Menorca Birding - 26th May to 2nd June 2018

Day One - Arrival

With relatively few birding reports for Menorca to be found, this first trip to the island was filled with a mixture of interest and uncertainty.  A family holiday to Cala'n Bosch meant that birding opportunities would be limited but it is a small resort with good habitats surrounding it.  The coach transfer would head through the central hilly region bringing the prospect of raptors.  A trip later in the week to Cala Galdana would hopefully add some other special birds on the island.

A lunchtime arrival and a glorious sunny day with strong winds from the south.  We would soon find out that House Sparrows are the commonest bird on the island and these were the first bird on the trip list.  A pair of Mediterranean (Spotted) Flycatcher in trees by the coach pickup area started to build up the excitement of what was to come.

As the coach approached Monte Nero (the highest point of the island) large raptors began to appear.  First of all Red Kite, then a mixed group of Egyptian Vulture and Booted Eagle.  The wires by the side of the road also produced a steady mix of new birds.  Turtle Dove, Collared Dove and Wood Pigeon were commonest, with many LBJs above the arable fields - most probably Corn Bunting.  Eventually we picked up a Woodchat Shrike, before a small falcon got our interest.  A different structure to the Common Kestrel that had been hovering by the roadside, this was flying with a group of hirundines.  First thoughts were Hobby but as it swooped close to the side of the road, very orange underparts suggested female Red Footed Falcon.  One that got away...

As we neared Ciutadella (the old capital) a group of circling raptors got our attention.  Over the road were 11 Egyptian Vultures!

By mid-afternoon we had arrived at the Grupotal Aldea hotel, situated on a small headland between the resort's two main beaches.  After a tiring journey, time would be now spent by the pool but the strong onshore winds meant a bit of seawatching was a must.  Groups of shearwaters were close in and with patience both Cory's and Balearic could be picked up.  Around the pool came the first scolding calls of the holiday and the first sightings of Sardinian Warbler.  This species was everywhere there was some vegetation!  The challenge to come was to get decent photos of one.

Having read some other people's trip reports the feeling was that Audouin's Gull might be tricky and maybe only fly pasts would be on the menu.  With food on our mind we decided to walk via the beach into the centre of the resort.  On the now quiet beach was an Audouin's Gull just 10m away!  Wow.  In fact Audouin's Gull would be on the beach all week, with other birds in the harbour area, and also seen in the harbour at Ciutadella.

At one point as we walked to the harbour, a male Sardinian Warbler flew into a tiny bush by our feet! The first Tawny Pipit of the trip flew over calling, and more Mediterranean (Spotted) Flycatcher hunted from both bushes and rooftops.

A great first day and plans were already afoot to visit some of the habitats around the resort.