Menorca, the easternmost island of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is home to a diverse array of bird species. Over 260 species of birds have been recorded on the island, with around 80 being year-round residents. Menorca’s mild climate, varied habitats, and location along major migration routes make it an important site for birds. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most notable avian species that are native to Menorca.
Seabirds
Several seabird species breed on Menorca’s rocky cliffs and small offshore islands. These include:
- European Shag – A resident species found along rocky coastlines. They nest in small colonies and feed on fish.
- Audouin’s Gull – A threatened species that breeds only in the Mediterranean. Around 25% of the world’s population breeds on Menorca’s islands.
- Balearic Shearwater – An endangered seabird that nests in caves and cliffs. Menorca holds one of the largest colonies with over 3,000 pairs.
- European Storm Petrel – A small seabird that nests in crevices and burrows. They are most active at night when they feed on plankton.
Other seabirds like gulls, terns, and shearwaters also nest along Menorca’s coasts in the summer months.
Raptors
As an island with diverse habitats, Menorca is home to a good diversity of birds of prey. Some raptors native to the island include:
- Red Kite – A medium-sized raptor that can be seen soaring over open areas. The population on Menorca is small but growing.
- Booted Eagle – Occurs year-round, favoring woodland and mountainous habitats. They build nests in trees and hunt small mammals and birds.
- Eleonora’s Falcon – A summer visitor that breeds on coastal cliffs. They feed extensively on migrating birds passing over the island.
- Eurasian Scops Owl – The smallest owl in Europe, they are nocturnal and nest in tree holes. Their distinctive “tu-wit to-woo” call is a fixture of summer nights.
Other notable raptors include kestrels, buzzards, harriers, kites, hobbies, and the endemic Balearic shearwater.
Songbirds
A variety of small songbirds are resident on Menorca throughout the year. Common species include:
- Sardinian Warbler – A very common species found in scrub and open woodland. The melodious, rattling song of the males is characteristic background noise of the island.
- Balearic Warbler – Endemic to the Balearic Islands, they favor dense undergrowth in shaded ravines and gullies.
- Spotted Flycatcher – A summer visitor, they are agile flycatchers often seen sallying from perches to catch insects in midair.
- European Robin – Abundant in woodlands and gardens, their melodious warbling song is heard year-round.
Other widespread species include blackbirds, blackcaps, starlings, chiffchaffs, serins, and siskins.
Waterfowl and shorebirds
Menorca has small resident populations of waterfowl species as well as migratory shorebirds that stopover on the island.
Year-round waterfowl include:
- Mallard – The most common duck, often seen dabbling in wetlands, ponds, and rivers.
- Eurasian Coot – All-black waterbirds common on freshwater lakes. They build distinctive nests anchored to emergent vegetation.
- Little Grebe – A small diving bird that breeds on ponds and reservoirs. They are noted for their habit of disappearing under water when danger threatens.
Migratory shorebirds include:
- Ruddy Turnstone – Seen in spring and fall along rocky coasts turning over stones looking for food.
- Dunlin – A small wading bird often seen in flocks probing the mudflats for small invertebrates.
- Common Sandpiper – As the name suggests, they frequent river edges and muddy margins hunting for insects.
- Kentish Plover – Found on beaches and saline lagoons. They lay their eggs in simple scrapes in the sand.
Other notable species
- European Turtle Dove – Increasingly rare, they are summer breeders in woodlands and orchards.
- Eurasian Hoopoe – Unmistakable birds with vertical crests who breed in grasslands and olive groves.
- European Bee-eater – Seen hawking for insects from perches. They nest in colonies in sandy banks.
- Greater Flamingo – Can sometimes be found feeding in Menorca’s saline lagoons and mudflats.
- Eurasian Spoonbill – Rare visitors that occasionally appear during migration or in winter.
Bird habitats on Menorca
Menorca’s diversity of birds is linked to its varied habitats and landscapes, which include:
- Cliffs and offshore islets – Home to seabirds like shearwaters and shags.
- Woodlands – Like Alfurí de Dalt near Ciutadella, they support resident songbirds and summer breeders.
- Ravines and gullies – Densely vegetated watercourses home to Balearic warblers and other species needing damp woods.
- Saline wetlands – Located around the Gulf of Addaya. Important for flamingos, herons, ducks, and migrating shorebirds.
- Farmland – Supports species like kestrels, rollers, and hoopoes.
- Urban areas – Gardens and parks provide habitat for species like blackbirds and robins.
This variety of habitats allows Menorca to support such abundant and diverse birdlife through the year.
Best places for birdwatching on Menorca
With its wealth of avian fauna, Menorca offers plenty of excellent birdwatching opportunities. Some top sites include:
- S’Albufera des Grau Nature Reserve – A major wetland home to waterfowl, waders, herons, and other water-loving species.
- Cap de Favàritx – The exposed northeast tip of the island is a migration bottleneck. Seawatching in spring and fall can produce interesting sightings.
- Cala Galdana – Nearby cliffs have breeding colonies of Audouin’s gulls, Cory’s shearwaters, and shags.
- Es Mercadal wetlands – Created by treated sewage effluent, they attract many species.
- Barranc d’Algendar – A beautiful ravine where you may see Balearic warblers and other specialties of dense, streamside vegetation.
There are also many scenic walking trails that provide the chance to see a variety of habitats and their associated birds.
Bird Group | Examples of Native Species |
---|---|
Seabirds | European shag, Audouin’s gull, Balearic shearwater |
Raptors | Booted eagle, Eleonora’s falcon, Eurasian scops owl |
Songbirds | Sardinian warbler, Balearic warbler, European robin |
Waterfowl | Mallard, Eurasian coot, little grebe |
Shorebirds | Ruddy turnstone, dunlin, Kentish plover |
Threats facing Menorca’s birds
Although Menorca remains a birding hotspot, some threats face its avifauna, including:
- Habitat loss – Wetlands have been drained and developed, while scrubland has been cleared.
- Invasive species – Such as rats, feral cats, and yellow-legged gulls, which disturb nesting seabirds.
- Unsustainable development – Excessive coastal development damages seabird nesting sites.
- Climate change – May affect bird timing and food availability long-term.
- Disturbance – Growing visitor numbers can negatively impact breeding birds if access to sensitive sites is not controlled.
Conservation measures aimed at protecting important habitats, controlling invasive predators, creating protected areas, and promoting sustainable bird tourism can help Menorca’s birds thrive into the future.
Conclusion
Menorca is a true ornithological gem, with an impressive diversity of resident and migratory species adapted to marine, wetland, and terrestrial habitats. Iconic Balearic Island endemics live alongside widespread European species, creating a dynamic avifauna. With proper habitat protection and management, bird populations should remain resilient. For any visiting birder, Menorca promises fantastic birding experiences with potential rarities and the chance to observe breeding species up close, especially during the spring and summer nesting seasons.