Still haven't had time to get a trip report together - curse of the working classes! So, here's a few pics as a taster :-)
Booted Eagle - lost count of these, there were , well, many.
Cattle Egret coming in with undercarriage lowered.
The tag inspector at work
A pensive Egyptian Vulture
Not the hardest ID challenge in flight ;-)
Fan-tailed Warblers
Goldfinches - 100s of them. I haven't seen flocks like that in the UK since the early 60s (yes, I was VERY young then - honest).
Oh I look good today!
You looking at me?
OK, for once I won't hide in the bushes... (Sardinian Warbler)
This fig is delicious - mmmm
I'll stay in the shade - it's boiling out there.
Aren't I cute?
Tawny Pipit
Seen the missus kids anywhere?
Seen my flashy other half dad posing yet?
I have no idea what it is but I'm going to eat it!
"Let loose the Kraken!"
Hello Stuart,
thank you very much for sharing all these beautiful pictures. I especially liked the "Tag-Inspector".....so cute!! Did you have a good time? It looks like this.
So long and take care!
Bente
Great captures SV, wonderful Kestrel & amazing Vulture!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Hi Bente - yes, it was good. We went there mainly to hike, but it's amazing how some of the hikes just happened to coincide with good birding areas ;-) We didn't do quite as much as we'd have liked because the temperature got up to 34C and the humidity was very high too, so the pool (and cold beers) kept calling. Mind you, you could see Egyptian Vultures, Booted Eagles and Ravens from the pool!
Wow, lucky you to see all that lot! Sounds a perfect trip. I'd say your Woodchat Shrikes are adult male and juv - in adults the sexes are pretty similar though females show a white forehead.
My blog: http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
My Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/
Heh - edited to fit the truth now ;-)
Great stuff Stuart,brings back a few old memories,it was the first place we got Booted Eagle and Egyptian Vulture would like to go someday but not sure we will make it.Thanks for posting.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Wonderful photos, Stuart! I love them all, though my favourite has to be the tag inspector.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Super taster photos, Stuart, now looking forward to the main course.
Seriously though, a cracking set of pictures. I didn't know there are Egyptian Vultures in Menorca. I've seen them in Monfrague but never managed a decent shot. Great shots of the Booted Eagle and the Osprey too - the LG group will be envious.
Off to read Part 2 now
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
WendyBartter said: Great captures SV, wonderful Kestrel & amazing Vulture!
Hi Wendy - will do. The best Osprey moment came one evening when we were walking around Cala Morell. Looking down from the cliffs we saw an Osprey being mobbed by two Eleanora's Falcons. It was nearly dusk and some way away, so the photos are really, really cropped and quite appalling - but a great thing to see.