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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Peewit" data-source="post: 1493537" data-attributes="member: 57492">Report on bird Watching at Parc de S’Albufera Des Grau/Cala Tirant on the 19th May 09Bird watching in Menorca Part 2 of 2Many Kentish Plovers, and Ringed Plovers sat around the old dividing lagoon walls, and looked although they where resting in the morning heat.A Mallard passes with a row of 8 or so ducklings in a processonary line. Lots of shadows shimmering on the water of passing birds, splashes and their non-stop activities. The presence of the ducklings made it clear that Mallards are all year visitors to Menorca. A male Greenfinch sings from the nearest tree, so another bird from back home. Some species made it home from home in the bird department.We could see a lone Kestrel flying in the thermals in the distance. He calls and moves at quite a speed. Some calls where heard and the bird disappeared behind one of the smaller more angled hills. The sounds of the birds calls echoes from all quarters. The bird reappears and continues on its journey over and behind the next mountain.We could see lots of activity from Dragonflies and Damselflies as they flew around the waterways. We could see that the Dragonflies varied in size in lot and some of them where really big and easy to see and others more slight and delicate.A Woodchat Shrike makes an appearance while we continued our walk, and moves on elsewhere. Another area of wetland and we could see a Little Egret. The Little Egret moves quietly from on place to another not making up its mind where it wants to be.We now reach a bird hide, and there is a Lizard sitting on the boardwalk watching us and them he disappears in a shot. We are told that the Lagoons are half salt and half fresh water so that makes it interesting for the birds in question. A lot of migrating birds appear in winter for a temporary wintering ground. Ducks are high on the agenda for making their presence known in winter time. Menorcan winters are like UK summers so there is quite a difference in climate.More Brimstone Butterflies of all types move about as well as a couple of darker ones. Some are too fast for us to see, and others not quiet enough for a photo.Looking back inland and more Warblers begin a new chorus together. It is interesting to hear all of the Warbler species singing at one time. A deep call from above and there where 3 Ravens flying overhead. They are caught up in the Thermals, and fly slowly past us although they where watching us.We noticed the calls from Great Tits, and it was strange to be informed that they are not too usual in Menorca, as we know then in the UK. The Great Tits are not shy at all and like for you to see them. We are told that the male and female Great Tits have different thickness of their black banding down their chest areas. Never knew that at all.I ask about the Skylarks in Menorca and they only appear in the winter time in Menorca. The Thelka Skylark is well known. We then see Mustard Yellow Dragonflies flying about. Never seen that colouration at all. Another Kestrel makes an appearance, and we are told that there are 2 types of Kestrels in Menorca the Kestrel (normal sized) and the Little Kestrel. The Little Kestrel lives in other parts of Spain. The things that we find out about species and yes there are a lot of species of all wildlife only unique to Menorca like the Green Lizard (one only) so it is interesting to know.We made our way back to the car park and we drove to the visitor Centre briefly and then we where taken to see the Saltpans at Addila, close to Tiren. On our way we had a great view of a Red Kite and 2 Kestrels sitting on utility lines along with another Woodchat Shrike or two.Lots of Corn Bunting’s making their presence known form every bush that they could sit in. They are a common bird to the area and they are quite easy to see due to the fact they like to sit on top of bushes and on utility telegraph poles. They looked like oversized Siskens if that was a word to describe them in any way.Addaia Saltpans close to Cala Tirant.We past by fields of Black Horses, foals and Friesian Cows. There seemed to be a history of breeding certain livestock as the horses and cattle – much was placed of keeping these traditions alive. The fields where luscious green despite of the dry heat, as it was the right time of year. In summer all greenery goes brown and brittle but we will not see that occuring as we will be back home in the UKOn our way to the saltpans we could see that the road was not designed for cars and more for wagons. Lots of pot holes, and it gave a feeling we where going for a safari in the bush land as that is how wild it felt.We could see another Red Kite, and a Booted Eagle flying in close proximity in the shadow of the mountain nearby. The Booted Eagle does look like a Buzzard in flight, and is the size of a Buzzard to but it is the smallest Eagle known. Yet, another Woodchat Strike flies by our vehicle as we move on. We stop to have a good look at the BoP as they circle about their patch watching and looking around for food and territory.After a very bumpy 20 minute, we arrives at the Addila Saltpans. The first thing we notice is the numbers of Black Winged Stilts moving around the area. Some where nesting on an island in the middle of the water. So good to see that. We managed to get one or two good pictures of the Stilts in question. As it was private land we could not leave the vehicle, and we had to respect that.The Black Winged Stilts looked different to look at, and the birds are grey and brown depending on what sex the bird is. I thought the different colours might have related to the immature birds but that is another thing which I did not know about. What a lot to learn about the bird world.The Saltpans where covered with a lot of slime yellow/green algae growing on the surface of the water making the water odd very odd indeed. The algae is seem as a food source so that is a good thing for the birds.Another Raven past by and cawed deeply as he did, and he disappeared very quickly. We looked to the other side of the Lagoon to see a Little Egret quite close to us and as we tried to take a picture it flew off – another gets away. A Grey Heron is standing hunched up in the corner but decides to move on when we arrive art close quarters. Camera shy birds are difficult to photo indeed. The Saltpans flow of water remained still, and the water dead.We move on to see the Bee-eaters at Cala Tirant, and on our way we where lucky to see an Egytian Eagle flying about in the thermals. It was high up but we saw one and that made our day. We arrive at the Bee-eater colony and they where everywhere we could see in their dozens. They where beautiful to see, and the colours of the birds was vivid as they sat on the fences in little group as they did. Now that is what I call a lot of bird watching.We where taken back to Ses Selines and that finished our trip out and we got back about 1.30pm in the afternoon. We decided not to sail in the afternoon at all and relax/chill out instead. Chill out and sleep for the rest of the day.Pictures will follow!RegardsKathy</blockquote>

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