In Menorca

It’s that time of year where we find ourselves in Menorca again. We took an early flight arriving a few days before most tourists and in advance of resorts opening for the season, so booked in at a local hotel in Es Mercadal, a quiet town in the centre of the island. Es Mercadal is within easy reach of good birding spots, including the hot spots of Tirant and Cap de Cavallaria. 

Tirant is always the first spot to visit, a mix of habitats including marsh, reedbed and farmland, so we weren’t disappointed with a tally of Woodchat Shrikes, Bee Eaters, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron and Marsh Harrier, plus a few wading birds like Wood Sandpiper and Little Ringed Plover. It’s easy to take the ubiquitous Sardinian Warblers for granted, as they rattle away hidden from view in every bit of cover but just occasionally showing themselves, even in a bit of a breeze on the exposed peninsula of the Cap de Cavallaria. The drive up the headland is a good place to bag Tawny Pipits and Short-toed Larks and with luck a migrating Montague’s Harrier. 

We took a welcome coffee break at the café before the headland where the open landscape makes ideal habitat for Tawny Pipits, Stonechats, Thekla Larks, Egyptian Vultures and with luck Stone Curlews. 

Sardinian Warbler

 Tawny Pipit

Soon after I engineered a few Brownie points by driving Sue up to Ciutadella. Visiting here is not a bore because the old Menorcan captal of Ciutadella is recognised as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, a place in which to have a camera at the ready. 

Ciutadella

More from menorca soon.