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Message: <blockquote data-quote="dogfish" data-source="post: 3186214" data-attributes="member: 3159">Researching my first visit to this attractive and mostly unspoilt Balearic island was a challenge; not many birders choose Menorca over the more species-rich Mallorca, even in spring, and detailed information for autumn was scarce. This meant some of the birds I found came as a pleasant surprise, however.We stayed at Platges de Fornells on the north-east coast, an area I’d recommend for its ruggedly beautiful landscape and proximity to good sites such as Tirant Marsh and Cap de Cavelleria. But Menorca is a small island and if you have a car, as I did, all sites are within a fairly short drive. The relatively new and well-signposted path around the island, the Cami de Cavalls, has improved public access in many areas.Migration was obvious over the two weeks, with decent numbers of flycatchers, common redstarts and wheatears in the first and an influx of ‘winter’ species -  robins (big numbers), blackbirds and song thrushes (small numbers) - in the second. Audouin’s gulls seemed to disappear after the first week, presumably moving south to their wintering grounds off North Africa.The resident ‘big three’ of booted eagle, red kite and Egyptian vulture were seen almost daily, often at close quarters.Falling into the pleasant surprise category were a rock thrush, a slender-billed gull, a glossy ibis and a marbled duck, though with an introduced population of the latter on Mallorca perhaps this species should be expected.The weather was delightful throughout, 26-27C and mostly sunny with the odd thunderstorm, mostly at night.Sean HugginsMain sites visitedS’Albufera des Grau (Es Grau) The biggest and by far the best wetland on the island, though water levels were too high for most smaller waders. The woods behind Es Grau beach and dunes were good for passerine migrants.Tirant Marsh A seasonal wetland that was bone dry at the beginning of our holiday and but flooded after a couple of night thunderstorms. Never great for waders but produced a Glossy Ibis.Cap de Cavelleria  Big numbers of Scopoli’s Shearwaters and smaller numbers of smaller shearwaters. Balearic Shearwater is very variable but the underparts of these birds seemed rather pale, suggesting Yelkouan Shearwater. The smaller shearwaters breeding on Menorca are said to resemble Yelkouan but I don’t know if these birds would be present at this time of year.Punta Nati This bleak and haunting landscape was very birdy on my single visit, producing the only records of Stone Curlew and Skylark plus a fall of about 30 Northern Wheatears. We also recorded Hoopoe and Woodchat Shrike just inland from nearby Punta de s’Escular.Ses Salines d’ Addaia Disappointing despite promising water levels but produced the only Greater Flamingo of the trip.Son Bou No clear water visible in the main reedbed though the east end produced a Slender-billed Gull and the attractive, boggy habitat at the north-west end hosted a Squacco Heron.Reserva d’Conception to Arenal de Son Saura (just north of Son Parc)  A walk along the Cami de Cavalls past (private) saltpans produced the only record of hobby. The saltpans are not viewable from the track though I think visits can be arranged. The reassuringly old-fashioned sewage works at Arenal de Son Saura was the best spot for grey wagtail, though like Son Bou, no clear water was visible in the adjacent marsh. I refer to the pines here as Son Parc woodland.Platges de Fornells to Fornells  Walks from our apartment along a very rocky coastal path produced the only records of Peregrine Falcon and the biggest count of Audouin’s Gulls (six, at the beginning of the holiday).Cala Morell to Codolar de Biniatramp  The highlight was five Hoopoes together and an Osprey.Algendar Gorge (Barranc d’Algendar) A beautiful area but in birding terms good only for Egyptian Vulture. Walked in two sections: the lower one from Calda Galdana and the picturesque higher reaches, where the gorge is signposted from the Me-1 at the Ferreries roundabout.Mount Toro A presumed migrant Common Rock Thrush here was a bonus.Other sites visited included woodland at Sa Roca, the small saltpans by the Me-15 just S of the turning for Platges de Fornells, the coast in the south-east between Punta Prima and Alcafar, Cap de Favaritx and the town of Cuitedella.Species list (names and taxonomy as Collins Bird Guide, Svensson et al)Common Shelduck  Tadorna tadorna  Two Es Grau 29/9.Mallard  Anas platyrhynchos Many Es Grau and Tirant Marsh, a few anywhere with freshwater.Gadwall  Anas strepera Common Es GrauNorthern Pintail  Anas acuta two Es Grau 29/9, seven there 8/10Northern Shoveler  Anas clypeata  Common Es Grau, six Tirant Marsh 7/10Eurasian Wigeon  Anas Penelope  Four Es Grau 8/10Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris One Es Grau 29/9Eurasian Teal  Anas crecca Fairly common Es GrauGarganey  Anas querquedula Two Es Grau 2/10Pochard  Aythya farina Common Es GrauRed-crested Pochard  Netta rufina One eclipse male Es Grau 29/9Ferruginous Duck  Aythya nyroca  At least 3 Es Grau 8/10Red-legged Partridge  Alectorus rufa  A few groups of up to 10 in the Cap de Cavilleria and Fornells areaGreat Crested Grebe  Podiceps cristatus Small numbers Es GrauBlack-necked Grebe  Podiceps nigricollis Up to six Es GrauLittle Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficolis About 200 at Es Grau, four Son Parc golf course pondScopoli’s  Shearwater  Calonectris diomedia diomedia A few moving most times I looked at Cap de Cavelleria. Early on 7/10, at least 400 were off the Cape, many lingering and sitting on the sea, with smaller numbers feeding off Platges de Fornells early eveningBalearic or Yelkouan Shearwater  Puffinus mauretanicus  Seen regularly off the Cape and occasionally Platges de Fornells in smaller numbers than the above species; max c30 in one and a half hours Cap de Cavelleria on 7/10. See comments on ID in site list above.Great Cormorant  Phalacrocorax carbo  Up to four Es Grau, one Son Park golf course pond 5/10European Shag   Phalacrocorax aristotelis  Odd ones, twos and threes widespreadCattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis Several groups mingling with cattle, sheep and horses. Titant Marsh the best site (they appear to roost in area) with 59 on 1/10Squacco Heron  Ardeola ralliodes One west end of Son Bou reedbed 1/10Little Egret  Egretta garzetta  Widespread in small numbers at wetlandsGreat Egret  Casmerodius albus  Singles at Son Bou and Fornells saltpans, up to four at Es GrauGrey Heron  Ardea cinerea  Widespread in ones and twos, frequenting rocky coasts as well as wetlandsGlossy Ibis  Plegadis falcinellus One seen in flight at Tirant Marsh 7/10 was relocated just east of the marsh on the pool below Es Prat farmhouse. Seen there again 10/10Eurasian Spoonbill  Platalea leucorodia  Two immatures at Es Grau 29/9Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus  One juv Ses Salines d’ Addaia 30/9Egyptian Vulture  Neophron percnopterus  Fairly widespread in the rockier areas, with seven at Algendar Gorge 6/10, eight at Punti Nati on 3/10 and an impressive 33 low in the air together just west of Punta de s’Escular on the same day. Presumably had just risen from a carcassBooted Eagle Aquila pennata Widespread in greener landscapes, more pale-phase than dark-phase birds. No site counts higher than threeRed Kite Milvus milvus Widespread in ones and twos in all coastal habitats, four at Punta Nati on 3/10 the highest countWestern Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus  Two Es Grau 8/10, one Tirant Marsh the same daySparrowhawk  Accipiter nisus One near Tirant Marsh 1/10Osprey  Pandion haliaetus One Es Grau 8/10, one Codolar de Biniatramp (west of Cala Morell) 9/10Common Kestrel  Falco tinnunculus Very common and widespreadEurasian Hobby  Falco Subbuteo One Reserva d’Conception 10/10Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus  Single(s) between Platges de Fornells and Fornells 28/9 and 5/10Water Rail  Rallus aquaticus  Birds calling at Es Grau and Son Parc marshCommon Moorhen  Gallinula chloropusEurasian Coot  Fulica atra  At least 1,500 Es Grau, small numbers other wetlandsPied Avocet  Recurvirostra avosetta Two at  Es Grau 29/9, 2/10 and 8/10Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Two elusive birds calling at Punta Nati 3/10European Golden Plover  Pluvialis apricaria  One west at Cap de Cavelleria 7/10Ruff  Philomachus pugnax Four Es Grau 29/9 and 8/10Green Sandpiper  Tringa ochropus  Singles Es Grau 29/9 and Tirant Marsh 7/10; seven Tirant Marsh 8/10Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos  Up to two birds at several sites including rocky coasts.Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia The most common wader with peak counts of 13 Es Grau 8/10, 15 pool by Es Prat farm 7/10Common Snipe  Gallinago gallinago One Tirant Marsh 8/10Black-headed Gull  Chroicocephalus ridibundus Recorded only at Es Grau; 25 on 28/9 and 11 on 2/10 and 8/10Slender-billed Gull  Chroicocephalus genei A very approachable first-winter in stream leading from south-east end of Son Bou reedbed to beach on 1/10. Worth braving the horrors of the naturist beach forYellow-legged-Gull  Larus michahellis Widespread but in surprisingly small numbersAudouin’s Gull  Larus audouinii Recorded at five sites in first week with peak count of six between Platges de Fornells and Fornells on 28/9. None seen in second weekRock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columbia livia Both in urban areas and at rocky cliffs. Perhaps some pure birds at the latter sites?Wood Pigeon  Columbia palumbus Widespread in small numbersEurasian Collared Dove  Streptopelia decaocto  Small numbers around human habitationEuropean Turtle Dove  Streptopelia turtur One flushed from scrub behind Es Grau beach 29/9Common Kingfisher  Alcedo atthis Widespread at wetland sites, highest count three Es Grau 29/9Eurasian Hoopoe  Upupa epops  Singles Son Parc woodland 30/9, Son Bou 1/10, just inland from Punta de s’Escular 3/10, farmland on road to Cap de Cavelleria on 2/10 and, most memorably, five together in the cove immediately east of Cala Morell on 9/10Skylark  Alauda arvensis  Seventeen at Punta Nati on 3/10Thekla Lark  Galerida theklae  Up to three at Fornells, Cap de Cavelleria, Alcalfar and Punta NatiBarn Swallow  Hirunda rustica Small numbers seen almost every dayCommon House Martin  Delichon urbicum Scarcer than above species, seen only on three days. Ten at Son Bou on 1/10, also recorded Tirant Marsh and Son Parc woodlandTawny Pipit  Anthus campestris  Two flew north-west calling at Son Bou on 1/10White Wagtail Motacilla alba  One Platges de Fornells 28/9Western Yellow Wagtail  Motacilla flava  Recorded only in first week, when five at Fornells on 28/9 was the highest count, with three at Son Bou on 1/10Grey Wagtail  Motacilla cinerea Singles widespread, with five at Son Parc sewage works 30/9European Robin  Erithacus rubecula Rare in first week, very common and widespread in the secondCommon Redstart  Phoenicurus  phoenicurus More in the first week with three in Es Grau woods on 29/9 and 2/10. Two at Cala Morell on 9/10 and singles at six other sites.Black Redstart  Phoenicurus ochruros  Two at Punta Nati on 3/10, three at Mount Toro on 7/10, one there 8/10.Whinchat  Saxicola rubetra Singles Son Bou 1/10, farmland on road to Cap de Cavelleria  2/10 and Punta Nati 3/10Stonechat  Saxicola rubicola Very widespread, groups of up to five Song Thrush  Turdus philomelos  None recorded until 5/10 when there were six in Son Parc woodland, a few more seen from the car laterBlackbird Turdus merula  Common and widespread, more in second weekBlue Rock Thrush  Monticola solitaries Common and widespread, frequenting the roofs of our holiday complex as well as the rocky coastCommon Rock Thrush  Monticola saxatilis  A female-type in flight at Mount Toro on 7/10 came as a surprise. In appropriate habitat, the highest point of the island. Couldn’t find it the following dayNorthern Wheatear  Oenanthe oenanthe  Widespread in small numbers, especially in in first week, with peak count about 30 at Punta Nati on 3/10.Zitting Cisticola  Cisticola juncidis Found on the drier surrounds of most wetlands, with highest counts three on same branch at Son Bou 1/10 and four Es Grau 8/10Garden Warbler  Sylvia borin  One Es Grau woods 29/9 and 2/10Eurasian Blackcap  Sylvia atricapilla Widespread in small numbers. A peak count of eight at Es Grau woods 2/10Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala  Astonishingly abundant and widespreadCetti’s Warbler  Cettia cetti  Shouting from suitable habitat at many sitesWillow Warbler  Phylloscopus trochilus One Reserva d’Conception 4/10Common Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus collybita About 6 scattered singlesGoldcrest  Regulus regulus One between Reserva d’Conception and Arenal de Son Saura 10/10Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata  Seen at five sites with peak count five Son Parc woodland 30/9; three at Es Grau woods 29/9. One at Tirant Marsh 8/10 was the only bird seen in the second weekEuropean Pied Flycatcher  Ficedula hypoleuca Three at Es Grau woods 29/9 and two at Son Parc woodland 30/9Great Tit  Parus major  Widespread, the only tit species seenWoodchat Shrike  Lanius senator  Single juveniles in farmland on road to Cap de Cavelleria 2/10 and just inland from Punta de s’Escular 3/10Northern Raven  Corvus corax  The only corvid seen, ones and twos several sites with a peak of eight at Punta Nati 3/10Common Starling  Sturnus vulgaris  Flocks of up to 150 birds, numbers increasing in second weekHouse Sparrow  Passer domesticus  Common and widespreadCommon Chaffinch  Fringilla coelebs  Widespread in small numbers(Common) Linnet  Carduelis cannabina  Fairly commonEuropean Goldfinch  Carduelis carduelis  CommonEuropean Greenfinch  Chloris chloris  Fairly commonCorn Bunting   Emberiza calandra  Small numbers along road to Cap de Cavelleria and Tirant Marsh area</blockquote>

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