Wildlife

The star herp on Menorca is Balearic Wall Lizard of the subspecies lilfordi. This is globally Endangered and is now restricted to tiny offshore islets, having presumably been outcompeted by non-natives (like Iberian Wall and Moroccan Rock lizards) on the main island bodies. It is also part of Menorca culture - effectively being the island's emblem. Reading the Dutch/Belgian helpers' trip report, I assumed that the nearest I could get to seeing this very rare animal was to swim out to an islet and hope. And then googling came up with Black Lizard Tours. The name alone excited me, because the lizard is indeed black on Menorca. So on our final afternoon, we booked an afternoon boat tour, snorkelling our way around the south coast (seeing the amazing Flying Gurnard among many other fish: snorkelling was an absolute highlight for all the family) and ending up on Isla del Aire, a supposed site for the lizard. We nearly couldn't land, as the docking berths were full - making me start to think of swimming after all. But then we docked, but with just half-an-hour on the island, I feared that we would dip. Not in the slightest. The lizard was abundant within a few score metres of the harbour wall, with dozens feasting on fruit that some naughty day-trippers had presumably brought (it was like Komodo in miniature). Remarkably, if you sat on a bench in the shade, scores would emerge from the bushes, scurry around your feet, climb all over you - and even lick and nibble your fingers. Although I wonder slightly at the ethics (and hygiene) of this, there is no doubt that it was a stand-out wildlife experience - a proper life highlight, and most unexpected too. Best of all, the species seems to be doing very well indeed. Simply: wow!

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22 August 2024 Menorca

Last month, we had a joint-family holiday on Menorca, staying in the north of the island at Cala Morell. Wildlife-watching had to be snuck in alongside standard holidaymaking - although sometimes the two coincided. Given that the Balearic island is overshadowed by its larger neighbour - and from a birding perspective, is less frequented due to the absence of the endemic Balearic Warbler - it was pleasingly easy to enjoy a spot of nature. And this included some very nice observations, including a 'top life experience' - and one I had never heard of previously.

Butterflies and moths

There are only 25 species of butterfly on the island, and I was only bothered about seeing one: the remarkable Two-tailed Pasha. Sadly, this beautiful giant eluded us, and the only new species I saw was Southern Common Blue, which was suboptimal. Leaving the patio lights on at night resulted in some nice moth encounters. Highlights included Silver-striped and Striped Hawk-moths, plenty of Pine-tree Lappet and what looks like Cydia molybdana (which Lepiforum does not list for the Balearics).

Birds

My personal highlight was the number and ease of seeing Audouin'sGull. It is not long since this species was globally threatened and to watch birds within inches as they foraged for scraps between sunbathing holidaymakers (erm, us) was fabulous. I spent much time watching the recently split Mediterranean Flycatchers (counting five or six primary tips, rather than seven as on Spotted Flycatcher), Turtle Doves as common as Woodpigeons, and Egyptian Vultures (which were common as much). Eleonora's Falcon was a neat bird to watch, as was Booted Eagle. The radius subspecies of Woodchat Shrike was a potential armchair tick. Nighttime produced Eurasian Stops Owls and Stone-curlews.

Other insects

A few other nice species included Egyptian and Red-winged Grasshoppers, Southern Field Cricket and European Rhinoceros Beetle (sadly, a female). Odonata included Southern Migrant Hawker, Emperor, Broad Scarlet and Blue-tailed Damselfly.

James Lowen

Mammals and herps

Around Cala Morell, North African Hedgehogs were pleasingly common and I glimpsed a European Garden Dormouse. Moroccan Rock Lizard occurred down at the beach there (and at Limica, an amazing converted quarry), while Iberian Wall Lizard frequented the urban areas above. Turkish Geckos were apparent at night, and I saw a few Moorish Gecko at Limica. The latter site also held a few Balearic GreenToadlets. I have yet to see an adult of any of the now-split Green Toad complex, so seeing a restricted-range endemic in its mini-Me form was a little frustrating.