Enjoy Fabulous Bird Watching Tours to Menorca

Menorca is the largest and definitely the most verdant of the Balearic Islands, and in stark contrast to its neighbours it has a much quieter and more refined reputation. Nature lovers who travel to Menorca can't help but be impressed by the huge diversity of flora and fauna that gives the initial impression of a lush, wild landscape, dotted with thickets of pine trees and groves of wild olives and almonds – it is the perfect haven for a multitude of animal, plant and bird life. With this in mind, it's little wonder this lovely Spanish island has become a very popular destination for bird watching tours.

The mild climate and the conscious effort of the government to protect Menorca’s natural heritage have culminated in an island paradise that thrives in every sense; it boasts many endemic plants and copious amounts of avian life. Vetches, cistus and gladioli can be spotted among the dunes, and there are plenty of orchids on the island as well.

Bird watching Tours to Menorca

There is little doubt that the most prolific of all the wildlife on Menorca is the birdlife, and the skies above the island are always alive with interesting species. As the summer approaches, the Swifts, Black-headed Gulls and the Bee Eaters arrive from North Africa on their migratory journey to join Europe’s only population of Egyptian Vultures that stay put on the island all year round. There are 40 breeding pairs currently resident on the island.

The wetland area in the nature reserve of Albufera des Grau is a wonderful place to include on the itinerary of bird watching tours. Here nature lovers can expect to come across much of the resident bird population as well as other species that use this area as their breeding ground. Mallard Ducks, American Coots, King Quail, Grebes and even the Stone Curlew are common visitors to the area, as well as the Purple, Night and Squacco Herons. Of course, predatory and carrion birds flock to this area too, and the Ospreys, Red Kites, Buzzards and Kestrels offer a visual drama to the wetland activity.

Bird watching tours should be accompanied by a naturalist expert to guide, proffer information and help visitors enjoy the best chances of sightings. Expert guides can also offer information about other interesting excursions available on the island, including a visit to the gin distillery, a trip to the cheese museum or a horse ride along the beautiful ‘Cami de Cavalls’, the ancient bridal path that runs around the island.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re looking for bird watching tours, Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.