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The Balearic island of Menorca is a fantastic place for bird-watching: it has enough land for land birds, enough coast to attract sea birds and its hot summers and mild winters make for a very avian-friendly environment. While most holidaymakers can enjoy a spot of bird-watching simply while relaxing in their Menorca villa, some of the more passionate twitchers may want to go out of their way to seek rare sightings. Here are some tips for spotting birds in Menorca. Equipment Bird-watching requires certain equipment in order to enjoy it fully, so, at the least, it’s always worth having a pair of polarised sunglasses – especially if you’re looking for sea birds in the area around your Menorca villa. In fact, polarised sunglasses are generally a good idea, as the beaches and reflective ocean mean a lot of strong damaging sunlight. Bird-watching also necessitates long hours spent walking in the sun and, consequently, general hot weather essentials are indispensible. You should always use an appropriate sunblock and carry water - if in doubt, carry more water than you think you’ll need. If you begin to feel faint at any time, get to a cool, shady spot and sip fluids until you recover. You should avoid spending long periods of time in exposed parts of the island during the hottest part of the day. Almost all bird-watchers carry binoculars, and you may want to consider investing in (or borrowing) a pair for your holiday. For those who want something less cumbersome, monoculars can also be used to great effect. Some models even have the ability to take photographs, and these are a worthy purchase if you’re a serious bird-watcher. For the less serious, a camera with a decent zoom function can provide an acceptable substitute, especially if it’s equipped with a 'burst' photograph function. Preparation It’s worth spending a little time researching the kind of birds you may have a chance to spot. If there are any that particularly take your fancy, research where frequent sightings have been reported. Even if you don't make hard and fast plans, simply taking a wander around the area surrounding your Menorca villa can reveal a host of local species. State of Mind Bird-watching is fundamentally a game of patience, so if you’re impatient or have a tendency to get frustrated with lack of sightings, you may find that bird-watching isn’t for you. If you approach each excursion without too many expectations, and learn to enjoy the walks and the waiting as well as the sightings, you’ll be able to have a relaxing and satisfying experience. A successful bird-watcher must also learn to be quiet, which is harder to do if you’re frustrated. Bird-watching is a wonderful hobby, especially in an area as rich and bountiful as Menorca. Come at it with an open mind and learn to enjoy every aspect of your surroundings, and you’re sure to have a rewarding time. Author Plate Brenda Jaaback is the Managing Director of Bartle Holidays. They can provide you with a wide selection of great Menorca villa accommodation for your holidays. 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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