T&CWe are not far off our annual trip (prescription) to the great Island and as usual we head up North. On this occasion we do not plan to hire a car but we would like a trip to the Central Plain all the talk of Lesser Kestrel has us envious. If anybody knows if there is a bus to the area we would be very grateful, we are staying five days at Playa de Muro as to be near the s' Albufera, any help please on the bus service?
After five days we move to Port de Pollenca and we would like to get to Mortitx and again if anybody knows if a bus runs up past the winery it would be helpful.
Our target bird list is very low and very ambitious : Golden Oriole, Little Bittern, Lesser Kestrel, Roller, Scops Owl, Short-toed Lark, Spotless Starling, Wryneck and the most elusive bird on the Island, Dartford Warbler. Six of these would be lifers for us both.
Thank You
T&C
Thanks for that Neil, looks like the 316 heads towards the Central Plain and as you say the 231 for Mortitx, much appreciated.T&C
All bus info at www.tib.org - central plains a problem I think. Mortitx possible but I'm not sure. A couple of years ago I went to Cuber from Port de Pollensa but can't remember stopping at Mortitx. Bus 231 would be the one if so. Cuber worth a visit.
Neal
That’s an ambitious target list at the best of times!We are not far off our annual trip (prescription) to the great Island and as usual we head up North. On this occasion we do not plan to hire a car but we would like a trip to the Central Plain all the talk of Lesser Kestrel has us envious. If anybody knows if there is a bus to the area we would be very grateful, we are staying five days at Playa de Muro as to be near the s' Albufera, any help please on the bus service?
After five days we move to Port de Pollenca and we would like to get to Mortitx and again if anybody knows if a bus runs up past the winery it would be helpful.
Our target bird list is very low and very ambitious : Golden Oriole, Little Bittern, Lesser Kestrel, Roller, Scops Owl, Short-toed Lark, Spotless Starling, Wryneck and the most elusive bird on the Island, Dartford Warbler. Six of these would be lifers for us both.
Thank You
T&C
Yes Stew it is very ambitious and I think we will need the help of the Gods but we are very positive and realistic with which is the hardest list we have ever put together. We will give it a good go and there may even be a surprise or two along the way and there will be lots of laughs, cakes and piesThat’s an ambitious target list at the best of times!
Albufera will give your best chance of little bittern; Son Real is supposed to be good for Dartford warbler, although I’ve regularly knocked myself out in unsuccessful attempts to find them there; Son Real is good for wryneck though (especially the scrub near the hide on path 4); it’s good to see reports of calling Scops owl from the Puerto Pollenca area - maybe they’ll get pinned down soon 🤞.
Golden oriole and roller are fairly scarce migrants so you’re in the lap of the gods as to whether there’s any around when you’re there.
Short-toed lark seems pretty thin on the ground in the north (easier in the south in my experience). Possible in the central plain if you can get there.
Good luck!
Stew
To add to StewB post 491; I saw lesser kestrel and short toed lark on central plains a few days ago. I had 1 golden oriole at can Cuarrasa a couple of days ago in the same garden that I saw 5 together this time last year. There are spotless starlings at Can Cuarassa. The best views I’ve had of Dartford warbler were on fishermens walk at cal San Vicenc where I had 5 or 6 in January. There are little bittern at Albufera and I’ve had some success looking into the ditch that runs in front of Albufera next to the hotels at Carrer Bateman near the orange bridge. Roller was seen at Depuradora a couple of days ago. Good luck.We are not far off our annual trip (prescription) to the great Island and as usual we head up North. On this occasion we do not plan to hire a car but we would like a trip to the Central Plain all the talk of Lesser Kestrel has us envious. If anybody knows if there is a bus to the area we would be very grateful, we are staying five days at Playa de Muro as to be near the s' Albufera, any help please on the bus service?
After five days we move to Port de Pollenca and we would like to get to Mortitx and again if anybody knows if a bus runs up past the winery it would be helpful.
Our target bird list is very low and very ambitious : Golden Oriole, Little Bittern, Lesser Kestrel, Roller, Scops Owl, Short-toed Lark, Spotless Starling, Wryneck and the most elusive bird on the Island, Dartford Warbler. Six of these would be lifers for us both.
Thank You
T&C
Thanks for that Dave its much appreciated, we need all the help possibleTo add to StewB post 491; I saw lesser kestrel and short toed lark on central plains a few days ago. I had 1 golden oriole at can Cuarrasa a couple of days ago in the same garden that I saw 5 together this time last year. There are spotless starlings at Can Cuarassa. The best views I’ve had of Dartford warbler were on fishermens walk at cal San Vicenc where I had 5 or 6 in January. There are little bittern at Albufera and I’ve had some success looking into the ditch that runs in front of Albufera next to the hotels at Carrer Bateman near the orange bridge. Roller was seen at Depuradora a couple of days ago. Good luck.
Lucky you I spent two hours walking at Mortitx sunday without Bonelli which was the target bird that day.Penultimate day in the North of the island and a motor along the Ma-10 and back just for giggles. Just dropped in by Mortitx after 6 and found the Black Vulture and 2 Bonelli's Eagles waiting.
A final stage from Depuradora to Llenaire beckons tomorrow, no racing just enjoying the spectacle we hope à la TdF.
Fins la propera
Right above the vineyard entrance on this occasion. Best of luckLucky you I spent two hours walking at Mortitx sunday without Bonelli which was the target bird that day.
I have to take a new trip coming week