Mallorca 2021 (3 Viewers)

[H Johnsson]

Lunch in Colonia Sant Jordi was far too near the salt pans to ignore.
I managed a short visit and it was alive with bird life.
Some of our recent visits have just about drawn a blank but there was lots to see today.
Big numbers of greater flamingoes, a couple of Avocet, Little stint, Dunlin, Redshank, Kentish plover and finally a year tick in the shape of a Knot, not as easy bird to see in Mallorca.
An Osprey was hunting nearby and Red kite and Marsh harrier were looking very active.
I went round the back roads in the hope of seeing Common crane but there were none.
76 Golden plover were on the polo pitch but nothing else.
We are off to Switzerland tomorrow to hopefully see my joint most wanted bird, a Wallcreeper. I’ve waited so many years and my hopes are high.
I will let you know.
Mike

Good luck with the Wallcreeper and I´m looking forward to see some nice photos

 

[Ian Bell]

Lunch in Colonia Sant Jordi was far too near the salt pans to ignore.
I managed a short visit and it was alive with bird life.
Some of our recent visits have just about drawn a blank but there was lots to see today.
Big numbers of greater flamingoes, a couple of Avocet, Little stint, Dunlin, Redshank, Kentish plover and finally a year tick in the shape of a Knot, not as easy bird to see in Mallorca.
An Osprey was hunting nearby and Red kite and Marsh harrier were looking very active.
I went round the back roads in the hope of seeing Common crane but there were none.
76 Golden plover were on the polo pitch but nothing else.
We are off to Switzerland tomorrow to hopefully see my joint most wanted bird, a Wallcreeper. I’ve waited so many years and my hopes are high.
I will let you know.
Mike

Enjoy your break,Mike.Also "All The Best" with the Wallcreeper.A bird I would love to see and everytime I fly over the Pyrenees,Wallcreeper comes to my mind.

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks, that’s great.
I can still get the bird news here when I’m away so I will keep this thread up to date but I’m not getting very much news at the moment.
I have been out a lot recently and can only repeat, despite the recent rains, Mallorca is a fabulous place for winter birding.
It just makes me realize that life will never be long enough, there is so much to see.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Glad you are arriving back in Mallorca derban.
If you get time, there is a good selection of waders seen from the Es Trenc road today offering good photo opportunities.
It’s also a challenge to identify them all so if you fancy it, have a go!
We can meet there when I’m back. Good luck, there is a Knot knocking about somewhere, first seen by Jason, so if you can nail that down, a few people need it.
Mike

 

[Phil Andrews]

You can't leave us hanging Mike - what shares top billing with Wallcreeper?

 

[Mike Montier]

Adult male Siberian rubythroat! I just have to see one.

 

[H Johnsson]

Adult male Siberian rubythroat! I just have to see one.

Hi Mike if you prolonged your trip to Sweden near Gothenbourg you can see a Siberian rubythroat unfortunately not an adult but 1K male. It has been in a garden- feeding place - for a month now and will probably stay there for a while. Information and pictures can be found on website Dagens fynd - Artportalen
For your information swedish name is Rubinnäktergal

 

[Mike Montier]

Thank you. Great information available on that site.
Pity I can’t just pop in and see it.
I’m hoping to travel next year so not long to wait.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks to Kevin, I’ve just seen a video of the Swedish Siberian Rubythroat. My heart skipped a beat and I got very emotional. I just have to go for the next one.
I also met derban at the airport!
I was leaving Mallorca and he was just arriving. I wished him luck for the salt pans, there’s a lot going on there at the moment.
Going for the Wallcreeper tomorrow. A bit nervous.
Mike

 

[derban]

Thanks to Kevin, I’ve just seen a video of the Swedish Siberian Rubythroat. My heart skipped a beat and I got very emotional. I just have to go for the next one.
I also met derban at the airport!
I was leaving Mallorca and he was just arriving. I wished him luck for the salt pans, there’s a lot going on there at the moment.
Going for the Wallcreeper tomorrow. A bit nervous.
Mike

Good luck with the wallcreeper! And what a great coincidence meeting at the airport like that. I t was great to see you both there. Now for the Knot!

 

[Mike Montier]

No words necessary except my thanks to Mike Swiss for inviting us over and taking us to the site.
Distant but up there with the best birding moments.
Mike

 

[foresttwitcher]

No words necessary except my thanks to Mike Swiss for inviting us over and taking us to the site.
Distant but up there with the best birding moments.
Mike

Nice one Mike!

 

[derban]

No words necessary except my thanks to Mike Swiss for inviting us over and taking us to the site.
Distant but up there with the best birding moments.
Mike

Well done Mike, and Mike too of course!

 

[Phil Akers]

No words necessary except my thanks to Mike Swiss for inviting us over and taking us to the site.
Distant but up there with the best birding moments.
Mike

Fantastic Mike, don't you love it when a plan comes together.

 

[Ian Bell]

Well Done,Mike.What a bird and lovely photos........well jealous

 

[Mike Montier]

Back down to earth now with two Hen harriers seen from the depuradora, Albufera, a few Common crane in flight and a Sparrowhawk.
Mike

 

[derban]

Back down to earth now with two Hen harriers seen from the depuradora, Albufera, a few Common crane in flight and a Sparrowhawk.
Mike

Meanwhile at the Salobrar: after the official handing over of the baton at the airport yesterday, I went down there this afternoon, pretty windy and cold but lots of activity along the Es Trenc road. Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, ringed Plover, Little Stint, Black winged Stilt, Avocet, a few Flamingo, countless Shelduck and just as I was leaving an Osprey put in an appearance, unfortunately out of camera shot.

Back down to earth now with two Hen harriers seen from the depuradora, Albufera, a few Common crane in flight and a Sparrowhawk.
Mike

 

[StewB]

No words necessary except my thanks to Mike Swiss for inviting us over and taking us to the site.
Distant but up there with the best birding moments.
Mike

Fantastic! A nice early Christmas present!

 

[Mike Montier]

A Red-breasted merganser was seen at Cala Gamba by Maties.
This patch of the south coast and adjoining calas is one of the bests places to locate these scarce winter visitors.
I’m sure one will stick around for my return and for the visiting birders who are coming in the new year.
Always nice to get one in the bag for the year list.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Many more Siskins being seen, it’s been quite an exceptional year for them, they seem to be in all suitable locations at the moment.
Also reports of high numbers of Song thrush and a few redwings.
Back in Switzerland, thanks to the skill and knowledge of our host, Mike Swiss, I was able to add another lifer to my world list, the European eagle owl.
It was an extraordinary experience, fully charged emotionally, and what a stunner.
Mike