PRE-ORDER GONHS 50th Anniversary - MS1 (view technical specs)

Founded in 1976, the Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society (GONHS) has spent five decades studying, protecting and promoting Gibraltar’s unique natural heritage. Through research, conservation, education and environmental advocacy, the Society has played a central role in safeguarding the biodiversity of Gibraltar and the waters of the Strait.

Despite its small size, Gibraltar supports an extraordinary variety of wildlife and plants, reflecting its position between two continents and two seas. Its limestone cliffs, maquis habitat, coastline and surrounding marine environment provide refuge to endemic species, important migratory birds and a rich Mediterranean flora and fauna.

This commemorative stamp issue celebrates a selection of species closely associated with Gibraltar and its natural history. They include the endemic ant, Technomyrmex vexatus; the striking jewel beetle, Buprestis sanguinea calpetana; the impressive Gibraltar Funnel-web Spider, Macrothele calpeiana; and marine life such as the Loggerhead Turtle, Caretta caretta, the Mediterranean Ribbed Limpet, Patella ferruginea and the Short-snouted Seahorse, Hippocampus hippocampus.

The issue also features the Greater White-toothed Shrew, Crocidura russula; nocturnal birds including the Red-necked Nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis and the Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Bubo bubo; the Pallid Swift, Apus pallidus, whose colonies fill Gibraltar’s old town skies; and two characteristic plants of Gibraltar’s flora, the Gibraltar Candytuft, Iberis gibraltarica and the Giant Squill, Scilla peruviana.

Together these species highlight the exceptional biodiversity of Gibraltar and reflect the continuing work of GONHS to document, study and conserve the natural environment of the Rock and surrounding seas.

Technical Specs