Mallorca 2022 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Montier]

Lots of Common crane around today with 16 seen in flight around Salobrar de Campos and a total of 30 around the first pool from hotel fontsanta, which of course, may include the group seen earlier in flight.
I do hope many stay to over-winter here, they are such a fine sight flying over the marsh, one of my favourite calls in that environment.
Mike.

 

[Owene]

Would be interested in any gen you get Owen - over there myself next September for a few days. Main avian targets Balearic warbler and Eleonora's Falcon, then various odonates, butterflies and herps.

Chris

I'm finding it hard to get a list that doesn't include stuff with a handful of records but it doesn't seem that good for butterflies, mainly the core british ones but it does get two tailed pasha, monarch and plain tiger

 

[Geordie Dave]

Hi. I’m looking to come out next spring for a Thursday to Sunday trip and hopefully see the flycatcher and Balearic and Moltonis warbler. (And maybe the shearwaters and any reptiles but the three birds above are the priority). Does anyone on here either know of a bird guide for the island who could help with that or a birder with transport who would be happy to do the same (paid obviously).

I’ve got some freedom about dates and could try and chose accommodation to suit.

Anyone able to help?

Owene you don’t say whether you will have your own transport which I would recommend. Mediterranean flycatcher is easy and once they arrive in early spring they are everywhere; parks, gardens etc. Balearic warbler is resident and fairly easy to see in the right place. I have an apartment in Port de Pollenca and know the north of the island quite well. They can be found at the Albercutx Tower, in the Boquer Valley, on the fisherman’s walk at Cala San Vicenc (all close to Port de Pollenca). They are also at Son Real in the low scrub behind the beach. As for Moltonis warbler, I’ve only ever seen 1 in my 20+ visits in the last 4 years and that was at Mortix. Other contributors to this forum are better qualified than me to advise but I do believe they are/were at Cuber reservoir. For shearwaters the lighthouse at Cap de Ses Salines at the extreme south of the island is a guaranteed spot to see them (Balearic, scopoli and Yelkouan). It is worth reading this forum nearer the time as the season comes round again to see what is being seen where. Good luck.

 

[Owene]

Thank you. That’s all very useful. I’ll have a look at the costs of transport, I probably also won’t have a scope as it’s just it being a quick trip on budget airline that makes it’s doable at all which might cause shearwater issues. I’m at the very early planning stage right now and as I said a guide I contacted a while ago has now got in touch.

 

[StewB]

Owene you don’t say whether you will have your own transport which I would recommend. Mediterranean flycatcher is easy and once they arrive in early spring they are everywhere; parks, gardens etc. Balearic warbler is resident and fairly easy to see in the right place. I have an apartment in Port de Pollenca and know the north of the island quite well. They can be found at the Albercutx Tower, in the Boquer Valley, on the fisherman’s walk at Cala San Vicenc (all close to Port de Pollenca). They are also at Son Real in the low scrub behind the beach. As for Moltonis warbler, I’ve only ever seen 1 in my 20+ visits in the last 4 years and that was at Mortix. Other contributors to this forum are better qualified than me to advise but I do believe they are/were at Cuber reservoir. For shearwaters the lighthouse at Cap de Ses Salines at the extreme south of the island is a guaranteed spot to see them (Balearic, scopoli and Yelkouan). It is worth reading this forum nearer the time as the season comes round again to see what is being seen where. Good luck.

Dave is right, the flycatcher and Balearic warbler shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve seen Moltoni’s at Cuber a few times in the past, but couldn’t find them there in June this year. I’m sure that there are other established sites, but they don’t seem to be in the public domain. Don’t forget the witherbyi race of reed bunting - present at Albufera, but not easy!

If you’re looking for a knowledgeable guide, it’s worth contacting Pere Tomas at Mallorca Natural Tours.

Stew

 

[Mike Montier]

A friend drove me down the road to Es Trenc beach at Salobrar but he couldn’t understand why on earth I would want to stop to look for birds.
Despite his impatience, the first bird I clapped eyes on was a Slender-billed gull!
It was a year tick so I was more than happy.
We sped off quickly with him shaking his head in disbelief at my elation.
Non-birders are funny people.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Not much to report but there are some Siskins around and two Common buzzard over the Central Plain.
Some strong winds are coming this way I believe so that might liven things up a bit.
Mike

 

[Ian Bell]

If you’re looking for a knowledgeable guide, it’s worth contacting Pere Tomas at Mallorca Natural Tours.

Stew

I have used Pere at Mallorca Natural Tours a few times In different areas of the Island and he Is very knowledgeable and well worth booking.

 

[Owene]

I have used Pere at Mallorca Natural Tours a few times In different areas of the Island and he Is very knowledgeable and well worth booking.

I’ve emailed. Thanks for the recommendation guys

 

[BA Birder3]

Are Spotted Flycatchers seen on the island too? Thinking back to birds I've seen previously and wondering now whether in fact they might have been Med Flycatchers. No photos unfortunately.

 

[Richard Prior]

Are Spotted Flycatchers seen on the island too? Thinking back to birds I've seen previously and wondering now whether in fact they might have been Med Flycatchers. No photos unfortunately.

Sounds as though you and I are in the same boat, as Spotted Flycatcher migrâtes through in Spring and Autumn and if like me you didn’t notice or know of the plumage differences between it and Med Flycatcher when you saw your Mallorca ‘Spotted Flycatchers’ ( late May 1980 in my case) we can never be sure, a possible armchair tick which will forever remain a possible!!!

 

[Mike Montier]

Two Razorbill have been seen off Ibiza so I hope we get a few down our way.
Cap de Ses Salines is a good place but the coast just east of Palma seems best, Cala Gamba being particularly productive. There is always a chance of a Red-breasted merganser too although it’s a bit early yet.
Not much other news, it’s rather quiet.
Hard weather may bring some winter goodies, I just love the close-ups of Hawfinch we get here from the hide at Son Real.
Let’s just hope we get a few this winter. Alpine accentors pretty much guaranteed too.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Well, a Razorbill did indeed turn up just east of Palma, found I think, by Elisa.
There is some fabulous footage of it fishing right by the coast, just a few yards away. Not sure who took the video, no name comes up on my phone so apologies to them. Watching it swim under the clear, shallow water is a delight.
Other reports of Razorbills are coming in, Andratx and Porto Colom.
Looks like a mini-influx.
Nice.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

If I knew who took the video, I would ask them if I could share it here, but I never use photos without permission. I will try my best.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

I would like to view your photos derban but it says I need permission!
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

I believe another Razorbill has turned up so it’s worth trying all those sheltered bays for others, it’s pretty rough out to sea at the moment.
I hope a few stick around.
Having been an avid sea watcher for many years now, there is always a chance of something spectacular.
I’ve seen a couple of rarities over the years and two I couldn’t specifically identify.
A species of Pelican and a petrel species which was not a Storm petrel. It was bigger with a different jizz.
It’s exciting and frustrating in equal measures looking out to sea. I have grown to love it more and more because you just never know what’s coming round the corner next.
I’m at my local lighthouse two or three times every week throughout the year so I guess I’m bound to find a few goodies.
I will keep at it.
Mike

 

[derban]

I would like to view your photos derban but it says I need permission!
Mike

I couldn't upload the photos for some reason so I deleted the post. I'll try again tomorrow perhaps!

 

[derban]

Here goes again – I've resized the photos of my walk at the Salobrar yesterday – a chilly morning soon warmed by the sun. There were quite a lot of the commoner waders, a marsh harrier circling over the island in the first pond, and now there seems to be a resident osprey. I enjoyed the hoopoes (three in total) on the stone house in the first field on the right but I did not spot anything out of the ordinary so I've also included a chiffchaff from my specialist ornithological hide/garden shed and a decorative spider, which I hope an arachnophile reader might identify for me?

 

[Mike Montier]

Nice photos derban, very atmospheric. I like the Hoopoe with that backdrop.
I think the spider is argiope but I’m sure there is a Spider-Man out there who can confirm.
I’m always intrigued by the “ladder” that this species always seem to have in their web. Maybe someone could explain that too.
I thought that the mosquitos would have retired for the season as I’ve had enough bites for this year thanks. I will bring repellant on my next visit. They really have been voracious.
Still blowing a hooley out there so I think the Razorbills will stick around for a bit.
Mike

 

[Val35]

How common is Razorbill in Mallorca ?
It seems like the influx now reached Corsica : at least 5 different birds have been seen since Friday, including 3 giving excellent views in the port of Bastia.
It's a pretty rare bird here !