After 48 hours of almost non-stop rain, the new water basins are holding up well: there’s still water in them. With a bit of extra natural clay added they should become great toad ponds! #Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #ponds #midwifetoad #rewilding #permaculture

On the land there are now at least four sizeable witches’ brooms. This beautiful witches’ broom is growing in an Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis). #Ibi #Spain #witchesbroom #PinusHalepensis #AleppoPine #trees #biodiversity #nature

I don’t go up there very often – it’s a 100-metre scramble up to about 950 m – but today I was rewarded with a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea, 35 km away. #Ibi #Spain #Mediterranean #mountains #views #landscape #drylands

On the mountain we finally had a good amount of rain again. A few more days of drizzle and the first níscalos (picture from wikipedia) will start popping up under the Aleppo pines #Ibi #Spain #niscalos #Lactariusdeliciosus #AleppoPine #mushrooms

Under the almond field we’ve dug a new water-catchment basin. Together with a small berm it should slow down runoff and reduce erosion further downhill. Heavy rain (DANA) is expected in the coming days – curious to see how it performs. #Ibi #Spain #waterharvesting #erosion #permaculture #rewilding

"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree," Martin Luther King Jr.

Several groups of arruí (Barbary sheep) have been crossing the almond field almost every day. They leave welcome droppings everywhere – free fertilizer and imported seeds! #Ibi #Spain #arrui #BarbarySheep #rewilding #permaculture #soilhealth #drylands #almonds

On the land, wild roses keep popping up on the slightly wetter edges of the terraces. Probably fieldbriar. The rose hips are now overripe – perfect food for the birds. #Ibi #Spain #wildroses #fieldbriar #rosehips #rewilding #permaculture #drylands #wildflowers #birds

On the slightly wetter edges of the terraces, small surprises keep appearing. Here, a tiny holm oak already carrying beautiful acorns. #Ibi #Spain #holmOak #rewilding #permaculture #drylands

After a week of back pain I’m finally back to digging bunds again. A small earth ridge, but a big effect: every shower that falls here stays a bit longer around the olive and almond trees, helping this dry terrace become more resilient step by step. #bunds #permaculture #rewilding #ibi

Maybe it’s a idea, i will keep it in mind. Thanks for your example, really inspiring! Rules and regulations are very strict in Spain (i am a foreigner here ). Biggest part of my project is ‘protected area’. The mentioned cave though is not in the protected area though.

Under our dry terraces lies a piece of Ibi’s speleological history: the cave Sima Sant Josep de Biscoy. The entrance is now safely closed while we restore the land above. Historic photos and the discovery story (ES m.facebook.com/groups/48515...?

December, an unexpected find! a small group of quince trees, still full of fruit, on the edge of a dry terrace – exactly where the soil holds just a bit more moisture. The first harvest has already been turned into fragrant compote. #quince #Spain #terraces #drylands #slowfood

Now I finally see it… (after three years) On tiny patches of this land, moisture differs a lot. Here at the grass-covered terrace edge, water lingers and sinks in — a few metres further it just runs off and the soil is bone dry. #permaculture #rewilding #spain

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) started flowering here today — early December at 950 m. Remarkable how this species brings colour to a dry Mediterranean mountain landscape in mid-winter. #rewilding #ecology #Mediterranean #Alicante #Ibi #mountains #biodiversity #nativeplants #winter-flowering

Three terraces with old olive trees, and not a single olive this year. The bright orange Xanthoria parietina you see isn’t heat stress, but a sign of slow sap flow and long-term under-pruning. Clean air, little vitality. #rewilding #ecology #olives #Ibi #Alicante #permaculture #landrestoration

Today I dug a few new bunds at about 950 meters. Hard, dry soil, but every small contour line helps slow down the runoff and gives the land a chance to breathe again. Wildlife is already responding — more Barbary sheep are passing through than ever, leaving seeds and nutrients behind.

Even more partridges a few days ago:

After the big wildfire in Parc Roja near Alcoi, a large number of partridges have arrived on our land. #partridges #wildlife #ParcRoja #Alcoi #rewilding #ecology #nature #permaculture

62 years ago, there were more fish in the small pond at the Snippeling near Deventer. Duckweed didn’t stand a chance back then. It’s nice to see that this little spot ‘de kleine kolk’ still exists! #snippeling # snipperling # deventer

mouflons are roaming on the mountain: we see a whole family grazing on the grasses and grains we recently sowed. Their droppings will help spread seeds from distant areas. A beautiful collaboration with nature.” #rewilding #permaculture #soilrestoration #mouflons #wildlife #biodiversity #ecology

The difference between mouflon and rabbit droppings. Found today on the mountain near Ibi. 🔸 Large, oval = mouflon 🔸 Small, round = rabbit #Ibi #wildtracks #ecology #mouflon #rabbit #permaculture #rewilding #biodiversity

Plenty of dodder (Cuscuta, aka devil’s hair) on the mountain. A parasitic plant that wraps itself around its host, stealing nutrients. Striking, but often a threat to native vegetation. #rewilding #ecology #parasiticplants #biodiversity #Spain #drylands #Cuscuta

This swift seemed affected by the heat. Found it resting in the shade by the gate this morning. We’re leaving it undisturbed and hoping it recovers.” #UrbanWildlife #BirdsInHeat #ClimateResilience #NatureObservation #Biodiversity #Rewilding

Vandalism in the mountains of Ibi. Damage on our rewilding site. The perpetrator is clearly visible on camera — we’ve asked the Guardia Civil to arrest him. #Ibi #vandalism #rewilding #natureconservation #GuardiaCivil #permaculture #ecoproject #forestprotection #trespassing #landstewardship

Welcome ecological royalty at 920 meters altitude! Our caretaker just sent me this video: a beautiful mouflon strolling right next to the old hunting lodge! #mouflon #wildlife #rewilding #huntinglodge #Spain #Valencia #Biscoï #permaculture #theoutpost

Welcome ecological royalty at 920 meters altitude! Our caretaker just sent me this video: a beautiful male mouflon strolling right next to the old hunting lodge! #mouflon #wildlife #rewilding #huntinglodge #Spain #Valencia #Biscoï #permaculture #theoutpost

Unfortunate timing: after focusing on our new ecological project in Ibi (Spain), we discovered vandalism on our forest land in France. Broken structures, open fire remains. A reminder of how vulnerable natural sites can be when left unattended, even briefly. #hautesaone #permaculture

Not on the Ibi land today, but still surrounded by beauty! In the Haute-Saône (France), I came across a lovely surprise: a whole group of lizard orchids blooming along the road to St. Éloy. #orchids #wildflowers #hautesaône #biodiversity #rewilding #naturebeauty #lizardorchid #france

Unsure this is Stipa capillata — grasses are tricky for me to ID, but they’re stunning in bloom. I’ve been told Paco, the former owner, used to make beautiful rope from it!” #rewilding #theoutpost #Stipa #ecology #naturalcrafts #Iberia #biodiversity #wildbotany

It may be a common sight around here, but I still find dodder an extraordinary parasitic plant #Dodder #ParasiticPlant #NatureObservation #PlantEcology #Botany #FieldNotes #WildPlants #theoutpost

We’ve planted Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian olive) on key terraces to support wildlife, fix nitrogen, and enrich degraded soils. Birds love it—and the tart berries make a nice snack for me (First picture wikipeda) #rewilding #permaculture #nitrogenfixing #biodiversity #landrestoration #theoutpost

Increasing damage to our ecological land from mountain bikers. I struggle with the dilemma: openness or protection? Selective access remains negotiable, but a recovering forest, swales, and beehives in the orchards deserve peace. #rewilding #ecorestoration #theoutpost #permaculture

Astonishingly warm day in Spain: 28°C on the mountain (1000 m) and the same at the coast. Still managed to plant over 30 young olive trees today. The climate is changing, so keep planting. #rewilding #permaculture #climatechange #olivetrees #theoutpost #climateadaptation #ibi #biscoï #onil

Eroded sand road in the forest — beyond repair. The last traces of human interference are fading. Soon, the forest will reclaim what was always its own. #rewilding #ecology #permaculture #climaterestoration #theoutpost

Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) — I had only ever seen it in the dunes near the seaside at Rockanje, in the Netherlands. So I was surprised to find it growing here on the slopes of Mount Biscoï in Spain, at 900 meters altitude. #botany #rewilding #ecology #theoutpost #Spain #Netherlands #biscoï #ibi

Aphyllanthes monspeliensis, or blue grass lily — blooming in abundance on Mt. Biscoï today. First time I’ve seen it! A stunning survivor, perfectly adapted to dry Mediterranean conditions. #rewilding #permaculture #lily #ibi #plantecology

Blauwe ossentong op het amandelveld:

Last week I saw the nettle tree (Celtis australis) flowering in Finestrat. I had planted several plugs of this species on my land, but only now I realize how beautiful and resilient they are. #Rewilding #NativeTrees #Biodiversity #Ecology #CeltisAustralis #NatureRestoration

Assisted stop along the way: wild tulips blooming beside the uphill road. At Mount Biscoï, nature’s wild beauty is in full display. rewilding #wildflowers #ecology #biodiversity #naturemoment #regeneration #rewilding #MountBiscoi

Wild harvesting in the mountains: met Manolo (72), gathering herbs and greens for his tortilla. His haul: wild mustard, arugula, and a silene he called ‘spinach’. (Photo from Wikipedia) #wildharvesting #mediterraneancuisine #permaculture #Ibi #mountainlife #edibleplants #foraging #herbs #tortilla

Blue flax ( Linum Narbonense) flowering on the mountain today

Started new bunds at the top terrace on the mountain, for olive and almond trees. The landscape is taking shape, step by step. #rewilding #permaculture #olivetrees #almondtrees #landrestoration #terracefarming #climateadaptation #Ibi #bunds

Common toad, Bufo spinosus — identified by the local hunter. Yesterday I asked him if he’d ever heard frogs or toads at the spot where the tadpoles are now swimming. He immediately mimicked the call: a deep, low croak. Definitely not a midwife toad, but the common toad.

Old World swallowtail (Papilio machaon) visiting Cistus.

The bees have done an amazing job this year – plenty of almonds on the way. After all that buzzing, a little pondwater break is well deserved! #pollinators #permaculture

So far, I hadn’t seen any amphibians on Mount Biscoï near Ibi. All the more surprising to spot tadpoles swimming in the watering hole created by hunters on the land

Just found wild tulips ( tulipa sylvestrus) and Greater Broomrape (Orobanche rapum-genistae) on the land in Ibi (Biscoi).

Hemp broomrape (Orobanche ramosa). Broomrapes never cease to amaze me. Near the coast in El Campello, a dense inflorescence of this parasitic plant is flowering right next to the asphalt road.

The bunds and swales built by my colleagues are working! Water is infiltrating, erosion is slowed or stopped. A hopeful sign for land restoration. #rewilding #permaculture #landrestoration #erosioncontrol #ecology