Common box, from the woods to the garden

The centuries-old trees and shrubs of the São Francisco Farm arboretum (Aveiro) shall be celebrated in a book to be published in 2023. To map and georeference the more than 450 species identified, some of them unique in Portugal and Europe, a LiDAR sensor attached to a drone was used, a tool that renders the management of stands more effective. The 3D model generated here is so accurate that it allows you to distinguish all the details of the vegetation, from the canopy to the ground. Read more about it in the book The Monumental São Francisco Farm Arboretum .

The species you see here was first confirmed in the Iberian Peninsula during the first mycological study supported by The Navigator Company in the Southwest Alentejo. It is Russula tyrrhenica, one of the few species of the kind associated with Cistaceae. It is mainly characterized by the ecology, the reddish colours and very spicy flavour. In the image test, it reacts to guaiac resin (blue) and ferrous sulfate (pale orange). Learn more about the mushrooms identified in this BIOhistory .

Chaenomeles japonica, also known as the Japanese Quince, is an exotic ornamental species belonging to the Rosaceae family. In winter, it sheds its leaves and gives way to delicate five-petalled flowers. These flowers give the species its name. It is derived from the Greek word chainos, meaning to split, and meles, meaning apple, because it was believed that the small edible fruits (albeit less tasty than those of the quince), which are shaped in that way and appear after flowering, split in half. You can find this thorny shrub at Quinta de São Francisco in Aveiro.

Fairy ring. This is what this unique living being is known as. It is made up of more than 100 mushrooms of the Clitocybe nebularis species, arranged in an immense circle measuring more than 10 metres in diameter. The organism started in the centre and, over the years, became larger and larger. In this case, it took several decades free from interference to reach this size. It can usually be seen during the months of November and December at Quinta de São Francisco (in Eixo, Aveiro).

Unlike most trees in Portugal, the southern blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) starts to flower at the beginning of autumn. Its yellowish-white flowers last until the spring (sometimes until early summer) of the following year. These flowers are among the largest of all the trees in the Eucalyptus genus and the nectar they produce helps to feed the bees during the months when the greatest shortage of food leads to reduced hive activity.

The largest dragonfly in Portugal is the blue emperor (Anax Imperator) which can grow to about 8.5 cm in length and 10 cm in wingspan. In males, its blue colouring stands out, giving it its name, but in females, green is more predominant, as can be seen in this photo taken by João Ezequiel at Quinta de São Francisco.

Are you familiar with this effective insect deterrent from the animal kingdom? We are talking about the friendly common gecko (Tarentola mauritanica), which can be found all over Portugal. It differs from other species due to its dinosaur-like appearance, complete with scales and spines that resemble armour. Its feet stick to surfaces thanks to intermolecular forces (or Van der Waals forces).

The red-necked nightjar (Caprimulgus ruficollis) first starts arriving in Portugal in April and stays here until October. Despite being a nocturnal bird that can easily camouflage itself in nature, it has been sighted on Navigator properties in Malcata, Tejo Internacional, and Alentejo. The importance of conserving the habitats that support the natural cycles of these and many other ‘travellers’ is highlighted on the second Saturday in May – World Migratory Bird Day.

It is known as the black-eyed blue, a much easier “nickname” to remember compared to Glaucopsyche melanops (its scientific name). It is distinguished by its different shades of blue and it can be seen flitting about all over the country between March and July. This particular black-eyed blue was photographed on the Ferreiras estate, in Penamacor, by Nuno Rico, head of biodiversity conservation at The Navigator Company.

The common firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus) is a bird that lives at Quinta de São Francisco, near Aveiro, where it served as “model” for patient nature photographer Paulo Oliveira. The yellow stripe on the head indicates that it is a female. In males, the tone is orange. In both cases, these coloured feathers form a retractable crest which, when standing, resembles a crown.

The Great Tit (Parus major) is one of the birds that has been most reproduced in the nest boxes installed at Herdade de Espirra (Pegões). The chicks, a few days old, were captured by the lens of Nuno Rico, responsible for Navigator’s biodiversity area, who closely monitors their growth.