Bird watching and more in Menorca

SUMMARY

Date: Friday September 26th to Friday October 3rd. This is the best time for bird watching.

Guide: Nicky our local english speaking guide 

Walking Grade: Goat 1 as Menorca is fairly flat and we are going to enjoy the birds and nature.

Max elevation – no more than 300m

Terrain: good paths with some rocky stretches

Max length of walks: 12km

Highlights:

• Variety of birds
• Sunsets
• Varied Coastal Walks

Base: A small local island hotel S’Algaret in Fornells approx 1 hour from Mahon. A pretty fishing village and you are only steps from the sea. There is  a small swimming pool and the rooms look over the pool and garden. Rooms are ensuite and in the rustic Menorca style.

The hotel has its own restaurant serving local food for breakfasts and some of our evening meals. It is on the harbour square with many other cafes and restaurants around.

Arrivals: Arrive to Mahon on Friday 26th September for a 14.00 transfer – we will pick up from the ferry terminal and the airport . Arrive as near as you can to 14.00. We do one group transfer.

Departures: After breakfast on Friday October 3rd. Recommend booking return transport after 13.00.

Price: £1650 per person in your own ensuite room.

If you bring a partner or friend and are sharing there is a £150 per person discount. We will adjust your invoice to £1500 per person once you have paid your deposit.

Included in the price:

●     Ensuite solo occupancy room

●     All Breakfasts, Packed Lunches and Evening Meals including a welcome drink on your first night.

●     One Group Transfer: from Mahon Airport or Mahon Ferry Terminal  – arrival and departure

●     All Local Transport during the trip. There is a mini bus with you to take you on all walks and excursions.

●     Expert local guiding and WalkingWomen support

What’s not included:

●     Travel to Menorca

●     Travel Insurance

●     Anything else not included in the programme

DETAILS

This is a unique trip where we bring you such a variety of coastal walks – a mix of 6 that will allow you to discover a wide variety of natural environments.

There is an incredibly diverse bird population: red kites, fish eagles, Egyptian vultures, booted eagles, ducks, herons, blue rock thrush and more.

You will discover this often overlooked island as most travellers head for Majorca. We like the peace and tranquillity and nature of Menorca. The sea is usually clear and should be warm for swimming at this time of year.

ITINERARY

DAY 1. ARRIVE MENORCA at Mahon Airport or Mahon Port if coming by ferry.

We welcome you at Menorca Airport or Ferry Terminal and, from there, transfer you to your hotel in Fornells on the north east side of the island. Settle in and  meet up with the guides in the evening for a welcome drink and a briefing about your holiday’s itinerary and details.

DAY 2. SON BOU

Circular route, 8,7 km, estimated time 5 to 6 hours. great variety of  bird species.

This route takes us through several different habitats, passing from wetland, a sandy coastal strip with a system of dunes and the lower section of two ravines.

DAY 3. ALBUFERA DES GRAU

Circular route, 8,3 km, estimated time 5 to 6 hours.

The Es Grau lagoon occupies an area of 72.5 Hectares.Species that can be seen: mallard ducks, shoveller ducks and common pochards. At this time of year the lagoon is also home to a significant population of great cormorants and other water birds, including grey heron. Pie-billed grebes and great crested grebes are also frequently seen, together with birds of prey such as fish eagles, which use this area for fishing.

DAY 4.MONGOFRE – ADDAIA

Circular route, 9,3 km, estimated time about 6 hours.

You will be passing through two types of habitat, the Mongofre cliffs and the Addaia salt marshes. The Mongofre cliffs provide a year-round home to cliff-nesting birds such as blue rock-thrush, ravens, or birds of prey such as the common kestrel, the booted eagle and the Egyptian vulture. The Addaia salt marshes are home to an abundant population of wading birds in the winter, particularly in the migratory season, notably ringed plovers, dunlins and redshanks.

DAY 5. CAP DE CAVALLERIA

Circular route, 11 km, estimated time about 6 hours.

The first section of the route passes through a mixture of grazing and agricultural land, and you can see a great many birds of prey all year round, including booted eagles, common kestrels, red kites and Egyptian vultures, which use the area as a feeding ground. You also pass through the Lluriac wetlands.  When you reach the Cavalleria headland, you should also be able to spot common shags and yellow-legged gulls. Other species: stone curlews, ravens and blue rock-thrush.

DAY 6. LA VALL

Circular route, 12 km, estimated time about 6h30.

One of the island’s best areas for biodiversity. It is a broad valley surrounded by pine forests and flanked by two great mountain ranges. The valley floor is mainly agricultural land. The pine forests are home to significant numbers of great tits, stone chats and wood pigeons. You can also see many birds of prey, as the area is a major breeding ground.

DAY 7.BARRANC D’ALGENDAR

Circular route, 7,2km, estimated time about 5 hours.

This is perhaps the largest and most important ravine on the island, at 7 kilometres long, and one of the few to have water running through it all year round. These areas are formed by the joint effects of three phenomena: the excavating action of water, tectonic movements and successive rises in the level of the Mediterranean sea. It is a delicate ecosystem, as its high walls are home to a number of birds that live and breed here. There are many birds of prey here, such as the large numbers of common kestrel, which you can spot all along the route, the booted eagle and the peregrine falcon. It is also possible to hear nocturnal birds of prey, such as barn owls and screech owls. However, the area’s most frequently spotted bird is the Egyptian vulture, which uses ledges on the rock face to rear its chicks and roost.

DAY 8. DEPART MENORCA

Depart  at your leisure today. Check out is after breakfast and the airport transfer will leave at 10am. Suggest flights after 13.00.