WELCOME
THE GREAT pleasure of birding abroad isn’t always seeing new or exotic species, although there’s an undeniable thrill in catching up with the sort of magnificent birds you’ll find in our 16-page centre section on Mallorca – Black Vulture, say, or Eleonora’s Falcon. Just as satisfying is getting good views of birds that might turn up in the UK, too, such as the Bee-eaters Ian Parsons writes about on page 22, or the Stone-curlews David Tipling photographed on page 60. And then there’s those close relatives of more familiar birds – I always enjoy seeing Kentish Plovers, for example, like oddly truncated versions of Ringed Plovers – all are possible in Mallorca, in the middle of a family holiday – you can even win a trip to this bird-rich island with our great competition on page 44. Wherever you are this month, though, make the most of the long days and the presence of our summer visitors, and enjoy some wonderful birdwatching with your favourite magazine.