Today it is overcast and raining so time for a catch up!
Menorca in May continued:
A popular cliff walk from Cala Galdana to Macarella was refreshing, it was good to have a good walk with great views. The walk through Pine woods, Wild Olives and Holm Oak provided some shelter and welcomed as the morning was starting to warm up!
Steps take you down to the beach at Macarella.....210 of them!
Bunny Tails and I believe a species of Hawkweed looking delightful and in abundance.
A Woodchat Shrike was a lovely surprise to see on the walk!
Holly Blue butterfly, I have read that it is a very common 'blue' on Menorca.
I believe this is a Pyramidal Orchid. A pretty orchid and seen in several areas.
A Spotted Flycatcher that was 'spotted' on the return walk!
Also a Blue Rock Thrush was spotted close by and also the closest I have been to one!
Amazing to think that most birds were seen on the return walk and close to the start of the walk at Cala Galdana.( A lot of closeness going on here) ;-)
Common Vetch looking pretty!
Rock Roses also brightened the walk!
Galctites tomentosa.
A delicate looking Thistle species.
One of the fairly easy to walk paths on the walk though one had to look out for protruding stones, rocks and tree roots as I have been known to trip over roots etc in the past. Thankfully I managed the whole walk without a stumble!
There were insects aplenty on shrubs and wildflowers.
Arum maculatum. Also known as Lords and Ladies, Cuckoo-pint, Adam and Eve, Jack-in-the-pulpit to name just a few! This was the only plant found, unusual as usually I see several in any area I find them in the UK.
Field Bindweed (I reckon).
Southern Brown Argus enjoying the nectar.
A Migratory Locust enjoying the sunshine
A Southern Common Blue enjoying the nectar and sunshine
Italian Wall Lizard
( I have been informed that this is an introduced species of Lizard )
A Little Egret and Shag were a delight to watch as they fished at the mouth of the Algendar river.
A Large White butterfly. Whites were seen in good numbers.
A pair of Spotted Flycatchers looking as though they are trying to ignore each other!
A Paper Wasp (I think) was spotted building a nest!
An amazing structure for such a small insect.
A snowflake? Well it is similar to one. ;-)
Daucus carota, more commonly known as Wild Carrot including Bird's nest, Bishop's lace and Queen Anne's lace.
Speckled Wood ?
The highlight of the holiday was hearing and seeing Eurasian Scops Owl nightly. They frequented a pitch and putt course about 100 yards away from our hotel on the lookout for a meal. A locust/grasshopper was caught on one of the swoops to the ground!
They attracted a few onlookers as we watched the Owls fly in to trees and perch on lamp posts and one time an Owl perched on a road sign on a small roundabout! It was quite surreal to see.
The Owls (just 2 seen and heard, so probably a pair) were most confiding, no doubt they were used to humans as they were perched close to pavements.
A great holiday and the Scops Owl made it extra special!
Looks like a great trip + great selection of wildlife. Agree with Field Bindweed, southern race of Speckled Wood, Pyramidal Orchid + Paper Wasp.
ReplyDeleteThe white isn't Small as that doesn't have the extensive black down the edge of the wing shown in your photo. It's a Large White.
Also Sand Lizard doesn't occur on Menorca- the photo shows a race of Italian Wall Lizard which is introduced there. Snail is an ordinary Garden Snail.
If you're interested the lovely thistle is Galactites tomentosa which is pretty common in the Mediterranean.
Thank you for your kind comments and your much appreciated help with correct identities.
DeleteI like this quote and quite apt:
"The beauty of the natural world lies in the details"
Natalie Angier
Good to read (very belatedly) of your Menorcan holiday Pam, phew all those steps!!! lol
ReplyDeleteLovely pics, I love the Vetch image and the Blue Rock Thrush too!
The Scops Owls is a stunner, what a delightful addition to your super holiday list my friend!
I am pleased you enjoyed the read Ruth! Menorca is a lovely Island which I hope to return to sometime in 2019.
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