Boquer Valley (Vall de Bocquer) Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Situated between Puerto Pollensa and the Formentor Peninsula this Mallorcan valley has scrub-covered slopes of Cistus and Mastic Tree with Mediterranean Buckthorn nearer the sea, providing perfect habitat for various passerines.
Nightingale is common, as are Marmora's and Sardinian Warblers. The surrounding open fields have Black-eared Wheatear, Stonechat, Goldfinch and Wryneck and Eurasian Scops Owl is heard after dark. Black Redstart, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Rock Sparrow occur in the rockier parts. In the higher parts of the valley are Red-legged Partridge, Eurasian Crag Martin and Blue Rock Thrush. Also seen in the upper reaches are Peregrine Falcon, Northern Raven and Common Kestrel with the occasional Black Vulture and rarely also Egyptian Vulture. The Eleonora's Falcons that nest at Formentor often hunt in the valley.
During passage periods Common and Western Honey-Buzzards, harriers and kites overfly the area and sometimes Osprey and Booted Eagle. European Bee-eater is a common spring migrant in the area as are flycatchers, warblers and chats. European Roller and Golden Oriole are scarce but regular.
The valleu is within easy walking distance of Puerto Pollensa from the Formentor road just outside the town.
Birds
Birds you can see here include:
Western Honey-Buzzard, Black Kite, Red Kite, Black Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Common Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Osprey, Common Kestrel, Eleonora's Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Red-legged Partridge, Common Quail, Stone-curlew, Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Turtle Dove, Eurasian Scops Owl, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Eurasian Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Tree Pipit, Nightingale, Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Stonechat, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Blackbird, Zitting Cisticola, Marmora's Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Great Tit, Golden Oriole, Woodchat Shrike, Northern Raven, Rock Sparrow, European Serin, Goldfinch, Cirl Bunting
Content and images originally posted by Steve
Reviews
ikw101's review
Avoid visits between 10.30am and 4pm Too busy. Best visted in Spring.
Boquer Valley – Puerto Pollensa After a few minor difficulties finding the start of the valley (adjacent to the Oro Playa apartments) again we found this site to be relatively quiet however the spectacular scenery made up for the relative lack of birds. The highlight was undoubtedly watching an Egyptian Vulture being mobbed by a large group of Eleonora’s falcon. A close second was the incredible number of Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstarts and Stonechats at the base of the valley. Undoubtedly this site would be better in Spring however its definitely worth visiting in late Summer as well. Numerous raptors were seen moving through probably on migration including a Black Kite and an unknown large Eagle.
Kestrel Goldfinch Eleonora’s falcon Pied Flycatcher Greenfinch Raven Egyptian Vulture Black Kite Redstart Spotted Flycatcher Crag Martin Sardinian Warbler Stonechat Red Kite
Pros
- Easy access
Cons
- Can get very busy
