Gibraltar Nature Reserve

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Gibraltar Nature Reserve

The Gibraltar Nature Reserve is a protected area on the Rock of Gibraltar in the British overseas territory. It covers more than 40% of Gibraltar’s land and was created in 1993 as the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. It was expanded and renamed in 2013 to its current form, to include more of the rock’s surroundings. The reserve is managed by the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society for the Government of Gibraltar.

Location and access
- The reserve includes the rocky upper areas of the Rock, plus the Great Gibraltar Sand Dune, Windmill Hill, and the Europa Foreshore.
- It can be visited by road or by the cable car near the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.

What the reserve protects
- Its purpose is to preserve wildlife, plants, caves, and historic military sites while allowing people to visit and enjoy them.
- It is home to a semi-wild population of Barbary macaques, the famous “Rock apes.” It is important not to feed them.

Birds and wildlife
- The Rock is a key resting place for migrating birds and is considered an Important Bird Area for raptors, with hundreds of thousands crossing the Strait each year.
- There are also breeding populations of Barbary partridges and lesser kestrels.

Plants and habitats
- Gibraltar has more than 600 species of flowering plants. The reserve features maquis and garrigue habitats with many shrubs and trees, such as wild olive, pines, and wild rosemary.
- Notable local plants include the Gibraltar campion, Gibraltar candytuft, and Gibraltar thyme.

Caves, history and culture
- The reserve contains famous caves like St Michael’s Cave, known for its striking formations and concerts.
- Forbes’ Quarry yielded Neanderthal remains, the Gibraltar 1 skull being among the early finds in the area.
- Many military sites are open to visitors, including O’Hara’s Battery, the Napier of Magdala Battery, the Great Siege Tunnels, and World War II tunnels. The Gibraltar Heritage Trust protects and develops these sites for education and tourism.

Walking and sights
- The Mediterranean Steps path runs through the reserve, linking to Goat’s Hair Twin Caves and Spider Cave.
- Spider Cave is home to the Gibraltar funnel-web spider and has historical connections to World War II tunnel work.

Animals and other life
- The area hosts lizards such as the Iberian wall lizard, Moorish gecko, Turkish gecko, and ocellated lizard; snakes like the horseshoe whip snake and Montpellier snake; and other creatures, including bats and a few invertebrates.

Climate
- The Rock experiences a typical Mediterranean climate: warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The Levanter clouds often form over the Rock, helping keep vegetation green during dry periods.

The Gibraltar Nature Reserve is a popular place to enjoy natural beauty, wildlife, caves, and important historical sites all in one visit.