Destinations
2025
- Morocco
- Extremadura
- Crete
- Menorca (April)
- Lesvos
- South of Salamanca
- Picos de Europa
- Algarve & Alentejo
- The Gambia
2026
Menorca 9 – 16 April 2025
A relaxed wildlife holiday on this quiet Mediterranean island.
Menorca provides the perfect setting to see birds and flowers typical of the Mediterranean. A small island, a little over 30 miles long and 13 miles wide, its quiet, unhurried atmosphere complements a relaxing wildlife holiday.
All parts of the island can be reached easily and quickly so most of the holiday can be spent in the field enjoying an array of birds among masses of flowers. These are set within a landscape rich in archaeological sites, with excellent access to the whole of its diverse coastline along the recently established coastal path. It all has a charm rarely equalled elsewhere in Europe today.
Stripeless tree frog in a squill; Hermann's tortoise (IN).
Birds
While small, the island holds a great variety of habitats. The rugged coasts are spectacular and off-islands provide nest sites for the scarce Audouin's gull. Views of the surrounding sea may reveal Cory's or Mediterranean shearwaters. Lagoons and fresh water lakes hold a variety of waders, plus egrets, herons and even the occasional flamingo.
Thekla lark (CG) and Audouin's gull at Son Bou (IN)- two special birds of Menorca.
The open countryside is full of birds. Thekla and short-toed larks show themselves from drystone walls; stone-curlews stalk around rocky fields; ravens and tawny pipits are often seen and quail heard.
There are often birds of prey overhead. Menorca holds concentrations of booted eagles, Egyptian vultures and red kites.
The island provides a stepping stone for birds migrating across the Mediterranean – so anything can turn up. Resident birds include blue rock thrushes, stonechats, moustached and Sardinian warblers.
Flowers
Pastures, coastal rocks and sand dunes provide a range of attractive wild flowers such as mirror orchids and small tongue orchids.
Mirror orchid (IN) and sawfly orchid; both can be found at Matchani Gran. Friar's cowl (Chris Gibson).
History
The island's varied history shows well in architecture and archaeology. Strange stone monoliths, known locally as Torres, date from around 1000 BC. Of later origin are traditional stone huts called Talaiots. Access to these monuments is easy and they are often good places to see wildlife.
The small cities of Ciutadella and Mahón are both fascinating. A mix of architectural design reflects the result of dominance by Romans, Moslems and British.
Left: Torre d'en Gaumes. Right: Naveta d'es Tudons (CG).
Holiday details
Excursions should include Fornells harbour and the cape and lighthouse at Cavallaría; the hill of Monte Toro; Punta Prima; Cap Favàritz; Algendar Gorge; Mahón harbour; Son Bou reedbed and dunes; the saltpans at Mongofre Nou; the seasonal wetland at Tirant; plus various short excursions or local walks.
Calescoves (also known as Cales Coves); Punta Prima (CG).
Matxani Gran
Staying at Matxani Gran, our holiday base, is one of the attractions of this holiday - ever since our first group in 1994. It's a Menorcan farmhouse near Mahón delightfully converted for private guests or small groups. It has a swimming pool and terrace, all set in 10 acres of countryside complete with hoopoes, Thekla larks and Hermann's tortoises. As well as being a lovely place with lots of wildlife, the hospitality of Lawrence and Yola and their team encourage us to keep returning.
Matxani Gran, and tables set out for breakfast in the long barn at Matxani Gran.
Price: £1,700 per person in twin room for a full week (Wednesday to Wednesday)
En suite facilities.
Single room supplement (four): £200
Flights: Scheduled easyJet flights, London Gatwick (North Terminal) to Mahón.
09 Apl: EZY8031 depart London Gatwick 07:45 arrive Mahón (Menorca) 11:05.
16 Apl: EZY8032 depart Menorca 11:50 arrive Gatwick 13.15.
If you see better options from an airport near you, please say.
Deposit: £400
Maximum number: 14, with two leaders
Leaders
Chris Gibson took early retirement from Natural England where he was based in north Essex. He is an author of several wildlife books and has led many holidays for Honeyguide. He is an outstanding all rounder, from birds through flowers to moths, and recognised as a ‘naturalist of distinction’ by the British Naturalists’ Association.
Co-leader / driver if we have enough bookings: Ivan Nethercoat is holding the dates in case he is needed (brief biography on this French Pyrenees page). If anyone who is booking would be happy to drive a vehicle, that could help. It's a small island with easy traffic conditions.
Conservation project
The Grup Balear d'Ornitologia i Defensa de la Naturalesa (GOB – the Balearic Ornithological Group) is an active local organisation working to protect the Balearic Islands from overdevelopment.
A current project is 'Agronatural Farms' in Menorca - wildlife-friendly farming - and we are supporting this project in 2018. You can read more about this on GOB's English website here or on a PDF here. Our donation in 2018 is supporting the restoration of farm cisterns for farming and wildlife. More information and photos on Honeyguide's Facebook here.
For prices, see Holiday Details at the bottom of the page.
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FCO travel advice for Spain here. |
Holiday reports, spring
Many other Menorca reports from spring and autumn on our reports web pages,
Also autumn holiday information, reports and photos via Menorca autumn.
Honeyguide web page
Ten reasons to visit Menorca with Honeyguide here.
Coast at Fornells (van Nethercoat)
Egyptian vulture over Algendar Gorge (IN)
Little egrets, one great white egret and greenshanks.
Violet birdsnest orchid (IN)
Menorca photos
Gallery of photos by Honeyguiders.
Private visits: for anyone visiting Menorca without Honeyguide who needs a wildlife guide, we are happy to recommend Javi Mendez of Menorca Walking Birds.
Booted eagle (Mika Selin)
Blue rock thrush (Steve Fletcher)
To read more about the history and language of Menorca, click here to download a pdf.
Matxani Gran's drive, with Aleppo pines
Chris Gibson. More about Chris on his website
www.chrisgibsonwildlife.co.uk
SUPPORTING
Honeyguide leaders Robin and Rachel Hamilton hand a cheque to Montse from GOB Menorca (picture by Shevaun Mendelsohn).
Menorca Biosphere Reserve
Since 1993, Menorca has been a Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO.
This recognises the island's
"... diversity characteristic of nearly all Mediterranean island ecosystems."
The UNESCO citation lists a range of natural features, including gullies, nesting sites for birds of prey and aquatic birds, caves, wetlands, woods of oak & olive and the mosaic of landscapes.
More information from UNESCO here.
Photos on this page mostly by Chris Gibson and Ivan Nethercoat.
Audouin's gull at Son Bou, they can be quite confiding.
