HemsleyOne
New member
Also, any views on what the small fritillaries flying around in Albufera were today, they were too fast to get a good look but smaller than speckled wood sized.
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Mallorca 2022 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mike Montier
- Start date
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Hi HemsleyOne
I’m not so good with butterflies so I hope someone else responds. Just for the record, I do know that the speckled wood here is smaller and more orange than the UK one.
Joakim
The areas surrounding the main reserve often produce some of the best birds so it’s all worth exploring. Here in Mallorca, you just never know.
It’s all a bit quiet just now but with a change of wind direction, who knows what may turn up.
Good luck.
Mike
I’m not so good with butterflies so I hope someone else responds. Just for the record, I do know that the speckled wood here is smaller and more orange than the UK one.
Joakim
The areas surrounding the main reserve often produce some of the best birds so it’s all worth exploring. Here in Mallorca, you just never know.
It’s all a bit quiet just now but with a change of wind direction, who knows what may turn up.
Good luck.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
I managed to squeeze in a short visit near the Cap in between the dentist and shopping.
I was just setting up when Martin (Houdiny) arrived.
It was great to have some company and to confirm that there really is nothing coming through at the moment. It was devoid of migrant raptors.
We did see those magnificent Bonelli’s eagles, two adults, soaring away in the background. A few Common kestrels, some Red kite and a handful of Eleonora’s falcons at least gave some entertainment.
Martin heard a Siskin as soon as he arrived, and later he heard another. Robins were also newly arrived.
When I left, I believe all that Martin saw were some Tree sparrows.
I will be back there Sunday with the usual enthusiasm, it hasn’t got me down yet. It’s the anticipation that keeps me going back.
No other news today.
Mike
I was just setting up when Martin (Houdiny) arrived.
It was great to have some company and to confirm that there really is nothing coming through at the moment. It was devoid of migrant raptors.
We did see those magnificent Bonelli’s eagles, two adults, soaring away in the background. A few Common kestrels, some Red kite and a handful of Eleonora’s falcons at least gave some entertainment.
Martin heard a Siskin as soon as he arrived, and later he heard another. Robins were also newly arrived.
When I left, I believe all that Martin saw were some Tree sparrows.
I will be back there Sunday with the usual enthusiasm, it hasn’t got me down yet. It’s the anticipation that keeps me going back.
No other news today.
Mike
HemsleyOne
New member
Sounds like that’s what they were then! Thanks Mike.
honeym
Well-known member
Mike's correct. The Speckled Woods there are the continental race. Much more orange than our pale yellow-spotted ones. Only two species of Fritillaries are reputedly recorded from the Balearic Islands, both quite large: the Queen of Spain and the Cardinal [and I'm not sure about the first].
Martin
Three black vultures getting agro from pair of falcons probably Eleanors also red kite on Tuesday in Boquer valley.
Can I get help with wader Id from s’albufera,pictures enclosed.thanks
Can I get help with wader Id from s’albufera,pictures enclosed.thanks
Attachments
eagle33
Craig Shaw
Common Sandpiper
eagle33
Craig Shaw
Just done a quick blog about my stay here at the end of September. Well done to Mike M for continuing with this thread, it really helps when on Holiday here.
craigshawsbirdingblog.blogspot.com
Majorca 23rd to 30th September
Amazing, its here again the Wonderful Island of Majorca, this time however the flight times of both going out and coming back meant we lost ...
craigshawsbirdingblog.blogspot.com
Last edited:
BA Birder3
Member
Fantastic to be here again after 3 1/2 years. Not a great number of birds but preferred time in the pool on a hot afternoon. A couple of kites + booted eagle on the way to the hotel. Kestrel and peregrine over Albufera seen from our balcony. 8 or so flamingos there as well. A number of bats around the hotel this evening. Tom
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Great report Craig. Some superb photos too. Thanks for posting it.
It’s great to see other parts of Mallorca too. It really is a beautiful Island.
All the best
Mike
It’s great to see other parts of Mallorca too. It really is a beautiful Island.
All the best
Mike
eagle33
Craig Shaw
Thanks Mike. Yes it's a wonderful island and I've lost count how many times we have been over the years.
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Another great aspect to our hobby is the people I’ve met here over the years.
Many have become good friends and we enjoy meeting up on social ocasiones too, although it’s not long before the conversation turns inevitably to birds.
Today was one such day when Martin, Mara and the delightful Isabella joined us here for lunch.
Eating outside is one of the privileges of living in this climate. Looking out to sea and up to the mountains is lovely.
Martin suggested that we call in at my local lighthouse before leaving.
It was a very sunny and warm evening and the sea was pretty calm.
We saw about a dozen Scopoli’s shearwaters.
Mara then spotted a Great white egret, a good bird for this site. It was at this point when I realised the reason why I miss so many birds.
Martin picked up the call of a Brambling and sure enough, a group of finches were flying around. They gave us the run around for a while by flying nervously from tree to tree, but eventually they gave themselves up. We saw a group of three with the bottom bird caught in the last rays of the setting sun. A Brambling for sure.
Martin also heard a Siskin and found a Blue Rock thrush and Robins were calling from everywhere so it seems there had been a fall of wintering birds.
There were also lots of Greenfinch and Chaffinch .
A very fitting end to a terrific day.
Mike
Many have become good friends and we enjoy meeting up on social ocasiones too, although it’s not long before the conversation turns inevitably to birds.
Today was one such day when Martin, Mara and the delightful Isabella joined us here for lunch.
Eating outside is one of the privileges of living in this climate. Looking out to sea and up to the mountains is lovely.
Martin suggested that we call in at my local lighthouse before leaving.
It was a very sunny and warm evening and the sea was pretty calm.
We saw about a dozen Scopoli’s shearwaters.
Mara then spotted a Great white egret, a good bird for this site. It was at this point when I realised the reason why I miss so many birds.
Martin picked up the call of a Brambling and sure enough, a group of finches were flying around. They gave us the run around for a while by flying nervously from tree to tree, but eventually they gave themselves up. We saw a group of three with the bottom bird caught in the last rays of the setting sun. A Brambling for sure.
Martin also heard a Siskin and found a Blue Rock thrush and Robins were calling from everywhere so it seems there had been a fall of wintering birds.
There were also lots of Greenfinch and Chaffinch .
A very fitting end to a terrific day.
Mike
Geordie Dave
Well-known member
One your wader photos shows what appears to be a strong white supercilium, it could be Wood Sandpiper??
BA Birder3
Member
Hi, keep hearing a very strong tu-tu-tu call from our hotel by Albufera. From the book I thought Common Sandpiper but having listened online to those calls it is nothing like it. Not seen the culprit and the mozzies are keeping me from exploring too much. Any ideas would be appreciated. A Wryneck in the hotel grounds was a bonus this morning. Thanks, Tom
Greenshank?
BA Birder3
Member
Ah, that sounds like it. Thank you 😀👍
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Just for interest, Phil Akers sent me this photo of a snake seen by a friend of his, in a garden in Son Servera, Mallorca.
Apparently, it is caenoplana coerulea, originally from Australia, but now establishing populations around the globe.
This may be the first record for Mallorca but I’m out of my depth again.
The record was described as “interesting” so I thought I would pass it on, with due credit to Phil Akers.
Mike
Apparently, it is caenoplana coerulea, originally from Australia, but now establishing populations around the globe.
This may be the first record for Mallorca but I’m out of my depth again.
The record was described as “interesting” so I thought I would pass it on, with due credit to Phil Akers.
Mike
Attachments
Mike Montier
Well-known member
It was nice to have some company again at Cap de Ses salines this morning.
I could listen to Pep all day with his stories of birding is some far-away and rather dangerous locations.
I must say, I don’t have the nerve for that kind of thing, but it is nevertheless, very entertaining.
We managed so few birds, just one high up Marsh harrier leaving the Island, and possibly, a Booted eagle doing the same.
Bonelli’s eagles put in one of their regular appearances.
Lots of finches were passing overhead when I got to the Cap early on, but I couldn’t hear any calls sadly. I have some awful photos but can’t be sure of any of them. Where is Martin when you need him?!
11 Monarch went past and 8 Plain tigers.
Mike
I could listen to Pep all day with his stories of birding is some far-away and rather dangerous locations.
I must say, I don’t have the nerve for that kind of thing, but it is nevertheless, very entertaining.
We managed so few birds, just one high up Marsh harrier leaving the Island, and possibly, a Booted eagle doing the same.
Bonelli’s eagles put in one of their regular appearances.
Lots of finches were passing overhead when I got to the Cap early on, but I couldn’t hear any calls sadly. I have some awful photos but can’t be sure of any of them. Where is Martin when you need him?!
11 Monarch went past and 8 Plain tigers.
Mike
eagle33
Craig Shaw
Where are all these monarchs coming from I wonder.
