Forest animals of Cazorla

The mountains of Cazorla (above) in south-east Spain are a reservoir of trees, insects and forest animals. It is here that the Guadalquivir River (below) starts its long journey towards the distant Atlantic Ocean.

Spanish Red Deer Cervus elaphus hispanicus (above) and Fallow Deer Dama dama (below) thrive in these forests

 Red Squirrels Sciurus vulgaris have a southern European stronghold here as do many forest birds (below). The degree of sub-specific differentiation testifies to the isolated nature of the Iberian Peninsula, a refugium, during glacial times

Iberian Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs balearica

Iberian Nuthatch Sitta europaea hispaniensis

Iberian Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus irbii

Iberian Crested Tit Parus cristatus weigoldi

Iberian Coal Tit Parus ater vieirae, now in body moult

Iberian Jay Garrulus glandarius fasciatus

Iberian Crossbill Loxia curvirostra balearica