in Irati but on the way to  there . In general, wildlife in Navarra is varied and rich.

Wild cat(Felis silvestris)

Smooth snake  (Coronella  Austriaca)

7. For the same reason, this snake, an Smooth snake, harmless to us started out of his slumber to catch any mice or small insects and encouraged by the first warm rays of sunshine began to poke his head out of their shelters winter

 8.Finally, I invite you to do a tour with us, where we will explain  you everything we  will see in our way. You can also visiting our web: www.itarinatura.com  or put you directly in contact with us, either at the point of information Arrazola (Irati Aezkoa valley,Navarre) or with our email : itarinatura@itarinatura.com

Snow in the forest of Irati (Navarre)


 

With more than 1.50 meters of snow, snowdrifts without, in the mountains of the forest of Irati, landscape and life of the people of the valley changes significantly.It's still snowing, and so many days in a row to start giving problems mainly to deers and roe deers, and in diferent extent,to the rest of the animals in these forests. In Abaurregaina (Aezkoa), the highest village in Navarra and co-owner of Mount Aezkoa, part of the forest of Irati ,  the snow on the roof of a house reaches 1.20 m. Snow.Animals develop different strategies to cope with the winter, which is often a problem for cold & the absence of food.When they have nothing to eat because everything is under the snow, they have some strategies;or digging in search of plants, roots, stems, etc. .., or eat other things that normally would not eat as bark or lichens, or eat what escapes out the snow , as the fruits of certain species that survive the winter, as the fruits of holly (Ilex aquifolium) or the wild rose (Rosa canina) named in Navarre "tapaculos" (Cover asses) among other names, apparently due to its astringent properties.

There are also those who have kept their supplies, as the red squirrel, the vole or Jay, or who decide to move and go to other areas where access to food is easier. If they are birds, we are able to see at a lower altitude species generally would see further north, such as alpine accentores seen recently in Orbara (Aezkoa). But if roe deer and wild boar, among others, damage the winter garden, composed of leeks, cabbages and thistles, and damage to the fruit trees, that they bark must be as sweet to them, are substantial, and between owners see the need to control through hunting.Probably the quota of roe deer  and roes that every year the environmental department  of Navarre assigned to hunters this year will decrease.Many will die because of these heavy snowfalls.

 

      In the west prairies zones of Irati , have large areas of natural grassland, also in the range of Abodi, belonging to Aezkoa and Salazar valleys. You do not see fences or hedges, and it all evens like we were in the Arctic. Make a journey on snowshoes or cross-country skis becomes an exciting adventure, and even knowing the terrain, the snow gives a completely new.Beware miss!

You will see different tracks in the snow, tracks left by wild animals on their movements looking for food. Sometimes you can identify some of them as long as not too melted and disfigured, or the snow cover and disappears. This in particular is red fox (Vulpes vulpes), which stands in the snow tremendously.It is very similar to the dog, but the pad marks the front toes are not touching the rear of an imaginary line drawn on top of the rear pads.




Footprint Boar (Sus scrofa)


This corresponds to a boar (Sus scrofa). Hoof is unmistakable with its two small holes on the back side for their hooves, which the deer or deer do not usually leave.













 



Traces of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

The common squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) also leaves footprints in the snow more or less easy to recognize, especially when supports front and rear legs, but this is not the case. They are long, slender fingers, and nails. You always find very near the trees, and possibly start and end at one.I could not ask him what the hell was in the snow ..
 

Footprint of badger (Meles meles)

Badgers (Meles meles)makes typically footprints similar to those of the bears, but small, especially the earlier mark. With its 5 fingers and 5 nails is one of the easiest to recognize. In this picture you can see that was quiet, otherwise the position of the tracks vary, the footprint would gather more between them by twos and one in front and one in back.


 



Like everything else, the snow also has a positive side, and especially for children  is clear. This year it has snowed a lot we have had the opportunity to raise an igluman to the front door.With this name you can  imagin what is it. The snow, compacted in this way, hold more than around him, and when already melted around the igluman hold on a little longer, until it falls and it's time to regain the "txapela" or beret. Carrots also can thus remains chilly. The building you see in the background is a granary or Garea (Gare in Basque means wheat) where the grain was stored away from rodents. These granarys of the valle ofAezkoa are the easternmost of the Iberian peninsula, and also an excuse to visit our villages. All of them have one or more.If someday're here, let me know and I'll show you inside. Which unless this detail to my readers!

Sources: Tracks and signs of animals in Europe Preben Bang & Preben Dahlstrom (Ediciones Omega)