Menorca

Not just a smaller version of Mallorca, Menorca is the most easterly, and the greenest of the Balearic Islands. It may not have mountains on a Mallorcan scale, but it is a rugged, very rocky island, has comparatively little flat land, and consequently remains largely uncultivated. The southern coast is a series of low cliffs broken by sandy coves, usually backed with woodland and damp gorges. The northern coast is more rugged, with spectacular headlands and a specialised coastal flora that includes many of the local endemic plants. The island is also blessed with several wetland areas which are of particular importance for birds.

Menorca in spring offers a most intricate mosaic of wild flowers. White and mauve Cistus bushes, yellow Crown Daisies, purple gladioli, plus a great assortment of vetches, hawkweeds, bugloss and Alyssum among the dunes, ensure ubiquitous colour. Asphodels grow almost everywhere, and a wide variety of orchids occur, with Ophrys and Serapias species being most numerous. We should also find some of the Balearic specialities, such as the delightful Cyclamen balearicum, several sea-lavenders (Limonium spp.), and some of Menorca’s endemics, such as the rare Senecio rodriguezii which occurs amongst the interesting and specialised plant communities of the northern coast; the latter are usually lowgrowing, often forming dense, spiny mounds, or are clothed with white or silver hairs to withstand salt-laden winds.

Birds of prey are one of the avian highlights on any natural history tour to this little island. Europe’s only sedentary population of Egyptian Vultures occurs on Menorca (with about 50 breeding pairs), Booted Eagles and Red Kites — though the latter are declining — are seen with pleasing frequency, and a few pairs of Ospreys also breed on Menorca. Other raptors which we may see include Peregrine, Eleonora’s and Red-footed Falcons. One of the most spectacular migrants, which also nests in several colonies on Menorca, is the Bee-eater. At the time of our visit, some of the breeding birds should be arriving and large numbers passing through. Another special bird is Audouin’s Gull, one of the world’s rarest gulls, which wanders the coasts of north-west Africa in winter but returns in spring to breed on the island. There are usually a few around the spectacular port of Mahon (arguably the best natural harbour in the Mediterranean) but sightings can also be expected at several other points on the coast.

The marshes at Son Bou and Tirant, and the fine wetland area of Es Grau support a variety of wetland birds. Little and Cattle Egrets, and Purple Herons are common; Night and Squacco Herons are more elusive but are often present. These areas and the old saltpans at several other sites are also excellent for waders, whilst the island’s woodland and scrub abound with warblers, both resident species such as Cetti’s, Dartford, and Sardinian Warblers, plus the more numerous and active migrants and summer visitors. Stone Curlews, Wrynecks, Hoopoes, Woodchat Shrikes, and abundant singing Nightingales breed on the island and add to the variety.

One of the most exciting aspects of birding in Menorca is the constant possibility of seeing something unexpected. White Storks, the occasional Black Stork, and Gull-billed Terns have all been recorded quite frequently in recent years, whilst Moustached Warblers, which had not been recorded breeding on the island before 1982, may now be seen at more than two breeding sites. Indeed, almost anything can turn up here in spring, and the chance of finding a real rarity, perhaps even a bird previously unrecorded from the island, is very real!

Our accommodation for the week is a splendid, and lovingly restored, 18th century Menorcan farmhouse. Set in 10 hectares of unspoilt countryside, with a large outdoor pool, this is a most relaxed setting. From this delightful base it will be easy to explore many of the most exciting areas of the island, using our minibus to access the best sites which we will then explore on foot. We will enjoy gentle walks along the coasts, through woodland and around the edges of wetlands where we will have plentiful opportunities to see a variety of birds and at least some of the island’s flowers. Another fascinating aspect of this island is the large number of prehistoric human sites — standing stones, towers, stone dwellings, caves and other relics. We will see a number of these during our excursions, as well as gaining a feel for Menorca’s more recent, but nonetheless long and very interesting history. It was, for example, held by the British as a naval base during much of the 18th century, and as a consequence, even today, gin is still produced on the island!

At the time of our visit — before the busy summer period — Menorca has relatively few tourists, and we will be able to explore the island in comparative peace. It is in any case a far less developed holiday island than Mallorca and many other Mediterranean islands. Indeed, most of the coast can only be reached on foot (or by boat) and there are some beautiful, isolated coves and beaches. We should find no difficulty in enjoying the history and, more importantly, the natural history of this delightful island away from the crowds!