you don't have to go striding about the countryside to see the large variety of birds on ibiza. here's a report i found from someone who spent time in san antonio.
Ibiza, June 18th-25th
Firstly in no way was this a birding trip. It was my stag do and thus there is a remarkable paucity of birds but...I did see a few crackers and nailed an endemic species and subspecies.
I stayed at the northern edge of Sant Antoni, away from the riff-raff of the west end in a dodgy little apartment block for a mere 8 quid per night. The pine maquis was a mere 100 yards from my hotel which was very good news for me.
On the 18th we landed just before sunset and my first Ibizan bird was a Feral Pigeon. On the taxi ride over I also noticed perched on the wires a Common Kestrel and another unidentified larger falcon. Once in Sant Antoni a movement of Audouin's Gulls provided my first lifer. These scarce gulls were one of the most common and welcome sights.
After a severe hangover i rose at about midday to go for a walk along the coast. Noted on this were 4 drunken accomplices, 2 lizard species, a profusion of Spotted Flycatchers, a juvenile Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and to my mates delight a number of desmaresti Shag. The first Collared Doveand only Turtle Dove were also seen. Amongst the Audouin's Gulls I plucked a few Yellow-legged Gulls as i would for the rest of the week.
The 20th was an earlyish rise for a walk in the maquis. This was a lone sojorn and worth it. The higher maquis was relatively birdless save for a House Martin, a few Common Swift (i tried to make em pallid!) and a few heard only warblers. Near the edges of town though I had more luck with Swallow, a family party of Sardinian Warbler, Blackbird, a nice male Serin and using my tutors tip of pouring water on a bush to attract them, flushed 2 sodden Balearic Warblers. A Firecrest was also noted. Good result.
Thats pretty much it for proper birding although the sparrows were House Sparrows and I saw a couple of badius Woodchat Shrikes around the island. All said 5 lifers and 3 year birds plus my first med shag and balearic woodchat. Perhaps could have done more but my head, guts and balance conspired against me.
Ibiza, June 18th-25th
Firstly in no way was this a birding trip. It was my stag do and thus there is a remarkable paucity of birds but...I did see a few crackers and nailed an endemic species and subspecies.
I stayed at the northern edge of Sant Antoni, away from the riff-raff of the west end in a dodgy little apartment block for a mere 8 quid per night. The pine maquis was a mere 100 yards from my hotel which was very good news for me.
On the 18th we landed just before sunset and my first Ibizan bird was a Feral Pigeon. On the taxi ride over I also noticed perched on the wires a Common Kestrel and another unidentified larger falcon. Once in Sant Antoni a movement of Audouin's Gulls provided my first lifer. These scarce gulls were one of the most common and welcome sights.
After a severe hangover i rose at about midday to go for a walk along the coast. Noted on this were 4 drunken accomplices, 2 lizard species, a profusion of Spotted Flycatchers, a juvenile Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and to my mates delight a number of desmaresti Shag. The first Collared Doveand only Turtle Dove were also seen. Amongst the Audouin's Gulls I plucked a few Yellow-legged Gulls as i would for the rest of the week.
The 20th was an earlyish rise for a walk in the maquis. This was a lone sojorn and worth it. The higher maquis was relatively birdless save for a House Martin, a few Common Swift (i tried to make em pallid!) and a few heard only warblers. Near the edges of town though I had more luck with Swallow, a family party of Sardinian Warbler, Blackbird, a nice male Serin and using my tutors tip of pouring water on a bush to attract them, flushed 2 sodden Balearic Warblers. A Firecrest was also noted. Good result.
Thats pretty much it for proper birding although the sparrows were House Sparrows and I saw a couple of badius Woodchat Shrikes around the island. All said 5 lifers and 3 year birds plus my first med shag and balearic woodchat. Perhaps could have done more but my head, guts and balance conspired against me.