Menorca birds

Just a few (!) pics of some birds seen last week on the lovely quiet island on Menorca.

Blue Rock Thrush.




Booted Eagle.


Spotted Flycatchers everywhere.


Tawny Pipit.


The rare Egyptian Vulture a long way off.




Sub adult, still seems huge!


Honey Buzzard, one of 25,circling waiting for the thermals to carry them over the Med to France/Spain.

 

A few more!
We saw this family of Hoopoes two hours after arriving, Mrs Strongy pointed them out, I hadn't seen them.

 

Turtle Doves.
From never seeing one to seeing them every day and close up .
Becoming an almost rare bird here in the UK and difficult to approach (aren't they @Kandy!) I was amazed to see them feeding in a garden opposite our hotel.
I had hoped to see one or two but not so confiding.


On lamp posts.


Drinking out of the apartment communal pool across the road.


Sitting just above me and not in the least bit concerned.


Even looking for scraps in a beach bar!!!!

 

Cor

Nice one Clive

 

Go on, admit it ... you almost wet your pants!!!!

How thrilling!!! You have captured them so well; I'm so very pleased for you! Loving the Hoopoes!! Well done, Mrs Strongy!!!

 

Lovely photos as usual @strongylodon.

Yes the Turtle Doves here in the U.K. are rather nervous of humans although I read that last year a lady out Norfolk way I think it was had up to Fourteen feeding in her garden and bird people were coming from everywhere to see them.They consisted of adults and juveniles and stayed for a number of weeks as the food she was putting out was just what they enjoyed

We have two again up at the old airfield near us and when we walk up there I take some of my bird seed which I scatter under their favourite perching trees and they must enjoy it as they raised three babies last year

Love the photos of your Hoopoes we saw our only one the only time I managed to get Mr Kandy abroad for a holiday in 1988 and it was so exciting to see it

 

@"M" I used Mrs Strong'y Canon point and shoot camera as I only had my 50mm standard kit lens on as I hadn't expected to see anything so soon!! Her 40x zoom can even beat my 300mm lens.

 

Lovely pictures thank you for sharing , 35 years ago Turtle doves used to nest local to me they came every year and nested in the trees here,
Google Maps


Whether they still come I will have to pop down and have a look, there was more trees at the time and no houses under the trees at the time, I will report back if I see any .

 

It's always a thrill to spot an unusual bird Strongy.....lovely pictures!