Algendar Gorge

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Balearic Islands, Menorca

Overview

One of the best birding areas of the island, the spectacular Algendar Gorge is on the south coast of Menorca and reaches the sea at Cala Santa Galdana. The gorge has high limestone cliffs and a small stream flows through the densely vegetated valley bottom.

Birds

Notable Species

This gorge is one of the important areas on Menorca for breeding raptors with two Menorcan specialities, Booted Eagle and Egyptian Vulture, and also Red Kite and Peregrine Falcon. Other breeding birds of the cliffs include Eurasian Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Dove. The dense scrub along the valley bottom has Cetti's Warbler and other warblers, and Common Nightingale while Thekla Lark breeds on the open farmland above the gorge.

Checklist

Birds you can see here include:

Black Kite, Red Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Common Moorhen, Rock Dove, Eurasian Scops Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, Thekla Lark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Tawny Pipit, Common Nightingale, Blue Rock Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Woodchat Shrike

Other Wildlife

Butterflies abound in this valley and include Lang's Short-tailed Blue, Cleopatra and Bath White.

Site Information

History and Use

To do

Areas of Interest

To do

Access and Facilities

To reach Algendar Gorge leave the C721 Ciutadella to Mahon road at Ferreries to the west of Mercadal and head south to Cala Santa Galdana. Close to Cala Santa Galdana there is a small roundabout, go straight across here and the road leads to a bridge, cross it then turn right and continue for about 1km. Park beside the gate and walk into the gorge, the left fork leads up to areas of pinewood and coastal scrub and right follows the valley bottom through oakwoods, scrub and fields.

The gorge is within easy reach of all the major tourist areas on Menorca and accommodation can be found at Cala Santa Galdana which also has a campsite.

Contact Details

To do

External Links

To do

Content and images originally posted by Steve

Reviews

stu's review I have walked this gorge from both ends ,a total of three visits and every time it has been fabulous.Apart from seeing lots of the birds listed for the gorge the thing that really stood out was the bird song. Pros

• Lots of birds to be seen and heard

markgrubb's review I was on holiday with my family in July 2005 in Cala Galdana. Being a quieter time of year I was not expecting much. The walk into the gorge takes about 45 minutes each way.I went out most early mornings but late afternoon was a good time too as the gorge is in shade from the hot sun from about 5pm onwards.The entrance to the Algendar gorge was a 5 minute walk from our hotel. The entrance to the gorge is blocked by a locked gate. This, however, is to keep vehicles out and walkers are welcome-just hop over the wall to the side. At the entrance Sardinian warblers were plentiful in the scrub and Cetti's warbler could be heard though rarely seen. Alpine swift and pallid swift were present in large numbers.The one birder I met had seen firecrest at the entrance but I never saw or heard them. Large White and Clouded yellow butterfly were plentiful. After about 200 yards the path splits. The left hand fork heads upwards through a mix of woodland and scrub. Spotted flycatcher were everywhere, hoopoe, sardinian warbler and woodchat shrike were common. One gret grey shrike was seen in this area. Walking along the gorge bottom there were huge flocks of goldfinch and greenfinch with lots of spotted flycatcher, an occasional woodchat shrike and numerous kestrel overhead. I got one good view of Cetti's warbler. The best part of the gorge takes about half an hour to reach.Eventually you reach an area where the gorge narrows with steep cliifs on your left and a large fence apparently blocking your way(there is a narrow path round it). Here there were hundreds of birds on the cliff face(dissapointingly all house sparrows). Here we saw up to 5 egyptian vultures soaring and perched high on the cliffs. Booted eagle were seen on a couple of occasions as well as one peregrine. All in all an enjoyable walk with plenty to see-I am sure in spring and autumn it will be much more alive with birds and song.

IanF's review We've stayed twice in Cala Galdana at the Hotel Sol Elite Gavilanes once in late May and in early June. At reception they sell guide covering several walks in the area, including a circular walk through the Gorge ending back at the resort.

Woodchat Shrike and Hoopoe were much in evidence in the woods along the coastal cliffs. The Gorge itself contained by far the most birds. Eagles and Egyptian Vultures were daily sightings along with several different warblers and plenty of small birds. Pros

• Scenic resort and plenty of birds