Natural Parks
To protect the abundant flora and fauna on the Balearics against influences from the ever-developing tourism industry, some Balearic activists started the organization of Ornithology and Protection of the Balearic Nature. This group has already managed to stop some urbanization projects and they have started many projects for the protection of the environment. Also there have been created 90 protected zones of which 52 are in Majorca, 19 in Menorca, 11 in Ibiza and 8 in Formentera. These zones cover a total of 2000 km2 of land, which is 40% of the total surface of the archipelago. These protected areas are divided into six categories: from simple areas protected against any type of building, to natural and national parks and reserves. There’s one actual national park, which consists of the entire Cabrera archipelago, including the submarine environment surrounding it. Three of the four Natural parks are located in Majorca, and one is in Menorca:
- S’Albufera in the north of Majorca, next to the bay of Alcúdia (2735 ha)
- Cala Mondragó at the southeast coast of Majorca (804 ha)
- Sa Dragonera in Majorca (278 ha)
- The lagoon of Es Grau, north of Maó (1990 ha)
Birds
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The Balearic Islands accommodate an exceptionally large variety of bird species. The different biotopes allow all kinds of species to stay on the islands. Many different birds of prey live in the mountains of la Sierra de Tramuntana, some of which are the last ones of their species left in Europe. For example the black vulture, a rapacious bird of about 1 meter, or the falcon of Eleonor, who lives in colonies on the rocky cliffs. Other falcons on Majorca are the common falcon and the kestrel. Other birds like the red kite and the Egyptian vulture are common on Menorca. There are eagles as well, but usually they hide in the most inaccessible places. |
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The wetlands of the islands are inhabited by different lake species, like the common warbler, the bastard nightingale, and many more. Their odd singing often resembles the croaking of frogs. One of the most typical birds on the Balearics is the fish trap. The marshes of S’Albufera in Majorca, the lagoon of Es Grau in Menorca and the saltmines of Ibiza and Formentera are populated with migratory birds like bitterns, and with birds of prey like the white womb-fishing eagle. The short duration of the tides and the hot and sunny climate explain the scarce presence of sea birds along the coasts of the islands. The silver seagull, with its intensely yellow feet, is the most common sea bird on the islands. The Balearics are also one of the last refugees for the Audouin seagull. |
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In spring the forests on the islands are filled with the singing of birds, like nightingales and around sunset one will also be able to here the complaining call of owls. In the lower mountains you will hear the Hoopoe produce its monotone “pu pu pu” of which the Catalans derived its local name “putput”. Birds like the partridge prefer to stay at the rocky sides of the hills. Many more sociable birds are also present on electricity and phone cables closer to the towns.
