Mallorca 2024 (13 Viewers)

[Mcnswiss2]

What was the raptor in the photo with the Griffin Vulture?

 

[Richard Prior]

What was the raptor in the photo with the Griffin Vulture?

Looks nice and long-winged, a pale phase Eleonora’s? The other bird is a Black Vulture not a Griffon Mike (though two weeks under the fog/stratus in Switzerland is enough to make anyone’s eyesight go off so I sympathise ).

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Lol..so true...Fog Again!!!!

 

[Warixenjalka]

Looks nice and long-winged, a pale phase Eleonora’s? The other bird is a Black Vulture not a Griffon Mike (though two weeks under the fog/stratus in Switzerland is enough to make anyone’s eyesight go off so I sympathise ).

Yes, it's a Eleanora's. All EF what I saw in Mallorca were pale phase... I think But some were quite distant, so can't be 100% sure.

 

[Warixenjalka]

Rest of the 21st October we spend Serra de Tremuntana and its beautiful small towns.

 

[Mike Montier]

I don’t know what’s going on in the world of seabirds but they have been notably absent for some weeks now.
My recent seawatches have produced a mere handful of Scopoli’s each visit but tonight really excelled with an absolute zero. Nada de nada.
A group of 3 lovely adult Northern gannets saved to day near last knocking, quickly followed by 2 breaching dolphins.
But that was it.
Very disappointing.
No other news.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Speaking of Merlin bird identification app, which we have done on here a few times, I have recently had some very wonky results.
I have however, worked out where it’s tripping up.
Robins and Great tits are the culprits!
It is well known what a repertoire of calls each species has and that’s what keeps popping up onscreen.
Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Rock bunting and Hawfinch all came up on a recent trip up to Randa and the only two birds present were the two aforementioned songsters.
It needs tweaking obviously but I must say, the app works wonderfully well in the USA. On my trip to America earlier this year, I found it to be highly accurate and indispensable.
Mike

 

[Warixenjalka]

Oct. 22nd I walked Can Cuirassa road at the morning and in the evening we walked the path with missus. During the day we visited Alcudia and Port de Alcudia. ( I have to give a special mention to the restaurant Negre's grilled pork - name of the dish was secret-something. It was best grilled pork what I have ever eaten 😋).
Almost half of the birds what we saw or heard were Robins, they were everywhere. When we drove to Port de Alcudia I saw my first Hoopoes (2) of the trip. They were also my first Hoopoes in Spain, which is kind of miracle. Before I have been once in Barcelona, 2 times in Andalucia and 3 times in Canary Islands and never seen Hoopoe! Ok, I have seen those in Finland (2 times), so it wasn't lifer. But after these first Hoopoes, we saw 2 birds in Can Cuirassa path, and also the next day, Thursday we didn't saw them, but again in Friday we saw. Life is strange...

 

[Alf King]

Speaking of Merlin bird identification app, which we have done on here a few times, I have recently had some very wonky results.
I have however, worked out where it’s tripping up.
Robins and Great tits are the culprits!
It is well known what a repertoire of calls each species has and that’s what keeps popping up onscreen.
Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Rock bunting and Hawfinch all came up on a recent trip up to Randa and the only two birds present were the two aforementioned songsters.
It needs tweaking obviously but I must say, the app works wonderfully well in the USA. On my trip to America earlier this year, I found it to be highly accurate and indispensable.
Mike

Merlin improves when there is feedback provided, which clearly happens more in the US than elsewhere. If you get dodgy results these can be reported through the app and its "self-learning" characteristics should effect a gradual improvement.

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Alf.
I always send feedback and I hope others do too.
I’m sure with time, it will lead to improvements.
Thanks for suggesting this.

Some colder weather now and sure enough, a couple of sightings of Common crane and some more Hawfinch.
Lots more to look forward to with more winter visitors arriving.
Quite good numbers of mixed thrushes being logged.
Mike

 

[Martina63]

great encounters

 

[Warixenjalka]

Pics from 23th October.
First four are from Villafranca EDAR. Same pic with landing Hoopoe is some Thrush, maybe Mistle? Others Red Kite, Black Redstart and in fourth pic Spottles Starlings and Barn Swallows.
Next four are from Salobrar de Campos (Small Copper, Lamenting Grasshopper, Black-winged Stilt and Red-veined Darter) and last from Cala St Vicenc. If you look really carefully you can see Balearic Warbler there.

 

[Martina63]

Pics from 23th October.
First four are from Villafranca EDAR. Same pic with landing Hoopoe is some Thrush, maybe Mistle? Others Red Kite, Black Redstart and in fourth pic Spottles Starlings and Barn Swallows.
Next four are from Salobrar de Campos (Small Copper, Lamenting Grasshopper, Black-winged Stilt and Red-veined Darter) and last from Cala St Vicenc. If you look really carefully you can see Balearic Warbler there.

Great, beautiful. and with the balearic warbler, I think there is also a blackcap....

 

[Warixenjalka]

At 24th October we went to Cap de Formentor (first 7 pics) and Mortrix Vineyards (which was closed - Edit: the shop I mean)

 

[Warixenjalka]

On our last day in Mallorca we went Son Real and Maristany. Before sunset I visited quickly also at s'Albufereta. Last day didn't give new lifers from birds (if you don't count plastic species), but among few other creatures, Hermann's Tortoise and Brown Heath Robberfly were lifers to me.

Our flight to Finland left on Saturday morning. At the same time, the sky broke, and the plane didn't even get to take off on time. I wanted to think that Mallorca cried when we left. But maybe it was me...

One week was way too short time in Mallorca. There is so much to see. Next time we have to come longer time. If work is not a obstacle, we'll come there in the springtime.

 

[Mike Montier]

Just had an adult male Pallid harrier fly over the car from a field just leaving Son Moja for Santanyi.
It flew really low over the road in front and across another field.
I had good views.
Jane saw it too and added that it was very pale and slim.
No time for a photo of course, I was too overcome to even move.
She’s not a birder but has seen a good few species over the years.
Her interest is still pretty low though!
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Finding a rarity today led me to thinking again about what is being missed.
It was pure chance that I was driving through Son Moja and I doubt there has ever been a birdwatcher near the place before.
We base our conclusions on what has been seen before but the fact is, we don’t know what is passing through Mallorca, just the tiny portion of the total island is covered by birders.
An example would be Red-flanked blue tail.
Four have been found by a handful of birders.
The reserves here cover less than a couple of percent of the total coastline which leaves the vast majority unwatched.
So how much is being missed?
I wish there were more birders here and then we may get a better idea of other rarities.
Some very unlikely species have turned up here, miles out of their range, and yet here they were.
This just makes our hobby all the more exciting. Never knowing what is around the corner.
I try not to make harsh judgements any more. I remember a visiting birder reporting an Elegant tern at Albufera and I began to doubt it, citing another species of tern.
Then the photographs arrived.
Elegant tern it was.
I learnt a valuable lesson.
Mike.

 

[derban]

Finding a rarity today led me to thinking again about what is being missed.
It was pure chance that I was driving through Son Moja and I doubt there has ever been a birdwatcher near the place before.
We base our conclusions on what has been seen before but the fact is, we don’t know what is passing through Mallorca, just the tiny portion of the total island is covered by birders.
An example would be Red-flanked blue tail.
Four have been found by a handful of birders.
The reserves here cover less than a couple of percent of the total coastline which leaves the vast majority unwatched.
So how much is being missed?
I wish there were more birders here and then we may get a better idea of other rarities.
Some very unlikely species have turned up here, miles out of their range, and yet here they were.
This just makes our hobby all the more exciting. Never knowing what is around the corner.
I try not to make harsh judgements any more. I remember a visiting birder reporting an Elegant tern at Albufera and I began to doubt it, citing another species of tern.
Then the photographs arrived.
Elegant tern it was.
I learnt a valuable lesson.
Mike.

Yep, I wish there was at least one more birder there at the moment too!

 

[Mike Montier]

Having endured an hour of torture at the dentist, trying in vain to rescue what few precious teeth I have left, I thought a brisk walk at Sa Barrala would do me good.
It certainly did, a nice 19 degrees with a fresh wind and big open skies.
The Polo pitch was devoid of bird life.
Back in the fields, there were many Skylarks, Meadow pipits, White wagtails and Linnet.
Looking over towards Randa, I spotted 4 Common crane flying together and towards me.
I just got the scope on them when they dropped down.
I soon heard a single Crane calling from nearby. As the sky was empty, I realised it was on the deck somewhere close but I’m blowed if I could find it.
I then drove down the road to Es Trenc beach but the pans were very full with hardly a bird in view.
Too much water for smaller waders. A Mistle thrush flew over but nothing else.
The number of larks and Pipits will continue to build up and as this is a premier site for such species, I will be going as much as possible.
We are house-hunting next week in the UK so I will miss one week so I hope nothing too rare turns up .
It probably will.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

I went to the informal launch of the annual report, thanks to the kindness of our hosts, Dani and Nieves.
It was a fun-packed evening and I have to say, all conducted with the best of humour and with many informative anecdotes, delivered by Carlos.
I was warmly welcomed and I find it very moving that I have been accepted as one of the group.
There are so many locals who devote hundreds of hours every year to produce the report.
I will miss them all terribly, although I will hopefully be visiting the Island on a regular basis once I have departed.
I’m sure I will be unable to stay away. There are so many places here that I love and over the years, I have seen some spectacular sights and great birds.
Mike