Mallorca 2017 (2 Viewers)

Mike Montier · Nov 17, 2017

Mirella photographed a splendid male Brambling near where I live. I have never seen one here so needless to say, I will be there in the morning! Mike

Mcnswiss2 · Nov 17, 2017

Mike Montier said:
A really nice day out with Mike and Susan McSwiss at Porto Colom.
Firstly, around the coastal scrub, we logged at least three Dartford warblers, several Balearic warblers and close up Fan-tailed warblers.
Later, on the sea watch we saw three Northern Gannet, a raft of interesting ducks which remain unidentified as does the distant auk species which whizzed along the horizon. Seawatching here can be great but it’s also very frustrating with many interesting looking species too far away to be sure of clinching a safe ID.

Many thanks for your great guidance and fun. Gorgeous Day.

Still searching for the ID of the raft of ducks - my first thoughts were scoters or eider ducks with their wing flapping etc but this seems very unlikely ( however the recent winds may have had an impact). If anybody has ideas?

StewB · Nov 18, 2017

Mike! Have you been for the red-flanked bluetail yet? Amazingly popped up on my Twitter a/c a few minutes ago, with a photo. Bizarre to get Mallorca bird news in the UK so quickly!

Stew

Josep Manchado · Nov 18, 2017

Red-flanked bluetail in Majorca!!!

Today, in an small water drinking pool in the Comuna de Bunyola, we have seen several Hawfinches, Siskins, Bramblings and other several birds, we have had a MEGA bomb! ona young female of Red-flanked bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus)!!! It is a very rare bird in Europa (vagrand) and the First one for Balearic Islands, and only the 5 o 6th in Spain!!

We (Joan Mateu) and me, coudnt believe what our eyes were watching, this strange bird just 4 meters from us, Unluckylly the local robin attached her repetedly.

I upload here some pics.

Mike Montier · Nov 18, 2017

Many congratulations Pep, what a fantastic find and a real mega for Spain. A first for Mallorca is what we all dream about and I am very happy for you. Enjoy your evening and celebrate with a few beers. Stunning bird. Vagrants are often tired and weak when they arrive and they sometimes get attacked by other species. I hope it survives.
Hi Stew, yes, amazing that you may have known before I did! Mike

Mcnswiss2 · Nov 18, 2017

Last walk up Bocquer Valley for this year

The usual favourites: Booted Eagles (3), Balearic Warblers (3) and Blue Rock Thrushes(2). Osprey flew along the Valley as well. First Fieldfare seen near the car park enterence with goldfinches and greenfinches. The Black Redstarts are now establishing their territories.

Enjoy the rest of the year young at heart Birders and looking forward to even Bigger Year score in the new year

Mike

Mcnswiss2 · Nov 18, 2017

Well done on the Tarsiger..Awesome!

Mike Montier · Nov 18, 2017

A Snow Finch has been seen on s’esclop together with a Ring Ouzel. The rare birds just keep coming. I wonder what else is out there? Mike

Mcnswiss2 · Nov 18, 2017

Eider ducks?

StewB · Nov 20, 2017

Hi everyone,

I am confident that I know what bird is shown in the attached photo, which was taken in the Puerto Pollenca area of Mallorca. However, there are other opinions being expressed as to the identity of the species.

I would appreciate anyone else's views (please), and any comment on why it is the species / age you think would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Stew

foresttwitcher · Nov 20, 2017

I agree with the others who have already replied on the ID thread that it is a juvenile desmarestii Shag.

StewB · Nov 21, 2017

foresttwitcher said:
I agree with the others who have already replied on the ID thread that it is a juvenile desmarestii Shag.

Thanks Pete. I was getting flamed on another non-birding site for commenting that this photo posted as cormorant was in fact a juv (Mediterranean) shag.

eagle33 · Nov 21, 2017

Juv Shag

StewB said:
Hi everyone,

I am confident that I know what bird is shown in the attached photo, which was taken in the Puerto Pollenca area of Mallorca. However, there are other opinions being expressed as to the identity of the species.

I would appreciate anyone else's views (please), and any comment on why it is the species / age you think would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Stew

Mike Montier · Nov 21, 2017

Thanks Stew. I have been reading up lots about Mediterranean Shag and realized how little I knew so it’s been a useful excerise. Mike

Mike Montier · Nov 21, 2017

In with the Hawfinch invasion have been good numbers of Siskin. Also Brambling and Ring Ouzel are more numerous than usual. Wondering what rarity could be next, how about a nice rare Thrush? Mike

StewB · Nov 21, 2017

Mike Montier said:
Thanks Stew. I have been reading up lots about Mediterranean Shag and realized how little I knew so it’s been a useful excerise. Mike

Cheers Mike - it’s interesting isn’t it? But the ID wasn’t a problem. Sadly someone seemed to think that I was arrogant for suggesting that it wasn’t a cormorant

I realise that I need to get to the Island “out of season” again - some of those species in your subsequent post would look nice on my Mallorca list!

Stew

Mike Montier · Nov 21, 2017

Yes Stew, and lots of those species are much easier this year than most. Ring Ouzel, Redwing, Fieldfare, Hawfinch, Siskin, Brambling all getable. Alpine Accentor a bit later although I’m not sure you need that one. Hope you make it one day. Mike

Mike Montier · Nov 22, 2017

Just an update on the Bigyear, it’s neck and neck at the top with both Pedro and Mika on 205. There have been a few good birds recently so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
Reaching 200 is hard here with lots of traveling involved and of course, the time to do it.
I have never reached this milestone before but I’m on 198 so I might just scrape home. As I still need Tree sparrow and Dunnock, it should be possible.
Mike

Mike Montier · Nov 22, 2017

A Barnacle goose has appeared at Maristany. It seems to have been accepted as a genuine vagrant but the origin of geese is sometimes questionable. There is also a Ferruginous Duck there. I need them both for the Bigyear so I have just suggested to my wife that we go tomorrow instead of shopping in Palma. The look I got said it all. I will be on 198 for a while longer then. Mike

Clive Griffin · Nov 23, 2017

Found a Woodcock today on my local patch (Colonia Sant Pere/Betlem) - unfortunately a dead one. It was fresh, no rigour mortis, no signs of being shot, and didn't appear to have a broken neck. It's legs were stretched out towards the tail, as though it died in flight, but cause of death is a mystery. I just had to record it's beautiful cryptic plumage.
Congratulations to Pep on finding the Red-flanked Bluetail. What a fantastic bird!

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