Mallorca 2024 (15 Viewers)

[KarlEvans]

Hi Karl, we had a good walk around Punta de n'Amer 2 weeks ago (even to the very tip for a bit of a sea watch) and returned via the Monument and near the castle. We heard then saw a Balearic Warbler in the scrub. This spot is very close to Cala Millor. Good luck 🤞 Cheers, Ian

Thanks Ian - should be able to try that area tomorrow eve and will update then. Can you suggest any spots for Moltoni's warbler thanks?

A few interesting sightings so far - blue rock thrush by Porto Cristo lighthouse, booted eagle distantly from Arta's church, and plenty of Audoin's gulls along the coast around Calla Millor.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

The best place for Moltoni is up at Cuber Dam.
Use ebird to help guide you.

 

[Jonny Holliday]

Thanks Ian - should be able to try that area tomorrow eve and will update then. Can you suggest any spots for Moltoni's warbler thanks?

A few interesting sightings so far - blue rock thrush by Porto Cristo lighthouse, booted eagle distantly from Arta's church, and plenty of Audoin's gulls along the coast around Calla Millor.

I know Cuber Res is good for Moltonis, and presume they are spread thinly through the mountains. Not aware of any sites closer....

 

[StewB]

A mornings walk up the road leading to Ternelles Valley.
Weather is in high 20s and great blue skies.
This is one of my favourite short walk through Farming and Mountain Environments.
Many singing Serins, Blackcaps, Sardinian Warblers, House Sparrows, Blackbirds, Swifts, Goldfinch, Greenfinches, etc.
Not many birds in the sky above the mountains except for 2 Ravens and distant views of upto 4 Griffon and 2 Black Vultures.
Approaching the locked gate enterance to the Valley, a Wryneck and Wren called. Very difficult to find the birds!
One of the highlights of the walk are the water troughs along the route that attrack many insects including dragonflies.
I think those I photographed and noted included Orange winged Dropwing, Violet Dropwing, Broad Scarlet, Black tailed Skimmer. I am sure StewB will confirm.

Great dragonfly photos Mike, and yes all ID perfect!

Those troughs are still the only sites for Orange-winged Dropwing that I know of in the North (I have almost no knowledge of dragonfly sites in the South). I’m always keen to hear of good sites, especially within striking distance of Puerto Pollenca.

Stew

 

[Mcnswiss2]

First visit to the open public Finca Raixa on way to Bunyola.

Raixa - raixa

Beautiful possession located in the municipality of Bunyola

raixa.conselldemallorca.es

What a find! A very interesting house and information centre. And most importantly, both Griffon and Black Vultures are circling above.
Birds seen in the estate included Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blackcaps,and above Booted eagles, Red Kites, 7 Griffon and 4 Black Vultures.
My favourites were at least 4 Cirl buntings calling.
So drop your partner at Featival Park Shopping Centre and within 10 minutes you are bird watching from this great site.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Another public Finca that has delivered in the past is Son Real. We decided to spend a few hours on Saturday. Normally you need patience at the Hide (off Path 4 ) as birds are often reluctant to visit the small pond. However today between 13.00 and 14.00;some 20 Species turned up to drink!
House Sparrows, Linnets, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Serins, and Corn Buntings were the most common.
Some of the stars included Crossbills, Spotted Flycatcher, Woodchat Shrike, Hoppoe.
Several Hermanns Tortoises turned up.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

However the best bird that turned up was my target Bird…the Turtle Dove.
Feeling pleased with myself, I almost tripped over as a possible Sparrowhawk flew passed me into a tree to gorge its prey..I panicked and tried for the photo and missed the bird…Sigh..

 

[KarlEvans]

Thanks Ian, Jonny and Mcnswiss2 for the tips. Punta de N'Amer delivered good view of 1 Balearic warbler y'day evening along with a few thekla larks, cirl buntings, 2 hoopoe and lots of Sardinian warblers and Mediterranean flycatchers. Late afternoon today delivered the same except the Balearic warbler. A nice site. The mountains are too far for this family trip but good to know for if/when I'm next in Mallorca.

I know Cuber Res is good for Moltonis, and presume they are spread thinly through the mountains. Not aware of any sites closer....

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Sunday morning walk around S'Albufereta before lunch.
Some 60 Greater Flamingos enjoying the sunshine, however the nesting Common terns were attacking them if they strolled near their nests.
Several Avocets and Black Winged Stilts also nesting and many of their chicks were enjoying the day.
6 Stone Curlews flew across.
Nothing really special but 35 species heard or seen but a real joy to see breeding birds up so close.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

I also failed to get a photo of the Camberwell Beauty that my Wife saw in Son Real.

Nymphalis antiopa - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Has anybody seen one in Mallorca?
They have been listed in the past.
Here is one of my photos from Switzerland.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Honeym commented on this in 2012 in this forum( I was a mere child then)

Hello Everyone!

After what feels an eternity of waiting for this trip, we arrived in Puerto Pollensa at lunch time today. Feels so good to be back after 3 and a half years. 16 species already including 3 pristine looking Wheatears at La Gola this afternoon. Also had a large-ish butterfly there which reminded me of a Camberwell Beauty? Is that possible here or likely something else? I only had a fleeting glimpse but it was Brown/Black with pale edges. Look forward to seeing what is in and around Puerto Pollensa over the next few days so if anyone sees anything I'd be grateful of a heads up.

Happy birding

Rach
Click to expand...

Hi Rach
Camberwell Beauty is on the list of butterflies for Mallorca but mainly as a result of Fernández-Rubio (1991) who included it as a possible vagrant. One was stated to have been seen in flight at Cap de Ses Salines on 21 October 2018 [pers. comm. via Mike]. The other, more likely possibility, would be a Two-tailed Pasha, Charaxes jasius, the upperside of which would also fit the description. I'm not aware of any other records.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

I think most likely two Tailed Pasha butterfly but I'm too scared to tell her!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Good/ Bad news and Good/ Bad News...I have left the Island but Mike Montier will be back soon to repair/create the damage.
Here for 8 days of which maybe 3 were for birding. Still possible to get nearly 100 birds species.
Places visited included White Plains (2), Albufera, Albuferata(2), Son Real, Maristany and Raixa.
All at easy pace.
It seemed I dipped on all the goodies from 2 weeks ago..most disappointing for Red Footed Falcons.
It was a great opportunity to meet friends again (Many thanks Peter S. and Kevin) and to enjoy the North of the Island.
Here are a few of my memories.
Visit the island.. you will not be disappointed.

 

[derban]

Many thanks

Good/ Bad news and Good/ Bad News...I have left the Island but Mike Montier will be back soon to repair/create the damage.
Here for 8 days of which maybe 3 were for birding. Still possible to get nearly 100 birds species.
Places visited included White Plains (2), Albufera, Albuferata(2), Son Real, Maristany and Raixa.
All at easy pace.
It seemed I dipped on all the goodies from 2 weeks ago..most disappointing for Red Footed Falcons.
It was a great opportunity to meet friends again (Many thanks Peter S. and Kevin) and to enjoy the North of the Island.
Here are a few of my memories.
Visit the island.. you will not be disappointed.

Many thanks Mike for the Son Real recommendation – I made the trek up north this morning after some uneventful birding in the south since I got back to the island last week and I was not disappointed. At the hide, there was a constant stream of birds, mostly common (goldfinch, greenfinch, linnet, but also a lovely turtle dove and, a few crossbill and a hoopoe skulking in the distance. And I always enjoy the sense of peace and quiet at Son Real. Although there were about 30 cars, I only saw about six people all the while I was there.

More to follow!

 

[derban]

Try again with the insects. Here is the original text:

By the way and changing the subject, can someone please give me an ID for this moth I saw in my garden yesterday? Many thanks in advance; tips on literature re moths/butterflies/dragonflies will also be very welcome. I already have StewB's butterflies and dragonflies and MikeSwiss's link to Wikipedia but a bit of further reading can only help to diminish my almost total ignorance of the insect world!

And I have had the devil's own job uploading this image. Are there any specifications I should be sticking to?

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Hi Derban
Glad to be of help.
Moth is Palm Moth..what a beauty.

Paysandisia archon - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Regarding you photos..are you taking them in RAW which are too large for this blog.

I use inaturalist app for recognition of all things bright and beautiful.

 

[Christian Jenkins]

Back on the island after visiting a few weeks ago with some other birders. It’s a family holiday this time though, so not so much time for birding.
We’re staying at Exagon Park in Ca’n Picafort, and it was exciting to hear Nightjars churring in the distance last night.
I’m off out tomorrow morning for a few hours to try and connect with Balearic Warbler (which we dipped on a few weeks ago), at Son Real, so wish me luck!

 

[StewB]

Try again with the insects. Here is the original text:

By the way and changing the subject, can someone please give me an ID for this moth I saw in my garden yesterday? Many thanks in advance; tips on literature re moths/butterflies/dragonflies will also be very welcome. I already have StewB's butterflies and dragonflies and MikeSwiss's link to Wikipedia but a bit of further reading can only help to diminish my almost total ignorance of the insect world!

And I have had the devil's own job uploading this image. Are there any specifications I should be sticking to?

View attachment 1583496

Try again with the insects. Here is the original text:

By the way and changing the subject, can someone please give me an ID for this moth I saw in my garden yesterday? Many thanks in advance; tips on literature re moths/butterflies/dragonflies will also be very welcome. I already have StewB's butterflies and dragonflies and MikeSwiss's link to Wikipedia but a bit of further reading can only help to diminish my almost total ignorance of the insect world!

And I have had the devil's own job uploading this image. Are there any specifications I should be sticking to?

View attachment 1583496

Hi Derban,
There’s not really a regional guide to dragonflies. I produced some notes which brought together the results of an internet literature search, which I guess is what you referenced here (if not, message me and I’ll email it to you).

There’s a really good article covering Balearic dragonflies in an earlier edition of Es Busqueret:
Es Busqueret 50

It’s in Catalan, but you can puzzle most of it out!

If you don’t already have a field guide I’d recommend the attached.

I write this while sitting in Palma airport waiting for the car hire desks to open. Can’t wait to get out there!

Stew

 

[derban]

Hi Derban,
There’s not really a regional guide to dragonflies. I produced some notes which brought together the results of an internet literature search, which I guess is what you referenced here (if not, message me and I’ll email it to you).

There’s a really good article covering Balearic dragonflies in an earlier edition of Es Busqueret:
Es Busqueret 50

It’s in Catalan, but you can puzzle most of it out!

If you don’t already have a field guide I’d recommend the attached.

I write this while sitting in Palma airport waiting for the car hire desks to open. Can’t wait to get out there!

Stew

Thank you Stew, especially for your confidence in my Catalan skills!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Cheers Stew..hope yor wait is not so long!
I also use Sunbirds Dragonflyid app ( paid)
You can select even Balearic region.
I love the illustrations by Richard Lewington