• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Mallorca 2025 (5 Viewers)

It was marvelous to be in the company of The Old Git’s Birding Club again.
The day started with sunrise on my balcony, followed by the trip up north to begin birding at the depuradora, Albufera.
The conversation flowed explosively with a range of topics, peppered with jokes from our ever-hilarious Kevin.
It was so intense, we almost forgot to look for birds!
A Bluethroat popped out giving splendid views.
A few year ticks went into the notebooks but it was generally very quiet.
A break for a pie-eating session was followed by a visit to the main reserve.
The reserve was also very quiet but a few good birds were logged.
Wigeon, Teal, 3 Spoonbill, Water pipit, Osprey, Flamingoes and assorted common species were ticked.
I had to leave so hopefully one of the intrepid others will finish the story.
Thanks lads for another memorable day.
I won’t forget my days out with you. They are precious times.
Mike
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2395.jpeg
    IMG_2395.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 24
  • IMG_2405.jpeg
    IMG_2405.jpeg
    410.5 KB · Views: 24
  • IMG_2433.jpeg
    IMG_2433.jpeg
    4.1 MB · Views: 24
  • IMG_2452.jpeg
    IMG_2452.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 22
  • IMG_2458.jpeg
    IMG_2458.jpeg
    1.4 MB · Views: 22
  • IMG_2462.jpeg
    IMG_2462.jpeg
    2.2 MB · Views: 28
  • IMG_2465.jpeg
    IMG_2465.jpeg
    3.9 MB · Views: 28
  • IMG_2460.jpeg
    IMG_2460.jpeg
    381.3 KB · Views: 28
Last edited:
It was marvelous to be in the company of The Old Git’s Birding Club again.
The day started with sunrise on my balcony, followed by the trip up north to begin birding at the depuradora, Albufera.
The conversation flowed explosively with a range of topics, peppered with jokes from our ever-hilarious Kevin.
It was so intense, we almost forgot to look for birds!
A Bluethroat popped out giving splendid views.
A few year ticks went into the notebooks but it was generally very quiet.
A break for a pie-eating session was followed by a visit to the main reserve.
The reserve was also very quiet but a few good birds were logged.
Wigeon, Teal, 3 Spoonbill, Water pipit, Osprey, Flamingoes and assorted common species were ticked.
I had to leave so hopefully one of the intrepid others will finish the story.
Thanks lads for another memorable day.
I won’t forget my days out with you. They are precious times.
Mike
Sounds and looks like a perfect day 👍👍
 
Post 21 continued!
Leaving Mike M at the main canal Mike S, Kevin and I walked up to Columbars hide in search of the Cranes that had been reported yesterday. No luck. We did find 30-40 avocets and as many black winged stilts. There were several common redshank and a greenshank all of which took flight when a female peregrine falcon came racing through. The only other birds of note were 2 great crested grebes. Retracing our steps there were red knobbed coots in the canal followed by 6 purple (western) swamphen at Sa Roca. Mike and I decided to call in at Maristany on the way home. A single black necked grebe, around 30 common pochard and the same number of red crested pochard were on the main pond and the sky above had dozens of crag martins. With the light now failing it was time to call it a day. 8 hours in the field, 19° of glorious winter sunshine and plenty of good craic. A great way to belatedly bring in 2025 and even better to have the founding Old Gits back together.
 

Attachments

  • B2706BA7-FBD4-4AB0-A490-9DBB696941E9.jpeg
    B2706BA7-FBD4-4AB0-A490-9DBB696941E9.jpeg
    180.5 KB · Views: 34
Post 21 continued!
Leaving Mike M at the main canal Mike S, Kevin and I walked up to Columbars hide in search of the Cranes that had been reported yesterday. No luck. We did find 30-40 avocets and as many black winged stilts. There were several common redshank and a greenshank all of which took flight when a female peregrine falcon came racing through. The only other birds of note were 2 great crested grebes. Retracing our steps there were red knobbed coots in the canal followed by 6 purple (western) swamphen at Sa Roca. Mike and I decided to call in at Maristany on the way home. A single black necked grebe, around 30 common pochard and the same number of red crested pochard were on the main pond and the sky above had dozens of crag martins. With the light now failing it was time to call it a day. 8 hours in the field, 19° of glorious winter sunshine and plenty of good craic. A great way to belatedly bring in 2025 and even better to have the founding Old Gits back together.
Sounds just like the day I had in Arctic Staffordshire where the highlight was 36 hungry chaffinches and three siskins feeding in my garden.

Seriously I'm glad you had a good day all be it without ME!

best regards to you all,
Merlin
 
A day at Son Real today in glorious weather. Almost 2 hours in the hide finally produced a Hawfinch but not before we’d seen blackcap, male crossbill and several song thrushes. On leaving the hide we were treated to the sight of a low flying pale morph booted eagle. The walk down to the beach was uneventful and on arriving we couldn’t find turnstones which are usually guaranteed here. We did find several thekla lark, 2 meadow pipits, shag, 2 sandwich terns and audouins gulls. A closer look along the rocky parts of the beach finally produced 2 winter dunlin, 2 little stint, a ringed plover and 10-12 Kentish plover. Having heard Balearic warbler in the scrub a few times we were delighted to find an obliging bird sitting in the open to round off an excellent day.
 
Hi friends,
I'm Garth, living near Golf Pollensa, and MM suggested I join the Mallorca 2025 group.
Out today ( Friday) to Albufera, lovely weather, although not so many varieties seen, a most enjoyable morning.
I attach three of images from today, best wishes, Garth.
 

Attachments

  • Ed DSCN0267 copy.jpg
    Ed DSCN0267 copy.jpg
    3.1 MB · Views: 15
  • Little Bittern  DSCN0339 Lr.jpg
    Little Bittern DSCN0339 Lr.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 15
  • Ed DSCN0290 Lr.jpg
    Ed DSCN0290 Lr.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 15
Over the last few days have taken several local Sorties in the North of the Island. Each visit approximately one hour and covering different habitats at Son Real, Bocquer Valley, Lluc and Calle San Vicente.
The weather still a wonderful 20C.
Following Geordie Dave's tip from above, headed to Son real. However I only stayed 1 hour at the Hide with no sign of the Hawfinch. A nice view of Thekla Lark, Firecrest, Serins there and some 20 Species seen. Maybe I should be more patience!
Did pick up 20 Turnstones and Sandwich Terns at the Beach.
Bocquer Valley revealed a fine Booted Eagle, 3 Black Vultures, 2 Griffon vultures, and a Blue Rock Thrush. Some 20 species seen.
A trip to Lluc added some 14 Griffon Vultures, 3 Black Vultures, Red Kites, Common Ravens, Firecrest, Song Thrushes and Booted Eagle.
Final visit to the sea. Quiet except for Shag, Cormorants, Audouins and yellow legged Gulls. A Blue Rock thrush was nearby.
The North is a great place to stay ( do not forget Albufera, Albuferata, Cancurrassa, Formentor, Maristany, La Gola)received_865873925522610.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • received_518683107241516.jpeg
    received_518683107241516.jpeg
    319.7 KB · Views: 15
  • received_616546371202079.jpeg
    received_616546371202079.jpeg
    41.8 KB · Views: 13
  • received_1002731098342882.jpeg
    received_1002731098342882.jpeg
    333.9 KB · Views: 14
  • received_1639297096969536.jpeg
    received_1639297096969536.jpeg
    76.9 KB · Views: 12
  • received_1423976451909504.jpeg
    received_1423976451909504.jpeg
    9.1 KB · Views: 12
  • received_626144453198843.jpeg
    received_626144453198843.jpeg
    12.8 KB · Views: 12
  • received_1116379363283840.jpeg
    received_1116379363283840.jpeg
    21.7 KB · Views: 12
  • received_1376336490413814.jpeg
    received_1376336490413814.jpeg
    24.5 KB · Views: 12
Last edited:
I had a very fine day out today with Geordie Dave, Peter S., Kevin and MikeM at Randa and Vilafranca. We had target birds - the ring ouzel at Randa and the Iberian grey shrike at Vilafranca and found them both, albeit with the ring ouzel keeping very much to the undergrowth (no photo) and the shrike keeping its distance. But the joy of January is the newness of everything and even the relatively common is worth a tick. And besides the target birds, there were great tits and blue tits, blue rock thrush, a cirl bunting that turns out to be a serin, a dunnock, grey wagtail and a selection of handsome common redstarts, song thrushes and raptors, all looking fabulous in the glorious sunshine. Add in great company and pies that were truly top notch and it was a really enjoyable day out. Thank you to one and all. David, Kevin and Peter, I hope you enjoyed you stop at Maria after they left us.

Randa-Vilafranca-20250110-3-Enhanced-NR.jpg Randa-Vilafranca-20250110-7-Enhanced-NR.jpg Randa-Vilafranca-20250110-20-Enhanced-NR.jpg Randa-Vilafranca-20250110-32-Enhanced-NR.jpg Randa-Vilafranca-20250110-59-Enhanced-NR-3.jpg Randa-Vilafranca-20250110-68-Enhanced-NR-2.jpg
 
After Randa, ring ouzels, brambling, blue tit and dunnock; then Vilafranca with Corn bunting and the ever obliging Iberian grey shrike (6th winter in a row?) Peter S, Kevin and I headed to Prat San Jordi. The sunlight was always against us and viewing the scrape was difficult but we did see Ringed and Little ringed plover, common and green sandpiper and several common snipe. We did then manage to find 1 and possibly 2 Jack snipe but they were always a little distant and either very mobile or skulking in the vegetation. An excellent day and several not so easy to see Mallorca birds added to the year list. Highs of 20° and lows of 19°, January in Mallorca with clear blue skies; it’s a pleasure to be here.
 
Today we have the technology and communications to help find birds, rarities etc.
Years ago few forums like this existed.
This forum and the excellent ebird are very useful guides to a day out birding.
Screenshot_20250111_174326_eBird.jpg
Today decided to follow the route of previous birders and head up to Randa in search for Ring Ouzel.
Screenshot_20250111_124612_eBird.jpg
At the site of this wonderful Monastery I met local bird watcher Pablo who was also searching for the bird.
We both shared Local knowledge and stories of birding in Spain, as well as coffee. This is always the best way of communicating.
We both failed to see the Ring Ouzel but several other birds kept us entertained including Dunnock, Grey Wagtails, Blackcaps, Meadow pipits, Etc.
We both ended up at Prat Son Jardi searching for the Jack Snipe, again with no luck.
Despite dipping on two species, I really enjoyed the magnificent scenery, the weather (no rain as forcast) and most of all the birding companionship.
 
A later start today; after the strong winds and showers I made my way to Albufereta for the afternoon. All quiet on the beach with only 2 audouins gulls, black headed gull and little egret on show. On the main ponds there were 40-50 flamingo, 2 great white egrets, 6 grey herons, a resting Osprey and a single female marsh harrier. In the woods and around the finca garden a group of 10-12 serin were feeding. From Sa Barcassa hide was a single greenshank and 2 hoopoe were in the paddocks opposite but nothing else of note until a stunning male hen harrier appeared from the left, low over the water. It made its way close by in front of the hide across the pond and the grassy area to the right before turning in the direction of the mound and disappearing from view. There were several chiffchaff, a sardinian warbler and 2 meadow pipits on the mound. I checked the finca garden and the grass field on the way out looking for stone curlew but they weren’t in their usual roosting places. The sun shone throughout the afternoon and a male hen harrier had put in an appearance; what a combination!
 
Strong winds up North today upto 45 km/hour!
However recent sightings at nearby Albuferata included Hen Harrier, Woodchat Shrike, Purple Heron and even Common Quail! persuaded me to venture out!
Despite the gorgeous sunshine, It was blowing a Hooley!
Birds were struggling in the wind, however some 30 species were seen in a short visit.
Of course none of the reported birds were seen.
Highlights seen included 2 Marsh Harriers, Osprey, at least 20 Flamingos, Meadow Pipits, Hoopoe, and Squacco Heron.
The real star seen was a hunting Merlin..too fast for a photo!
Worth getting out there!

received_1637688033799147.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • received_581260764538286.jpeg
    received_581260764538286.jpeg
    92.8 KB · Views: 5
Last edited:
Results of the Bigyear Mallorca are available.
The runaway winner was Biel who sped off into the distance very early in the year but then faded away, which was a shame because he may have had a go at the all-time record.
Juanjo had a late spurt to overtake our David by only one species.
David worked very hard to come in third, a great result considering the amount of time he is on the Island. I have been in the field with him many times and he just keeps going whilst I am usually on my way home.
That’s why I was fourth.
It’s all been great fun so congratulations to all participants.
A special thanks must go to Pep for organising us lot and keeping an eye on our records.
It has been suggested that we all collate our records this year into one list so that we know the total species seen.
I hope I got that right but I look forward to hearing more about this suggestion.
Mike
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2023.jpeg
    IMG_2023.jpeg
    273.9 KB · Views: 16
This morning's trip to the Salobrar – the first of the year – was all about being in the right place at the right time. I didn't really want to get up, so warm and cosy in bed, the cold north wind blowing, but I then I did go and found a marked difference between "out" and "back". When I arrived, it was pretty chilly although yesterday's biting wind was not yet in evidence. I soon saw nearly 100 flamingos, little egret, black-winged stilt, plentiful shelduck and also shoveler and wigeon, which I enjoyed because I rarely see any ducks there except shelduck and mallard. There were also solitary little stint and little ringed plover. A small group of lapwing flew over. Finally, at the pump house, I could see several marsh harrier circling. On the way back, nothing but a few scattered shelduck. Even the crowd of flamingos had disappeared almost entirely. Just before I reached the last of the ponds on the right, there was a sudden flash of blue and a kingfisher settled for a moment on an embankment, rested briefly and was gone. If I had not happened to glance in that direction at just that moment, I would not have seen it, which made me realise again how much birding depends on sheer chance and how many sightings are lost because I don't happen to look in the right direction at the right moment.
Salobrar-20250113-1.jpg Salobrar-20250113-6.jpg
 
I shared your need to stay in bed Derban, but I bit the bullet and headed to Son Real hide to search for that accursed Hawfinch.
The weather was sunny but still Windy( about 30 km/hr.)
Very quiet in the Area, Several Song Thrushes, Hoopoes, Great tits, Sardinian Warblers, Robins and Green finches showing well.
I could hear the Hawfinch but could not find it. Decided to leave when I received a message on my phone so stopped to answer. The Hawfinch flew down to the pond for a few seconds.
As you say Derban, it was just by chance I stayed and looked in that direction.Feeling lucky I headed for the Beach. The waves were high and birds were hunkered down. Saw several Thekla Larks, Audouins Gulls, Kentish Plovers, Cormorants on the Coast.
Balearic Warbler and Crossbills were heard on the way back.
Had a message from Geordie Dave about Little Bittern and Male Harrier in Albufera. Headed over but failed to see the birds.
A quick visit to the hides revealed flamingos, Avocets, Black Winged Stilts, Little Egrets, Shellducks, Shoverlers, Osprey and Glossy Ibis.
It was worth getting out of bed!received_3789216788010811.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • received_1060155022535603.jpeg
    received_1060155022535603.jpeg
    76.5 KB · Views: 10
  • received_635762352113257.jpeg
    received_635762352113257.jpeg
    109.3 KB · Views: 10
  • received_2391231867891299.jpeg
    received_2391231867891299.jpeg
    166.5 KB · Views: 10
  • received_619116710463429.jpeg
    received_619116710463429.jpeg
    102.3 KB · Views: 12
  • received_433677619711881.jpeg
    received_433677619711881.jpeg
    95.1 KB · Views: 11
  • received_604669325480381.jpeg
    received_604669325480381.jpeg
    55.7 KB · Views: 11

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top