It was our final day and Peter and I wanted to make the most of it on the wildlife front so we headed to the birding hotspot of Son Bou. Unlike much of the south coast, which is made up of small, indented coves, Son Bou has the longest beach on Menorca: 3Km of pale golden sand. Backing this beach, however, is a precious system of dunes bound with the usual marram grass and in which can be found the expected variety of sand dune specialists such as sea holly, sea chamomile, sea bindweed, sea daffodil and sea rocket. Behind the dunes is an extensive wet reed bed and running down to this at the western end two gorges. As we arrived competitors in a 20Km trail race along the Cami de Cavalls, the long distance path around the island, were mustering. The sky was dramatic to say the least and both ourselves and the runners had barely started before the heavens opened. We received a drenching despite sheltering uncomfortably under some bushes in the dunes. After this cloudburst passed things gradually improved until it became warm and sunny. The strong winds of the previous couple of days provided some spectacular breakers on the beach. Our first sighting, before the squall, was an Auduin's gull at the beginning of the beach. At the far end of the beach we finally found another bird, A Kentish plover and a lifer for me. We managed photos on the beach and then it flew to the low cliff top beyond where we found it with several others, providing further photographic opportunities.
Leaving the coast we were warned by some other visitors that the path further on was flooded and impassable but, being adventurous (or reckless) we carried on. We passed through a field of enormous but, fortunately, slumbering pigs and then it wasn't long before we came across the flooded section of path. Undaunted Peter ploughed on through safe in the knowledge that his shoes were past it and he intended to jettison them at the end of the holiday. Mine were nearly new so there was no way I was doing the same and began to take off shoes and socks and roll up the trouserings ready to wade. Annoyingly my back went into spasm at this juncture so Peter had to leave his camera gear and wade back to help, bringing me two sticks to use as support. On his way back he cheerfully announced that he had seen a snake in the water which didn't bode well for me in bare feet. However, in the end, it turned out to be an enormous leech. Supported by the iffy poles I made my way into the murky flood waters but hadn't gone far before I was aware of something attached to my ankle. Lifting my foot out of the water I saw that the aforementioned leech had latched on to me without a by your leave. Of course, being of strong character, I accepted it manfully, knocked it off with my stick and carried on. Eventually we were united on the other side apart from one of my socks which we both decided to abandon. Once reshod we settled down for some lunch and enjoyed watching other people making decisions regarding the path. Most, I have to say, turned back although, two lady mountain bikers managed it without much fuss.
Continuing, we gained some height and were able to look out over the reed bads and lagoons. Butterflies were plentiful, one new one being Bath white. We had hoped to find two-tailed pasha this week but were to be disappointed so I include images for reference taken a few years ago in Mallorca. We did find some more scarlet darters which were easier to photograph those from a few days previously. On the lagoons we saw little egret, great egret and cattle egret doing what they should do: feeding amongst livestock and even hitching a ride on a horse's back. Cetti's warblers were calling and we caught a glimpse of a sardinian warbler and a marsh harrier gave an excellent display as it hunted over the lagoon and reedbeds.
It seemed quite a walk through the outskirts of Son Bou to get back the the car and we made just as the next shower came in.
Returning to the hotel we met up with the ladies, who had being enjoying the fleshpots of the Restaurant el Mirador, and drove the lengthy route to Cala Macarella for a late swim. Although a long drive it did afford superb views of Mallorca against the setting sun.
Time now for a preprandial before our final dinner. A fantastic last day of a wonderful holiday.
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