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About this series

The biodiversity that surrounds us is much greater than we imagine. Whether easy to spot or difficult to find, there is always a species of fauna or flora that surprises us when we take a closer look at the territory. This is a series created by Palombar to showcase the biodiversity of the habitats where we work, revealing the more or less common species that we encounter in the field. Ready for (re)discovery?

From the order Neuroptera, which means it has veins (neuro) in its wings (ptera), the Two-winged Spoonwing (Nemoptera bipennis) looks like a butterfly, but it is not. It is an insect belonging to the Nemopteridae family. In Portugal, this is the only species of this family, which is easily recognisable by its extremely thin, long hind wings that are slightly twisted at the tips. We recorded a specimen of this species flying close to the ground at the Carrascalinho Viewpoint (Freixo de Espada à Cinta), in the Douro International Natural Park (PNDI). Isn't it stunning?

Photo Uliana de Castro/Palombar
Identification Renata Santos/Tagis - Portuguese Butterfly Conservation Centre
Location Carrascalinho Viewpoint

The Lobed Argiope (Argiope lobata) is harmless, builds webs with a ‘Z’ pattern and swings to escape predators. It is a species of spider native to the Mediterranean region. Females of this species can reach 22 mm in length. The webs built by this spider have a very characteristic Z-shaped ‘seam’ that is quite resistant. When threatened, these spiders swing their webs to make themselves more difficult to locate and capture. Swinging also increases their effectiveness when hunting. These spiders devote themselves to building or renovating their webs before dawn and are active during the day. Their diet consists of insects, so they play a key role in pest control. They are harmless to humans.

Photo and identification Luís Ribeiro/Palombar
Location Vimioso 

 
The Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) is a true forest engineer. Highly intelligent and capable of imitating the sounds of other birds, the jay has a generalist diet. In autumn, it collects and hides acorns in the ground, using them as a ‘pantry’ for times when food is less available. However, it forgets a good percentage of them, thus helping to promote the regeneration and expansion of the native forest. In this photo, we can see a jay with an acorn in its beak.

Photo and identification Palombar
Location Vimioso

This is a female wolf spider (Lycosidae), a species known for its unusual maternal care among these invertebrates. Unlike most spiders, whose eggs are laid in a web, this spider carries its egg sacs close to its body and then carries the young on the upper part of its abdomen until they are developed enough to be independent. The wolf spider also has distinctive hunting behaviours. Most spiders rely on webs to capture prey, but not this one. It is an active hunter that uses its keen eyesight and agility to pursue and capture its prey on the ground. In Portugal, there are three species of wolf spider: Hogna radiata, Lycosa fasciiventris and Lycosa hispanica.

Photo Luís Ribeiro/Palombar
Identification Pedro Alves/Luís Ribeiro/Palombar
Location Vimioso 

This is a female natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita), a robust amphibian that moves mainly by running short distances rather than jumping. This is why it was named "runner" (corredor) in Portuguese. With short, well-built limbs, it is the amphibian found in Portugal that is capable of accelerating metamorphosis the most, allowing it to complete its larval development in just 20 days. It is faithful to its breeding site, returning to the same pool year after year to reproduce. Unlike the common toad (Bufo bufo), it prefers to reproduce in shallow, temporary waters. It feeds on beetles, flies, earthworms and insect larvae. Its larvae are essentially herbivorous and detritivorous (they consume animal or plant debris, contributing to the cleanliness of the environment where they live). It is essential for the balance of ecosystems.

Photo Palombar
Identification Pedro Alves/Palombar
Location Vimioso

This beetle is very peculiar: it has a horn similar to that of a rhinoceros, it is one of the largest in Europe, but it does not harm anyone. The European rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes nasicornis) is a species of polyphagous coleopteran insect belonging to the Scarabaeidae family. It is one of the largest beetles in Europe and can reach up to 8 cm. When it flies, it makes a lot of noise. Despite its size and characteristic horn similar to that of a miniature rhinoceros, which is only present in males, it is completely harmless.

Photo Alfredo Cordeiro/Palombar
Identification Luís Ribeiro/Palombar
Location Vimioso 

 
The Iberian painted frog (Discoglossus galganoi), despite looking more like a frog, is actually a toad. It is an Anura that can reach about 7 cm in length. It is the only species of Anura classified as ‘Near Threatened’ because it possibly has fragmented populations in decline in its range, a reduced number of adults due to habitat degradation, among other threats. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats, usually in areas with small bodies of water with some herbaceous cover, preferring waterlogged terrain such as meadows, marshes or swamps. On rainy nights, it can be seen on paths and roads, so care must be taken not to kill this and other species that are more active during autumn.

Photo and identification José Pereira/Palombar
Location Peneda-Gerês National Park

Find out more about the Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus), a migratory bird of prey that is classified as ‘Endangered’ in Portugal and whose populations have declined sharply across the country. Learn about the threats it faces and the services it provides to ecosystems, for the benefit of all. 

Immerse yourself in the world of scientific bird ringing and see up close how this method of tagging and tracking birdlife works, which is essential for protecting it. This video was produced during scientific bird ringing sessions at the Constant Effort Ringing Station of Vila Chã da Ribeira, in the municipality of Vimioso, district of Bragança, managed by Palombar. 

Who are the vultures? Why are they important? What threats do they face? We have the answers to these and other questions you may have about these species, which are fundamental to ecosystems but face various threats. Together with the Peripécia Teatro theatre company, we have produced this environmental awareness video about vultures, based on the theatre show of the same name, aimed at schools. In it, we also discuss the creative process behind the production of the play. Curious?