Thursday, June 5, 2014

Menorca Mop-Up

A rainy start to Thursday means I may not get birding until later or even Friday. So for today I’m posting left-over photographs from Menorca 2014, and then no more until next year - promise. 

Below, a Spotted Flycatcher, a common species in early May, this one near Cala Galdana. 

Spotted Flycatcher

There was a ringed Audouin’s Gull near the hotel most days. The Darvic letters BCFH looked familiar from 2013, and so it proved. The gull had been ringed as a chick in the nest at Cap Menorca, Ciutadella on 4th July 2008 but later taken a liking to Sant Tomas where I’d seen it in 2013 too. 

Audouin's Gull

Here’s a female Stonechat at the roadside from Tirant to Cap de Cavalleria. She was irate that we were near to her nest. 

Stonechat

Near Tirant - Menorca

I’m told that the insect is a not uncommon Scarlet Darter, the following photo the usual distant view of the elusive and shy Purple Heron, and then an unidentified millipede sp. 

Scarlet Darter

Purple Heron

Menorcan Millipede

Two Donkeys at Es Migjorn, much in love

Menorcan Donkeys

Black-winged Stilts at two different sites, Es Grau and Addaia. 

Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt

Woodpigeons on Menorca have noticeably darker plumage than our UK ones, but just like our own the Menorca ones are also losing their fear of man by frequenting towns and gardens on a regular basis.

Woodpigeon

A break from birds with a few pictures from our favourite coffee stop - the charming, unspoilt, quiet town of Es Mercadal. 

A Bistro - Es Mercadal

Street Scene - Es Mercadal

The Old Smithy - Es Mercadal
 
Coffee Stop - Cas Sucre at Es Mercadal

To finish today’s post, here is the ubiquitous Egyptian Vulture and a Bee-eater on that rusty old fence. 

Egyptian Vulture

Bee-eater
 
I hope blog readers enjoyed Menorca? We certainly did.

And who knows what tomorrow's post will bring?  Stop by Another Bird Blog soon to find out.

As you might expect, this post is linking to Theresa's Run-A-Round Ranch where you can find more birds on fences.

15 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Phil, wonderful images from your holiday! I love the Bee-eater and the cute donkeys! The street scenes are great! I really like the bike parked outside the bistro.. Happy birding and I hope the rain stops..

Carole M. said...

hey Phil - it matters not that you share more from Menorca; lovely photos to see ... and I loved the donkeys too (did own many at one time - donkeys years ago; now that's a revolutionary fact!)

magnoliasntea said...

Love the shot of the bee eater! Thanks for sharing.

TexWisGirl said...

loved all the birds (of course the last one is perfection perched on that fence!) but the feel of the town was wonderful, too! loved the bicycle and the old well topped with flowers.

marilyn said...

yes...enjoyed this visit very much...great photos and info..

Karen said...

I've enjoyed your holiday photos Phil! Love the last photo!

RobinfromCA said...

Beautiful photos of such a charming place! I'm always amazed when I see little birds so masterfully avoiding the thorns on thorny branches.

Rose said...

What a great series! And that shot is stunning...I also loved the one with all the tools on the wall and the donkey shots.

BumbleVee said...

I love the colours of the bee eaters.... great photos...

Ida said...

Rain sure muddles up photography at time. These shots though were just delightful. So many interesting birds I've never seen and the last one on the rusty fence, really unusual and cool looking. A very enjoyable post all the way around.

Brian King said...

Gorgeous photos! I really like the vulture and bee-eater!

Hootin Anni said...

I like this....the coffee shop would definitely be on my list of places to stop and enjoy!! That bee-eater is fabulous. The stilt looks similar to ours here in America [which I've been watching while it is nesting] ...but we call it black necked instead of black winged....makes more sense to have it black winged 'cause ours doesn't HAVE a black neck...at least not in front. lol

Lina Gustina said...

Cozy coffee shop.
Enjoying other shots too.

http://www.1sthappyfamily.com/2014/06/wanna-be-butterfly.html

Adam Jones said...

Great shots. I'd love to see a Bee Eater.

Sandy Kessler said...

Stilt and bee eater my favs

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