Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus © Menorca Walking Birds

This spring-summer, our customers have been enjoying with the presence of a Glossy ibis in Menorca. During spring until mid-June we saw three in a small marsh at north of the island accompanied by Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis and Purple Gallinules Porphyrio porphyrio. Thereafter, one has remained in Menorca until late August, when the marsh began to dry up as a result of the lack of rain.

The Glossy Ibis is a rare and irregular winter and migrant bird in Menorca. It frequents marshes with an extensive bed of reeds. In Europe, it is widespread around the Mediterranean Sea until Black Sea.  Spanish breeding populations are showing a strong recovery.  Actually, it breed in Doñana, the highest colony in Spain, in the Ebro Delta and, sporadically, in some marshes of the east of Spain. It is a migrant and dispersive bird that performed nomadic movements.

A treat for our birdwatchers!!!

Spotless Starling Sturnus vulgaris colony in Menorca © Menorca Walking Birds

The first observations of breeding in Menorca of Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor date from 1998, when a small colony of 6-8 couples was found at a warehouse of the Ciutadella circle. This colony has been maintained and to date four more colonies have been located in the town. More recently it has also been discovered another small colony in Mercadal, a town in the center of the island, and last year a breeding pair in the sea cliffs of Cala Galdana. Its population has increased exponentially, having observations of Ciutadella colonies of more than 90 individuals.