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A holiday in Menorca is a priceless experience for the avid bird watcher. Great weather, a range of different ecosystems, and the island’s proximity to both Europe and North Africa make Menorca a favoured location for birds and bird watchers alike. Renting a villa in Menorca is one of best ways to experience the island’s avian life. You can relax on the balcony or by the pool and watch the stunning colours of the birds’ plumage as they fly across the sky. It’s also a great home base for excursions into the Menorcan countryside to spot some of the wonderful birds waiting out there for you. Brush Up on Your Birds Even before you arrive at your villa in Menorca, take the time to brush up on just some of the birds you can expect to find and where your best chances of spotting them are. Even a simple Google search will provide you with tons of valuable information from bird enthusiasts who have been to Menorca and can tell you just what to expect. Get a good map of the island and its main nature reserves. If you can find an ornithological map, even better – but a simple road map will also help you get oriented and show you the quickest routes to the sites you want to visit. Getting Started Here are three examples of just some of the colourful birds you could spot during your holiday in Menorca. Blue Rock Thrush This beautiful bird with its blue-grey plumage stands out against the rich Menorcan landscape. It prefers to nest in relatively open spaces, in cavities and walls where it finds protection from its natural enemies and the elements. The bird is an omnivore and feeds on insects, small reptiles, berries, and seeds. Have your camera ready because they make a really beautiful snapshot. Try the Punta Nati area for a good chance of spotting a Blue Rock Thrush as well as many other birds. Bee-Eater With its plumage dazzling the eyes in shades of green, blue, gold, and red, the bee-eater really stands out in a crowd. As the name suggests, the bee-eater lives on flying insects, and especially bees and wasps. In order to remove the venomous sting, the bee eater rubs the bee or wasp on a hard surface before enjoying its meal. The birds live in large colonies found on sandy river banks. So, while you’re out walking, look for a pockmarked sandy cliff or river bank because that’s where you’ll find them. You might want to try the Cala Tirant area. Hoopoe The Hoopoe, found across Europe and North Africa as well as in Menorca, is easily recognised by its brilliant crown of reddish brown-orange feathers. Its long, tapered bill, is perfect for finding (and eating) its favourite insects, frogs and small reptiles that it looks for on the ground. The bird has a very distinctive call: oop-oop-oop from which it gained its name. The hoopoe loves wet marshlands so look for it in the El Prat de Son Bou wetlands. Enjoy your stay and, in addition to bird watching, make sure to spend some quality time relaxing in your rented villa in Menorca. Author Plate Brenda Jaaback, Managing Director of Bartle Holidays, is a renowned Menorca expert. From its history to its people and from its wildlife to its cuisine - no secret of the island remains hidden to her. Personally selecting the finest properties for her clients, Brenda is the go-to person for anyone looking for a villa in Menorca for a relaxing holiday. Bartle Holidays makes no warranty as to the accuracy of information contained in this article and excludes any liability of any kind for the information.
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