[Andrew1998]

I'm recently back from a enjoyable 10 day holiday to.Alcudia,Mallorca held 3 birding days. the holiday I have had 26 NEW BIRDS ADDED TO MY LIST.

Although this was not a birding holiday, it almost seemed like it with plenty sightings of Osprey,Serin,Spotted Flycatcher,little and Cattle Egret and Purple and night heron from the pool and balcony of our apartment.

I am not going to this in a day to day format. Instead I will put the site then the species under it. Birds with ! are lifers for me.

TRANSFER BUS

Booted Eagle!
Serin!
spottedflycatcher



HOTEL GROUNDS

1. Spotted Flycatcher - very common not only here but throughout the island.
2.Cuckoo- single bird seen on first day while taking cases to apartment.
3.Feral Pigeon- easily 40 all day perched on their favourite tree.
4.Yellow-Legged Gull- drank out pool dawn and dusk when quiet.!
5.Audouins Gull-uncommon though much easier Alcudia,Pollenca beaches.!
6.Serin-Regular on pines around apartment often just a few meters away.!
7.house sparrow-fairy common
8.Hoopoe-1 bird seen between a carpark and base of a mountain.!
9.Kestrel-family seen most days on or around mountain
10.Eleonora's Falcon- hunting swifts high above apartment.!


FARMLAND NEAR HOTEL.

1.Woodchat Shrike-one of the best birds seen. A small family of 4-6 seen.!
2.Hoopoe-2 birds on farmland.!
3.Sardinian Warbler-single bird sitting on wire fence.!

ALCUDIA/POLLENCA BEACH

1.Audouins Gull-common flying over busy beaches .!
2.Yellow-legged gull-seen here and everywhere.!


S'ALBUFERA-2 visits

1.Red-crested Pochard-2 female/juv seen well.!
2.Little Bittern-2 really close flybys,could see into the first ones feather detail.!
3.Squacco Heron-4-5 birds seen at egretry and single birds flying along canals.!
4.Purple Heron.-seen a few times though only once on the ground.!
5.Night Heron-3-4 birds at egretry
6.Purple Swamphen-extremly easy throughout the reserve.Stunning birds.!
7.Red knobbed Coot-easy near reception and bridge beside entrance to bishop hides.!
8.Kentish Plover-seen at one of the hides,sorry can't remember the name.!
9.Black-winged Stilt-30-40 same hide as the plover. It the one where the path continues past the bishop hides.!
10.Stone Curlew.3-5 sharing C.I.M hide with hundreds of plovers.!
11.Cattle Egret-40 birds egretry and field at reception which is the one on the left hand side of the CIM HIDE.!
12.Yellow Wagtail-plenty C.I.M hide !
13.Cetti's Warbler-familys bistop hides and 10plus on long path from main reserve to Son Bosc.!
14.Zitting Cistcola-very flighty S'Albufera. A family on cearal field on long path to son bosc.!
15.Bee Eaters-probaly the best bird of the holiday. A group of 8 flew along path from cim hide into a row of trees in the wetland.!!!!!!!!!! also 2 son bosc
16.Hoopoe- 1 bird field at reception.!
17.Sardinian Warbler-male seen on path to son bosc.!
plus all the usuals like mallard ect

BOQUER VALLEY

1.Blue Rock Thrush-2 flyovers plus one superb male perched on rock.!
2.Crag Martin-flying along large rocks straight after car-park.!
3.Balaeric Warbler-2 quick fast moving birds at the 2 large rocks you walk between plus several quick flybys.!
Cirl Bunting-2 distant birds on small bush.!

Overall a great first holiday abroad as a birder and would definately recommened mallorca even in july, just take lots of water,suncream and insect repellent. A family member had to go to docter to see an apple sized lump after a misquito bit her leg. After an injection from the doctor and tablets it was still swollen for a few days but thankfullly now better.

cheers Andy

[Andrew1998]

Oops

I also saw Eleonora's Falcon at boquer valley, 2pale phase 1 dark phase.

[wolfbirder]

Nice one Andrew, Mallorca is a wonderful island, love it. And you are right about those Bee-eaters.

[osprey31]

You can't go wrong with Mallorca, i'm there at the beginning of October

[rdspalm]

You seemed to have the best of both, a nice holiday and some good birding. I was in Mallorca for the first time in late April. Had a brilliant few days birding. Follow my flickr link for some photos.

Richard