H Johnsson
Well-known member
I will stay a week in Palma from 15th september. Have some meetings in Palma first days but will certainly go to Cap and try to avoid capote days
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Mallorca 2021 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mike Montier
- Start date
Phil Akers
Well-known member
My wife Jan and I took our 2 dogs Molly and Dave out for a walk today along the beautiful coastal stretch between Son Baulo and Son Real on the Alcudia bay. It's one of our favourites because it's one of the few places that we can walk the dogs all year round with no restrictions and the scenery is fabulous. Also, from a very selfish point of view it's also great for birding, so I always take my bins and camera because you never know what can turn up here, especially during migrations.
It's good for Turnstone which I`ve seen here in every month of the year, Kentish Plover.. we saw about 120 today, Thekla Lark, Tawny Pipit, Audouin's Gull..54 today, Whimbrel, Oyster Catcher, Balearic Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Osprey, Sanderling, Kingfisher, to name but a few.
It's good for Turnstone which I`ve seen here in every month of the year, Kentish Plover.. we saw about 120 today, Thekla Lark, Tawny Pipit, Audouin's Gull..54 today, Whimbrel, Oyster Catcher, Balearic Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Osprey, Sanderling, Kingfisher, to name but a few.
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Mike Montier
Well-known member
Hi Josh.
It’s the Cap de Ses Salines, the most southerly point of Mallorca and can be magnificent on the right day.
End of September and early October is the peak time.
I will be there as much as I can be and hope for some magical migration. It’s already hotting up and some stormy weather like today may well liven things up even more.
Yes, Hjohnsson, definitely try to avoid the capotes. (Pronounced: ca po tays)
No birding today but we did have a walk at La Victoria and what a fabulous place it is, highly recommended for those who have never been, which included us until today.
We called in at Maristany on the way home and this is what it looks like in the summer, very different from the landscape most visitors are used to.
Mike
It’s the Cap de Ses Salines, the most southerly point of Mallorca and can be magnificent on the right day.
End of September and early October is the peak time.
I will be there as much as I can be and hope for some magical migration. It’s already hotting up and some stormy weather like today may well liven things up even more.
Yes, Hjohnsson, definitely try to avoid the capotes. (Pronounced: ca po tays)
No birding today but we did have a walk at La Victoria and what a fabulous place it is, highly recommended for those who have never been, which included us until today.
We called in at Maristany on the way home and this is what it looks like in the summer, very different from the landscape most visitors are used to.
Mike
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Mike Montier
Well-known member
Mike Montier
Well-known member
A very nice morning on my own at the Cap.
The day started well with a few Bee-eaters and Barn swallows were constantly flying past.
A magnificent group of 85 Bee-eaters went out to sea, directly towards Africa.
Many groups of this species go west so presumably leave Mallorca further down the line.
All in all, I saw a total of around 125 Bee-eaters.
A Black vulture came from the east and flew north.
I saw three birds flying away from me towards Salobrar and I’m sure they were Spoonbills but the date is a bit early. I will go to the salt pans to try to locate them as I’m convinced they were this species.
I also saw a Bonelli’s eagle drifting past.
I like birding alone sometimes but it’s always nice to have other eyes to confirm sightings, one large raptor today is still puzzling me. I saw local Red kites and Booted eagles so I had my eye in. It very annoyingly goes on the “not sure” list.
Another rain storm at the moment so the weekend could be good.
Mike
The day started well with a few Bee-eaters and Barn swallows were constantly flying past.
A magnificent group of 85 Bee-eaters went out to sea, directly towards Africa.
Many groups of this species go west so presumably leave Mallorca further down the line.
All in all, I saw a total of around 125 Bee-eaters.
A Black vulture came from the east and flew north.
I saw three birds flying away from me towards Salobrar and I’m sure they were Spoonbills but the date is a bit early. I will go to the salt pans to try to locate them as I’m convinced they were this species.
I also saw a Bonelli’s eagle drifting past.
I like birding alone sometimes but it’s always nice to have other eyes to confirm sightings, one large raptor today is still puzzling me. I saw local Red kites and Booted eagles so I had my eye in. It very annoyingly goes on the “not sure” list.
Another rain storm at the moment so the weekend could be good.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Huge numbers of Bee-eaters appear to be everywhere at the moment.
Every town I have been to today has got small groups all over the place.
We are staying in s’Alqueria Blanca at the moment and I have heard them all the time I’ve been there.
The Cap is going well with a Honey buzzard, a Marsh harrier and good numbers of Common kestrel going south.
And of course, lots of Bee-eaters.
They are a glorious sight as they spiral up, circle a few times and then depart. It’s the noise that is also addictive, lovely multi-coloured beauties they are.
Mike
Every town I have been to today has got small groups all over the place.
We are staying in s’Alqueria Blanca at the moment and I have heard them all the time I’ve been there.
The Cap is going well with a Honey buzzard, a Marsh harrier and good numbers of Common kestrel going south.
And of course, lots of Bee-eaters.
They are a glorious sight as they spiral up, circle a few times and then depart. It’s the noise that is also addictive, lovely multi-coloured beauties they are.
Mike
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Mike Montier
Well-known member
The Cap de Ses Salines has been very poor so far this autumn.
Reasons are unknown but that I guess, is the magic, or otherwise, of migration.
The total number of Honey buzzard has not even reached double figures and there has been little else to shout about.
Just Bee-eaters so far have performed with anything like good numbers.
Perhaps they are all waiting for a mass exodus and there will be some great days ahead.
We can only wait and hope.
Mike
Reasons are unknown but that I guess, is the magic, or otherwise, of migration.
The total number of Honey buzzard has not even reached double figures and there has been little else to shout about.
Just Bee-eaters so far have performed with anything like good numbers.
Perhaps they are all waiting for a mass exodus and there will be some great days ahead.
We can only wait and hope.
Mike
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Geordie Dave
Well-known member
Mike I arrive back on Thursday and will be at the Cap either Saturday or Sunday this weekend. Can you tell everything to hang in for just a few more days please!!
Mike Montier
Well-known member
I reckon you will hit it about right David.
Those Honey buzzards will be waiting for you.
I am dropping the kids off early at the airport on Saturday and I will go straight to the Cap. I will also be going on Sunday.
Hope very much to see you there.
Mike
Those Honey buzzards will be waiting for you.
I am dropping the kids off early at the airport on Saturday and I will go straight to the Cap. I will also be going on Sunday.
Hope very much to see you there.
Mike
H Johnsson
Well-known member
I will try to join you on both Saturday and Sunday
Phil Akers
Well-known member
Hi Mike, G Dave has asked if I would like to join you both at the cap this weekend but I`m not sure yet if I will be able to make it, we`ll see. But here`s how yesterday`s birding trip went.
I met up with Phil Garnett at the electrical substation at Son Bosc, on the lane leading down to the Depuradora which is located at the back of the Albufera reserve. Phil had arrived there just a few minutes before me but he had already found a small flock of 17 Stone Curlew; off to a good start, we also found a distant Wheatear. It`s always worth a brief stop off there, there`s often good birds to be found. On previous occasions I`ve had Tree Sparrow, Bee Eater, Eleonora`s Falcon, Turtle Dove, Mistle Thrush, Thekla Lark, Tawny Pipit, to name a few.
We then made our way down the lane to the viewing tower at the Depuradora. ( at the end of this post I`ll give directions for anyone who is not familiar with the area to be able to find the Depuradora. I`m sure Mike Montier has already done this many times but another won`t hurt)
When we arrived there it was quieter than usual but there was still a good variety of species: Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Com. Swift, Marsh Harrier, Cettis Warbler, Nightingale, Sardinian Warbler, Hoopoe, Green Sandpiper, Whinchat, Woodchat Shrike, Shoveller, Shelduck, Gadwall, Marbled Duck, Teal, Com. Pochard, Spotted Flycatcher and also a Ferruginous Duck: it was quite distant but unmistakeable, no photo opportunity, but it was a great addition to my year list.
We left the Depuradora and made our way to the Albufera. It was a cloudy but hot and humid day..30c. The walk up the lane leading to the visitor centre was a bit of a trudge, but we did find 4 Night Herons on the way, roosting in the canal side bushes. At the visitor centre we tried out the the
The final port of call was
So a very good day`s birding, 67 species. The Albufera rarely fails to produce a good variety of species, it was a shame that there weren't better photo opportunities.
Directions to the Viewing tower at the Depuradora.. On the MA 12 heading toward Can Picafort at the first main roundabout at the start of Can Picafort turn right to reach a 2nd roundabout, take the 1st exit on to the MA3431, continue until you reach the kilometre 9 roadside marker on the left hand side, turn right directly opposite this marker and head on down a fairly narrow lane, keep going for about 2km until you see a derelict house on the L/H side, just past the old house turn left down the narrow rough lane, continue until you reach the viewing tower.
I met up with Phil Garnett at the electrical substation at Son Bosc, on the lane leading down to the Depuradora which is located at the back of the Albufera reserve. Phil had arrived there just a few minutes before me but he had already found a small flock of 17 Stone Curlew; off to a good start, we also found a distant Wheatear. It`s always worth a brief stop off there, there`s often good birds to be found. On previous occasions I`ve had Tree Sparrow, Bee Eater, Eleonora`s Falcon, Turtle Dove, Mistle Thrush, Thekla Lark, Tawny Pipit, to name a few.
We then made our way down the lane to the viewing tower at the Depuradora. ( at the end of this post I`ll give directions for anyone who is not familiar with the area to be able to find the Depuradora. I`m sure Mike Montier has already done this many times but another won`t hurt)
When we arrived there it was quieter than usual but there was still a good variety of species: Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Com. Swift, Marsh Harrier, Cettis Warbler, Nightingale, Sardinian Warbler, Hoopoe, Green Sandpiper, Whinchat, Woodchat Shrike, Shoveller, Shelduck, Gadwall, Marbled Duck, Teal, Com. Pochard, Spotted Flycatcher and also a Ferruginous Duck: it was quite distant but unmistakeable, no photo opportunity, but it was a great addition to my year list.
We left the Depuradora and made our way to the Albufera. It was a cloudy but hot and humid day..30c. The walk up the lane leading to the visitor centre was a bit of a trudge, but we did find 4 Night Herons on the way, roosting in the canal side bushes. At the visitor centre we tried out the the
new Sa Roca hide 1st, this was where we had found the Broad Billed Sandpiper 6 weeks earlier. There were lots of birds to see: Greenshank ,L.R. Plover, Grey Heron, Spotted Redshank, Black Tailed Godwit, Glossy Ibis, Garganey, Snipe, Osprey, Purple Swamp hen. The Light was poor and the photo opportunities were limited. We next tried the 2 Es Cibollers hides next but they were very quiet but we did find 3 Ruff, one of which was half as big again as the other 2, fairly common for this species. The final port of call was
Es Columbars Hide which is a kilometre further down the lane leading toward the power station, quite an investment in energy on a hot day. It was worth it though, we had Great White Egret, Flamingo, Great Crested Grebe, Little Bittern, Red Necked Grebe. So a very good day`s birding, 67 species. The Albufera rarely fails to produce a good variety of species, it was a shame that there weren't better photo opportunities.
Directions to the Viewing tower at the Depuradora.. On the MA 12 heading toward Can Picafort at the first main roundabout at the start of Can Picafort turn right to reach a 2nd roundabout, take the 1st exit on to the MA3431, continue until you reach the kilometre 9 roadside marker on the left hand side, turn right directly opposite this marker and head on down a fairly narrow lane, keep going for about 2km until you see a derelict house on the L/H side, just past the old house turn left down the narrow rough lane, continue until you reach the viewing tower.
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Richard Prior
Halfway up an Alp
Black- necked Grebe with the Great Crested in your last photo Phil, it sounds like you got some good exercise as well as some good birds!
Phil Akers
Well-known member
Thanks Richard, I've only just noticed that I recorded having seen a Red Necked Grebe when of course it was Black Necked, put that down as a senior moment.
LaGola
Ornithological tourism center
Hello!
This morning two Southern Grey Shrike have been seen by Toni Soler in Vilafranca!!
2 Capsigrany reial ibèric al pla de l'Anzell, Villafranca / 2 Southern Grey Shrike at Pla de l'Anzell, Villafranca 16-09-21
This morning two Southern Grey Shrike have been seen by Toni Soler in Vilafranca!!
2 Capsigrany reial ibèric al pla de l'Anzell, Villafranca / 2 Southern Grey Shrike at Pla de l'Anzell, Villafranca 16-09-21
LaGola
Ornithological tourism center
Thanks for all the info you post here.
Now the number of birdwatchers arriving to the bird centre is increasing a bit, so it is very useful to have all of you birding around and posting it
By the moment in la Gola still some Willow Warblers, I'm trying to find the different one but no good luck.
Regards,
Cristina.
Now the number of birdwatchers arriving to the bird centre is increasing a bit, so it is very useful to have all of you birding around and posting it
By the moment in la Gola still some Willow Warblers, I'm trying to find the different one but no good luck.
Regards,
Cristina.
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Thank you Cristina.
I went hot-foot to Vilafranca to see the shrikes, taking my 4 year old grandson with me on what was to be his first twitch.
I had to bribe him by promising to buy him a toy in Manacor afterwards.
I couldn’t relocate the birds although there were plenty of Woodchat shrikes around the area.
Little Louie got very impatient and I eventually gave in.
He chose the biggest toy in the shop as if to punish me for delaying his pleasure.
So, his first twitch and first dip. He was completely unmoved by the whole experience.
The last Southern grey shrike (lanius meridionalis) stayed a long time at this site so I will go back at every opportunity to try to refind the birds.
My wallet is a bit lighter too.
Mike
I went hot-foot to Vilafranca to see the shrikes, taking my 4 year old grandson with me on what was to be his first twitch.
I had to bribe him by promising to buy him a toy in Manacor afterwards.
I couldn’t relocate the birds although there were plenty of Woodchat shrikes around the area.
Little Louie got very impatient and I eventually gave in.
He chose the biggest toy in the shop as if to punish me for delaying his pleasure.
So, his first twitch and first dip. He was completely unmoved by the whole experience.
The last Southern grey shrike (lanius meridionalis) stayed a long time at this site so I will go back at every opportunity to try to refind the birds.
My wallet is a bit lighter too.
Mike
Geordie Dave
Well-known member
Arrived back late morning today, picked up hire car and drove up to Port de Pollenca. Greeted at my apartment in Gotmar by the sight of 8 vultures together directly overhead. A nice welcome back, here’s hoping it’s the start of an eventful 3 weeks.
StewB
Well-known member
Geordie Dave
Well-known member
A good 4 hours at the Cap this morning with my UK birding pals and the very welcoming folk of the local Raptor Group. Birding was mainly with long distance views of dots in the sky but we were treated to close flypast of honey buzzard, Eleonoras falcon, peregrine, several kestrel and around 100 bee eaters, all heading south. There has been some unsettled weather this afternoon and it may be worth a return visit in the morning. As always good fun, good company and good to be back
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pbjosh
missing the neotropics
Hello all,
Im just arrived for my first visit here. Will be in Port de Pollença until Friday then moving around Sat-Mon of next week.
I plan on visiting Cuber and Mortitx for raptors and Moltonis, and have been told that Boquer Valley is good for migrants by a friend. Beyond those sites and Albufera and some sewage ponds I have mapped, other areas on this end of the island you’d recommend, either for Moltoni‘s or for raptors or for migrants? Or just pretty places to go? I will be on bike but am game for 30-40km each way for a 1/2 day or day birding
If any of you are coming to Albufera or other points N/NE this week, feel free to drop me a line, always a pleasure to meet new folks and have more eyes!
Im just arrived for my first visit here. Will be in Port de Pollença until Friday then moving around Sat-Mon of next week.
I plan on visiting Cuber and Mortitx for raptors and Moltonis, and have been told that Boquer Valley is good for migrants by a friend. Beyond those sites and Albufera and some sewage ponds I have mapped, other areas on this end of the island you’d recommend, either for Moltoni‘s or for raptors or for migrants? Or just pretty places to go? I will be on bike but am game for 30-40km each way for a 1/2 day or day birding
If any of you are coming to Albufera or other points N/NE this week, feel free to drop me a line, always a pleasure to meet new folks and have more eyes!
