derban
Well-known member
Well it was a long shot, there must be more than one Pete Sadlers in the UK. Oh well, enjoy your trip in September. Maybe our paths will cross then, who knows?
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Mallorca 2022 (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter Mike Montier
- Start date
StewB
Well-known member
After arriving yesterday, my family liked my suggestion (for them) of a walk to the beach and a swim at Son Real.. allowing me a morning’s birding around the reserve.
There was nothing unexpected, but as always it was a delight to wander the trails down to and along the beach. To an accompaniment of constant nightingale song, interspersed with wrynecks (a couple seen), turtle doves, serins and the gentle “hoop-oop-oop” of hoopoes it was bliss! Near the beach there were thekla larks, a Balearic warbler and a couple of singing corn buntings. The brisk onshore breeze had brought about a dozen shearwaters into the bay. I could only identify Scopoli’s, despite trying hard to turn some into Balearic!
I bumped into Mike Swiss and Phil A at the platform at the Depuradora. I’ll leave them to report the birds from there, but on my way out I had singing thekla larks and the two bee-eaters originally found by Mike and Phil.
A really enjoyable first day in the field!
Stew
There was nothing unexpected, but as always it was a delight to wander the trails down to and along the beach. To an accompaniment of constant nightingale song, interspersed with wrynecks (a couple seen), turtle doves, serins and the gentle “hoop-oop-oop” of hoopoes it was bliss! Near the beach there were thekla larks, a Balearic warbler and a couple of singing corn buntings. The brisk onshore breeze had brought about a dozen shearwaters into the bay. I could only identify Scopoli’s, despite trying hard to turn some into Balearic!
I bumped into Mike Swiss and Phil A at the platform at the Depuradora. I’ll leave them to report the birds from there, but on my way out I had singing thekla larks and the two bee-eaters originally found by Mike and Phil.
A really enjoyable first day in the field!
Stew
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Mcnswiss2
Well-known member
An excellent day out with Phil A.
Started at the White Plains, hoping for the arrivals of Red Footed Falcons.
Sadly no signs, however the harvesting of the cereals attracted several Red Kites, Marsh Harriers, Common Kestrels and at least one Lesser Kestrel.
Driving along the lanes several Corn Buntings,Thekla larks and Greater Short toed Larks were seen. Several Ravens were also seen as well as a flying Stone Curlew. No sign of Quails.
Next Stop was Son Bosc and the Depuradora.
Two bee eaters posed for us near to the old Quarry.
The Little ringed Plover nest is still there at the Depuradora car Park, with 4 eggs still intact. How it manages to survive!
Not that many species at this site, a few Marble Ducks, Common Terns and a flypast Collard Practincol were the stars.
Stew B turned up and we shared stories, waiting for anything special to arrive.
Phil A and I left for S’ Albufera after a while.
Usual species seen, including Stone Curlews, Marsh Harriers, Avocets, Black Winged Stilts, Cattle Egrets, Red Knobbed Coots, Night Herons, etc.
In total some 50 Species seen during the day.
Several Butterflies seen including Small Copper, Cleopatra, Large White, Clouded Yellow, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral. Several Swallowtails seen laying eggs on the Fennel.
Ended the trip with a couple of pints.
Great day
Thanks Phil.
Started at the White Plains, hoping for the arrivals of Red Footed Falcons.
Sadly no signs, however the harvesting of the cereals attracted several Red Kites, Marsh Harriers, Common Kestrels and at least one Lesser Kestrel.
Driving along the lanes several Corn Buntings,Thekla larks and Greater Short toed Larks were seen. Several Ravens were also seen as well as a flying Stone Curlew. No sign of Quails.
Next Stop was Son Bosc and the Depuradora.
Two bee eaters posed for us near to the old Quarry.
The Little ringed Plover nest is still there at the Depuradora car Park, with 4 eggs still intact. How it manages to survive!
Not that many species at this site, a few Marble Ducks, Common Terns and a flypast Collard Practincol were the stars.
Stew B turned up and we shared stories, waiting for anything special to arrive.
Phil A and I left for S’ Albufera after a while.
Usual species seen, including Stone Curlews, Marsh Harriers, Avocets, Black Winged Stilts, Cattle Egrets, Red Knobbed Coots, Night Herons, etc.
In total some 50 Species seen during the day.
Several Butterflies seen including Small Copper, Cleopatra, Large White, Clouded Yellow, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral. Several Swallowtails seen laying eggs on the Fennel.
Ended the trip with a couple of pints.
Great day
Thanks Phil.
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Looking forward to our visit in a week's time and licking my aged lips at the tales of Mallorcan birding.
Back in the day, 20 years or more, LRP's regularly built a nest in the Depuradora car park and the company used to put a ring on tape around it on sticks to warn people of its presence. This was when there was just a small hide with tiny windows, before the viewing platform was built.
Back in the day, 20 years or more, LRP's regularly built a nest in the Depuradora car park and the company used to put a ring on tape around it on sticks to warn people of its presence. This was when there was just a small hide with tiny windows, before the viewing platform was built.
Phil Akers
Well-known member
Not much that I can add to yesterday`s outing with Mike Swiss yesterday but it really was a good day out. I always love a walk around the grain fields at Maria de la Salut and it certainly didn't disappoint.
Today is the anniversary of Mike S and I finding 5 Red Footed Falcons there last year, just after the grain harvesting. We watched them for an hour or more, all in the same field, as they swooped and hovered. Gorgeous birds. So I`ll be back out there, hopefully to find them again when the weather picks up.
The tortoise photo is from our dog walk the other day, next to the small pond in the woods at Son Real. It`s unusual to see so many in one place but it was a hot day, so I suppose they were needing a drink.
Thanks for yesterday Mike, looking forward to our next outing
Today is the anniversary of Mike S and I finding 5 Red Footed Falcons there last year, just after the grain harvesting. We watched them for an hour or more, all in the same field, as they swooped and hovered. Gorgeous birds. So I`ll be back out there, hopefully to find them again when the weather picks up.
The tortoise photo is from our dog walk the other day, next to the small pond in the woods at Son Real. It`s unusual to see so many in one place but it was a hot day, so I suppose they were needing a drink.
Thanks for yesterday Mike, looking forward to our next outing
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StewB
Well-known member
I was a bit slow off the mark after last night’s storm and this morning’s rain, but eventually all this holiday relaxation got to me and I made a swift pre-lunch visit to the Albufereta. Highlights were an osprey, a single stone curlew and a purple heron. Two pairs of avocets were a nice surprise (to me, anyway), and a great crested grebe was the first I’ve seen away from the Albufera or Maristany. Aside from several singing corn buntings, passerines seemed to be keeping their heads down in the windy conditions.
After lunch we took a family stroll down the Bocquer Valley. Again passerines we’re in very short supply - probably down to the time of day and the windy conditions. A solitary Eleanora’s falcon cruised along the southern ridge, where a booted eagle was soaring around. A black vulture drifted along the northern ridge, and another drifted along the southern ridge a few minutes later. As we left the valley several crag martins (at least 8) were flying low over the fields below the finca.
Stew
After lunch we took a family stroll down the Bocquer Valley. Again passerines we’re in very short supply - probably down to the time of day and the windy conditions. A solitary Eleanora’s falcon cruised along the southern ridge, where a booted eagle was soaring around. A black vulture drifted along the northern ridge, and another drifted along the southern ridge a few minutes later. As we left the valley several crag martins (at least 8) were flying low over the fields below the finca.
Stew
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Mcnswiss2
Well-known member
A cold, blowing morning after the rain storm last night.
Perfect weather for a walk around Son Real.
As we left the Port, an Osprey was seen fishing over the sea.
Son Real was quite busy with visitors including some interesting birders from Germany and from Scotland (Ian and his lovely wife).
A visit to the hide /pond did not produce anything special as expected since there were plenty of water around the park.
Birds seen or heard on the walks included Corn Buntings, Chaffinches, Greenfinces, Goldfinches, Sardinian Warblers, Hoopoes, Nighingales, Red Legged Partridges, Pheasents, Blue and Great Tits, Firecrest, Crossbills, Wrynecks and Tawny Pipit. Several Turtle Doves heard singing above.
No sign of Balearic and Dartford warblers, nor Thekla larks.
The Coast was also very quiet with a few Yellow legged and Audouins Gulls.
Only one Hermanns Tortoise was seen, and few Butterlies apart from Speckled Wood, Small White and Clouded Yellow.
A great cool walk after this last weeks heat.
Perfect weather for a walk around Son Real.
As we left the Port, an Osprey was seen fishing over the sea.
Son Real was quite busy with visitors including some interesting birders from Germany and from Scotland (Ian and his lovely wife).
A visit to the hide /pond did not produce anything special as expected since there were plenty of water around the park.
Birds seen or heard on the walks included Corn Buntings, Chaffinches, Greenfinces, Goldfinches, Sardinian Warblers, Hoopoes, Nighingales, Red Legged Partridges, Pheasents, Blue and Great Tits, Firecrest, Crossbills, Wrynecks and Tawny Pipit. Several Turtle Doves heard singing above.
No sign of Balearic and Dartford warblers, nor Thekla larks.
The Coast was also very quiet with a few Yellow legged and Audouins Gulls.
Only one Hermanns Tortoise was seen, and few Butterlies apart from Speckled Wood, Small White and Clouded Yellow.
A great cool walk after this last weeks heat.
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Thanks all, lovely to get your reports.
I’ve never seen a Blue tit at Son Real.
Where exactly was it Mike? A good record.
I have been out Scops owl hunting every night recently.
Not a peep, nor a toot in this case.
The rain was extraordinary apparently with 65 litros m2 in Palma.
Reports of many nests being washed away which is all rather sad. I hope some species can rebuild and start again. I’m not sure if they do this or not but I’m hoping.
Mike
I’ve never seen a Blue tit at Son Real.
Where exactly was it Mike? A good record.
I have been out Scops owl hunting every night recently.
Not a peep, nor a toot in this case.
The rain was extraordinary apparently with 65 litros m2 in Palma.
Reports of many nests being washed away which is all rather sad. I hope some species can rebuild and start again. I’m not sure if they do this or not but I’m hoping.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
The storm seems to have brought some terns down.
Juanjo reports Sandwich, Common and Little terns at Portixol, just east along the coast from Palma.
Maybe some other birds have put down too so it will be interesting to see what’s about.
Mike
Juanjo reports Sandwich, Common and Little terns at Portixol, just east along the coast from Palma.
Maybe some other birds have put down too so it will be interesting to see what’s about.
Mike
Simon Elliott
Well-known member
Single Honey Buzzard and 3 Black Vultures passed over Albercutx Tower at about midday today. Several Night Herons, Stone Curlew and presume Iberian Hare from Albufereta platform at dusk. Great to be back in Mallorca, wiping out the memory of being burgled and losing all my camera equipment last time we were here.
StewB
Well-known member
So.. I saw this raptor mid-afternoon yesterday (very) high above the north ridge in the Bocquer Valley, struggling steadily into the strong wind. I couldn’t get any plumage details through binoculars so took a chance on a couple of shots with the camera.
I think, on silhouette, that its small head, longish fairly squared-off tail and general profile make it a honey buzzard but I’d welcome any comments or opinions (obviously I know it’s a rubbish photo).
Stew
I think, on silhouette, that its small head, longish fairly squared-off tail and general profile make it a honey buzzard but I’d welcome any comments or opinions (obviously I know it’s a rubbish photo).
Stew
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Mike Montier
Well-known member
Geordie Dave
Well-known member
Stew/Mike I’m not that raptor person!! First thought was black kite or harrier but what do I know. Distant raptors in the wind not easy and there’s no sense of scale either.
StewB
Well-known member
Birds hey? You think you know a thing or two, only to discover that you don’t!
Stew
StewB
Well-known member
A good day in the field with Mike Swiss and Peter S. Initially the weather seemed against us, and the walk up the Fishermen’s Walk at Cala St Vincenc was into a bit of a hoolie, with added rain for good measure. Not surprisingly we saw very few passerines - couple of Sardinian warblers but no other Sylvias, and a couple of blue rock thrushes. Things started looking up when an Eleanora’s falcon battled its way along the ridge, a crag martin flew past and a raven put in an appearance. Then a large raptor swung into view and caused a bit of chaos when we realised that it was a rather fine Egyptian vulture! The walk back through the wood produced chaffinches, a great tit and crossbills.
We then headed for the Central Plains near Maria de Salut. We couldn’t find any red-footed falcons, but there were lots of kestrels on the recently harvested straw bales, and nearby an excellent male lesser kestrel - joined briefly by a female. While we were looking for the greater short-toed lark seen recently by Mike et al we had a black vulture looking totally out of place cruising across the cereal fields. Eventually we saw the lark, plus a couple of red-legged partridges and several sand martins mixed in with the many swifts flying low over the fields.
On the drive back across to Son Bosc we saw booted eagle, a thekla lark (on wires), a woodchat and at least three red kites. Along the Son Bosc road we had another booted eagle and a bee eater, and at the Depuradora we had a purple heron, several common pochard, gadwalls and a red-crested pochard.
For a day which seemed to promise little at the outset we managed to see some cracking birds, and have some fun!
Stew
We then headed for the Central Plains near Maria de Salut. We couldn’t find any red-footed falcons, but there were lots of kestrels on the recently harvested straw bales, and nearby an excellent male lesser kestrel - joined briefly by a female. While we were looking for the greater short-toed lark seen recently by Mike et al we had a black vulture looking totally out of place cruising across the cereal fields. Eventually we saw the lark, plus a couple of red-legged partridges and several sand martins mixed in with the many swifts flying low over the fields.
On the drive back across to Son Bosc we saw booted eagle, a thekla lark (on wires), a woodchat and at least three red kites. Along the Son Bosc road we had another booted eagle and a bee eater, and at the Depuradora we had a purple heron, several common pochard, gadwalls and a red-crested pochard.
For a day which seemed to promise little at the outset we managed to see some cracking birds, and have some fun!
Stew
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Mcnswiss2
Well-known member
I think Booted Eagle Stew
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Jane and I met up with Mike Swiss and Susan to discuss our forthcoming trip to Switzerland and to have a scoot round the adjoining fields. We have both been there quite a few times recently so we were not expecting any surprises but it was nevertheless a very enjoyable and fruitful day.
Lots of Kestrels were hunting over the recently reaped fields, sitting on bales of hay or hovering above. Double figures were all very active and it was clear to see that some were Lesser kestrels.
Quail were calling, Short-toed larks were present as were many Red kite and Corn buntings were everywhere we looked. Goodness knows how many are present in Mallorca at the moment but it must be very impressive numbers.
Then Mike spotted a falcon so far away, I could hardly locate it. He thought it was a Red-footed falcon but neither of us had a telescope.
Sure enough though, a photo on full zoom revealed a female Red-footed falcon. A beautiful bird and a great pity it was so far away.
We returned to the sports bar for lunch and what a treat that was. It’s a bit scruffy and basic, but when you see the car park full of white vans, you know you are in for a real treat.
Mike
Lots of Kestrels were hunting over the recently reaped fields, sitting on bales of hay or hovering above. Double figures were all very active and it was clear to see that some were Lesser kestrels.
Quail were calling, Short-toed larks were present as were many Red kite and Corn buntings were everywhere we looked. Goodness knows how many are present in Mallorca at the moment but it must be very impressive numbers.
Then Mike spotted a falcon so far away, I could hardly locate it. He thought it was a Red-footed falcon but neither of us had a telescope.
Sure enough though, a photo on full zoom revealed a female Red-footed falcon. A beautiful bird and a great pity it was so far away.
We returned to the sports bar for lunch and what a treat that was. It’s a bit scruffy and basic, but when you see the car park full of white vans, you know you are in for a real treat.
Mike
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Where is this Sports Bar Mike?
StewB
Well-known member
This morning I walked the Mortitx Valley with two sons-in-law. The overcast and occasionally damp conditions, together with pleasant company and interesting conversation militated against intensive birding, but nonetheless good birds were seen.
A booted eagle was circling overhead as we left the car at the valley entrance. Chaffinches, greenfinches, goldfinches and serins were much in evidence on the walk down to the vineyard, and a few nightingales were singing too.
We walked to the refuge and back. Sightings totalled three blue rock thrushes, two cirl buntings, two crag martins, two red kites and just three black vultures. Highlight was a couple of fly-through Bonelli’s eagles, followed by good ‘scope views of one perched on a high peak.
Stew
A booted eagle was circling overhead as we left the car at the valley entrance. Chaffinches, greenfinches, goldfinches and serins were much in evidence on the walk down to the vineyard, and a few nightingales were singing too.
We walked to the refuge and back. Sightings totalled three blue rock thrushes, two cirl buntings, two crag martins, two red kites and just three black vultures. Highlight was a couple of fly-through Bonelli’s eagles, followed by good ‘scope views of one perched on a high peak.
Stew
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Hi Alf
I will ask Mike to post a map, he’s really good at that sort of thing.
The food is local and quite hearty stuff with sepia, tongue, frito and the like but they were very happy to make baguettes for us. Very good they were too. I personally like the local stuff but it’s not to everyone’s taste.
A nice day out Stew, it’s very hard to walk anywhere without birding. Well done.
Mike
I will ask Mike to post a map, he’s really good at that sort of thing.
The food is local and quite hearty stuff with sepia, tongue, frito and the like but they were very happy to make baguettes for us. Very good they were too. I personally like the local stuff but it’s not to everyone’s taste.
A nice day out Stew, it’s very hard to walk anywhere without birding. Well done.
Mike
