Most people that visit Montserrat will not just visit the monasteries. They will also want to see what the Montserrat Natural Park has to offer, a wonderful combination of flora and fauna, with unique wildlife and some of the most beautiful plants in the world. The Montserrat Mountain ended up being declared as natural park in the year 1987.
The Montserrat Natural Park
The location of the park is close to Llobregat River, between the coast and the Bages Plain. The location is perfect as the mountain range is pre-coastal, allowing you to have access to some pretty wonderful locations. The highest peak in Montserrat is St. Jerome, with an altitude of 1236 meters.
Montserrat Flora
We are faced with Mediterranean climate weather, a climate that is quite great for plant life. If people love vegetation and plant life, it is a great visit. The flora present here is characteristic of the dry environment close to plants close to damp environments. Most of the vegetation is Mediterranean-oak trees, with the region offering one of the most stunning oak forests in all Catalonia. Those interested can easily enjoy over 1200 species that grow right on the mountain.
Montserrat Wildlife
Just like the vegetation, the Montserrat Natural Park fauna is typical to a Mediterranean region. We are faced with a botany richness right on the mountain that features different wildlife forms. If you are a bird watcher, you will surely love the options that are offered. So many species of geckos and bats are going to be located here. When looking at mammals, cats, squirrels, wild goats and boars will often be seen right on top of the mountain. You will also sometimes see vipers and salamanders.
The Montserrat Oriole
A special mention needs to be put on the Icterus Oberi (the Montserrat Oriole), which can only be found there. This is a bird that is currently critically endangered. We are talking about a small bird that may very well disappear in the near future. Because of deforestation, the natural habitat of the bird is in huge danger. According to many scientists, the species is going to disappear in the event that eruptions will continue in the future. In around 15 years the Montserrat oriole will not be with us anymore. During the year 1999 there were 8 orioles that were saved by the park’s staff and there is a constant increase in the number of birds that are rescued but it will be difficult to say whether or not the oriole will still be alive in the future. See it now!