Mallorca 2013 (3 Viewers)

[Wimpy]

October 2013

Just a few to add to the Majorcan Mix.

These were from the Boquer Valley.

Roger

 

[s.g.]

majorca 2013

golden plover, garganey, common kestrel, pair of gadwall and a tufted duck all at salbufera.
Steve.

 

[Mike Montier]

An almighty storm here in the south yesterday with over 800 trees down in my local patch Mondragó. Most roads are blocked so it hard to say what birds may have blown in but I will post with any news. Mike.

 

[honeym]

Hi Mike

It sounds like you got the storm anyway!

Judging by the coverage I've seen there was also torrential rain, with 50 litres per square metre recorded in just fifteen minutes in Andratx!! This will no doubt have affected the number of trees blown down. I hope s'Albufera fared better. Especially as they'd recently had Dotterel and Merlin. I see the Starling numbers there are picking up nicely.

I hope it's now abated as Nick is soon to arrive there.

Best wishes

Martin

 

[Wimpy]

More from October visit.

Can't quite imagine those storms, very different from a few weeks ago.

S'Albufera medley.

 

[s.g.]

majorca 2013

great shots wimpy, well impressed.
spotted redshank, greenshank, and a l. r. plover with a ring on, I can see some of the numbers but not all!.
Steve.

 

[Mike Montier]

Hi Martin. The storm came in at Andraitx and travelled along the south coast through Palma and it missed the north completely as I understand it. Terrible damage everywhere here so it must have gathered pace after it hit the Island. It is back to a calm 22 degrees today.

 

[Paul Birkin]

Just spent a few days at Cala Bona. Not a birding trip but did manage walks around the local fields. Highlights were a flock of 20 serin, a booted eagle soaring around a small wood for 20 minutes. There were 12 Audouins on the breakers.
Question. Why have I not seen any herring or llb gulls dive bombing us tourists on the beach for snacks? I only saw a few when I came in the summer

 

[Mike Montier]

Not sure Paul. There are only a few gull species here, Yellow-legged, Audouin's and Black-headed. There are a few Lesser black-backed in the winter but other species are rare, eg only one Common gull sighting this year. I have not seen gulls dive-bombing here as they do in the UK but it must happen. I will ask around! Mike

 

[s.g.]

majorca 2013

osprey at salbufera.
Steve.

 

[honeym]

I've never seen gulls dive bombing in all the years I've been going to Mallorca. Perhaps it's mainly a Herring Gull thing, amd mainly norther - possibly derived from attacking other (cliff) nesting seabirds - which are also lacking in Mallorca.

Martin

 

[Simon Wates]

Here in Lagos, the urban breeding YL Gulls are gradually getting more bold and certain "characters" hang around restaurants and steal things. Seems like with time they will behave as Herring Gulls.

 

[Mike Montier]

Yes, it may be a time thing. I have noticed the Audouin's gulls becoming more bold every year on the beach at Es Trenc. They are now trying to steal things from sunbathers whereas some years ago they would only come to the beach after everyone had left. Just a matter of time then?

 

[Mike Montier]

A couple of hours at the Cap this morning: 2 Gannet and 8 Common crane on migration. Also a late Whinchat. Mike

 

[s.g.]

majorca 2013

stonechat, golden plover, and audouines gulls in different light condition's.

Steve,

 

[Simon Wates]

Hi Steve, do you have any other photos of your Golden Plover? - not trying to raise alarm bells but the flank streaking and breast patterning intrigues me - I assume it was taken recently?

 

[eagle33]

that's a stonking bill on the plover? edit Simon beat me to it.

stonechat, golden plover, and audouines gulls in different light condition's.

Steve,

 

[Mike Montier]

Where and when was it? An American golden plover was seen this year at Salobrar. The bill does look large and the flank streaking is interesting. Any flight shots or underwing? Mike

 

[s.g.]

majorca 2013

hi guys,
details of the plover/plovers below
first photo 28-09-13 @ 07:13
second 28-09-13 @ 14:35
third 08-10-13 @ 19:20
fourth 08-10-13 @ 19:25
at the salbufera sa roca hide, no flight shot.

regards,

Steve.

 

[honeym]

As I thought. This is the bird I reported as a first for the autumn on 27 September 2013. It clearly stayed around for quite a while.

I certainly hope my id was correct!

Martin