Abbey Meadows

Abbey Meadows

Monday, 29 June 2015

Some Menorcan wildlife


Audouin's Gull



Sea Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum)


Some plants I'm still identifying!


Hares tail grass (Lagurus ovatus)


Impressive coastal habitat of Fornells


Female Red-veined Darter?


Hog's Fennel


Traditional farming methods means an abundance of Turtle Doves, Spotted Flycatchers and Corn Buntings


Magnificent preserved dune systems of Son Parc...sea of Sea Holly



I don't know the identity of the above



Track of the week...Cami de Cavalls which circles the entire island


Menorcan gates


Blue Rock thrushes and Tawny pipits were common on the cliff tops


Typical cliff top habitat with Aleppo pine and Holm Oak woodlands in the distance...an excellent place to see Hoopoes


Woodchat Shrikes all over the island but wouldn't face the camera


Only butterfly I could take a pic of. Painted Lady's and Clouded Yellows were very common, many Blue butterflies around




Never seen a water spout before..this was just off Arenel d'en Castell; there were two spouts but one lasted just a few minutes while the above lasted about twenty minutes

I was very impressed with the island of Menorca; a UNESCO biopshere island reserve which keeps its traditional farming methods and preserves its rich flora and native woodlands. The mediterranean flora was very diverse and I'm still trying to identify some of the flowers I took pictures of. Although the bird life is less diverse than its larger neighbour I still managed four birds which were new to me; Blue Rock Thrush, Thekla Lark, Chukar and a very impressive Eleanora's Falcon. Booted Eagles are very common here and so were Pallid swifts. We saw Italian wall Lizard plus many butterflies and dragonflies. My highlight was catching the Sand Daffodil in flower. I'm looking forward to returning to this beautiful island.

2 comments:

JWR said...

Looks fabulous Nigel.. love track of the week, I bet you had some great wanderings....

abbey meadows said...

If I'd had the time I would have walked around the whole island John.