Details of BENHS Field Trip to the Parc Natural de s'Albufera, Mallorca
11th – 18th May 2008


Up to 7 BENHS members, with priority to those with a working knowledge of the Mediterranean fauna of one or more of the insect Orders: Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera, have been invited to participate in an Entomological survey of the Parc Natural de s'Albufera on the island of Mallorca between 11th-18th May 2008 (some flexibility may be possible). Although Lepidoptera are relatively well recorded, additional information is still required on the biology of many species.

If you are interested in participating in this venture please contact me as soon as possible, either by e-mail to Peter Hodge email address or by telephone to 01273 812047 (evenings preferred). You are not committing yourself by expressing an interest at this stage.

Peter Hodge
10th February 2008


MALLORCAN PARTICIPATION:  The Parc Director and the Conselleria de Medi Ambient (Balearic Environment Department) have given full backing for the venture. However, part of the deal is that we incorporate Mallorca post graduate students and/or scientists into the event. This has always been done during the 20 year existence of the reserve and it acts as a rewarding, informal training experience for these local participants.  Quite a number of former local volunteers are now part of the survey team and have turned some into more
than competent entomologists.

NUMBERS:  A maximum of 7 BENHS members is suggested for the trip, with an equal number of local interested participants bringing the total number to 14-15.

INSECT ORDERS TO STUDY:  Major groups that have been poorly studied are Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera. [Arachnida is another important group for which very little is known.].

TRAVELLING:  Participants will need to make their own travel arrangements to and from Mallorca where they will be met at the airport and transported to the Parc by road. Bicycles are more or less essential for getting round the Parc. These can be hired from a local bike hire place for €5 per person per day.

ACCOMMODATION:  The good news is that there is no charge for accommodation. Accommodation is on site and comprises five rooms each with two sets of bunk beds. We are restricted to 15 persons per group because the Parc reserves one or two rooms for local/Spanish researchers. Each room has en suite shower, wash basin and toilet. The Parc has a well-appointed kitchen and dining room. Our group self-caters on a rota system, using these facilities.

COSTS:  It is suggested that a contribution is made by each participant towards food and similar overheads. This is likely to be about £30 per head  (enough to include essentials such as table wine with the evening meal!). This could be worked into the overall cost (e.g. raising the £30 for provisions to £55 for provisions + bikes or £70 for provisions + bikes + car hire).

LICENCES:  The Albufera Initiative for Biodiversity (TAIB) has a blanket licence for collecting in the Balearic Islands (the original is with Martin Honey at the NHM). We have never had a problem - especially as the local participants in the project can explain to local people what we are doing and its importance. However, the Conselleria will be asked to provide individual licences to put peoples' minds at rest. Therefore, a list of participants names and their passport numbers will be needed to give to the Conselleria.

STUDY PRIORITIES:  the Parc is very happy to be advised on all aspects of its biodiversity. Therefore, lists of biota are both acceptable and gratefully received. TAIB works very closely with the Parc on biodiversity conservation and management issues. Therefore, we are also interested in the ecosystem and the role of biota in the functioning of the ecosystem. For instance, a priority for us in 2008 is to advise the Parc on aquatic fauna and flora, in particular indicator or critical species for conservation, and their needs within a new hydrological management plan being prepared by the Parc.

Finally, there is a plan to turn Son Bosc - on the outskirts of the Parc - into a golf course (see www.taib-initiative.org). The area is dune grassland and one of the richest areas for biodiversity in the whole of the Balearic Islands. TAIB is working with the local University, Institute for Advanced Mediterranean studies and conservation groups to put together a dossier of the values of the site in an attempt to head off this ridiculous, illegal and destructive proposal. So, we will be happy with lists of species, even happier if we can relate that to habitat or other ecological relationships and encourage investigation of Son Bosc as a particular site on which to focus. Of course, there will be time for the entomologists to investigate elsewhere, for instance Mallorca's spectacular mountains, during their visit.