Sardinia Naturetrek Tour Report 29 April - 6 May 2012 Beach at Pula Crown Daisy Swallowtail caterpillar View of Dorgali from hotel Report and images compiled by John and Jenny Willsher Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E:
[email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Tour Report Sardinia Tour Leaders: John and Jenny Willsher Participants: Annette Warrick Helen Hebden Richard Hebden Mary Buck Di Evans Gareth Jones Avriel Reader Bruce Campbell John Wickham Margaret Wickham Joan Lancaster Colin Hall Elaine Gillingham Brenda Harold Dawn Pitts Glenda Bougourd Summary An interesting and varied week was spent on this lovely island, exploring diverse habitats and experiencing the warm hospitality of the Sardinian people. The island had lush greenery and abundant flora, with the endemic Crocus minimus and some alpine flora on the heights of Bruncu Spina, endemic orchids in the lovely wooded valleys of the Forest of Margani, and the colourful roadside flora of Crown Daisies, Galactites, Mallow-leaved Bindweed and the statuesque umbellifers of Giant Fennel, Thapsia garganica and Magydaris pastinacea. The varied habitats of saltpans, rocky and sandy coastlines, mountain, scrub, farmland and Holm/Cork oak woodland provided a good variety of birds. We also explored Nurhagic and Roman sites getting a feel of life in ancient times. As always the enthusiasm of the group added enormously to the trip and we had a great week of good company, birds and flowers! Good humour was also needed as the weather rather limited our exploration in the mountains! Day 1 Sunday 29th April Arrive at Cagliari, drive across the island to our hotel in Dorgali Our flight arrived on time and despite a hitch with the hired vehicles we were soon loaded up and on our way heading north from the airport (with grateful thanks to Colin).