A family holiday in Cala En Porter and not really any specific birding time but a few interesting general sightings which may be of interest to future visitors. Generally the island seemed disappointingly rather quiet bird-wise presumably due to the end of the main breeding season and some migrants may well have left or maybe it just seemed quiet due to the lack of bird song. I'm sure with more concerted efforts a much bigger list would have been gathered and a visit earlier in the summer would probably be more productive.
Main highlights:
Booted Eagle - common throughout the island - numerous daily sightings. 6 birds together at El Toro Egyptian Vulture - 1 adult over main road near to Ciutadella Audouin's Gull - upto 4 at Cala En Porter beach Yellow-legged Gull - Cala En Porter, Mahon harbour (numerous), Es Grau Mediterranean Shag - 1 at Mahon harbour, Son Bou (3 on off-shore rocks) Black winged Stilt - shore on Mahon Harbour Alpine Swift - Cala En Porter - flock of 6 obviously migrating south, also a few birds mixed in with Pallid Swifts in the gorge behind Cala En Porter beach Pallid Swift - common throughout. Especially good views in Mahon, large flock each evening in gorge behind Cala En Porter beach Peregrine - soaring with the Booted Eagles at El Toro Sardinian Warbler - 2 juvs Cala En Porter gorge Cetti's Warbler - 2 singing Cala En Porter gorge (heard only) Woodchat Shrike - a few along roadside telegraph wires Spotted Flycatcher - common in many areas Nightingale - possible! -very fleeting glimpse in Cala En Porter gorge
A family holiday in Cala En Porter and not really any specific birding time but a few interesting general sightings which may be of interest to future visitors. Generally the island seemed disappointingly rather quiet bird-wise presumably due to the end of the main breeding season and some migrants may well have left or maybe it just seemed quiet due to the lack of bird song. I'm sure with more concerted efforts a much bigger list would have been gathered and a visit earlier in the summer would probably be more productive.
Main highlights:
Booted Eagle - common throughout the island - numerous daily sightings. 6 birds together at El Toro
Egyptian Vulture - 1 adult over main road near to Ciutadella
Audouin's Gull - upto 4 at Cala En Porter beach
Yellow-legged Gull - Cala En Porter, Mahon harbour (numerous), Es Grau
Mediterranean Shag - 1 at Mahon harbour, Son Bou (3 on off-shore rocks)
Black winged Stilt - shore on Mahon Harbour
Alpine Swift - Cala En Porter - flock of 6 obviously migrating south, also a few birds mixed in with Pallid Swifts in the gorge behind Cala En Porter beach
Pallid Swift - common throughout. Especially good views in Mahon, large flock each evening in gorge behind Cala En Porter beach
Peregrine - soaring with the Booted Eagles at El Toro
Sardinian Warbler - 2 juvs Cala En Porter gorge
Cetti's Warbler - 2 singing Cala En Porter gorge (heard only)
Woodchat Shrike - a few along roadside telegraph wires
Spotted Flycatcher - common in many areas
Nightingale - possible! -very fleeting glimpse in Cala En Porter gorge