Mallorca 2024 (4 Viewers)

[ChrisMc1957]

My wife and I had a great day out today with Mike Montier, we visited many places in the South East of Mallorca, including Passage No 5, Cap de Ses Salines, The Wall and Ses Selinas salt pans, probably forgotten others, saw many birds including but not limited too:- Balearic flycatchers, Bee eaters, Red legged partridges, Bonelli's eagles, Honey buzzards, Hopoe, Kestrals, Black kites, Scopolis Shearwaters, Stonechats, Kentish Plovers and more.

I have added a few photos below, unfortunately I have had to crop them quite a lot due to distance to subject, heat hazes and height at which rapters etc were flying, so some are not that good, however, we still we had a great day.

 

[Mike Montier]

Some great photos there Chris.
It was a great pleasure meeting you both and I very much enjoyed sharing some of the delights of the south-east with you.
Some very interesting conversations too, I learnt a lot.
That makes a good day even better.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here.
Best wishes,
Mike

 

[ChrisMc1957]

Thanks Mike, pleasure meeting you too and yes a great day we had, always welcome to give us a shout if you need anything when back in the UK, I hope the wrist bands help with the mossies

 

[Mike Montier]

Pep has connected with the Knot at Salobrar this morning.
It is very muddy down the Camino de Sa Barrala so wellies are essential.
Even more so now as the heavens have opened with an almighty storm.
Mike

 

[rachk116]

Hi All.

Been on the Island for a short break. Mostly a relaxing break with the other half but have managed to see a few species. A walk along the Boquer on Sunday produced 2 Firecrest, Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail, several Crag Martins and a flock of 13 Raven. Also of note, 1 Sandwich Tern today on the rocks off the beach in Puerto Pollensa.

Another good find on this break was some pamphlets on Orchids, Butterflies and Dragonflies of the Balearics at the La Gola Visitor Centre. These may be well known about but I've never seen them before. I'll post the link where they can be downloaded as they may be of interest to some.

Publicaciones en Illes Balears

Descubre las Islas Baleares a través de nuestras publicaciones y folletos. Encuentra sugerencias y actividades para hacer durante tu visita. Descárgatelos para planificar tu viaje inolvidable

www.illesbalears.travel

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Weather played strange tricks up North. Storms predicted at 14.00..Instead Thunder and lightening arrived at 10.00. By 10.30 rain had stopped and the rest of the day was really pleasant.
Started at the Orange Bridge overlooking Albufera, but very few birds around the park except for distant views of Flamingos and White Egrets. A nice Purple Heron flew past.
A stop at Son Baulo was just as quiet. A few Audouins Gulls and Turnstones but little else.
Next stop to Son Real. 45 minutes at the Hide produced few birds..Crossbills, Hoopoe, Greenfinch, Sardinian Warbler and Pied Flycatcher.
Last port of call was S' Amarador. A few Gadwalls, Coots, many Stonechats and Whinchat, a few Kestrels and a single Marsh Harrier.
Despite the lack of bird numbers it was great to visit these sites where so many memories have been made.
I think it's time to be down South at the Cap with Mike to watch the migration!

 

[ChrisMc1957]

Weather played strange tricks up North. Storms predicted at 14.00..Instead Thunder and lightening arrived at 10.00. By 10.30 rain had stopped and the rest of the day was really pleasant.
Started at the Orange Bridge overlooking Albufera, but very few birds around the park except for distant views of Flamingos and White Egrets. A nice Purple Heron flew past.
A stop at Son Baulo was just as quiet. A few Audouins Gulls and Turnstones but little else.
Next stop to Son Real. 45 minutes at the Hide produced few birds..Crossbills, Hoopoe, Greenfinch, Sardinian Warbler.
Last port of call was S' Amarador. A few Gadwalls, Coots, many Stonechats and Whinchat, a few Kestrels and a single Marsh Harrier.
Despite the lack of bird numbers it was great to visit these sites where so many memories have been made.
I think it's time to be down South at the Cap with Mike to watch the migration!

Sounds like you had a good day anyway Mcnswiss2, the weather has been very odd today hasn't it?....we spent a good few hours at the Cap yesterday with Mike M and other places, well worth a visit. Tomorrow we are off to Parc Natural de s'Albufera de Mallorca, we love it there.

 

[StewB]

Hi All.

Been on the Island for a short break. Mostly a relaxing break with the other half but have managed to see a few species. A walk along the Boquer on Sunday produced 2 Firecrest, Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail, several Crag Martins and a flock of 13 Raven. Also of note, 1 Sandwich Tern today on the rocks off the beach in Puerto Pollensa.

Another good find on this break was some pamphlets on Orchids, Butterflies and Dragonflies of the Balearics at the La Gola Visitor Centre. These may be well known about but I've never seen them before. I'll post the link where they can be downloaded as they may be of interest to some.

Publicaciones en Illes Balears

Descubre las Islas Baleares a través de nuestras publicaciones y folletos. Encuentra sugerencias y actividades para hacer durante tu visita. Descárgatelos para planificar tu viaje inolvidable

www.illesbalears.travel

Excellent - that’s some resource! Thank you.

Stew

 

[Ian Pollença]

Arrived Pollença 7 p.m on Friday and the first bird in Mallorca I saw, apart from the obligatory Red Kite on Ma13, was a quartering Barn Owl at Can Cuirassa which I watched for 5 mins. (and well bitten by mozzies as well). Saturday off to see the Iberian Grey Shrike at Vilafranca which showed on and off; Lifer. Saw 50 Cattle Egret following a tractor ploughing a field, and 2 Red-legged Partridge and several Wheatear. Looked for the Baikal Teal at Son Nevata but dipped. Even more bitten. Sunday is family day but squeezed in Mortitx to see a few Common Redstart, a few Pied Flycatcher, a Blue Rock Thrush, Cinereous and Griffon Vultures and a Grey Wagtail which really surprised me but apparently it has been seen by someone else. Lots of Spotted Flycatcher, all Med except one much darker. And spent 30 mins looking for and eventually seeing a Blue Tit (can't believe I did this) which is a year tick here, and a few Firecrest. A quick visit to Sa Barcassa and wow water levels are high, nothing to see other than a GW Egret. At Can Cuirassa, I could hear briefly a Golden Oriel, then recorded it, but alas I couldn't see it. Today at Albufera (Weather was rather odd), saw Spotted Redshank, Common and Green Sandpipers, 4 Greenshank, Kingfisher a few times, the Osprey on the pole, one Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Marbled duck and 1 Curlew Sandpiper in Winter wardrobe. I met GG Shrike (not the bird) in person, nice to meet you! A Marsh Harrier came in very close a few times but one very stubborn, brave or foolhardy Shoveler was the only bird not to be flushed by it even though the Harrier was less than 2m away. Lots of Teal. Passing over the 3 bridges GG Shrike put Dolores, who was walking ahead, on to a Little Bittern, who duly relayed this info to me. We then watched this bird in full view very very slowly cross the canal, right in front of us, on the cut/fallen reeds for 10 mins; certainly my best views ever. A visit to Maristany (very low water levels) saw the Kingfisher pass closely a few times, and as always a nice view of the resident Cetti's Warbler. (Not bitten by that dog this time). Home, Pa amb Oli and a little siesta. Off to Mortitx again, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat and great view of another Barn Owl which flew right past me, broad daylight, next to the vineyard, almost hit me, well before dusk. Lots of Hoopoe. On the way back up the hill, a largish Yellow and Black bird flew into a tree; male Golden Oriole, my first male so well happy.

 

[Matthebirder]

Hello birders
Have I missed something here?
....Baikal Teal at Son Nevata...
What's the story to this one ?

I hope to be posting news from the weekend ....

 

[derban]

Not birds but our bottle brush tree (is that its real name?) was graced by a plain tiger butterfly this evening and I just wanted to share the beauty of the moment with everyone on here.

 

[dipperone]

I arrived at the Cap sharpish this morning.
I saw one Marsh harrier flying out to Cabrera and then Pep arrived with young Pau in tow.
How great it is to see a 14 year old out in the field really lapping up the action.
And finding most of the birds I might add.
Oh to have eyes and ears that good again.
We logged 7 Marsh harrier, mostly young birds and only one macho.
2 Honey buzzard were seen leaving, both chocolate colour. Very nice.
A group of 16 Grey heron were seen. I saw another group of what I believe were Heron but didn’t get on them with the ‘scope.
2 Migrant common kestrel went out to sea and 2 Great egrets were seen coming in!
Two juvenile Audouin's gulls were close and even closer when offered a bit of my sandwich.
This is unusual as the young leave Mallorca very early and don’t return until they are adults.
So, a few photos for any gull addicts out there.
Mike

Hi Mike
I found it interesting about your late Audouin's Gulls. I saw this juvenile Audouin's Gull at Son Real several years ago at the end of September: I put the retarded moult due to trauma as half its right wing was missing.
Did you post the right photos?
Regards
Rhys

 

[StewB]

Arrived Pollença 7 p.m on Friday and the first bird in Mallorca I saw, apart from the obligatory Red Kite on Ma13, was a quartering Barn Owl at Can Cuirassa which I watched for 5 mins. (and well bitten by mozzies as well). Saturday off to see the Iberian Grey Shrike at Vilafranca which showed on and off; Lifer. Saw 50 Cattle Egret following a tractor ploughing a field, and 2 Red-legged Partridge and several Wheatear. Looked for the Baikal Teal at Son Nevata but dipped. Even more bitten. Sunday is family day but squeezed in Mortitx to see a few Common Redstart, a few Pied Flycatcher, a Blue Rock Thrush, Cinereous and Griffon Vultures and a Grey Wagtail which really surprised me but apparently it has been seen by someone else. Lots of Spotted Flycatcher, all Med except one much darker. And spent 30 mins looking for and eventually seeing a Blue Tit (can't believe I did this) which is a year tick here, and a few Firecrest. A quick visit to Sa Barcassa and wow water levels are high, nothing to see other than a GW Egret. At Can Cuirassa, I could hear briefly a Golden Oriel, then recorded it, but alas I couldn't see it. Today at Albufera (Weather was rather odd), saw Spotted Redshank, Common and Green Sandpipers, 4 Greenshank, Kingfisher a few times, the Osprey on the pole, one Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Marbled duck and 1 Curlew Sandpiper in Winter wardrobe. I met GG Shrike (not the bird) in person, nice to meet you! A Marsh Harrier came in very close a few times but one very stubborn, brave or foolhardy Shoveler was the only bird not to be flushed by it even though the Harrier was less than 2m away. Lots of Teal. Passing over the 3 bridges GG Shrike put Dolores, who was walking ahead, on to a Little Bittern, who duly relayed this info to me. We then watched this bird in full view very very slowly cross the canal, right in front of us, on the cut/fallen reeds for 10 mins; certainly my best views ever. A visit to Maristany (very low water levels) saw the Kingfisher pass closely a few times, and as always a nice view of the resident Cetti's Warbler. (Not bitten by that dog this time). Home, Pa amb Oli and a little siesta. Off to Mortitx again, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat and great view of another Barn Owl which flew right past me, broad daylight, next to the vineyard, almost hit me, well before dusk. Lots of Hoopoe. On the way back up the hill, a largish Yellow and Black bird flew into a tree; male Golden Oriole, my first male so well happy.

Crikey Ian, that’s packing it in!

Just to say that one of the Spotless Starlings around Pins 16 on Can Cuarassa does a brilliant Golden Oriole impression. I once spent nearly an hour listening to a GO in the olive grove next to the villa, only to eventually see the impressionist culprit when it emerged and called in the open. On the other hand, I know that Geordie Dave and others have seen GO in that area on more than one occasion. Birds hey?

Stew

 

[Mike Montier]

Hi Rhys
The photos are from the same day as the post at Cap de Ses Salines.
I’m not a gull man.
The bird is this year’s and I was told on site that it was an Audouin’s.
Not sure if you are saying it isn’t!
I kept looking at the bill and wondering.
I have looked at field guides and I have tried to work it out for myself.
If there is a gull expert out there, please put me out of my misery.
The only other possibility here in Mallorca is a Yellow-legged.
Audouin’s has a plain unstreaked breast which my bird doesn’t have so I guess it must be Yellow-legged.
The bill also looks wrong to me.
I remember in the UK many years ago that a Paddyfield warbler was found. The ensuing hoard of birders all came and ticked it. At that point, the bird started singing “chiff-chaff”.
i must learn to study each bird more for myself but every time, I learn something new.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Derban. Your plain tiger photo is a competition winner. I don’t remember ever seeing such a stunning butterfly photo.
Well done.
Mike

 

[Matthebirder]

Mike
The gulls look like juv YLGs; were there any adults around for size comparison?
Are you seeing any black-backed gulls around ; these would be worth checking through carefully just in case any more African Cape Gulls are drifting around. There was one in Nice earlier in the year.

Matt

 

[Mcnswiss2]

An early morning walk along CanCurrasa Road (well early for me).
Many birds singing including Cetti warblers, Stonechats, Spotted Flycatchers, House Sparrows, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Fan tailed Warblers, etc.
Many Red Legged Partridges were calling.
Marsh Harrier flew across and at least 6 Common Kestrels were hunting in the fields.
Heard both Spotless and Common Starlings around House Pin16, and saw 2 Spotless Starlings fly briefly onto the roof.
Also saw Whinchat and a Northern Wheatear.
Walking back I saw a black Kite flying over.
Forget Audouin Gulls, Spotted Flycatcher are the most handsome bird here!
Maybe it is worth getting out of bed early!

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Matt and Rhys.
I believe it’s a Yellow-legged gull but I’m not the right person to say.
It’s been good reading up about juvenile gulls except that it gave me a headache.
I can see why gulls are so appealing, I just wish I had more enthusiasm.
I will post on here if I get any more comments.
Speaking of which, this owl was recently photographed in the post of Cala d’Or.
It seems to have Jesse’s.
Mike

 

[JohnMankelow]

Thanks Matt and Rhys.
I believe it’s a Yellow-legged gull but I’m not the right person to say.
It’s been good reading up about juvenile gulls except that it gave me a headache.
I can see why gulls are so appealing, I just wish I had more enthusiasm.
I will post on here if I get any more comments.
Speaking of which, this owl was recently photographed in the post of Cala d’Or.
It seems to have Jesse’s.
Mike

Hi Mike
we have just arrived for a week and this time are staying near Son Severa.
glad to see you are still here and have not emigrated back to the UK!
Today we just popped up to the platform by the depuradora st the southern end of Albufera but very quiet overall. Marsh harrier around and seen a lot of swallows heading south.
It seems most of the action is down south with you?
Are you at the lighthouse most days.
Hope to catch up for a jaw soo
John Mankelow

 

[ChrisMc1957]

My wife and I had a great day out today at Parc Natural de s'Albufera de Mallorca, we saw an eclectic mix of birds all around the reserve, many I managed to get photos of, those I didn't included a Sardinian Warbler and my wife was adamant she saw a Moustached warbler , both of which were in the trees at the side of the Es Cibollar 1 hide.

Some of the birds we saw and photographed include:- Greater Flamingoes, Purple Gallinule (Western Swamphen) Black Crowned Night Herons, Cattle, Little and Great White Egrets, Horse riding Cattle Egrets (photos to follow) Black Winged Stilts, an Osprey, Glossy Ibis, Spotted Flycatcher, et al.

Some photos attached, more to follow: Black Crowned Night Herons - one is a juvenile that flew over us, just managed to fire off one photo and one of them is fast asleep