Albufereta Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
Although it is not nearly as good as it was a few decades ago and over-shadowed by the larger Albufera to the south, Albufereta is still worth visiting for a range of wetland birds and various migrants. The habitats consist of marshes, parts of which are still rather inaccessible, reedbeds and open water surrounded by dry scrubland.
Osprey and Eleonora's Falcon are commonly seen in this area as are Marsh Harrier and, on passage, Montagu's and Hen Harriers. In spring 2002 a male Pallid Harrier was present. Little Egret and various herons occur here and there are Zitting Cisticola, Cetti's, and Moustached Warblers. In the more open areas Red-legged Partridge, Hoopoe and Corn Bunting are common.
Like Albufera Marsh this area is botanically rich with a range of orchids including Bumble-bee Ophrys bombyliflora and Mirror Ophrys speculum.
Albufereta lies beside the Puerto Pollensa to Alcudia road on the north-east coast of Mallorca. The minor roads to the north and west of the marsh towards Pollensa are good for a range of passerine migrants as well as various herons. Puerto Pollensa is undoubtedly the best base for an ornithological exploration of Mallorca lying, as it does, within easy reach of most of the best birding sites on the island.
Birds
Birds you can see here include:
Great Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Mallard, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Osprey, Red-footed Falcon, Eleonora's Falcon, Common Quail, Water Rail, Spotted Crake, Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Little Stint, Temminck's Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Audouin's Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Black Tern, Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Eurasian Scops Owl, Common Swift, European Roller, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Greater Short-toed Lark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, House Martin, Tawny Pipit, Red-throated Pipit, Blue-headed Wagtail, Nightingale, Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Moustached Warbler, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, Golden Oriole, Woodchat Shrike, Common Starling, European Serin, Corn Bunting
Content and images originally posted by Steve
Reviews
ikw101's review
An excellent site although access can be awkward. Fortunately being based at the adjacent Club Pollentia complex we had a slight advantage. Several wooden bridges over the ditches suggest access on foot is available around the back of the hotel however by September the route is overgrown and obscured (lack of use). Unfortunately everybody takes Gosneys guide at face value and no longer seem to bother. We found the Albuferata to be best in early morning, mid-afternoon/evening. Highlights were the Booted Eagle, Marsh Harriers and Osprey overhead. Wryneck in the tamarisk, Olivaceous warblers in the taller reeds, Squacco, Night and Purple Herons in and around the ditches/pools and the spectacular movements across the marsh at dusk. Literally hundreds of Night Herons, Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets etc. flying to their roosts.
Blackbird Marsh Harrier Spanish Sparrow Squacco Heron Grey Heron Water rail Moorhen Coot Serin Little Egret Great White Egret Wryneck Purple Heron Nightingale Cettis Warbler Woodpigeon Kingfisher Barn Swallow Bluethroat Blackcap Shag - 1st year desmarestti (between rocks on beachfront in front of hotel at high tide) Mallard Purple Galinule Black Vulture (over radiomast hill early morning) Little Grebe Osprey Spotted Flycatcher (common in Olives) Ringed Plover Little Ringed Plover Collared Dove Savis Warbler Fan-tailed Warbler Olivaceous Warbler Booted Eagle Barn Owl (dead at side of road) Stonechat
Can Guarassa, Puerto Pollensa
An extensive open area of marshland and scrub to the rear of the Can Guarassa restaurant on the main Puerto Pollensa Alcudia road. Although only visited twice we were impressed with this site. Hoopoe was regular especially next to the beehives, Cattle Egret in the sheep fields, Woodchat Shrike on the fenceposts, Serin and huge flocks of Goldfinch everywhere. Although reputedly good for red footed falcon we could only find common Kestrel.
Kestrel Cattle Egret Hoopoe Woodchat Shrike Stonechat Goldfinch Greenfinch Pigeon Unknown leaf warbler Sardinian Warbler Cirl Bunting
Pros
- Diverse range of habitats
Cons
- Access
