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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Peewit" data-source="post: 1497937" data-attributes="member: 57492">Report at Cala Tirant – 16th May 2009 Part 2 of 2I head over the beach, past the sunbathers, and towards the sand dunes.I could see a message board explaining how the dunes evolved. It stated it was important that people did not upset the ‘sensitive’ area by tramping over the dunes themselves. I could see that some paths had been cut already, so I decided to use these paths instead of ‘causing;’ any more erosion problems underfoot.The history is that all of the plants such as the Sea Bindweed, any bushes, and Sea Holly are left to grow in abundance. The reason is so the roots stabilize the dunes, so they do not move about so much.So I walked carefully around the dunes and had a good look around. A vivid blue Butterfly flies past in the wind and the blue shading told me, it was an Adonis Blue. I have never seen a Butterfly this particular shade of blue in my life, and I was so pleased to see it. It was a definite spot. o<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />Lots of Sea Holly was growing along with the Sea Bindweed everywhere underfoot, and in amongst the dunes. The two plants complimented each other. The colour of the 'pink coloured Sea Bindweed was stunning to look at, and the flowers very attractive to see growing to their full potential. o<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />I continued walking carefully over the dunes, and I could hear lots of twittering from a nearby bush. I stood in one place for a good few minutes to catch sight of the birds in question. A male and female Stonechat where moving about in the low weather beaten bushes, close-by. The birds where hard to see, and I did not want to disturb them too much as it is their nesting time. I stood in one spot and observed them quietly. They are beautiful little birds and one could never tire of seeing them. The male bird showed his good side on a few occasions. I wish I had my scope with me but never mind.Time to move on once more, to see more of the area. Some more birds where flying above and skimming the skies in a group of about 6 or so. They where flying very quickly, and gracefully. The noises that they made where of no bird I have ever heard in my life before in my life I sat on the nearest dune and observed them through my binoculars flying over my head, and disappearing behind various buildings. Most of the nearby area buildings had gardens built on a slope. so it made it easy to see the birds. A study of the ID’s conformed that they are Cory’s Shearwaters (I consulted with my Ornithologist friend from my trip) and from the description he said they are Cory’s Shearwaters due to their flight pattern, and their size. One thing I did notice is that they have very long wings, and it is very noticeable while they are flying. I was told there are two types of Shearwaters in Menorca, and the best way to tell them apart is by the way they fly. One has a swift swooping flight as with the Cory’s Shearwater, while the other the Balearic Shearwater is a much faster flyer, and is a rarer bird to see on the island.At one stage (until recently) Cory’s Shearwaters eggs where taken to eat by the local people living in Ciutadella. I am glad that has stopped now as it is not fair if the species needs to survive.It was a joy to see these birds and a treat for someone, like myself, who is still learning the ropes of birdwatching.I moved on back along the way I came, back towards the restaurant and the shops. Another bird calls from a nearby building. It was sitting on the white washed belfry tower on top of the building. It produced a short repeditive song of only a few notes in quick succession. It was Thrush sized, dark coloured, and it sat looking over the sea. I had a good look at it. I could see it had turned its head around although it was looking at me. I ruled out the ID as a Blackbird because it song was wrong Though it size was correct. I consulted my book and the description was of a Blue Rock Thrush. Its feathers where iridescent, and shone in the sun light. What a lovely bird, and a nice singer. It remained on its perch for a long time so it must be its territory.Another few steps further, and a Spotted Flycatcher appears, and it sits on a gate. It then hopped on to a large green piece canvas draped over the same gate, and continued to catch ‘insects’ hiding in the green canvas. It kept on repeating itself, and I observed it quite close up, and as close up as it allowed me too. I had already seen this bird on the island, so I knew what species that it was. It eventually flew off in the opposite direction, and that was the last I saw of it.I looked around, and the Blue Rock Thrush was still sitting on the same area of roof from before. I wish I could see this bird closer up but a sighting made me very happy indeed. The bird stayed on the sanme perch and I could still see him in the distance.This was another great 3 hours spent doing a bit of bird watching, and I enjoyed this afternoon very much. If we come back I will looking once more at this area and see what other birds are around once more.I met a local bird watcher (the same day) and his partner. We have an exchange of sightings. It helped to know what birds where around the island. Last year when we visited the island we met another person from the UK, who went bird watching. It is good to know like minded people are around to exchange information on a daily basis.Great day, and great sightings who could ask for more at all.  o<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />o<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />o<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />Pictures of some wild flower growing in adundance in the area. :gh:</blockquote>

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