Ibiza is a hedonist's paradise. Unfortunately, hedonism for me is chasing Autumn migrants on a wet, windy day in Dungeness, a somewhat unmet need in the bars and clubs of Ibiza.
The popular image of Ibiza as an island covered in the worst aspects of British popular culture is unwarranted. Away from the "strip" lies beautiful, rolling, Mediterranean hillside and unspoilt coves edged by clear blue sea.
Around our apartment I dropped on to Sardinian Warblers, Spotted Flycatchers (on passage?) and an evening roost of Greenfinch. Audouin's and Yellow-Legged Gulls were an hourly sighting along the beach and a steady-flow of migrating Swallows and House Martins went overhead.
Over the next few days I bagged the classic birds of the Med Islands; Woodchat Shrike, Hoopoe, Blue Rock Thrush, Collared Dove and more Sards than you could shake a stick at.
The first major birding highlight came in the form of a fine adult Eleanora's Falcon, bombing in-off the sea, powering along the cliff face and circling over the restaurant, while Sam and I tucked into a Spanish Omelette. Fine fare indeed. Ibiza remains a stronghold of this awesome raptor - named after Eleanora of Arborea, a Sardinian Heroine.
A quick drive up the hillside after lunch brought in some elusive Firecrests in the pine trees. One of Ray Mysterio's special skills is picking out this little critter on call alone and my powers didn't fail me. Stopping the car, I picked out an Orphean Warbler, close enough to distinguish from the male Sards. A mixed tit flock contained Coal Tot and a straggling Willow Warbler.
We headed up to my old boss's amazing house, carved into the hilltops in the North of the island. While we sipped on an ice cold Cerveza and nibbled Iberico Ham, a massive flock of bubbling Bee-Eater gathered in their evening roost.
Marmora's Warbler (Balearic Warbler) eluded me - I would have needed to invest a bit more time sweating around the undergrowth to pick him out. However, a late afternoon trip to Ses Salines by the airport brought 30+ fine Greater Flamingos and many Black-Winged Stilt.
Total of 27 good quality species was satisfactory considering the few hours birding undertaken.
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