The Montserrat massif is made of conglomerate with calcareous cement deep strata that are separated by more clayey strips. From this lithological composition results a geomorphology of stepped pyramid like that of the temples of the Central American Mayan culture. The total height of the conglomerates is about 1000 meters, from Monistrol to the summit … Read more
La Bauma Gran de Marganell (= the Big Shelter of Marganell) can be found in the left slope of the stream of Marganell, in the path of Guimberes that initiates in the cross between the roads to Marganell and to Sant Cristòfol. The Big Shelter is on upper part of the stream of Guimberes, in … Read more
The smelly lepiota (Lepiota cristata) is a small, white mushroom with arranged concentrically, denser in the center than on the margin reddish-brown or mahogany scales on the cap. It looks like many species of the genus Lepiota and it is surely one of the most abundant in the district of Bages. First the cap is conical shape … Read more
Gravel deposit made up of Nummulites striatus fossils from Maians (Castellfollit del Boix) in 1st image, from Colonia Jorba (Calders) in the 2nd image and from Les Marcetes (Manresa) in the 3rd. The biggest pieces measure 25 mm diameter, most of them round 10 mm. The Nummulites are the most characteristic fossils in the Eocene … Read more
The caliche –from its Spanish name, sometimes also named calcrete- is a hard, compact and extensive crust that is found in depth in the soil due to calcareous cementation. It is light marbled colour and it includes, in variable proportions and sizes depending on the areas, particles of clay, silt, sand and gravel already existing … Read more
Fossils are material proofs of living organisms in the geological past. They are usually found into sedimentary rocks. They allow to know the age of these rocks and the environmental characteristics of the area when these organisms were alive. The source of the most common and known fossils in Bages is the sea. They come … Read more
The nummulitic limestones are made of cemented skeletons or shells of nummulites. Both, the nummulites and the cement are calcareous nature. Nummulitic limestones are characteristic from the Eocene epoch, in the Tertiary period. The nummulitic limestones deserve one close look. The lentil shaped fossils of nummulites are seen. The diametrally cut nummulites display their beautiful … Read more
El gorg de la Llosa (= the pool of the Paving Stone) is located in the stream of Guardiola where it makes the boundary between the municipalities of Sant Salvador de Guardiola to the south and Manresa to the north, before the pool of L’Oller. The itinerary M-3 of the Green Belt of Manresa drives … Read more
The fleecky milk-cap (Lactarius vellereus [= Lactifluus vellereus]) is one mushroom species living in flat-leaved forests. It combines characters of the genus Lactarius with that of the genus Russula, looking like something in between.The fleecky milk-cap has an up to 20 cm diameter cap that scarcely lifts up from the soil because its stipe is … Read more
Link to the digital format of the book Geological itineraries – Bages, Berguedà, Anoia, Solsonès that was published in 1981 by Centre d’Estudis Geològics Valentí Masachs. Valentí Masachs was the director and co-autor of this work that collects contributions from Antonio Gómez, Josep M. Mata, Francesc Porta, Antonio Ramírez and Mn Lluís Via. The book … Read more
The study of the rocks that emerge to the surface of Bages district reveals their conditions and dates of origin. In geological views, the rocks in Bages are not too ancient. Most of them belong to the Tertiary period and some to the Quaternary. At the beginning of the sedimentation process that led to the … Read more
INTRODUCTION Geografically, the district of Bages belongs to the Central Catalonian depression which is the eastern sector of the basin of the river Ebre. This low lands region borders on the mountain range of Pyrenees by the north, on the Catalonian Coastal range by the east and on the Iberian range by the south-west. During … Read more
INTRODUCTION Geografically, the district of Bages belongs to the Central Catalonian depression which is the eastern sector of the basin of the river Ebre. This low lands region borders on the mountain range of Pyrenees by the north, on the Catalonian Coastal range by the east and on the Iberian range by the south-west. During … Read more
The massif of Montserrat spreads from east to west like a range. Its large, typical views are seen from the north -the district of Bages– or from the south -the districts of Baix Llobregat and partially Anoia. Opposite to this, Montserrat displays a compact look from east or west. However, the outline of La Cadireta … Read more
The Red Shelter (Les Balmes Roges) is located in the south slope of Puig Gili, in the municipality of El Pont de Vilomara i Rocafort.Like other natural shelters in the area of Rocafort, Mura and Rellinars, one thick layer of consistent conglomerate rock makes the roof and one prompt to disaggregate layer of sandstone makes … Read more
The flathead oak borer (Coroebus undatus [= Coraebus undatus]) is a beetle of the Buprestidae family that, in the larva stage, lives under the bark of the cork oak, in the germ layer called cambium that produces wood towards the interior and bark –in this case cork- outwards.In its larval stage, the flathead oak borer … Read more
The killer fly (Laphria marginata) is a big, black colored, hairy horsefly. The trump, the appearance, its noisy buzzing and even its name are all really frightening. However, do not panic. It doesn’t feed mammal blood, it hunts over other flying insects instead. Once the innocent insect is kept, then the killer fly sucks its … Read more
The panther cap (Amanita pantherina) is a graceful, slim mushroom with a shiny brown cap showing white spots that looks unmistakably as one species of the genus Amanita. It’s also one of the most poisonous. It grows from one egg or total veil that remains wrinkled and powdery at the stipe bottom, but several regular, … Read more
Mountain of salt of Cardona. In 1st, 2nd and 3rd pictures, the main view of the salt mountain; in the 4th picture, the folding of the plastic behaviour materials in the mountain of salt of Cardona. The evaporites of the Mountain of Salt of Cardona raised to the surface in one structure called diapir that … Read more
The hairy worm of the evergreen oak is in fact the caterpillar of the gipsy moth (Lymantria dispar). These caterpillars live all together in nests made of holm oak leaves which are sticked by fine, silky filaments. The caterpillars eat mainly holm oak and cork oak leaves, but also can feed on leaves of fruity … Read more
Rejoined in Sunday 05.07.2020 after the confinement due to the coronavirus pandemic, the group of ICHN-Bages crosses the river Cardener on the footbridge of can Poc Oli, back from one walk through the Anella Verda (= green ring) of Manresa.The circular route was as follows: Pont Vell (= old bridge) of Manresa – Santa Caterina … Read more
Rejoined in Sunday 05.07.2020 after the confinement due to the coronavirus pandemic, the group of ICHN-Bages walks in the sundeck of Els Comtals, in the Anella Verda (= green ring) of Manresa.The circular route was as follows: Pont Vell (= old bridge) of Manresa – Santa Caterina tower – Les Escaletes and Els Esparvers pools … Read more
The sandstone of marine origin is the most common type of rock in constructions in the south-eastern part of the Bages where it outcrops, from the small barracks and walls in old vineyards to the monumental buildings as the cathedral of the Seu in Manresa. As a result of its calm sedimentation in horizontal layers, … Read more
Sandstones in the district of Bages often display holes like in the above picture that was obtained from Els Tres Salts (Sant Fruitós de Bages) cliff. The sculptural concavities over 10 cm diameter are named in Geology taffoni or tafoni (singular taffone or tafone) from Italian. Most of the concavities in the picture are tafoni, … Read more
Cerithium giganteum (= Campanile giganteum) (†) is a portentous marine gastropod, a snail with a narrow, conical shell that is found as a fossil in two layers of the member Tossa from the geological formation Santa Maria, in the counties of Bages and Moianès. Cerithium giganteum (†) has an acute shell up to cm long … Read more
Velates schmideli, Chemnitz. Mollusc gastropoda from Eocene in Manresa (Bages); in images 1st and 2nd in side views, in 3rd in front view. In image 4th, Velates schmideli embedded into the sandy limestone of the lower layer of Cerithium in the range of Montlleó (Castellgalí). Velates schmideli is a snail with a poorly twisted, about … Read more
The large Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) can be recognized by the two light lines in each side and by its really long tail. It distributes in the Mediterranean area where it is found in rocky clearings of the forest or by the streams.The 1st image displays a pair of individuals fighting. The details of the long … Read more
The violet (Viola alba ssp.dehnhardtii) is one of the few herbs of the holm-oak forest. When first sunny days arrive in February, the violet blossoms in the darkness of the evergreen oak forest. The blossom spans from February to May. Violet flowers have 5 petals, 2 up and 3 down; the one in the middle … Read more
In 18.01.2020, 10 years after the first time, we repeated the walk from L’Ametlla de Mar to L’Ampolla by the coastal path GR-92, in the district of Baix Ebre.The journey broke the record of participants with more than one hundred of people. The images display just part of them; in first one on the small … Read more
Part of the group of ICHN-Bages in the natural shelter of can Ponç, in the municipality of El Bruc (Anoia), in 15.02.2020. The stream of Pierola falls above the shelter of can Ponç.The journey visited the natural shelters of can Solà and can Soteras as well. [photos Jordi Badia (1st and 3rd) and Montserrat Porta … Read more
Part of the group of ICHN-Bages in the natural shelter of can Soteras, in the municipality of Castellolí (Anoia), in 15.02.2020. The journey visited the larger natural shelters of can Solà and can Ponç as well. [photo Jordi Badia] Further information in Notícies de la ICHN nr.148.
The group of ICHN-Bages in the natural shelter of can Solà, in the municipality of El Bruc (Anoia), in 15.02.2020.The natural shelter of can Solà is located in the highest stretch of the stream of Pierola, north from the road A-2. The shelter covers 3150 m2; it is the largest one in Catalonia. Its concave … Read more
The natural bridge or arch that is located somewhere between the plain of can Soteras and Sant Miquel de Vilaclara, in the municipality of El Bruc (Anoia). The outing from ICHN-Bages in 15.02.2020 visited it. [photo Jordi Badia] Further information in Notícies de la ICHN nr.148.
Stereum hirsutum is a fungus that attacks holm oak dead wood. The basiodiocarps look like thin, wavy shells, until 8 cm diameter. A lot of them appear on fallen branchs and stamps of holm oaks. On top, the centre of the mushroom is hairy, blueish or greyish, while the external border is smooth and displays … Read more
The group of ICHN-Bages in a stop of the journey from Sant Pere de Torelló to Vidrà through the valley of river Ges (Osona), in 09.11.19. [photo Jordi Badia] Further information in Notícies de la ICHN nr.147.
The group of ICHN-Bages assisting to the speach about the 4 ice pits of La Ginebreda, in Castellterçol (Moianès), in 14.12.19. [photo Jordi Badia] Further information in Notícies de la ICHN nr.147.
The group of ICHN-Bages on the bridge over the stream of Fontscalents, in Castellcir (Moianès), in 14.12.19. [photo Jordi Badia] Further information in Notícies de la ICHN nr.147.
Asterodiaspis ilicicola is one species of sucking scale insect from the superfamily Coccoidea that attacks the holm oak; therefore, it can be named scale insect of the holm oak. The scale insect of holm oak is found on the front side of the holm oak leaves, below a waxy shell as a blister of 1,5-2,0 … Read more
The old gypsum furnace of Garrell or La Carrera is located on the southern slope of Montcogul range, on the way from the farmhouse of La Carrera to the sanctuary Fucimanya, near Cabrianes (Sallent). The gypsum rocks that the furnace used to exploit emerge in the surroundings, at same level, embedded into sandstones and clays … Read more
Astrocoenia lobatorotundata, a colonial fossil coral with 8 walls. The 1st picture displays one fossil from Calders (Bages) that is stored in the Museum of Geology Valentí Masachs, the 2nd picture displays one fossil from Moià. Corals are marine, often colonial animals provided with a calcium carbonate skeleton. They can make reefs in warm and … Read more
Part of the ICHN-Bages group on the summit of Roc d’Auró -or Uró according to the local speaking-, of 1925 m, in the mountain walking Espinalbet – sanctuary of Corbera – spring of Tagast – tower of the Engineer – Roc d’Auró – Cogulló d’Estela – sanctuary of Corbera – Espinalbet, in the mountain area … Read more
Part of the ICHN-Bages group on the summit of Cogulló d’Estela, of 1862 meters, in the mountain walking Espinalbet – sanctuary of Corbera – spring of Tagast – tower of the Engineer – Roc d’Auró – Cogulló d’Estela – sanctuary of Corbera – Espinalbet, in the mountain area of Rasets, municipality of Castellar del Riu … Read more
The group of ICHN-Bages in a deciduous forest of European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), in the way towards the castle of Commarque, in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil (Périgord, Occitania), in 22.06.2019. [photo Anna Montesinos] Further information in Notícies de la ICHN nr.145.
The group of ICHN-Bages in the journey through the Natural Park of the valley of Sorteny (Ordino, Andorra), in 20.07.19: in 1st picture, in the botanical garden; in the 2nd, in the lake of L’Estanyó and, in 3rd picture, going down from L’Estanyó. [photos Montserrat Rodríguez (1st), Jordi Badia (2nd) and Montserrat Porta (3rd)] Further … Read more
Pseudolucanus barbarossa (= Lucanus barabarossa) is a beautiful black beetle that differs from the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) by its not so big jaws and by the comb of the antennas made of 6 teeth, not just 4. There is sexual dimorphism: males are roughly 4,5 cm long and their head and jaws are really … Read more
The stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) displays an outstanding sexual dimorphism. Male individuals (photos 1st and 2nd) are much bigger than female (photo 3rd) and are provided with enormous, heavy jaws that are used as sexual attraction and in the competition among males. Despite its heavy weight, the stag beetle is able to loudly fly. The … Read more
The jay (Garrulus glandarius) is a forest bird that looks for ripe acorns in autumn. Cautiously, it digs acorns to eat them in spring. However, always some acorn remains in the soil to germinate. Therefore, the jay is an acorn planter that contributes to disseminate oaks, evergreen oaks and kermes oaks. The jay belongs to … Read more
LA INSTITUCIÓ CATALANA D’HISTÒRIA NATURAL (Catalan Institution of Natural History) The Institució Catalana d’Història Natural -ICHN- (Catalan Institution of Natural History) was founded in 1899 in Barcelona, when Catalonian people were recovering they identity, by a group of youngsters students. In the beginning, the ICHN was located in the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya (Catalonian Mountain … Read more
