TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Lithuania page Flora ..................................................................

....5

Fauna ......................................................................

14

• Romania Flora ..................................................................

....22

Fauna ......................................................................

32

• Poland Flora ..................................................................

....45

Fauna ......................................................................

54

• France Flora ..................................................................

....63

Fauna ......................................................................

72

• Portugal Flora ..................................................................

....83

Fauna ......................................................................

92

• Greece Flora ..................................................................

....99

Fauna ......................................................................

109

• Turkey Flora ..................................................................

....120

Fauna ......................................................................

126

• Bulgaria Flora and

Fauna......................................................................

136

COMENIUS –Life Long Learning Programme

European Multiguide

Nature in the Lens ( FLORA and FAUNA)

2012-2014

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ( general information about the country)..............................3

FLORA.................................................................................................................4

White clover

Roe Deer

Dandelion

Common lilac

Oat

Wild strawberry

Wild strawberry

Horse chestnut

FAUNA..........................................................................................................15

Gray Wolf

Red Fox

Squrrel

Roe Deer

Bison

Lynx

Wild boar

Students and teachers‘ list............................................................................25

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INTRODUCTION

Lithuania is a small European country situated in the east of the Baltic Sea.It borders with several countries: Latvia in the north, Russia and Belorussia in the east and south east, Poland in the south and Russia in south west.

Its landscape was affected by at least three glaciers and normally the terrain is illustrated by lowlands and highlands. The highest elevation reaches 297 meters above sea leveli n the eastern part of the country.

Speaking about lakes it is worth mentioning that there are nearly 3000 lakes larger than 1 hectare and a majority of them is found in the east of Lithuania. About 800 rivers longer than 10 kilometres run their way through the country, the longest is Nemunas which makes 917 kilometres.

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As the landscape varies from sands to heavy clays, we might find it loamy or sandy and even in the central part of the region it is described as podzolized and rich in peats. The soil which is very sandy is found in the south of the country, for this reason people who live there are surrounded by woodlands and forests.

The aim of this module is to make students interested in their surroundings, to learn better about their environment as well as to develop their language and ICT competencies in their English and Science classes.

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FLORA

White clover

Roe Deer

Dandelion

Common lilac

Oat

Wild strawberry

Wild strawberry

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The plant was found By Valdas in the garden in Kalvarija in Lithuania

Baltasis Dobilas Frilolium Trepens

White Clover

Characteristics Growing place

Clovers grow in meadows, forest sites, soil, shrubbery, roadsides, parks The soil

Clovers can grow on many different types of soil, but the best is loamy Blooming

Clovers blossom all summer until autumn Usage

Mostly clovers are used like a fodder plant.

Story about Clover Clover is a St. Patrick‘s festival symbol. It

thought that Patric used this shamrock clover to explain the trinity: God the father, God the son and the holy spirit is a separate unit to the same elements as three separate, but Connected by a stalk.

Photos have been taken by Valdas Lisauskas

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Angl. Roe Deer Lot. Acorus calamus

Liet. Balinis ajeras

The plant was found in puddles , in the lake in Lithuania. Field:

Characteristics: Blossoms in June – July. Where does it grow?:It grows near rivers, lakes, ponds,

shores. Its blossoms: Are spadix cylindrical, 4-9cm long,

inclined to one side. It is used for drugs and against hair loss, to improve apetite, aromatic baths. Sweet flag is used to treat inflammatory diseases, it improves hearing and sight. It is used for essential oils in perfumery. On

Calamus sheet bread is baked or bread dough is very tasty and smell nice. In some places the leaves of the clover silage and are used for feeding animal.

The photo has been taken by Evelina Maziliauskaite.

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Dandelion Taraxum Kiaulpienė

The plant was been found in the garden in Lithuania.

It grows in gardens, parks, forests or in the grass. It needs pure soil rich in nutrients. Simple dandelion likes sunny places. It blossoms in spring and summer, April-June. It is used in tea or it helps against skin rashes. People create poems about dandelion. Poem about dandelion: (films: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338133/) Pražydus skersgatvy nakčia Aš kiaulpienė Aš nemari, deja... Toli nuo savo artimų Viena šitam griovy esu. Betono plokštės, dulkės, pėdos... Štai kieme krykštauja vaikai. Nerūpi jiems juk mano bėdos Terūpi jiems jų aitvarai...

These photos have been taken by Laurynas Kalasauskas.

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Common lilac Syringa vulgaris Paprastoji alyva

The plant was found by Domas in the garden, in Kalvarija, Lithuania.

It naturally grows in Balkan mountain sloves. In Lithuania often is grown in homesteads, at home, sometimes in parks, roadsides. It blooms in spring, June – August. It is used as ornamental pant. This plant is often met in poems of famous Lithuanian – poets, they write about common lilac. It‘s said in the poem that common lilac will always bloom. Manęs dar nebuvo - Alyvos žydėjo - Manęs nebebus jau - Jos vėliai žydės - Ir kris jų lapeliai Nuo saulės ir vėjo, Kaip smėlio saujelės, Ant mano širdies.. Salomėja Nėris The photos have been taken by Domas Jonyla.

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Oat

Avena sativa Sėjamoji aviža

Characteristics: We can find the oat in the fields. The oat grows in various soils. The oat likes weak acidic and neutral soils. The oat blooms in summer, June-July. The oat used is for food, feeding, drugs and etc.

Aviža prašė(Lithuanian folk song ) Aviža prašė gražiai pasėti, Aviža prašė gražiai išakėti, Aviža prašė gražiai nupjauti, Aviža prašė gražiai surišti, Aviža prašė gražiai guldyti, Aviža prašė gražiai iškulti, Aviža prašė gražiai sumalti, Aviža prašė gražiai iškepti. This poem is about oat which asked nicely to sow, harrow, cut off, roll

up, repose, thrashed, crushed and bake. Photos have been taken by Rūta Žemaitytė.

The plant was found by Rūta Žemaitytė in fields, in Kalvarija,

Lithuania.

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Žemuogė. Strawberry. Fragaria.

Poem about strawberry. Author Justinas

Marcinkevičius. Aš vis dar įsikibęs į saulėtekį Į žemuoges piliakalnio šlaite

į svaigų tolį upės vingį tačiau Labiausiai į tave

Akių tik neužmerk leisk Į bedugnę jų visam panirti Ir nepaleisk tik pasroviui

Laikyk mane nes nežinai kaip šaukia mane į rūką laumės iš

tankmės o raganos tenai jau verda savo stebuklingą gėrimą iš vakaro

drėgmės iš liepų gelsvo ilgesio ir nesuvokiamų geismų versmė

ir rūko pasakų kad paragavęs jo saulėtekius

pamirščiau ir nesurasčiau žemuogių tavęs nepavaišinčiau kur auga jų piliakalnio šlaite

manoj širdį jos pasodintos.

It is used as fresh or in prepared foods such as fruit juice, pies ice creams, milk shakes and chocolates.Strawberry‘s smell is also used in many industrialized foods products. The strawberry was first meantioned in ancient Roman literature of medicine.Strawberry blossoms in the beginning of May. The strawberry‘s fruit ripe in the middle of June. These photos have been taken by Deividas Petrauskas

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Wild strawberry Fragaria Žemuogė

There are a lot of stories and poems about wild strawberry. Poem about wild strawberry:

Baltą žiedą pakėlei mažytį — Gyvą snaigę, pamestą pusnyne. Žaluma visas šlaitas užtvino. Tiktai tavo sniegelis švyti. Gersi saulę kaip motinos pieną, Baltą galvą į vėją pakelsi. Ir klausysies pro mėnesieną Žemės dainuojančio balso. Baltą žiedą — kaip šydą — numesi Žemės kvapą ir medų ištiesi — Uogą — širdį sklidiną, drąsią Tu prie kojų kam nors padėsi — — Author: Janina Degutytė Riddes about wild strawberry: A stting girl with red bonnet on a knoll, what is only going, befor her bowing?

(Wild strawberry) Green pud, red head? (wild strawberry)

Photos have been taken by Rokas Burinska

The plant was found by Rokas Burinskas, in the garden, Kalvarija, Lithuania.

Characteristics

Wild strawberry we can find in Lithuanian forests, outskirts or in meadows. Wild strawberry can be found in kitchen gardens too. This plant likes fertile soils and sunny places. Wild strawberry blooms in May and June and berries ripe at the end of June. We can make jam, boil tea from wild strawberry.

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Horse – chestnut. Aesculus hippocastanum. Paprastasis kaštonas. The plant was found by Morta Šalaševičiūtė, in the park, in Kalvarija, Lithuania. The horse chestunts trees are spread all over the world. Chestnuts blooms in May with very beautiful and big blossons. They are used in furniture industry. Chestnuts can be found in literature. Valdemaras Kukulas Kaštonai Nuo seno kaštono Nukrito gražiai Į pievą geltoną Mažiukai ežiai Jie rieda atstatę Mažus spygliukus, Ir kviečia prie seno Kaštono vaikus. Photos have been taken by Morta Šalaševičiūtė.

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FAUNA

Gray Wolf

Red Fox

Squirrel

Roe Deer

Bison

Lynx

Wild boar

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Pilkasis Vilkas. Gray Wolf.

Cinereo Lupus.

Gray wolves are mammals and beautiful animals. They can run very fast. They‘ve got very good eyes, sharp teeth, good hearing, angry smile they are build strong and long tail. They weigh about from ten kilograms to thirty kilograms and size 60-65 centimetres. They live in forests and zoos. They also eat animals or berries. They live for about fifteen years.

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Red fox Vulpes vulpes Rudoji lapė

Red fox Kind of animal: Mammals

They can: Hunt at night, run very well They‘ve got: Four short legs, thick fur, red body They weigh: From 2 till 14 kilos

They live: Not only in Lithuania but also in North America, Europe and Asia

They eat: Small mammals, birds, fruit, rabbits, eggs

They live for: For 7 years in the wild and for 14 years in captivity

Red foxes are mammals. They have babies and feed them on milk. They are hunters and runners. Red foxes have red body, four short legs and thick fur. They weigh from 2 till 14 kilos. Red foxes live not only in Lithuania but also in North America, Europe and Asia. These animals don’t live in groups and they eat small mammals, birds, fruit, rabbits, eggs. Red foxes live for 7 years in the wild, however they live for 14 years in captivity.

People create poems about foxes

Lapė ir žąsys Lapė alkana pakiemiais bėgiojo, Sau maisto ieškojo. Viduj prūdo plaukančių žąsų būrį mato,- Kaip jos klykau’, kaip nardo, kaip uodegas stato. Tyko lapė ant krašto, suskliaudusi ausis, Pabraukusi uodega, primerkusi akis. Bet kad niekaip prigauti žąsų negalėjo, Ir alkanai nuo prūdo pabėgti reikėjo: ,,Kam turiu, – sako, – žąsis nekaltas draskyti! Pritink lapei su paukščiais sandarą laikyti.” Author: Simonas Stanevičius

Raminta Galminaitė 7c

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Squirrel

Sciurius vulgaris Paprastoji voverė

Squirrels are mammals. They have babies and feed them on milk. Squirrels can quickly jump from one branch to another. They have got broad, short head, strong front legs, short thick fur, hairy ears, brown fur and hairy, beautiful tail. They weigh about 400 grams. They are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa, and have been introduced to Australia. Squirrels live in city gardens and parks. They eat mushrooms, fruits, acorns, nuts, berries, grass seeds, tree seeds. Squirrels live 2-3 years; however can survive for 4 years.

Eglė Galminaitė 7c

kind of animal: mammals they can: quickly jump from one branch to

another they’ve got: broad, short head, strong front legs,

short thick fur, hairy ears, brown fur and hairy, beautiful tail

they weigh: about 400 grams they live: in city gardens and parks they eat: mushrooms, fruits, acorns, nuts,

berries, grass seeds, tree seeds they live for: 2-4 years

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Bison Bison bonasus

Bizonas

Bisons are mammals. They have babies and feed them on milk. They can swim. Male body length seeks 3.5 m, height seeks 1.9 m, weight is 700-900 kg. Female height seeks 1.6 m, weight is 400-600 kg. They have fat coat, legs and tail. They live in Europe and live small herd. They eat grass. Males live for about twenty two years, females live for about twenty seven years. Bisons are very similar the cows.

Vytautas Lisauskas 7c

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angl. Roe Deer lot. Capreolus capreolus

liet. Stirna

Roe deer live in the forest and fields, abundant in mixed forests, in Lithuania. Roe deer are brown with white round of the body. Feed on vegetable food, various forest and field grasses, deciduous trees and bush sprig, rind. People roe deer prey for their meat, horn and fur. Roe deer nature more damaging, because they bitten young firs, oaks tops.

Photo taken from the: http://www.selgasfoto.lv/?level=picture&id=9572

Evelina Maziliauskaitė 7c

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Lynx Lynx lynx

Lūšis

Lynx are mammals because they feed babies on their milk. They‘ve got long legs and big paws, brown fur with black spots and ears with black spots. Lynx are from eighty to one hundred and five meters long, they weigh thirty kilos and live for about twenty years. Lynx mostly live in Europe, in Asia and in the USA forests. Lynx can climb in trees very well and hunt fast for prey. They eat small animals: mice, ashes, birds, rabbits, deer. Lynx are unusual because they take care after their babies.

Rokas Burinskas 7c

Address: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Lynx_lynx2.jpg/260px-Lynx_lynx2.jpg

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Students who worked on this theme

Rokas Burinskas

Valdas Lisauskas

Vytautas Lisauskas

Domas Jonyla

Raminta Galminaitė

Egle Galminaitė

Morta Šalaševičiūtė

Rūta Žemaitytė

Livija Petruškevičiūtė

Dovydas Lukoševičius

Deividas Petrauskas

Laurynas Kalasauskas

Teachers

Asta Liukaitienė (English teacher)

Giedrė Guzavičienė ( English teacher)

Ina Naktinienė ( Biology teacher)

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Flora in Suceava County

ŞCOALA GIMNAZIALĂ ,,GEORGE VOEVIDCA” Câmpulung Moldovenesc, România

June 2013

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

COMENIUS MULTILATERAL SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP ,,EUROPEAN MULTIGUIDE”

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Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus

Afin

Features: - this plant is a small, bushy shrub, with a green stem which is about 30 to 60 cm long; - its fruit is called a blueberry, which is a dark blue berry of round shape, with a diameter of 0.5-0.6 cm, juicy, with purple juice of sweet-tangy flavour; - it grows in the alpine regions up to an altitude of 2000-2500 m, mostly on shady, wet slopes, in pine forests, mountain meadows, rocky areas and on silicoase soils.

Both the leaves and the fruit are recommended in diabetes (they reduce blood sugar), gout, Enterocolitis (fermentation and putrefaction colitis), intestinal parasitosis, uremic syndrome, urinary infections (as a mild antiseptic and a natural diuretic). They are also used with good results in the treatment of rheumatism, dermatological diseases, peripheral circulatory disorders, urolothiasis, eczema, bleeding ulcers. The leaves are very efficient when used in the composition of dietary tea. Blueberries have the highest antioxidant capacity of all fruits. They neutralize free radicals that can promote disease and aging in the body and contribute to the reduction of fat in the abdomen; they help maintain urinary tract health, integrity of vision and brain health; they decrease the risk of heart disease; they help in relieving constipation and digestion and they even fight against cancer. The fruit are used in the preparation of blueberry brandy, a highly acclaimed alcoholic beverage, in the preparation of cakes and other sweets.

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Primrose Primulla officinalis

Ciuboţica cucului

Features: - the stem of this plant is rather bristly, without leaves, 10 to 20 cm tall; - the leaves are to be found at the base of the stem; - the pale yellow flowers of this plant are tight in a bundle at the top of the stem and exude a pleasant, sweet fragrance; - the flowering takes place during the months of April and May; - it is found both in bright, sunny lowland areas and in hilly and subalpine meadows.

It can be prepared as tea (a spoonful of flowers and leaves added to 200 ml of boiling water, 2 cups a day) or as decoction (a spoonful of well minced primrose root added to 200 ml of boiling water) and it is recommended in bronchitis, pneumonia, kidney and bladder diseases, gastrointestinal dysfunction, articular rheumatism, arthritis, gout, pain in the bones, external bleeding, wounds, bruises. It has soothing effect on the heart and nerves. Its depurative effect makes it remove all toxic substances that lead to arthritis (gout) and rheumatic diseases. It is not recommended to people who are allergic to aspirin, to pregnant women or persons that undergo blood-thinning treatments! During the Victorian era, the secret alphabet of flowers was used to communicate feelings that could not be expressed by word of mouth. The primrose stood for ”young beauty”, and Brusfel used to call it ”Herba paralysis”.

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Edelweiss

Leontopodium alpinum

Floare de colţ

Features: - this plant is native to the Asian steppe; - in Romania it grows on high ridges, on mountain peaks which are 1500 to 3400 m high, being declared a natural monument in 1933; - the whole plant is covered with silver velvety bristles, which protect the leaves and flowers against the wind; - it has a stem which is 5 to 20 cm long; - its little flowers, consisting of white petals, are arranged in a way that leaves the impression of a single star; - the flowering period is between the months of July and August.

Also called the Queen’s flower, the Lady’s flower, Little Star or Albumiţa, the edelweiss has a special significance in Romanian tradition where it is considered a symbol of love. It is said that, in order to prove their love and courage, young men used to wander the rocky mountain areas to collect flowers and offer them to their girlfriends. This little flower which bears resemblance to a star is the symbol of youth, of all skills and virtues of the human soul. From the sky, over the mountain peaks and ridges curving away toward precipices, falls a shower of white, soft, velvety little stars. They are the fairies’ flowers that adorn the mountains. In the language of flowers, edelweiss means purity and cleanliness.

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Cross Gentian

Gentiana cruciata

Genţiana

Features: - this plant grows in beech and fir tree forests in Central Europe, as well as in hilly meadows; - it is thin, slender, 15 to 50 cm tall; - its flowers are tight in threes under the upper leaves, forming a bell-shaped, deep blue calyx; - it blooms from July till August.

According to Pliny the Elder, the etymology of the name comes from the King of Illyria, Gentius (180-168 BC). The gentian contains essential oil, minerals and an active ingredient called amarogentine, considered to be the most bitter substance in the world. Maybe that is why the Romanians also call it ”the bile of the Earth”. The gentian has been used throughout Europe as a bitter tonic, as anti-toxic and incentive of liver functions for over two thousand years. In folk medicine, the gentian occupies a place of honour. In the north of the country it is also knows as ”the captain remedy of all healing plants”, a name which was given to it by medicine men who would use it as a digestive tonic and as a tonic for the entire body, as well as a remedy against various poisoning. Magic medicine: they say that gentian root and angelica root together cast out the evil from the body and the soul. Pintea the Brave was said to always carry a flask filled with a mixture of the two roots, which he used against ”evil at heart”. It was even believed that gentian root, taken for seven or nine days in a row, had exorcising properties, casting out the demons that cause various diseases, as well as any evil from the body.

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Features: - this plant is a medicinal herb in the Eicaceae family, native to South America; - it is a bushy shrub, 10 to 40 cm tall; - it grows at high altitudes, in alpine meadows and glades, or more rarely in shady spots; - it grows on acidic soils, imposing small requirements towards the ground; - it is resistant to dryness and very low temperatures.

Cranberries contain 80% water, the remaining 20% being sugars, acids (citric, lactic acid), proteins, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, as well as oils and mineral salts, which have the gift to strengthen immunity, have anti-infective effects and protect the kidneys. Cranberries also contain proantocianidine, an antioxidant 20 times stronger than vitamin C. They inhibit the growth of cancer cells and regular drinking of cranberry juice can be a good complement to treatment. Because it is an important source of calcium, the juice helps strengthen teeth and the skeletal system and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. Three glasses of cranberry juice a day can lower cardiac risk level, due to the antioxidant properties of the fruit, that increases the level of HDL (good cholesterol). The fruit is eaten fresh, but not more than 100 g per day in 2 innings of 50 g before meals. They can also be dried and then used the same way as raisins, but not more than 50 g per day. Cranberry leaves and fruit are useful in treating all forms of reno-urinary infections.

Red Bilberry

Vaccinium vitis idaea

Merişor

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Spruce

Picea abies

Molid

Features: - spruces are to be found from altitudes of 650 m all the way up to 1,800 m; - they can grow to be 60 m tall and reach up to 2 m in trunk diameter; - they have a conical, always green crown, with dark green, needle-shaped leaves; - the female flowers turn into cones whose scales house the seeds.

In Romania, spruce forests occupy 22% of the area of the forest fund (over 1 million ha) and appear in the whole Carpathian mountain range, except on the Semenic, the Almaj and the Locvei. mountain peaks. Although spruces are imposing, long-lived trees (they live to be 600 years old), they grow rather shallow roots, being often knocked down by wind, torrents or by ground movements. Spruces grow slowly for the first 4-5 years of their life, then their growth gets accelerated, further reaching 1 m per year. Spruce forests are perhaps the most important protection factor of the natural environment and of the human population from their downstream areas. They effectively control water penetration of the soil, preventing water leakage on hillsides. They also prevent soil erosion and help oxygenate, humidify and ionize the air. Spruces are, unfortunately, improperly exploited for their particular wood quality (which is light, white, soft, elastic, durable), in the forest and wood pulp industry. Resonant wood is used for making musical instruments (violins, string instruments). Spruces provide important raw materials for the economy: tannin (used in leather industry), resins (used in chemical industry), and volatile oils (used in cosmetics and the pharmaceutical industry). The Picea abies species has great economic clout, providing bees with raw material necessary to produce honey, pollen and propolis.

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Blood brave

Nigritella rubra

Sângele voinicului

Features: - this plant grows in alpine meadows, steep mountain ridges covered with grass, or on sunny rocky ground; - it has an 8 to15 cm long stem; - its flowers, very small and numerous, are tight at the top of the stem in an oval, dark red-purple ball; - the flowers have a special smell, similar to vanilla; - it blooms from May till August.

A popular legend says that a hefty young man was struggling with a fierce, seven-headed dragon. During the fight, ”a drop of the liverwort’s blood fell on a flower with no color. Since then, that flower has been purple ... ” This plant is a natural monument and it is protected by law.

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Mountain peony

Rhododendron kotschyi

Smârdar sau Bujor de munte

Features: - this plant is native to the Balkans; - in Romania it is to be found in the alpine zone of the Carpathians, in high areas; - it is 20 to 25 cm tall; - it grows on poor soils, unsuited to many other plants; - it blooms in late June and early July; - its flowers are reddish-pink, fragrant, placed in a bundle on the short stalks.

Of the many species of Rhododendron, this is the only one that grows in our mountains, in the alpine and sub alpine areas, on precipices or on mountain ridges. Snow cover during the winter provides protection against freezing temperatures, but an important condition is that the snow should melt quickly so as not to reduce the duration of the vegetation season. The peony grows in very specific weather and landscape conditions; it does not tolerate numerous transplantations, which makes it impossible to grow it into gardens. The beauty of its flowers, which exude a scent comparable to that of cherries, and its rarity have turned the peony into a plant protected by law. The mountain peony was registered and classified for the first time by the Austrian botanist Theodor Kotschy (1813-1866) and also by the Hungarian scientist Lajos von Simonkai (1851-1910).

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Work team:

Teachers: • Lăcrămioara Băcanu • Alina Pasinciuc • Daniela Stanciu

Students from the 5th grade: Andreea Luţa Ioana Alexandra Alboi Nicoleta Zdrob Vladiana Nisioi

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Fauna in Suceava County

ŞCOALA GIMNAZIALĂ ,,GEORGE VOEVIDCA” Câmpulung Moldovenesc, România

June 2013

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

COMENIUS MULTILATERAL SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP ,,EUROPEAN MULTIGUIDE”

32

Deer

Cervus Elaphus

Cerb

Features: - it lives in areas with extensive forests, which contain portions of glades or meadows and springs; - it can reach 100-150cm in height and 1,6-2,5 m in length; - males have weights ranging from 180 to 300 kg while females weigh between 80-150 kg; - unlike females, males have a pair of large and strong antlers; - deer live to be 18 or 20 years old.

After the end of the mating season, the males (stags) leave the females (hinds) and spend the rest of their time in a ”bachelors’herd”. After an eight-month long gestation period, the female gives birth to 1 or 2 fawns in May or June. Twenty minutes after being born, baby deer can already stand up. Young males start to grow antlers when they reach the tender age of 1, in May, process which ends in September. Being 20-30 cm long, these antlers look like spears. Males’ antlers fall off at the beginning of each March. Males whose antlers have a great number of spikes are called capital males. When in rut, mature stags compete for the attentions of the hinds; they grunt and bawl, bellow and bell. They feed mainly on grass, but during the winter they eat even dry twigs. Antler fight is a method used by the males to establish dominance.They often clench their antlers to such an extent that they cannot loosen them; thus, both animals can die of hunger. Deer are highly watchful and suspicious animals. They immediately detect noise, movement or smell. The traditional ”Goat Dance” is a complex folk play with many characters (masks). The woodenhead of the Goat is covered with fur (of kid or rabbit). The inferior jaw is mobile in order to ”clatter”. Its cornels may come from a real animal (goat, ram or deer) or may be made of wood. Between the cornels there are fantastic decorative compositions from the girls’ beadwork or their handkerchiefs, multicoloured tassels or ribbons, mirrors, tinsel, ivy, basil, artificial or natural flowers.

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Capercaillie

Terao urogallus

Cocoşul de munte

Features: - it lives in coniferous woodlands, at altitudes of 1200 to 1500 ft; - it can reach over 4-5 kg in weight and 1 m in length, and it has a wingspan of about 90 cm; - when displayed, its tail has the shape of a fan and is made up of 16 to 18 large, doubled on feathers underneath; - mating begins in March and lasts until the beginning of June; - it can live up to 18 years.

The capercaillie bird eats shoots and buds from conifers and a variety of berries. The chickens eat insects and earthworms that they find in the dirt. The sounds emitted by the capercaillie can be heard during mating, when they perform a complex display accompanied by a very unusual song. This initially starts with a gurgling sound accelerating to a drum roll followed by a popping sound and then finally a wheezing or gurgling sound to finish off . The capercaillie’s most developed senses are the sight and the hearing. The female builds a bower on the ground, at the root of a tree. It usually lays 5-8 eggs, the same size as the eggs laid by a domestic chicken, and the incubation period lasts for 28 days. The biggest threat to the existence of the capercaillie bird is the changeable weather which hampers the spawning period. The capercaillie’s predators are the wild animals in pine forests, namely: lynxes, martens, foxes, wild boars, sheephold dogs, martens being the most dangerous of them all. The capercaillie is one of the most cautious birds and because of this it is hard to see. The only time when you can get close to it is during mating; being very focused on attracting females, we can get closer to it and observe it quietly. During this period, the male prepares the ”stage”: it clears out all the twigs of a tree branch, it displays its tail and then begins to dance.

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Pine marten

Martes martes

Jderul de copac

Features: - this animal species is prevalent in the deciduous and pine forests of the Carpathian mountain range; - the pine marten can be spotted through the cracks and hollows of rocks, living mainly in nests abandoned by birds of prey or in squirrel nests; - its head and torso measure 44-50 cm; - its tail is 23-28 cm long; - the male weights 1.2-1.8 kg and the female 0,8-1,4 kg; - it mates only in the summer months; - it lives for about 10 years.

A pine marten’s movements are much like a feline’s. The marten is an excellent climber that can easily hunt down even the most agile squirrels. Even if it can swim, the marten doesn’t often do this;; actually, it walks into shallow only when there is danger and there is no other way to avoid it. It usually seeks shelter in the hollows of old trees (spruce, pine or oak) or it takes possession of a squirrel’s nest. The pine marten feeds on rabbits, mice, squirrels, and sometimes fruits, eggs, honey, insects; it is a fierce predator of capercaillie birds. In turn, it falls prey to wild animals, such as the fox and the wolf, and to birds of prey, such as the eagle. The fur of adult specimens is predominantly dark brown and only the colour of the anterior part of their neck and chest, which may be either golden-yellow or beige-orange, makes it easier to distinguish pine martens from stone martens. In winter, the fur gets thicker and silkier, while in summer it becomes shorter and rarer. Pine martens run solitary lives and they form small groups only during the mating period, in the summer months. The gestation period of the female is rather long as pregnancy occurs late in its body, and the birth of the 3-5 cubs takes place in April of the following year. Forest martens are hunted for their valuable fur.

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Gray wolf

Canis lupus

Lup cenuşiu

Features: - the wolf lives in wooded areas, as well as in hilly regions; - it reaches about 1,5 m in body length, not inluding the tail which measures 0,8 m; - the average weight of a wolf is 30-50 kg, but it sometimes goes up to 70 kg; - mating takes place between the months of February and March; - it lives for 15-16 years.

Gray wolves live in packs. At the top of the hierarchy there is an alpha male and an alpha female, the only ones having the right to mate. The other wolves help raise and take care of the cubs which are fed by their parents. A female gives birth to 4-6 cubs that leave the pack at the age of 2.Wolves are not fussy eaters; their diet includes frogs and grubs, rabbits and other small animals, boars, deer, domestic donkeys, oxen and bears, which they hunt down and exhaust in short chases. They can browse through more than 100 miles in a single night in search of food. The wolf’s running speed exceeds 60 km/h. It shows keen intelligence when it hunts, using varied tactics. Studies of DNA sequence and of genetic mutations have shown that the gray wolf has common ancestry with the domestic dog. Wolves have appeared in Romanian folklore since early times; the best known legend is that of Romulus and Remus, the two brothers raised and fed by a she-wolf. The standard ensign of troops of the ancient Eastern European Dacian people has the form of a dragon with open wolf-like jaws containing several metal tongues. Those who take care of wolves are under the protection of St. Andrew and even though, in the old age, their bodies are full of scars from wolf bites, they disappear like magic. A wise and old Romanian proverb says that ”A wolf may chage its fur, but it will never change its ways”, which is the same as saying that ”A leopard cannot change its spots”.

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Brown Trout

Salmo trutta fario

Păstrăvul indigen

Features: - it lives in cold, clear and well-oxygenated mountain waters with rocky bottoms, which are to be found in the area of springs at altitudes over 1000 m; - it can reach 25 to 30 cm in lenght and 0,8-1,6 kg in weight; - its body is spindle-shaped, full of muscles and covered with small scales; - its mouth is full of strong teeth; - it lays about 1000 to 2500 eggs/kg between the months of October and December; - it lives up to 15 years.

Brown trout are olive green on the back, yellowish white or yellow gold on the belly, and even lighter in colour on the side. Their whole body is covered with red and black dots with whitish edges. Brown trout prefer cool, well-oxygenated waters and they can be found in rivers and in shallow water, jumping out to catch the insects falling in. As a rule, brown trout prefer the deep flows that allow them to lurk under the rocks. Their basic food consists of insect larvae, insects in all developmental stages and shellfish. In the fall, around the months of October-November, trout that are 2-3 years of age swim up the river to be wedded. They look for pebbly places where they can lay their eggs in small pits dug with the help of the tail. After breeding, brown trout descend back into the places where they live. They prefer waterfalls and places with strong oxygenation, being more active at night than during the day. It is a real privilege to be able to attend trout’s ”wedding ceremonies”, especially in full moon nights. Hatching takes place only in March-April, so the eggs will need a long period of time in which to withstand the fury of the water, to stand still in the clean and well-oxygenated water without being eaten by predators. The number of the newly born trout that come out barely reaches 1-3% of the number of eggs laid. Fishing is permitted with rods and lines, between 1st June and 31st December. Brown trout is among the most valuable fish swimming in Romanian waters, because it has very tasty, boneless meat.

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Carpathian lynx

Lynx lynx

Râsul carpatin

Features: - this animal species is prevalent in the mountain area as well as in the Danube Delta; - it can reach 70-110 cm in body length, the male being larger than the female; - it can reach 50-70 cm in size and 15-36 kg in body weight; - the length of its tail is15-25 cm; - it is a rather lonely creature; - mating takes place in March orApril; - it can live to be10-20 years old.

The lynx has a short tail and characteristic tufts of black hair on the tips of its ears. Each jaw has a pair of long, black ”sideburns” which create the impression of a smirk on the face of this creature whose muzzle is adorned with whiskers. The lynx is a carnivore, diurnal hunter which consumes primarily the organs with significant blood mass (heart, liver, lungs) of the animals if hunts. Extremely agile, the lynx possesses the ability to move without being heard or spotted; that makes it is extremely difficult to observe. It hunts mostly at dusk. It is an exceptional climber and a very good swimmer. It has a sort of mating song which is somewhat similar to that of cats in heat. After 70 days of pregnancy, the female gives birth to 2-4 cubs. A peculiar feature of the lynx is its hatred towards the wild cat which it hunts fiercely to extermination. Being a scavenger, the lynx contributes towards halting the spread of possible diseases and/or infections due to putrefaction of dead bodies. A Moldavian legend says that, long ago, the spirit of the forests in Slătioara Natural Reservation punished a hunter who enjoyed tormenting and killing animals by turning him into a lynx. ”Because of the harm brought by you upon this forest’s creatures, you will from now on lead the life of a scary lynx and drive away all human and animal creatures. You will stay hidden in tree hollows at day and at night you will wander in search of food!”. Touching his head with a sword, the spirit of the forest turned the hunter into a lynx . Ashamed, this one left followed only by the gaze of his fellow hunters.

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Brown bear

Ursus arctos

Ursul brun

Features: - the brown bear lives in the Carpathian Mountains, especially among the rocks; - it has a body of up to 2.5 m in length, withers’ height of up to1.5 m and a maximum weight of 600 kg; - the female reaches over 2.0 m in length, withers’ height of 1 -1.1 m and a weight of over 300 kg; - it is a particularly strong; - mating season begins in April and lasts until June, sometimes August; - it can live to be 30-35 years old.

The brown bear is not a sociable animal, leading a lonely life. Brown bears are able to reproduce in the third year of their life. The gestation period is 7-8 months, the female giving birth to 1-3 cubs in January or February. The cubs stay close to their mother for about 1.5-2 years. The brown bear is an omnivorous animal, consuming primarily foods of plant origin (acorn, beach nuts, blackberries, blueberries, roots, etc.). It feeds on honey, ants, larvae, earthworms, fish, birds, and even pigs, but also on dead animals’ decaying bodies (horses, cows, etc.). The brown bear is a rather nocturnal creature. In the day, it moves around quiet areas. It also comes out on cloudy, foggy days. The fur colour ranges from dark brown to almost black. In late autumn or winter, the brown bear retreats into a lair for the so-called winter sleep, during which it doesn’t eat, living on its own fat reserves accumulatedduring the previous months. Winter sleep should not be confused with hibernation. Brown bears do no hibernate. The Getae-Dacians considered the bear to be a sacred animal. The ”Bear Dance” performed on New Year’s Eve is the most spectacular of all dances performed by masked carolers in Bucovina. This dance symbolizes the death and revival of nature. In December 2010, in Romania there were 6,000 brown bears, i.e. 40% of the total existing ones in the European Union.

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Viper

Vipera berus

Vipera

Features: - vipers prefer arboreal and terrestrial habitats, regions with high humidity, where there are no big differences in temperature between day and night. They can be found through meadows in deciduous forests or coniferous forests, swamps, grassland regions, at altitudes of 2500-3000 m; - their body length is between 50-70 cm; - their weight varies between 100-200 g; - mating takes place in April and May; - vipers live, on average, for 10-15 years.

Male vipers have a black, V-shaped marking right on the head, which makes them easily recognizable. Female vipers have the same marking, only different in colour. All vipers have a pair of relatively long fangs that are used to inject venom from glands located towards the rear of the upper jaws. Their body is covered with keeled scales and the optimum body temperature is between 30-35 ° Celsius. The viper is particularly active on wet and warm days, but it’s also very sensitive to wind. If it feels threatened, it hides under stones or different plants. It has a sharp bite and it attacks large animals and humans only when it needs to defend itself against them. In the winter it hibernates for about 4-8 months, depending on altitute. Vipers feed on rodents, lizards, frogs which they hunt down and bite, injecting them with venom in order to paralyse them. Most vipers are ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young, but a few lay eggs. The baby vipers hatch out between the months of August and October. The first moulting occurs shortly after birth. Vipers are capable of breeding at the age of 3 or 4. Their natural predators are birds of prey, carnivores, martens, badgers, foxes, weasels, cats and hedgehogs. The minimum lethal DL dose to a subcutaneous inoculation is 6.45 mg/kg body weight. Viper venom benefits: it may boost the healing process in a number of diseases, such as osteoporosis, ulcer, epilepsy, hemophilia, cancer, arthritis; it is also used in anti-wrinkle face lotions.

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Work team:

Teachers: • Lăcrămioara Băcanu • Alina Pasinciuc • Daniela Stanciu

Students from VIthgrade: Aurelian Miroţoi Bianca Tudose Cristian Cazacu Daniela Mândrilă David Greşanu Ioana Nisioi Iulian Cazacu Livia Negară Maria Ciubotariu

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The location

Gniewkowo - a town located in the southern part of Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodeship , which is in the northern part of central Poland, in the district of Inowrocław.

Near Gniewkowo there is a large forest which is a part of Bydgoszcz Forest. Another part of the forest located northeast of the town, extending through Suchatówka to Toruń is called Forest of Cierpice.

The environment

The sculpture of northern areas of Poland is the result of ice age, in particular the last glaciation and glacial erosion processes. The dominant form is a flat moraine, which is built of clay, sand, gravel and rocks transported by the glacier. Around the town there are large dune fields with pine forests.

Geomorphologically, the town is located in lower plain without outflow, so-called Basin of Gniewkowo on the moraine Kuyavian plateau which partly lies in the Valley of Toruń, and to the south it is limited by the Plain of Inowrocław.

The land of Gniewkowo is flat, sometimes wavy and hilly, the landscape is characterized by lowlands due to the fact that as many as 63% of the region is an agricultural land and 25% is a woodland.

The climate in Poland is mild transitional between oceanic climate in the west and continental climate in the east.

The town surroundings are within the sub-region climate of central Poland. In the summer, which lasts 90-100 days, the western and southern winds dominate and they cause cloudy days and rain. In the winter, which lasts 80-90 days such winds cause an increase of temperature, thaws and fog. Drought and heat in the summer and severe frosts in winter are caused by the influx of continental polar air. The average air temperature is 8 ° - 9 ° C, the average in January -2.5 °, in July 18.5 ° C. The growing season ranges from 210 do215 days.

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The vegetation world

Vegetation in Gniewkowo and the surrounding area began to develop after the withdrawal of the glacier. At that time birches, pines, grasslands and willows appeared. Then a haze created an understory in the woods. After that there were alder forests, broad-leaf mixed forests, at the beginning consisting of oak trees then lime and elm trees.

In Gniewkowo area there are trees considered as natural monuments: small-leaved lime, sycamore maple.

In the forestry Rejna belonging to Gniewkowo Forest District there is a nature reserve created in order to protect the Dwarf cherry. It grows 1–2 metres high. The plant flowers in May. The fruit is light to dark red. Its taste is sour-sweet.

In the undergrowth of the reserve we can find: hawthorn, field rose, viburnum. The green plants for groundcover consist of wild thyme, common yarrow, spurge, St. John's wort, cranberry and anthericum ramosum.

The animals world

The world of animals includes forest mammals mostly. The most important is a deer, a roe deer, a wild boar, a hare, a wild rabbit and also mammals of prey such as a fox, a badger, a pine marten. The most common reptiles in the forest are: common adders, grass snakes, sand lizards and among the amphibians - a rare natterjack toad. We are proud of water and mud birds such as greylag geese, cranes, wild ducks. Air birds include a common nightingale and a bullfinch. A common bird in the area of the municipality of Gniewkowo is a white stork. On the fields commonly occur: swallows, quails, pheasants, partridge, and others. The forest and its outskirts are the habitats and also feeding and breeding places for birds of prey.

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HERBAL

PLANTS

AND

SHRUBS

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Skrzyp polnyLATIN: Equisetum arvense

ENGLISH: Field Horsetail

A perennial plant. It grows on fields, in gardens, fallows, near the roads, rarely on meadows. It is a common weed on various soil.

Uses

medical properties – diuretic and antiphlogistic, contains silicon, potassium and calciumcosmetic properties – to wash problematic skin, to strengthen fingernails

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Pokrzywa zwyczajnaLATIN: Urtica dioica ENGLISH: Stinging nettle

A plant of mild climate, grows everywhere.

Uses

medical properties– good for metabolism, effects on prostate hypertrophy, diabetes mellitus, rheumatic disease, hypertension, gastrointestinal symptoms, osteoarthritis, diarrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, pain

cosmetic properties – to produce cream, masks, tonic

an eatable plant – contains mineral salts, vitamins, proteins

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Niezapominajka

LATIN: Myosotis

ENGLISH: Forget-me-not

A perennial plant.

Uses

Popular decorated flowers.

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Trawa

LATIN: Poaceae

ENGLISH: Grass

A perennial plant. In Poland there are 150 types of grass. It grows on meadows, pastures.

Uses

To feed animals

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Śnieżyczka / Przebiśnieg

LATIN: Galanthus nivalis

ENGLISH: Snowdrop

The symbol of an early spring. In Poland it is preserved.

Uses

medical properties – snowdrops contain an active substance called galantamine, which can be helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, though it is not a cure a honey-yielding plant – one of the first after winter time

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Mniszek pospolity / Mniszek lekarski

LATIN: Taraxacum officinale ENGLISH: Dandelion It is a common plant growing on fields, in gardens, fallows, meadows.

Usesmedical properties – the flower is diuretic, the root contains mineral salts. It helps to lower the level of cholesterol, helps to cure arteriosclerosis, stoutness, rheumatism.

culinary properties - used to make wine with honey-herbal taste.

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Bez czarnyLATIN: Sambucus nigra ENGLISH: ElderA tall shrub - reaches 10 metres of hight.

Uses

culinary properties - the dark blue/purple berries can be eaten when fully ripe

medical properties - the flowers can be used to make an herbal tea as a remedy for inflammation caused by colds and fever

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Jałowiec pospolity

LATIN: Juniperus communis

ENGLISH: Common Juniper –

It is an evergreen shrub or small tree.

Uses

culinary properties - dried seeds are used to flavour meats, sauces, and stuffings.medical properties - Juniper berries act as a strong urinary tract disinfectant if consumed.

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ANIMALS

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Jeleń LATIN: Cervus elaphus

ENGLISH: Deer

The red deer is one of the largest deer species. In Poland it can reach 2.5 meters in length and 1.5 metres height at withers. The weight of a large deer comes to 350 kg. Its habitat preferences are dependent on the season. The main habitats are in lowland and mountain deciduous and mixed forests.

Due to the spreading antlers red dear avoid areas with dense shrubs. Male red deer retain their antlers for more than half the year. Deer antlers are sought for decorative purposes. Red deer live over 20 years in captivity and in the wild they live from 10 to 13 years.

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Zając szarak LATIN: Lepus europaeus

ENGLISH: European Hare or Brown Hare

Its head and body length can range from 35 to 75 cm, with a tail length of 8 to 10 cm. The body mass can range from 3 to 6 kg.Hares mostly live in open fields with scattered brush for shelter. They can run at 70 km/h.

Hares are herbivorous. They drink water occasionally, mostly dew of grasses, herbs and field crops which they eat. In spring and summer they eat plants, in autumn - roots and other underground parts of plants. In winter they nibble twigs of trees and shrubs.Hares don’t dig burrows.

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Dzik LATIN: Sus strofaENGLISH: Wild boar They accur in all Poland in a large amount and are protected seasonally. Wild boar are strong, solidly built animals with sharp tusks. They live in broad-leaf and mixed forests where they can find food easily. They play an important role in forest and field ecosystems. When searching for food they scrape away the top layers of soil, mixing it with undercover. They eat sick mammals and birds, thus limiting the transfer of diseases. Young wild are the food of many predators.

Boar hair is used in the manufacture of boar-bristle hairbrushes and paintbrushes.

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Lis

LATIN: Vulpes vulpesENGLISH: Red FoxIt is a mammal of prey, one out of a hundred worst invasive species. Red foxes are omnivores. They primarily feed on small, mouse-like rodents like voles, mice, ground squirrels, hamsters but they also eat some plants. They usually hunt in the early morning hours before sunrise and late evening.

Red foxes are social animals, they live in groups led by a mated pair. They have binocular vision but their sight reacts mainly to movement. They have acute auditory perception and good sense of smell.

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Wilk LATIN: Canis lapusENGLISH: WolfIt is a mammal of prey. It inhabits forests, plains, wetlands. As a species of territorial tendencies, it needs large space to live and survive. A wolf is a tireless wanderer, able to cover a distance of tens kilometers during a day. When searching for a female a male can travel more than 600 km during two weeks.

Wolves live in packs and the average pack consists of a family of 5–11 animals.

The gray wolf is generally monog

am ous, with mated pairs usually remaining together for life.The gray wolf's sense of smell is rather weak. Its auditory perception is sharper than that of the fox.Laboratory studies give indications on the wolves’ ability to remember, associate events, and learn.

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Dzięcioł LATIN: Dendrocopos major

ENGLISH: Woodpecker

It is a bird of medium size. It lives in the forests of all Europe. It is an inhabitant of woodlands and parks, depending for food and nesting sites upon old trees.

Its food mainly consists of insects and grubs but also seeds, fruit, scraps, eggs, chicks and small rodents. When animal food is scarce a woodpecker eats beech mast, acorns, nuts and berries.

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Kukułka LATIN: Cuculus canorusENGLISH: CuckooIt is a migrant bird living in Europe in spring and summer and spending late autumn and winter in central and southern Africa and South Asia. In Poland we can meet and hear it all over Polish lowland areas, in different types of landscapes - forests, places with numerous trees and shrubs, in agricultural areas, parks, gardens but also in the reed near water basins. .

It is a brood parasite, which means that it lays eggs in the nests of other birds’.From May to early July a female lays on the ground about 10-20 small eggs in at least a two-day intervals. Then it carries them in its beak and inserts one into the hosts’ nests . A cuckoo eats or takes out one of the host’s eggs and lays an egg that matches those of that species in colour and pattern.

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Bocian biały LATIN: Ciconia ciconia

ENGLISH: White stork

It is a big wading bird. It is a carnivore, eats a wide range of animal prey, including insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and small birds. It takes most of its food from the ground, among low vegetation, and from shallow water.The stork's preferred feeding grounds are grassy meadows, farmlands and shallow wetlands. It avoids areas overgrown with tall grass and shrubs. It does not avoid human settlements and has a nest even in the middle of the countryside or in small towns, mostly in areas with large river valleys and wet meadows. It lives in herds.

Storks fly south from their summer breeding grounds in Europe in August and September, heading for Africa. There, they spend the winter in savanna from Kenya and Uganda south to the South Africa.

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Flora and Faunanear Albert,FRANCE

Written by:Audrey BideauxEmilien RouvillainDayanna DeloubrièreNina Delporte

Meyrine GamandTatiana BellegueuleCélia StateckJeanne Rivière

Ryan DufauxLaurent CarnelMarine Bellegueule

AndFrançoise Irjud, Biology teacherChristelle Tonnel, English teacherGabrielle Rivière, Mathematique teacher.

Collège Pierre et Marie Curie

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author,and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

European multiguide 2012-2014

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Tatiana Bellegueule

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On l' employait autrefois pour lutter contreles hémorragies ce qui est à l'origine de sonnom.

Caracteristics- It is found on dryhillsides, on calcareousgrassland larris.- It blooms from Mayto September.

This flower was used to fighthaemorrhages. That explains its name.

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The Somme Bay, a stop for migratory birds

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Actitis hypoleucosCommon Sandpiper

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Avocette éléganterecurvirostra avosettaElegant avocet

REPARTITION GEOGRAPHIQUELes avocettes fréquentent les estuaires,les baies, les marais et autres zoneshumides.Elles nichent en Europe et en Asieproche ou centrale. Elles migrent enhiver en Afrique ou en Asie du sud,mais aussi en France, en Espagne oudans le sud de l'Angleterre.

REGIMEALIMENTAIREElles se nourrissent decrustacés, de larves et de versqu'elle trouve en fouillantdans la vase.

REPRODUCTIONLes avocettes nichent sur lesol, souvent en petitsgroupes, parfois avecd'autres espèces. Entre 3 et4 œufs sont pondus, unefois par an, dans unecuvette remplie de débrisvégétaux.

DIET:They feed on crustaceans, larvaeand worms which they findrummaging through the mud.

REPRODUCTION:Avocets nest on the ground,often in smalls groups,sometimes with other species.Between 3 and 4 eggs arelaid, once a year, in a bowlfilled with plant debris.

GEOGRAPHICAL BREAKDOWN:Avocets frequent estuaries, bays,swamps and other wetlands.They nest in Europe and Central Asia.In winter they migrate to Africa or tosouth Asia, but also in France, Spain orthe South of England.

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La Grande AigretteArdea alba

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Escola Básica deAlvor

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Comenius

Flora and Fauna From The AlgarveThe Algarve is a region in south of Portugal. This region has a wild side, which often goes unnoticed

by the tourists. Despite the number of cities and towns, there is a great diversity of animals and plants around. In Algarve there are animals, normally associated with large forests or woodlands, such as foxes, rabbits, owls, snakes, etc.. The predominant type of fauna is undoubtedly the birds,

and thus a place of great interest to ornithologists. The varied and abundant flora can be translated into years of history. It is through the flora of Algarve, that we know what kind of alimentation

people had centuries ago in this region and we also know what people were in the Algarve region.The following texts talk about the characteristics animals and plants of Algarve, but there are

many more due to the great biodiversity of the area.

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Flora From Algarve

Ceratonia siliqua Alfarrobeira/ Carob tree

• Plant from the Leguminosae Family.Evergreen. Dioecious tree, characteristicfrom Oleo-Ceratonion siliquae alliancethat occurs at littoral and barrocal ofAlgarve, becoming 15 m high.Algarve, becoming 15 m high.

• The crown is wide and dense, with thebranches coming till the ground.Evergreen, paripinulate leaves, withcoriaceous and alternate folioles, verybright at the superior page. The flowersare little and greenish, and the fruit is apod, the carob, that can be 20 cm long,with sweetish pulp.

• It is not a demanding tree about soils, butneeds a good drainage. It can be used ingardens and parks and do not need muchcare. It blooms from September tillJanuary.

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Flora From Algarve

Arbutus unedo Medronheiro/ Arbutus• Plant from the Ericaceae Family.

Evergreen. Shrub or small tree becoming10m high. Elipticoblong, serrate, leathery,bright leaves, dark green and light greenbeneath. The flowers are white, jointedbeneath. The flowers are white, jointedin hanging panicles. The fruit is a globousberry with 20 to 25 mm of diameter,yellowish colour changing to red whenripe.

• It grows in all kind of soils. It is veryornamental because of the shape of itsleaves, its flowers and fruits, and can beused in parks and gardens at all theAlgarve. It blooms during Autumn or atthe beginning of Spring, and the fruits willbe ripe at the same time.

•

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Flora From Algarve

Cistus Ladanifer Esteva/ Gum cistus

• Plant from the Cistaceae Family. Evergreen.

• Erect, sticky and laudanum gummy shrubbecoming 2 m high. Lanceolate, sessileand shiny leaves. The flowers are big, 8 toand shiny leaves. The flowers are big, 8 to10 cm diameter, and solitary. At Algarvethere are two forms: maculatus, with aviolaceous stain at the white petals baseand albifiorus with white petals only,both growing in mixed formations.

• It's a very common plant mainly in theserra, where it covers large extensions,even in poor and skinny soils. It's anornamental and showy shrub, but withshort blossom period. It blooms fromMarch till June.

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Flora From Algarve

Halimium calycinum Erva-sargacinha

• Plant from the Cistaceae Family.Evergreen. Little shrub but sometimesbecoming 2 m high, very branchy,sessile or short petiole, lanceolate, haircovered leaves, with a general whitishcovered leaves, with a general whitishaspect.

• Five unequal, small, linear sepals,yellow and sometimes spotted petals,flowers disposed in terminal cymes. Thefruit is an ovate capsule. It grows onbrushes at maritime sandy soils. It'sornamental for its foliage andcoloration, and can be used in gardensat the littoral.

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Flora From Algarve

Nerium Oleander Loendro/ Oleander

• Plant from the Apocynaceae Family.Evergreen. Shrub becoming 4 or 5 mhigh. Coriaceous, lanceoiate-linearleaves, dark green and light greenbeneath. Big, rosy or sometimes whitebeneath. Big, rosy or sometimes whiteflowers, arranged in terminalcorymbose or paniculate cymes. Thefruit is a follicle.

• It grows at riversides on the barrocaland the serra. It's very ornamental,largely used in gardens, existing severalhorticultural forms with differentcolours. The leaves are very toxic. Itblooms from May till September.

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Flora From Algarve

Ononis ramosissima Joina-das-areias/Dunes Restharrow• Orange Tree (Citrus

sinensis)The orange tree isa tree of family Rutaceae.The orange is a fruit set inancient times from crossingancient times from crossingthe grapefruit withmandarin. The orange treewas brought by thePortuguese, from China toEurope in the sixteenth

century.

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Flora From Algarve

Ononis ramosissima Joina-das-areias/Dunes Restharrow• Almond Tree (Prunus

dulcis)It is a deciduous treeof the family Rosaceae. Thealmond is the seed of thefruit of the almond treefruit of the almond treeand is considered a nut. Itis common in Portugal,mainly in the Douro andthe Algarve. Almond oil canbe extracted and otherproducts with medicinalproperties.

89

Flora From Algarve

Ononis ramosissima Joina-das-areias/Dunes Restharrow• Plant from the Pabaceae

(Leguminosae) Family. Evergreen.• Small less ligneous shrub

becoming 60 cm high. Denselyglandular-hairy twigs mixed withno glandular hairs. Trefoil leaves.glandular-hairy twigs mixed withno glandular hairs. Trefoil leaves.Inflorescence of only one longstalk and yellow flower, streakedwith red. The fruit is an hairy-gladular pod with 2 till 8 seeds.

• It grows in littoral dunes andconsolidated sands. It's ornamentalfor its shape and blooming. And itcan be used in rock and rusticgardens. It blooms from April tillJune.

90

Flora From Algarve

Pancratium maritimum Narciso-das-areias• Sea daffodil Plant from the

Amaryllidaceae Family. Bulbousplant, growing till SO cm high,with a solid bulb. Long, glaucousskape. Linear, glaucous leaves,bigger than the skape. 2 to 9skape. Linear, glaucous leaves,bigger than the skape. 2 to 9white, fragrant, flowers,arranged in umbel with covering.

• It grows in sand of beaches anddunes. It's very ornamental andrustic, and it can be used ingardens near the sea, in sandysoils. It blooms from August tillOctober.

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Fauna From Algarve

Sterna albifrons Andorinha -do -mar - anã• This little royal tern has a quick flight

and it impresses by its fish catchingtechnic. It captures fish with quickand accurate dives.

• It is a specie with a thin and sharpbeck; a general white tone, having abeck; a general white tone, having ablack cap and a black facial mask.

• This specie is the smallest royal ternthat we can watch in Portugal havinga carachteristic white forehead. Itsyellow beck with a dark end makespossible to distinguish it from othersimilar species.

92

Fauna do Algarve

Charadrius alexandrinusBorrelho de Coleira-interrompida

(Ring Plover)

• The ring plover are small sizewaders.

• They use to alternate somesteps with small “observation”steps with small “observation”pauses.

• The ring plover is brownishupside and white downside. Itshows an uncomplete collar.The black feet and theuncomplete collar makespossible to distinguish himfrom other similar species.

93

Fauna From Algarve

Charaxes jasius Borboleta-do-medronheiro• This is a big and good-looking

butterfly, one of the biggest inEurope. It is easilly identifiedwhen it closes its wings as itshows four blue spots and twoshows four blue spots and twoblack tails in its posteriorwings. We can see it flyingfrom March to October,specially in the Algarve.According to its name, it feedsitself from the “medronho”plant where it also hibernates.

.

94

Fauna From Algarve

Donax Trunculus Conquilha

• Conquilha ou cadelinha isthe common name forbivalvular of Donax species.bivalvular of Donax species.They live next to thepounding of waves, buriedin the sand, a fewcentimetres deep.

95

Fauna From Algarve

larus occidentalis Gaivota (sea-gull)• They are medium to big size

birds, usually grey or white, oftenwith black spots in their head orwings. They have got strong andlong becks and feet withmembranes.long becks and feet withmembranes.

• They build up their nests on thesoil or on the rocks and areomnivorous, they eat alive foodor steal other kind of foodaccordind to the opportunity theyhave.

• They are typically coastal speciesand seldom dare high sea.

96

Fauna do Algarve

Sardina pilchardus Sardinha (sardine)• Sardines are fishes from the Clupeidae

family, similar to herrings.

• Usually of small size, (10-15cm) lenght,they are distinguished by having only onedorsal fin without stings.dorsal fin without stings.

• They are pelagic fishes that often form bigshoals and feed fishing industry.

• They have in their blood system animportant lipid : ômega- 3 that isconsidered a heart protector.

• Sardines feed themselves with plankton.

97

Fauna do Algarve

Herpestes ichneumon Sacarrabos• The Sacarrabos is a medium size

carnivore, brown- grayish that,toghether with the Geneta,represent the Viverridae family inour country.

• Also Known as mangusto, manguço• Also Known as mangusto, manguçoor escalavardo, it has got a longbody with a fusiform appearence; ithas got a sharp nose, short legs,and its tail shapes like a funnel tillthe end where it has darker hair. Itis about 20cm heigh, about 90cmlenght and weights about 2-3 kg. Itstail can mesure 50cm.

• It has got small roundish ears andamber eyes.

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2012-20142012-2014

EUROPEAN MULTIGUIDEEUROPEAN MULTIGUIDE

FLORA OF ARKADIA, GREECEFLORA OF ARKADIA, GREECE

Et in Arkadia ego

99

Juniperus drupacea (kind of

cedar)

• The Giouniperos drypodis is the tree with a conical form that reaches a height of 20m. It has very large fruits, which easily distinguishes it from the related species.

• The genus Juniperus numbers 40 species, spread in the northern hemisphere, grown from sea level to the tops of mountains.

• The only area in Europe that grows is Parnonas in Arcadia, where it forms large forests, and thus, the area has been described as “Monument of Nature”.

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Sideritis cladestina

(mountain tea)

• Used in beverage form. Exhibits potent anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antihypertensive, spasmolytic, antibacterial, soothing and antioxidant action. It is also used to prevent anemia.Acts as a growth inhibitor of cancer cells.

• It grows in the mountains of Greece, as in Mainalo, Taygeto and Parnonas of Arcadia.

• Its height is 40 cm. The stem is simple or branched and the flowers are yellow.

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Quercus (oak)

• The fruit of the oak is the acorn, useful for animal feed and in tanning.

• The wood is a relatively expensive wood used in furniture, because it’s heavy, stiff and does not rot easily.

• In Greece Quercus is found at an altitude of 800-1000 meters.

• These trees are tall and perennial.

• It reaches a height of 25 meters and forms large forests.

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Cercis (redbud)

• The name is derived from the Greek word κέρκις (kerkis) meaning "weaver's shuttle“.

• It is a small tree to 10–15 m tall.

• The flowers have an agreeably acidic bite, and are eaten in mixed salad or made into fritters.

• The wood is medium weight, somewhat brittle, of light tan color with a noticeably large heartwood area of darker brown, tinged with red.

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Greek Oregano

• Perennial plant and herbaceous. Its quality is considered the best worldwide.

• Beyond the characteristic aroma and flavor that gives the food, it has many medicinal properties.

• It has antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial action.

• As beverage, it is used for the weakness of the intestines, for coughs, helps in hypertension and atherosclerosis.

• The essential oil o f oregano (origanelaio) is used for toothache.

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Wort- Balsam

• In ancient times it was used for healing the wounds that were held by swords, and hence named sedge.

• Medicinal properties: diuretic, vulnerary, emmenagogue and haemostatic action.

• Herb found in the forests.

• Leaves are bright yellow-orange and petals are usually yellow.

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Marjoram

• The leaves are used as spice, usually in meat and fish, and also as a beverage.

• The essential oil which is obtained from the leaves, has antiseptic and anti-convulsant action and is also used in perfumery.

• In Greece, marjoram is known from ancient times where it was used as medicine against stomach and intestinal discomfort.

• Today marjoram is planted in gardens for fragrance and beauty.

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Gillyflower - Carnation

• The red carnation is the symbol and the emblem of revolution.

• Symbol of militancy and tenacious struggle of the people.

• Perennial, herbaceous, beautiful fragrant, ornamental plant.

• It is also named dianthus, which means "flower of Zeus“.

• It’s a plant cultivated over 2000 years.

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Team involved:

• Georgopoulos Leonidas and Liontou

Labrini –teachers of the 5th grade of our

School, with their students,

• and Antonios Terzis – School Headmaster

and Program Coordinator.

108

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2012-20142012-2014

EUROPEAN MULTIGUIDEEUROPEAN MULTIGUIDE

FAUNA OF ARKADIA, GREECEFAUNA OF ARKADIA, GREECE

Et in Arkadia ego

109

Jackal • Was once common

throughout Greece

and outlawed as

harmful, now it is in

danger o f

extinction. • Greece is the only European

country with forests of habitats,

where populations in recent

years are decreasing.

• It has been described as a"

cleaner“ of nature because it

works as a predator of rodents,

reduces organic waste and

garbage, while at high densities

can act as restrictive to the

foxes.

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Pernis apivorus

(eagle)

• He nests in trees during the

period April – May, where

they lay two eggs which are

incubated for 30-37 days.

The young can fly after 45

days.

• Lives in mature forests, such as

Mainalo and Parnonas. Feeds on

insects and small birds.

• His body is thin and weak legs. The

head is very small, while the neck is

long. The end of the tail has dark

color.

111

Luscinia megarhynchos

(nightingale)

• Bantam warbler.

• Its melodic singing

sounds especially in the

time of mating and more

during night-time.

• Lives normally in bushes and

in dense and moist forests,

while it’s feeding on insects

and insect larvae, worms,

spiders and small grape

berries.

• In April, it builds its nest in

piles of leaves, where in May

the female gives birth to 4-5

eggs with brown olive shell,

which incubates for two

weeks. 112

Turdus merula

(blackbird) • The male is all black except for a yellow

beak and yellow ring around the eyes

and has many different melodic cries,

while the adult female and young birds

have dark brown plumage. • It is omnivorous, eating a

wide variety of insects,

earthworms, berries and

fruit.

• During migration couples will

stay back together, if the

temperature is high enough.

• This common species has

many literary and cultural

references, frequently

related to its song. 113

Testudo graeca

(Greek turtle)

• They are the most long-lived

vertebrates.

• Driven mainly by olfaction and vision is

good enough to be able to distinguish

basic colors, while the hearing is

mainly based on vibration.

• In Greek Mythology, Turtle was a nymph of Arcadia,

according to Aesop's fable, who refused to attend to the

divine marriage of Zeus and Hera. According to another

version, Turtle went to the wedding, but she was

disrespectful. Gods punished her and transformed her to

the namesake animal, turtle, condemning her to eternal

silence (the turtle symbolizes silence in ancient Greece).

From the shell, God Hermes later would build the first lyre

by stretching strings on the concave side.

114

Owl

• Most owls are useful for humans

because they chase rodents and mice.

• However, people pursuit them,

particularly farmers, because they think

that the presence and the cry of an owl

is a bad omen.

• Since ancient times the owl was

identified with wisdom. The ancient

Greeks considered the symbol of the

goddess Athena.

• It is said that before the outbreak of the

Battle of Salamina, an owl had flown as

a forerunner of victory of the Greeks.

115

Otter

• The otters swim fast, waving their

tail and their flexible body.

• They feed on fish, insects, frogs

and other smaller mammals.

• They are found in Moustos lagoon,

near Astros in Arkadia.

• Live in coastal areas, so as to have

access to fresh water, that is needed

to get their fur cleaned.

116

Weasel

• If she’s captured at an early age,

she can easily be tamed and used

for hunting mice.

• In ancient Athens weasel was

domesticated but replaced with

the current cat.

• According to tradition, weasel was

a beautiful young lady who wove

her dowry with her hands. On her

wedding eve, her envious sister

stole all her dowry. Then, Good

Lord transformed her into this

weasel. Since then, weasel

sneaks in girls’ chests and by

sitting and gnawing the clothes

until they become rags, she takes

revenge for her stolen dowry.

117

Team involved:

• Georgopoulos Leonidas and Liontou

Labrini –teachers of the 5th grade of our

School, with their students,

• and Antonios Terzis – School Headmaster

and Program Coordinator.

118

Sivas

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Azarole Hawthorn

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Curly Dock/Yellow Dock

124

Mallow

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Comenius Multilateral School Partnership project “European Multiguide”

2012 – 2014

Nature in the Lens Flora and Fauna in Haskovo Region

June 2013

Sredno Obshtoobrazovatelno Uchilishte “Vasil Levski” - Haskovo, Bulgaria

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible

for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/publ/graphics/beneficiaries_all.pdf 136

English: Poplar

Bulgarian: Топола(Topola )

Characteristics:- You can find it almost everywhere in the country, in warm places, usually along rivers.- Poplars like sandy and stone soil- They grow fast and reach about 25 meters of height- Poplars bloom in May - June, and in the air start to fly their white fluffs

Poplars are a very common sight in Haskovo. There is even a dedicated song to them. The lyrics are by the poet called Simeon Stoyanov. Poplars have quite long life, some of them can live up to 400 years. There is a poplar in Bulgaria which is over 500 years old. In folk medicine poplar ( white poplar ) is used as a herb.

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Latin:Neophron percnopterus

Characteristics:- It is a migratory bird of pray and can be seen in the Eastern Rhodopes usually in cliffs up to 500 m altitude- Egyptian Vulture has a striking appearance – all the feathers are white but its bald head has an orange-red skin and black flight feathers of the wings- The body is 77 – 85 cm long, the wingspan is 150-170 cm and weighs up to 2.5 kg- Usually lays only one egg per year

It is a natural sanitarian – eats mostly carrion, sometimes eggs of other birds. In Bulgaria the Egyptian Vulture is an endangered and protected species. About a hundred couples live here and a special preserve center in the Rhodope mountain near Madzharovo village takes care of them.

138

English : Thyme

Characteristics:- It is an aromatic perennial plant to 40 cm tall. Blooms in May – July- It grows almost everywhere in Bulgaria: on fields, meadows near the woods, open, spacious and sunny rocky areas- The stems are slender, the leaves are evergreen and arranged in opposite oval pairs. Flowers are in dense heads of pink, white or purple petals

In Bulgaria people use Thyme dried flowers and leaves as a herb in medicine for treatment of many ills. Traditionally Bulgarians drink it usually in a form of hot tea when having flu or cold. The plant is also used in cuisine to flavor salads, meats, soups and stews. Wild Thyme is an important source of nectar for bees too.

139

English: Black Stork

Latin: Ciconia nigra Bulgarian: Черен щъркел ( Cheren shtarkel )

Characteristics:- It’s a big migratory bird with a body up to 1 m long and it weighs about 3 kg - The spread of the wings reaches 185 – 205 cm. The upper parts of the body are black with golden purple and greenish reflections. The rest of the feathers is pure white. Beak and feet are red.- Black stork inhabits quiet old forests. It builds the nest usually in a large tree or rocks.- It is seen in pairs or small flocks—in marshy areas, rivers or inland waters.

The Black Storks are endangered birds. There are about 150 couples of them in Bulgaria. Black stork is bigger than the common white stork. It breeds in spring, and in August and September it flies south to Africa for the winter. Its hunting territories consist of streams, rivers, ponds and meadows with low vegetation. It feeds mainly on fish, mammals, reptiles, mollusks and insects.

140

Bulgarian: Родопско лале ( Rodopsko lale)

English: Rhodope tulip

Latin: Tulipa rbodopaea

The Rhodope tulip is a perennial plant protected by the Biodiversity Act and included in theRed Book of Bulgaria. It was discovered by the Czech botanist Joseph Velenovski in 1899 during atrip in the mountains. The tulip is one of 4 wild tulips species in Bulgaria. It is not foundanywhere else in the world.

Characteristics:- It is a Bulgarian endemic rare plant. You can see it in Eastern and Central Rhodopes.- Grows in dry grassy and rocky places. Stem is bare and standing high from 20 to 45 cm.- The plant has 3-4 linear leaves with wavy edges and 6 equal sized flowers, red and yellow.- Blooms from the end of April to the end of June.

141

English: Brown bear

Latin: Ursus arctos

Characteristics:- This is the largest predator in Bulgaria and can be met in the forests - Adult bear weighs between 100 and 300 kg and its body length is to 2,5 m- In short distances can run at a speed of 45 km / hour- In summer bears search for food, in winter they sleep in their holes.

Bears live up to 30 years. Bears like raspberries, blueberries, wild apples, pears, plums, watermelons and ants. Every 2-3 years the female gives birth to 1 to 3 small bears and set them aside in 2 years. In Bulgaria, the species is placed underprotection and is rapidly increasing.

142

English: Spatterdock

Latin: NupharLuteum Bulgarian: Бърдуче ( Barduche )

Characteristics:- It is an aquatic plant, with 5-6 yellow flowers that stand 20 cm above the water surface- The leaves float in the water up to 3 m deep and are dark green and can be in a form of a heart

or round- Nuphar Luteum blooms during the summer – from June to September.

In Bulgaria this plant is also called “ yellow water lily”, “ lake rose” and “ water nymph “. It is used for decoration of parks and gardens. In nature you can see it in stagnant , shallow and slow flowing waters like marshes, ponds, lakes, canals and ditches.

143

Characteristics: - Swallow is a small migratory bird and can be seen everywhere in Bulgaria- Its body is 17-23 cm long and it weighs 16-21 g, its back is black- Lives in a nest made from mud and grass- In the spring it lays eggs- It eats insects like flies, mosquitoes, butterflies- Much of his life spends in flight , it can fly very well with high speed

Swallows spend the winter in West Africa . They return to their homelands in April and fly 10 000 km for 4 weeks.Swallow symbolizes hope, positive transition, rebirth, morning, spring. There is a belief in Bulgaria : If swallow nests under your roof, luck and happiness soon will come upon to your home.Very rarely people can see a white swallow . Species is under protection.

Bulgarian: Лястовица ( Lyastovitsa )

Latin: Hirundo

144

Bulgarian: Роза ( Roza )Characteristics:- Rose is widely spread in Bulgaria. It is one of the symbols of the country and our tourist logo.- Rose is usually a shrub up to 2 m tall with stem covered with sharp prickles.- Blooms in late spring with flowers petals of white, pink, orange to red colours.

The Bulgarian roses are inheritors of the so called Damascena rose, brought here centuries ago. The most famous is The Kazanlak rose cultivated and growing in The Rose Valley around the town of Kazanlak.Bulgarian Rose is famous for its otto oil or rose oil. The rose oil is called "the liquid gold" of Bulgaria, a very expensive product, used mainly for perfumes, chocolates, liqueur and jam. The rose oil is 3 times more expensive than the real gold. Every flower is picked by hands and preserved carefully for the distillation. More than 2000 people are occupied in the harvest every year. Bulgaria is one of the biggest producers of rose oil in the world – 80%!

145

Characteristics: - In Bulgaria there is one species - Eurasian red squirrel and can be seen everywhere, manly in trees in forested mountains areas and parks- Squirrels are rodents which weigh 250-340 g. The body is 14 – 26 cm long, with a haired tail with almost equal length, ears have tufts of hair - They reach sexual maturity at 6 months and give 2 generations in year, which consist of 5-10 small

Bulgarian: Обикновена катерица( Obiknovena Kateritsa )

Squirrels eat the seed cones, acorns, mushrooms, nuts, berries, insects and sometimes eggs. They are active during the day. Coloration varies depending on season and location. Squirrels build up several nests usually of dry twigs, covered with moss or grass. Sometimes use caves in trees. Squirrels often change their nests. Long tail helps the squirrel to keep his balance while jumping from branch to branch. Ordinary squirrel has sharp and curved claws, which help it to climb trees.

146

Characteristics:- Bulgarian unique plant survived for more than ten thousands years- It can be found on limestone rocks, in a moist, mostly shady places - It grows in clumps , with stems to 15 cm high and pale pink to purple funnel-shaped flowers . Blooms in April and May in the Rhodope mountains

Local people call it the “Orpheus’ flower “. According to a legend this small plant with lilac flowers has sprouted from the tears of the mythical Rhodope singer Orpheus, who grieved over his beloved Eurydice vanished forever in the underworld.The flower was discovered in 1835 by the Hungarian researcher Imre Frivaldski.Botanists have discovered that it can survive 31 months in dried herbarium and thenstarts again to develop normally when moistened .

Bulgarian: Силивряк ( Silivryak )Latin: Haberlea rhodopensis

English:Haberlea

147

Bulgarian: Лалугер( Laluger )

English: Souslik

Latin: Spermophilus citellus

Characteristics:-This is a small rodent seen throughout the country- Lives on the ground, mainly in the plains, in low grass near the farmland- Dwells underground tunnels 150-315 cm long- Body with the head is 164-205 mm long, tail is about 40-74 mm- Fur is brown to yellow, sometimes with dark spots on the back- Reach sexual maturity in their second year- Female gives birth to 7-11 small

Souslik is active mainly during the day. The main food of this ground squirrel are the leaves of herbaceous plants. In summer, he eats seed of cereals and can cause significant damage. Protected species.

148

English: Geranium

Characteristics:- It’s a perennial plant typical for Bulgaria- Grows in sunny and shady places up to 2500m altitude- The stalk is 6-50 cm tall with big and dark green leaves- Flowers are small, with pink or purple color- It blooms in June and July, and again in autumn

Geranium spreads fragrance in almost every Bulgarian home. Geranium participates in religious practices, folklore customs, weddings and childbirth, and landscaping of public areas.And because of its healing properties, geranium is successfully used as a herb for health. Bulgarian name of the plant "geranium“ is not accidental. The root of the word comes from"Health”. Geranium is symbolically loaded - people believe that brings prosperity .

1 49

English : Black Woodpecker

Characteristics:- Protected species and can be seen in the Rhodope mountains- Inhabits pine or mixed forests and lives on trees- Attaches to the tree by its 4 toes on the feet- Its fingers have very strong nails- His tail is also very strong and serves as a prop when eats

In summer woodpecker eats insects and insect larvae, in autumn and winter - the seeds of the tree. The male has black plumage, only the forehead, crown and nape with red feathers, while the female has a red occiput. Black Woodpecker lays 4-6 eggs and gives one generation per year. Both parents care of the small. Every day they fly to the hollow up to 300 times to feed the babies.

150

English: Venus slipper

Latin: Cypripedium calceolus

Characteristics: - It is a perennial plant and Bulgarian endemic- Likes moderate climate and can be found in mixed forests up to 1400 m altitude- Stalks are tall up to 50 cm with 3-5 elliptic or oval pointed leaves- Petals have a shape of a shoe / slipper. They are yellow, red and white- Blooms in May - June. Critically endangered species

The orchid is the first protected plant in Europe. Hundreds of wild orchids are blooming now in the Eastern Rhodopes. The most numerous are in the area of Ivaylovgrad ( Haskovo region )known as the paradise for the lovers of these beautiful flowers. You can see almost 30 speciesof orchids that are endemics.

151

Bulgarian: Трицветен нощник( Trizveten noshnik )

Latin: Myotis emarginatus

English: Geoffroy's bat

Characteristics:- Species of vesper bat and is found everywhere in Bulgaria.- Mid-sized bat that weighs 6-15 g. with body and head 41-53 mm long - Dwells shelter caves , old mines and roof spaces and forms big colonies- Lives up to 20 years- Feeds on flies, spiders, moths and other insects- Typical inhabitant of low mountainous karst areas

Owes its name to the characteristic color of the back, covered with tri-colored hair – grayat the base, yellow in the middle and dark brown on the tips. Flies among the crowns of trees or over them and can hunt more than 2 hours without a break. Protected species.

152

Teams involved:

Teachers:

Iliyana Panayotova – school coordinator of the project, teacher of English and computer editorDimitar Erfandov – librarian

Pupils gathered information:

Donika Stamova, Anna Kasabova, Ivan Zhechev, Maruan Akdeniz, Krasimir Mihov, Emanuel Stamov, Katerina Raztsvetnikova, Stelian Palazov, Neli Berova - from 7th grade

Nedialko Boidev - from 6th grade

Pupils performed the slides:

Nedilko Boidev, Hristo Doichev, Sevda Sabri - from 6th gradeYoana Georgieva, Viktor Grozev, Ivan Kalinov – from 5th grade

Photos from www.google.bg and some taken by Gergana and Bozhidara, – from 11th grade

Thank you for your attention!153