Birds · sound
BirdNET can suggest an initial identification from an audio recording. The recording, time, habitat and repeated observation help show whether that hypothesis makes sense.
Living archive
Observed Biodiversity
A growing record of the flora and fauna I encounter in this plot. I am starting small and will only publish real observations, with date, context and level of certainty when available.
Ler em portuguêsWhat belongs in this record
Birds heard at dawn, spontaneous plants, insects, fungi, reptiles and other encounters found in the field. This is not an official inventory or a closed list: it is a portfolio of observations that I will build over time.
Identifying without pretending certainty
An app can help start an identification, but it does not turn one photograph or sound into confirmation. Each entry will say whether it is a provisional app identification, a field observation or an externally confirmed reference.
Flora · image
PictureThis can offer an initial hypothesis for photographed plants. Before I publish an identification with greater confidence, I compare leaves, flowers, habit and context with external references.
Flora
Spontaneous plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and fungi observed in the plot.
Birds
Birds seen or heard, with date, sound or image context when available.
Insects and other invertebrates
Pollinators, decomposers and other small encounters worth recording.
Other encounters
Reptiles, amphibians, mammals or signs of presence, only when carefully observed.
Published encounters
Each entry begins with an observation in the field. Identification may change when there is a better photograph, sound, repeated observation or external reference.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus globulus / Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Veteran eucalyptus (~80 years old) showing strong response to water stress, with rigid thorn-like projections on the trunk (epicormic bud bases).
General areaLand in Mértola
Confirmed by external referenceAbout this species
In the ecosystem
Provides biomass for mulch/composting, microclimate creation, windbreak barrier, and pollinator food source; exhibits invasive behavior and releases allelopathic compounds.
Where it usually occurs
Semi-arid Alentejo area, adapted to water stress conditions and deep water extraction.
In Portugal
Exotic species widely introduced and distributed across mainland Portugal.
Conservation
Not Threatened / Cultivated.
Blue damselfly
Erythromma lindenii
I found this damselfly resting on a leaf by my front door.
General areaLand in Mértola
Provisional app identificationAbout this species
In the ecosystem
In its juvenile stage it lives in water and hunts small invertebrates; as an adult it hunts small insects in flight.
Where it usually occurs
It is associated with vegetated lakes, reservoirs, canals and other water bodies; it also occurs in flowing water and large, well-oxygenated standing water.
In Portugal
It is described as well distributed across mainland Portugal.
Conservation
Europe: Least Concern (LC).
Format of each entry
Where possible, each record will include: photograph or audio, common and scientific name, date or season, general project area, identification method, certainty level and a short observation note. Exact locations of species or sensitive points are not published.