Mallorca 2024 (15 Viewers)

[derban]

I managed to get one or two waders on my list this morning with an early trip to the Salobrar. Weird weather, by the way, 6° at home in Campos, ten minutes' drive away outside the hotel Font Santa it was 12°! During an all together agreeable stroll along the track I saw, among others, little stint, dunlin, common and spotted redshank, serin, black-headed gull, black-winged stilt, osprey, grey heron, little egret, zitting cisticola, about 60 flamingos, linnet, dunlin, shelduck, mallard, not to mention numbers of marsh harrier overhead. Not a soul in sight, pleasant temperature, a perfect way to start the day, then home for breakfast!

 

[BielBernat]

Hi!

These days I could say that I have been very lucky with birdwatching!

Last Friday at the traditional Albufera Winter Aquatic Birds Census we were able to enjoy a lot of birds in great numbers while the helicopter flew over the place (the helicopter was used to fly the birds so we could count them), but the surprise was to find a female Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) in January!!!! It's a very rare and interesting sighting! And the bird seems to be the same as the one we saw a few months ago at Sa Barrala, so it is a wintering Montagu's Harrier! Perhaps the first wintering of this species on the island.

On Saturday I went to one of my local patches, the Finca Pública de Galatzó (Es Capdellà) where there were not many birds, but at least I was able to find 1 Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris), a beautiful wintering bird that is not easy to find! On the afternoon we made a Red Kite Census near Calvià were we could see 2 Black Kites (Milvus migrans) an scarce specie on winter...

On Sunday came another great surprise! I went to Cala Gamba (Palma) for another waterbird census and found a Common Loon (Gavia immer)!!!!
There was only one historical record from 1917 in Menorca...(the credibility of which is doubtful)
So it's almost a First For Balearics Islands!!!
In the afternoon we went to Maria de La Salut hoping to find the Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) that Maties Rebassa had found on Saturday and we succeeded! We were able to enjoy great views of the bird for almost an hour!
A great day with two lifers for me!

And finally, this morning I went to Can Vairet, El Toro in the hope of finding some Skylarks (Alauda arvensis) in the big fields next to Son Ferrer and the surprise was double!
I found at least 450 Skylarks on the site and with them a Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra)!!! I had to check every single Skylark to find the bird but it was worth it!!!!!

I hope to continue to have good luck!! jeje

The Snow Bunting at Maria de La Salut with Pep Manchado:



Regards

Biel Bernat

 

[Mike Montier]

Wow!
What fantastic records Biel.
I think we are going birding with you soon, together with Geordie David.
I’m sticking with you!
What an incredible run or rarities.
I’ve always said, there are more birds in Mallorca than we know about and now we are finding more and more.
I hope it continues.
See you soon.
Mike

 

[Ian Bell]

A very positive start,Dave and I doubt many shall get Pine Marten on their Mallorca list.

 

[Geordie Dave]

A leisurely start on Tuesday began with a visit to the woods and the Fishermens Walk at a sunny but windy Cala San Vicenc where we had the whole place to ourselves. The woods were quiet with only song thrush, firecrest and several greenfinch for company. I had hoped to find crossbills and wryneck but it wasn’t to be. Through the gates and in to the wood before the start of the Fishermens Walk I heard a wren calling and managed some brief glimpses of it. There was a Balearic warbler, several Sardinian warblers but no Dartford as we made our way up the track. 2 ravens and a peregrine falcon completed the total. Next stop was to the Mirador on the Formentor road where it was also windy and with nothing to see we called it a day. Still no blue rock thrush this year yet despite visiting two reliable places for them. It was now time to get ready for a night in town for the Sant Antoni bonfires, barbecues and beer.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

San Antonio in full swing and the pine tree climbed!
Managed a few hours around S' Albuferata and Can Currassa Road.
Glorious weather but windy.
Birding was quiet. No sign of spotless Starlings at CC R despite a nice swarm of some 80 Common Starlings. So many Stonechats, Sardinian Warblers, Blackcaps and Robins. Cetti warblers active. One Kestrel but few raptors.
Greenshank, common and Green Sandpipers, Common Snipe, Black Winged Stilts, Great White and Little Egrets were also seen.
Some 100 Flamingoes made their appearance, several with leg tags.
Not the best days birding but so enjoyable in January at 18C!

 

[Phil Akers]

Yesterday morning had a look around in the small woodland at Cala St Vicenc hoping for Gold crest, Wren, Blue tit but to no avail. However there were Blackbird, Song thrush, Firecrest, Red Crossbill, Chaffinch.
I was planning to make my way around Pollenca bay and so I made the tower at Albercutx my next stop. I was hoping against hope that I might find an Alpine Accentor, not to be. There were however lots of Black Redstarts about and a Blue Rock Thrush which was a tick for my year list.
On to Can Cuarassa next to find a Spotless Starling, couldn`t even find a common Starling.

Albufereta was the next venue. 6 Great White Egrets, loads of Flamingos, 2 Marsh Harriers, Kingfisher, Greenshank, Lapwings. Viewed from the hide, on the island furthest away were 2 Plovers which on further investigation were a Golden and a Grey Plover.

Albufera next. Lots of Night herons in the Canal side bushes and 5 Grey herons. I made my way to the 2 Cibollar hides in the hope that there might be a Spoonbill around, no of course, I`ve been trying to chase one down for months. Loads of Cormorants there, I counted 170. A Stone Curlew on one of the small islands, The resident young Lesser Black Backed Gull, Avocets. BW Stilts, Marbled Duck. At the Ses Pardes hide the Wigeon were still there, including a couple of common Pochards. on the way back there was a pair of Red Crested Pochards.
A very good day out, great birds and lovely weather.

Cheers
Phil Akers.

 

[Josep Manchado]

Viewed from the hide, on the island furthest away were 2 Plovers which on further investigation were a Golden and a Grey Plover.

Cheers
Phil Akers.

Phil, do you mean these 2 plovers? they are both golden plover.
Cheers
Josep

 

[BielBernat]

Hi!
Today today luck was somehow still on my side!
I went with Pep Manchado to El Toro again to see if we can find the Calandra Lark again! We found around 300 Skylarks at the place, even we could check with nice views a group of Skylarks with around 200 birds feeding on a field not so far away, but we couldn't find the bird we're looking for...
But our luck has changed when Toni Soler called us to tell that he was seeing 3 Penduline Tit (Remiz pendulinus) at Sa Porrassa (Magalluf)!
This is a regular but very scarce bird in Mallorca, with only a few observations each year and even with years with any observation...
So we headed quickly to reach the place and we could see at least 2 of them!!
So another specie that I add to my Balearic Islands list!!

Regards!

Biel Bernat

 

[Mike Montier]

I might be better talking about the pies and the weather today as there weren’t many birds to mention.
We met Mike Swiss, Susan and Austin at the salt pans, Salobrar, this morning.
After a leisurely coffee, we walked down the Es Trenc road. A good flock of Avocet were seen in flight after a hunter’s gun put everything up. Quite a good number of Golden plover, lots of Kentish plover and a lonely Redshank.
No raptors, probably due to the high winds so it was hard going. Mike said he’d never seen it so quiet.
We then went to Cap de Ses Salines where it was even windier. The waves were big, but as I’d guaranteed Mike a Balearic shearwater, I battled on with the elements. Eventually, Mike got one in the scope but only just. Never guarantee birds should be the lesson for today.
We moved up to passage 5 but hardly a thing, just a Linnet, a few Meadow pipit and White wagtails.
It was still mostly enjoyable though, I’m not keen on birding in high winds, a wobbly ‘scope and lots of salt spray.
Thanks Mike and Susan for the splendid pies, chicken and caramelised onions, a new one on me.
There are some Penduline tits near Magaluf so I will be going on Saturday.
I’m sure I had one flying from their favoured location last visit to Albufera but I’d like better views.
Mike

 

[derban]

What a day today! We met Erik and Kirsten at Son Real and immediately saw two vltures and two ravens passing overhead. I had my camera set up wrong from the previous day so the photos are not as good as they should have been, they passed really close overhead. I first thought they were black vultures, but now I am not sure. Then on to the hide, none of us have never seen it so busy. Groups of blackcap, greenfinch, chiffchaff, song thrush, goldfinch, serin, siskin, great tit and Cetti's warbler, among others, as if the birds had all gone to the pool for a drink with their mates. Maybe no twitcher's dreams but just the numbers were astonishing. Two hours just flew by. Then back to Kirsten and Erik's nearby residence to share talk, our picnic and the fabulous view. Here is a quick selection of the photos, I have not had time to edit them properly so they are still a bit noisy. We hope to see you both again soon.

Just edited my post to reorganise the photos. Sorry about that, it was a bit late yesterday.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Next day after leaving Mike at Ses Salines, we tried for Eddie's Walk, however the mud was a challenge. Several Marsh Harriers, Kestrels and Red Kites above but few other birds around.
Headed to the Salt pans of Colonia San Jordi. Many Kentish Plovers, Shellduck, Flamingos but fewer birds again.
Checked out the nearby islands for Golden Plovers but no luck. However I spotted a Peregrine on the island. I have never seen such behavior before. Cormorants, Shags, YL and Black Headed Gulls seen, as well as great views of a fishing Gannet.
We checked out the Polo fields but again few birds about apart from Goldfinches, white wagtails, Red Kites.
The rains started so our trip to Randa for the Ring Ouzels was postponed.

 

[BielBernat]

Next day after leaving Mike at Ses Salines, we tried for Eddie's Walk, however the mud was a challenge. Several Marsh Harriers, Kestrels and Red Kites above but few other birds around.
Headed to the Salt pans of Colonia San Jordi. Many Kentish Plovers, Shellduck, Flamingos but fewer birds again.
Checked out the nearby islands for Golden Plovers but no luck. However I spotted a Peregrine on the island. I have never seen such behavior before. Cormorants, Shags, YL and Black Headed Gulls seen, as well as great views of a fishing Gannet.
We checked out the Polo fields but again few birds about apart from Goldfinches, white wagtails, Red Kites.
The rains started so our trip to Randa for the Ring Ouzels was postponed.

Hi!
This Peregrine use to be around there! I saw it once trying to hunt Golden Plovers (Pluvialis apricaria)!
When he is around the place there's no plovers...

Yesterday at Can Cuirassa (Pollença) with Pep Manchado we found a Red-Throated Pipit (Anthus cervinus)! One bird more that seems to be wintering! I found one at Sa Barrala (Campos) the first days of January...
But the surprise of the day was an European Roller (Coracias garrulus) found yesterday's morning by Maties at Albufereta! Such a very rare observation for January!
Plus the winter observations of Spotted Flycatcher (La Gola, Pollença), Woodchat Shrike (Artà), Montagu's Harrier (Albufera) and Turtle Dove (Menorca) among others during this 2023/24 make me thing something somehow is changing (?)....!

Regards

Biel Bernat

 

[LynnPpo]

Hi all,
I was a Mallorca virgin last Spring. I came with a group of cyclists, but brought my birdwatching kit in preference (who wouldn't). This forum was a great source of recommendations, advice and amusement. I have just booked again for this April/May. So I'll be following this forum with great interest and probably asking lots of stupid questions.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Strange day...Windy and wet up North....as we had shopping to do headed to Maristany via the Screen at SAlbuferata. Not surprising the birds were hunkered down. Flamingos, Lapwings, Common Sandpiper, Little Egret, Shellducks but little else.
At Maristany, Shoverlers, Coot, Moorhens, Common Pochards, Little Grebes, single Glossy Ibis and so many Crag Martins, but again disappointing.
As weather improved we decided to walk up the road to Ternelles Valley.
So many Black Redstart, Robins, Chiffchaffs, Kestrel, Goldfinches, Serins and Siskins.
As we approached the gate to the Valley, at least 20 birds were in the sky including at least 2 Ravens, 6 Black Vultures, 10 Griffin Vultures, Red Kites, Booted eagle and possible Bonellis Eagle. What a magnificent sight!
The weather appears to be improving and hopefully the bird watching will!
Any thoughts on the second photo?

 

[Josep Manchado]

Any thoughts on the second photo?

Hello,
For me it is a Griffon.

 

[Scridifer]

Hi all,
I was a Mallorca virgin last Spring. I came with a group of cyclists, but brought my birdwatching kit in preference (who wouldn't). This forum was a great source of recommendations, advice and amusement. I have just booked again for this April/May. So I'll be following this forum with great interest and probably asking lots of stupid questions.

The only stupid question is the one you don't ask Lynn!

Chris

 

[Mike Montier]

It’s been a very long day but I just popped out onto the balcony and a superb Long-eared owl flew super-close by, so silent and majestic.
After a frenetic work-out at the gym, I made a mad dash to Magaluf to hopefully catch up with the Penduline tit on the reserve there. No luck but to make matters worse, it was apparently seen there today. Grrr.
I went to Cala Gamba following very high winds last night but the bay was devoid of birds.
I saw a good flock of Stone curlew on the way there plus a few raptors up and about.
Then out to dinner. I nearly fell asleep in my soup.
Mike

 

[Erik Hansen]

We were lucky David, Anne, Kirsten and I to choose Thursday for our outing at Son Real. Compared to how the last two days have been it was only moderate windy, and when we came to the hide and the pond it was quiet and sunny. And with many birds, both species and numbers, neither of us had seen so many there before. It was as though the good weather made the birds thirsty, so we were busy looking and photographing, while they got a little water or a bath. It was really entertaining, and we could easyily have spent more time there than the couple of hours we did. I have nothing to add to Davids post - except some photos. It was a wonderful day, many thanks to both of you. Hope we manage to meet again soon.

 

[StewB]

Hi all,
I was a Mallorca virgin last Spring. I came with a group of cyclists, but brought my birdwatching kit in preference (who wouldn't). This forum was a great source of recommendations, advice and amusement. I have just booked again for this April/May. So I'll be following this forum with great interest and probably asking lots of stupid questions.

What’s the saying? There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.. With the senses of humour of some contributors (we know who we are), you may get a few of those, but if you need help it will always be forthcoming!

Stew